Taking a rest with the storage canvas in place.

 

 Trailer work started last year.  It's ready to assemble.

 It's been almost five years since our last post.  However, the boat is still coming along.  Medical issues and Hurricane Ian slowed or sidelined the project.  Most of the plumbing and electrical wiring us in place.

Building the "down the road" trailer required construction of a gantry to lift the bow end of the boat off the temporary "building" trailer for the swap.

Our friend Sherry made a beautiful blue bimini top for the cockpit, the mattresses and the dinette cushions.  They are all stored safely in the house.  Photos someday.
The cockpit stays covered under the overhang behind the shop.

The new "down the road" trailer tires are now protected from the sun with custom covers made from an upcycled tent canopy.

More progress

The MGB-GT is getting lots of wrench time but the boat is still moving along.  We filled and bled the steering system last weekend:

The rag is red from ATF leaks.

The galley is almost ready for formica, but leaving it bare makes a nice work area for now.
 Notice to the right that the head is in place on the base.  Yes, there will be walls and a door.

More wiring and navigation equipment

Progress continuues-

Messy cockpit but it is easier to work inside.  Fortunately, there is a canopy overhead.

Top left- Electric current leak indicator - a must on an aluminum boat or any boat.
Vented loop for bilge pump discharge.

TOP: Cabin lighting and VHF radio installed.  
BOTTOM: Back of starboard side helm area.  John included a nice shelf for charts and the log book.

Wiring for helm instruments.  

Wiring for AC and DC power in progress.

We went to the International Boat Builders Expo last week looking for new products and ideas. We found loads of great LED lighting options, electrical gizmos and some amazing new technology.  Most didn't make sense for our boat but it was interesting.

Battery charger, main switches, future AC panel and the isolation transformer.

Engine starting battery under the step.

Inverter and port inverter battery under frame for helm seat.

Galley counter with AC outlet.  You can see LED dome light in celing of head..
Yes, there will be a wall between head and galley.

Now - Boat progress!

We call her Ally right now.  That may change later.  She has been painted for several months and has temporary plexiglass windows so she can be closed up and kept outside the shop.  The permanent windows will be smoked not clear.  The temporary windows can get paint overspray and sand blast damage.

This is the best shot I could get of the drawings.  It actually looks like John's design drawings.

John has started wiring and it is a major project.  First, we listed all of the electrical needs and calculate wattage.  There is AC (alternating current) to the inverter, generator and shore power.  The refrigerator runs on AC and there will be critical appliances (coffee maker) used only at a marina dock.  DC to the batteries, alternators, lighting, pumps and other odds and ends.  This all has to be laid out and installed before the sides are finished.  Wiring will be be secured and protected from chafe as it passes through the aluminum frame of boat.

House batteries are under the helm seat bases and a spare battery is going under the inside step.  The two helm seats will be fixed to the platforms in the front of this photo (port is the one with green mat on top.)   The dinette seat frames are on the right and the galley framework is on the left.  The open panel to the engine and alternators is in the center.  (The upside down bucket and cushion combination is for John to rest his belly on as he works on low areas.)

All of the instruments need to be wired to the senders on the engine.  Not shown are the AC and DC switches panels.

Extra battery under the step on right and a better look at the engine.

Other trinkets like cleats and the fuel fill are in place.

Why there have been no posts.....

The boat project and this writer have been sidetracked by adding an addition to the house for my sewing area. 

After - old sewing room connects to new room.

Before - old sewing room.

75% of the addition.  The second set of french doors from pool room and the east end are cut off.

We even unburied the pool table.  John still uses one end for drafting but the board lifts off for easy access.  Boat parts that need to be stored inside are under the table.

May 2017

We have been laying out the interior and measuring and measuring and measuring.  This is the framework for the dinette that will convert to a bed.  Since John has years of experience taking boats apart to replace tanks and other repairs, he is planning ahead.  The port water tank will sit below the table and can be removed if needed.

It is easier to weld on the shop floor or on tables, so the center rear window frame had to be removed to get the dinette frame in and out.

Dinette frame in place.  The seat backs will fold.

Removing the frame to finish welding.  Only a half inch had to be cut off the legs.

Looking aft into the cockpit.  There will be doors on both sides The engine is behind the dark gray foam pad.  You can also see the white panels covering the cockpit wall ribs.

February 2017

We took a break to visit Tavares, Mount Dora and Lakeland area for a few days.

Air Museum in Lakeland

Gnome Village on the Dora Canal.  It returns each year with the snow birds.

The engine is an inboard Ford and needed a box to surround it.  This sits in the cockpit just behind the cabin wall.  Easily removed for maintenance.

Engine Box in progress

Finished with vents.

October to January 2017

Visiting the Tree Capital Museum in Perry Florida.

John has been making progress on the boat.  We went to the big International Boat Builders Expo -IBEX in October to search for a fuel tank manufacturer.  Even though John can make them, it's best to have USCG certified tanks.  We ordered them custom made from a great company - RDS Aluminum in Perry, Florida.

The cockpit deck hatches are finished and it's time to close up the stern.  

Closed, but how does he get in and out?

John built a custom stairway on wheels.

August

After a wonderful few days in San Antonio, it is back to work. 

Here is a nice shot with tarps removed.  We have spent a lot of time pumping rainwater out of the boat lately.  The bow rail is finished.

 Chocks installed.

Helm is taking shape.  Real seat bases are under construction.  Bar stools and pillows just won't work, LOL.
 Two 25 gallon water tanks arrived today

It is starting to really come together.

.

June and July

Here is picture of the bow rail in progress.  John used 1" aluminum pipe, bent and rolled to fit

 Here is the anchoring hardware.  A roller, holder and king post.