Aboard Astraea

Invest in experiences

February 22, 2012
by Nate

Yard day 2

On the hard at Knight and Carver

On the hard at Knight and Carver

Today we worked on the boat for 3 hours and really got a lot done. The radar is mounted and most of the molding for the headliner is out. Tomorrow we’ll get new cotter pins for the rigging and continue to prep the masts for stepping.

The bottom of the keel has already been fixed and is ready for paint

The bottom of the keel has already been fixed and is ready for paint

 

The mast has new wood and is ready for Awlgrip

The mast has new wood and is ready for Awlgrip

 

Mounting the radar bracket. I used sealant around the frame and screws to prevent water from getting in.

Mounting the radar bracket. I used sealant around the frame and screws to prevent water from getting in.

Natalie helped unscrew the molding that covers the headliner staples

Natalie helped unscrew the molding that covers the headliner staples

 

Close up of how the old headliner is installed

Close up of how the old headliner is installed

I used a putty knife to remove the old molding. It was varnished after install and stuck to the headliner and walls.

I used a putty knife to remove the old molding. It was varnished after install and stuck to the headliner and walls.

February 22, 2012
by Nate

Astraea has arrived!

 

Astraea being offloaded from the truck on her way to the yard

Astraea being offloaded from the truck on her way to the yard

Astraea made it safe and sound to Knight and Carver Yacht Center after her cross country trip. Well, mostly safe and sound. There was a bit of damage to the bottom of the keel, but nothing a few hours in the yard can’t fix.

The area of rotten wood at the bottom of the main mast is exposed

The area of rotten wood at the bottom of the main mast is exposed

I met Sal, the carpenter, and I know Astraea’s mast is in good hands. He’s been in the boat carpentry business for 30 years. In no time he had all the wet, rotten wood cut away. Tonight he’ll leave a lamp on the exposed area to dry out any residual moisture. The next step will be gluing in new wood. The final part for strengthening the new wood is penetrating the wood with epoxy. This will strengthen the mast far more than wood and glue alone. It will also prevent any future rot.

The area of damage to the bottom of the keel

The area of damage to the bottom of the keel

We put up the lifelines and reconnected the anchor. The windlass works great going up. I just don’t know how to let it go down yet. Inside the cabin we began removing the damaged veneer by the windows. It comes off easily with a putty knife. We should have all the veneer removed in a day or two. Then we can remove the headliner. After the headliner is out we’ll smooth out the area around the windows with putty. I can also begin removing and rebidding the windows.

Checklist for getting Astraea ready to live aboard:

  • Prepare and ship to San Diego
  • Unload in San Diego
  • Put up the lifelines
  • Remove damaged veneer
  • Remove headliner
  • Remove and rebed portlights
  • Clean
  • Launch and tie up at Pier 32