Busy Bee

[Eddie Offermann]

Just a quick check-in to let everybody know I'm still alive and kicking! Its been a busy year - not a lot of boat work or terribly much sailing, unfortunately.

I'll write more soon to update on what we *have* been doing, with So Nice and otherwise, soon. I'm in the throes of a terrible chest cold right now though, so more detailed info will have to wait.

[William P. Gibbons]

Checking in to say hello. Sorry for the long hiatus. Bob Mitchell and Clyde Phillips, you guys are my special inspiration, along with everyone else who posts.  Moonglade re-fitting proceeds apace. Topsides and masts are white, 2-part Interlux with non-skid on all the horizontal surfaces. Hull is black Imron. Present pictures are the final install of the port side new winch pedestal and winch about 2 feet aft of the original South Coast winches, port and starboard (which are in beautiful condition).  HDPE board + mix of high and low density epoxy for stand-off from cockpit coaming cap rail. I used Dolphinite for bedding. Deck is 3 inches thick beneath both winch pedestals, and includes oak beams about 3 x 3 in. in cross-section between  cockpit coaming and  bulwark. The new edestal is bronze, scaled shorter than original to fit more aft position but exact same configuration, made by local artist. I used a spare piece of 1/4 in thick scavenged fiberglass with beveled edges for a backing plate on the inboard side of the cockpit coaming.  I had a hell of a time and failed to get the 5/16 ss hex head bolt heads to be symmetrical as viewed from the cockpit.  I used the already-drilled pedestal as a template. Unfortunately, I drilled these holes at a slight angle. hoping to have the bolt heads at right angles to the inboard sloping surface of the cockpit coaming.  Oh well--the inboard side and the bolt heads and washers will be painted, and, aside from a few perfectionistic types who love symmetry, they won't be that obvious.  I am confident it is a sound installation.

[Clyde A. Phillips]

It IS GOOD to hear from you again.  Bob and I have been talking about you, so I would guess (this was an old saying when I was three feet high) that your nose started itching.  I think I also have Bob's mind on this so I'll say Bob and I can't wait to hear of your recent Newportering, even if it was only in your daydreams.  Thanks for the note.  Get well quickly, and take good care of yourself.         Peace, Cappy

[bob mitchell]

Well thank goodness. We have surely missed you. I even tracked down your immense resumes on the internet , but could not come up with the phone number, or I would have called.   By the way, LEDs are really getting cheap and bright. I bought a "work light" with 12 super brights to replace my piece of _ _ _ _ halogen, for $20 bucks at Lowes.  Plugs into 120v   OR ...... INCREDIBLE!!!!  AND it has a 16 foot cord with a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug on the end. Talk about a perfect worklight for a newporter engine compartment.  Does not get hot either.  Power rating is equivalent to 70W halogen, but is 10watts. At 12volts that is less than an amp. friend bob