OUT WITH THE OLD/IN WITH THE NEW!

 G'day peoples, The computer wouldn't boot up last night but first thing this morn it decided to work!
So I'll get this update in B4 it decides to go on strike again.The rear deck is alive with action this morn as I've currently got 2 still's working, 1 reflux still and a smaller pot still.The reflux still produces a pure spirit at 94% alcohol while the pot version produces a lesser quality product at about 60%. The trial is to determine which one will live aboard the YOT as I travel around this gr8 country.
As you can see by the Foto's the anchor winch is finally in place,hooked up and working. It still amazes me that everything you build on these Yot's takes so long! By the time you create a mounting block , fit the

mounting block, fit the winch,check it all out , then remove the whole lot , seal all the edges and openings with 2 pack epoxy, silicones or sikkaflex.Then re-bolt the whole lot with more sikkaflex and locktite.
This process took 9 days for the anchor winch assembly including moving the battery banks to itz new forward position under my bed. It's a long involved process but if you don't do it right the first thyme then you end up with a bad install that just creates major problems later.The new winch is incredibly strong and also blisteringly fast. Which should make anchoring a pleasure rather than a chore. The sikkaflex wasn't even dry on the anchor winch assembly before work

started on the sheet winch mounting block. This block was made up of 8 pieces of meranti that I laminated together with epoxy,then carved into a circle with the bandsaw. Kenny then took to the two blocks with his planer and sliding bevel to get the final angle just right! (not the breakfast cereal) Lotz of swearing and experimentation(wkoa) later we had 2 round but triangular shaped blocks ready to glue and screw to the sides of the main cabin area.
Once it was decided that they were indeed correct we then fibreglassed them onto the sides with super strong cloth called double bias! they were then bolted into place for extra strength with four 8mm stainless bolts that go through the winch base, through the mounting block , through the cabin sidez, then through a sheet of stainless steel plate before the nuts and ovasized washers are fitted inside the cabin. Then of course I have to undo all that work except the fibreglass bit and begin the sealing and sikkaflexing stages again.Is it any wonder this rebuild has taken nearly a year already (God has it been that long) Yes!!!!

We arrived in November last year so technikly itz only 10 month's but huge progress has been made as you can see by looking at the early blog entries.The new cabin roof with skylightz, ventz and traveller support base looks rather neat and also functional.If you look down the side of the windows you'll see the small block of timber near the rear edge. This is one of the sheet winch mounting blocks, lotz of work for what is visually just a small piece of shaped timber and fibreglass.This week should see the traveller and handrails fitted to the cabin roof then the whole lot will be painted with 2 pack high build epoxy paint ready for final sanding, fairing (smooth shaping) then it will get itz final paint job once the construction phase is

complete.
This week was Kenny's 50th birthday so I set about producing a 1 litre bottle of Fellixer Kaluha, and a kaluha layered sponge cake for morning smoko break. Friday lunch was a creamy chicken and white wine linguine pasta dish that was enjoyed by all.
Lotz of gr8 meals and treats also during the week with a fresh caesar salad, and Matt's "japanese" curry being just a couple of the highlite's.
All this week I'm helping the guy's in the yard re-paint a 45ft yacht so not 2 much will be done on Galleycat but I'll still get at least 1 job completed each day (that's the plan anyway).A special hello to Hanni and all the guy's from Westcoast angling club who've been in contact this week. My sister's birthday was celebrated in Perth with a feed at her favourite restaurant Kublai (mongolian). The guy's are all currently fishing it up at Winderabandi  and I'm sure they're having a ball without me.Good luck with those Marlin this year. The Perth fishing scene is obviously improving as I've had several calls about the Dhufish catches off Two Rocks.Congrat's to those who've got fresh fillets in the fridge. I've only managed a single mudcrab this week but I have been a little busy trying to get the outside area complete b4 the stinkin hot weather getz here!
Already during the middle of the day is becoming uncomfortably hot and humid,so it won't be long before we are talking about airconditioners again.
That's about it for this week so enjoy your life Today as your a long thyme dead!
Captain Felix