The Boatyard Marathon Continued

The Boatyard Marathon Continued – August 23 to September 12, 2010

It was a good thing that we had completed most of the projects on our job list before we left for Canada. When we returned it was somewhat more difficult to get ourselves motivated. Although the temperatures in the boatyard were about 20 degrees cooler that July, we found it harder to get organized and stay focused. It was too easy to get distracted and find more interesting things to pass the time. 

During our stay in the boatyard we had access to the showers and toilets at Stingray Point Marina next door. We also were able to get internet access in the screened in BBQ shelter. That was important as the cooler weather had also brought out the mosquitoes!

This full scale replica of the original Stingray Point screw pile lighthouse is a prominent landmark at the marina.

Chrysaora Quinquecirrah

The presence of sea nettles in the waters of the Chesapeake discourages swimming. Fortunately we have not experienced the sting from their tentacles which can be quite unpleasant. Apparently one of the methods to relieve the pain is to apply urine.

The Chesapeake Deadrise is the official boat of Virginia. Around since the late 1800’s these wooden boats were originally built as work boats and many are now being refitted as pleasure boats. There were several in the boatyard in varying degrees of repair. We have also seen them out working the crab trap lines. 

To help fill the cracks between the planks the boat will be “sunk” and left to soak for a while until the wood swells.The term deadrise refers to the V shape in the bottom of the boat.

Deadrise: The “Dead” straight rise of the wood from the keel rabbet to the chine. This usually includes all bottom planking from the bow staving to near the stern.

When we first arrived in Delatville in mid June the crepe myrtle trees were in full bloom. They were still blooming mid September.

Just one of the many colors of crepe myrtle that range from white to deep purple.

Interesting bark.

But back to the marathon……

Tom used ‘On and Off’ to clean the hull and applied a coat of wax before adding a fresh coat of Micron CSC Blue bottom paint. After more than a year in the water we were surprised to see how well the bottom paint that we had applied in Canada was holding up. There were only a few areas around the bulbs on the front of the bows where the layer of blue paint was worn down to the layer of black underneath. Most of that was due to rubbing against the anchor chain and mooring ball lines.

We had Frankie from the boatyard do some gel coat repairs on our bows. He did a much better job than we could have done ourselves. We have seen some of his paint work on other boats, Polar Pacer’s sister ship Zulia for example, and were impressed with his workmanship.

These new power saving LED lights were installed in the main cabin. The wiring runs behind the new panels that the headliner is glued to. Each light has its own on/off switch.

Every makeover should include new window treatments. The curtains on Polar Pacer were probably original from when she was built in 1985 and did not block much light from coming through. While back in Ontario I took the opportunity to visit Ottawa Street in Hamilton in search of suitable material. 

Since each window is a slightly different shape trapezoid I looked for something without a distinct pattern in a light color to keep the interior as bright as possible. I also wanted a lining that would help keep the heat from the sun out.

  

There are ten windows. Each one required a separate pattern. A Styrofoam bowl made a good temporary pin cushion.

 

 Tom used his new Fein Multimaster (the wonder tool) to prepare the last area that needed to have fiberglass tabbing replaced.

Bit by bit we did get everything completed except for things that we decided could just as easily be done on the water.We just wanted to be back in the water and on our way.

The final thing holding us back was bureaucracy.  The pleasure vessel cruising license that we had obtained when we first arrived in the US last year was about to expire. Without one we would need to present ourselves in person at a customs office each time we arrived at a new port of entry.  With a valid cruising license we can report our arrival by making a phone call.  Prior to leaving for the Bahamas  last fall we had inquired as to the proper procedures when we would return in the spring and were advised by a Customs and Border Patrol agent that we would need to wait two weeks from the expiry date to apply for a new permit.  If we traveled during that two week period we would need to do a full check in at each port.  There were no other requirements. As we spoke to different cruisers we started to hear inconsistent versions of the process which did not surprise us. There seems to be a bit of confusion among C&BP staff as to what the requirements are for foreign cruising vessels. We were a little concerned that we were hearing that we would also need to take Polar Pacer out of the country for the two week waiting period. Considering our location, that would be a difficult thing to do. When we contacted C&BP in Baltimore to confirm the procedures we were advised to come in to the office with our expired license and our boat documents and they would issue a new permit. A quick road trip to Baltimore with a side trip to Annapolis and we were ready to launch!