Making Progress

7/4/15 - Happy July 4th!

We stopped at Hideaway Marina to take the mast down and see our buddy Vince.

Waterford - Ready to go up the 5 locks

Docked at Brian and Deb's in Pennellville (mouse tied up beside)

We made it!  By the time we arrived (took 9 days from NJ to Pennellville) the engine was only leaking about 2 quarts in 10 hours.  About half of what it was at the start.  By 9:30 the evening we arrived in Pennellville Jerry had taken the engine apart so we could take the transmission and bell housing off the engine to inspect the rear main seal.  Parts were ordered, all the rusty parts cleaned, painted and reinstalled.  Jerry's brother Dan has helped out a lot with the cleaning with acid dip and sandblasting and sourcing needed components.  Our hope is that we'll be able to put the boat back together to be able to head someplace south for the winter.  Here's an example of what Jerry and Dan have done (I helped too - it's easier for me to climb up and over the engine for starboard access):

Transmission, cooling pipes, coupling, prop shaft....BEFORE

Transmission, cooling pipes, coupling, prop shaft....AFTER

The engine work has been the main focus of our projects but many other tasks are being attended to at the same time.  We straightened out the bent windshield frame on the port side and attached the dodger canvas to see how it worked.  We had the glass guys come out and look at the two glass panels that need to be replaced with tempered glass.  One is slightly curved with a handrail attached.  All we have to do is finish our cardboard patterns to take to them now.  They'll make the glass and come out to help install.

You'll notice no mast on board now.  Brian used his crane he uses to build docks and put the mast on shore.  We thought we'd move it to the woods out of the way but it's too heavy.  We used to carry the old Persephone's mast with a couple of people.  Not this mast.  So, it sits in front of the boat on shore for now.  It was easy to take the measurements we needed for ordering a jib.  When we untied the boom from the mast we spent a couple of hours cleaning the inside of the boom.  Over the years birds had packed the boom, all 16' of it, with straw and twigs for a nest.  It really was packed!  Even found feathers and eggs!
So for now our list goes on.....cushions, fabric, foam, electrical, woodwork, jib, anchor chain, stern rails, running lights......

PS  If you know of anyone looking for a camper we have one to sell!  It's a 2007 40' 5th wheel made by Newmar.  Take a look at: http://2007torreypines.blogspot.com/.