GALLEY CAT

GALLEY CAT
LIFE BEGINS !

Friday 19 July 2013

FROM CONCEPT 2 REALITY !!! But WHAT IS REALITY ?

G'day World,
                    When last I gave you an idea as 2 life aboard, we were at the very early stages of fibreglass worx on the new hull.
As I type this that hull is now a "REALITY"!!
I'm waiting for some epoxy to cure that will be the beginnings of the new deck extensions.
So I'll take this oppor"tuna"ty  2 fill you in on what haz been an amazing week of progress.
In just one week the concept we started with has revealed itself to be an incredibly strong hull that is blowing our expectations (wkoa) out the window (porthole).
Galleycat floated yesterday for the first thyme in 2 weex and I waited with baited breath (and baited hooks) plus a bourbon!
Suxcess!!!
WOW!
Not 1/2 an inch of extra floatation (wkoa) but a staggering 4" rise on the rear of the Yot.
It wasn't until the next morn that the true fact sank in as we went around putting pencil marks on the float lines left by the previous nitez high tide.
Again WOW!!!
and thatz with just one hull completed.
We've done some calculations (wkoa) and we guestimate about 105kg of materials have gone into the whole job with 40kg's of stainless steel, 50kg of fibreglass resin's and cloth plus the various plastic construction boards.
This weight must be removed from our calcul8ed bouyancy to give a net yield.
Well, somewhere in our calc's we made an underestim8 as the new hull has balanced the Yot and returned her to waterline levels of the original designers, B4 I came along and added several kitchens, a pergola and double bed to the rear deck. Not to mention the rear deck itself and fishing platform.
The new extension outline gives the Yot  sillouette balance, as well as extra speed (finga's crossed). As the extra waterline should yield an extra knot or 2 of speed. This won't reveal itself for at least a month yet as I still have the other side to cre8  plus the deck extensions and dinghy slide system.
However I predict a trip to the reef long B4 the job is officially labeled as "complete".
Many of the "doubters" have had to eat big slices of Humble Pie. With both Ken and Myself having a quiet chuckle to ourselves as each one comes 4ward to congratulate us on a job well done.
The job is far from finished but with the re-float, we now "know" the concept and idea's are a proven suxcess. It wasn't until Galleycat actually floated that we could get an idea as to the amount of extra bouyancy we were going to get but with the resultz we've got loading the new dinghy onto the rear slide system will not be a problem. In fact we just may get extra fuel and water storage room that we'd hoped 4.
This will be based on just how much the motors are lifted, we'll use the extra water and fuel cans as ballast if the propellers end up being too high.We may even get enuf lift to allow for the live seafood holding tank  we thort about last week.
The weekend will be spent setting up the necessary support beams so the rear deck can be extended then fibreglassed to the new hull.
This will bring the outside kitchen back online and the extension to the bench and stove/ BBQ area's can be finalized.
I made a cardboard template of the dinghy stern on Thursday so we can fit the side panels and dinghy slides. It loox like the new extension will allow the dinghy to slide aboard with very little effort as it'll only need to lift the dinghy around 450 mm upwards on the 3 slides. Shouldn't be to difficult with a small electric winch looking like the answer at this early stage. Although it would be nice to be able to use the sail winches as a back up system.
A backup rudder steering point is also on the drawing board as well .

Onto other things that happened during the week.
The title had a reference to reality!
This waz because my Demons returned with a vengence late on Thursday in a mood swing that took me from elation to full blown depression in the blink of an eye.
I have never had such a rapid shift in my "reality" status B4, and I attribute the sudden onset to the new tablets the doctor type people have me trying.
 Luckily  I realized the change was upon me and took the necessary steps to limit the possible ramifications.
But enuf of the negatives!
My new sewing machine arrived this week and I had practical lessons on just how to make it work, so I can now sew the vinyl boom bags and covers that I've been needing.
First job on the menu is the rear day bed cover.
I also took some of the Nema offcuts and made this Bench organiser for the rear deck kitchen.
Should hopefully stop the bourbon sliding off the bench (wot a waist), plus it gives me a spot 4 the salt n peppa and the motar and pestal!
There's even room for some1 else to put their drink.
Once the new stainless steel benchtop is fitted, the whole kitchen will need 2B repainted but the cosmetics can wait until I've got 2 complete hulls under me.
That "Bad Back" issues of the last few weex are still continuing with several relief methods tried, including different drugs and different mattresses on the nite thyme cradle.
 Still no luck! So suffer I will continue2.
As U can C the epoxy is now dry and the extension of the rear deck haz been fitted.
Itz amazing how much an extra 1/2 meter of deck space changez the whole rear deck area!
What iz cleer from this week is that:
 "Life is a matter of Balance"
without it my world can turn very quickly!
Whether it be acheivementz, contactz, space, height, alcohol, pain,  social status, floatation (wkoa), perception, nutrition  or sleep deprivation!
Without balance my world crumbles quickly, and I'm beginning 2 understand just why other people crave companionship,
It would be very hard for a couple to sink into this pit of Depression!,
But an individual standz very little chance!, despite the improvements in my universe this week, the reality cloud still managed 2 return.
I feel I must learn from this, and move 4ward, which in itself is a "positive statemint!"
Without Balance I'm now sure my life will B over B4 itz natural term!,
Even with the acheivemintz & improvemints of this week I felt the overwhelming weight of my depression spiral return!
This iz not a lite or faint hearted statemint, and itz a battle I am tackling, with the help of Family, Freinds and Doctors.
It still amazes me 2day to think that with "ALL" the positivez that the Negatives can still gain control!
Itz a good thing I'm not in politics!
A few weex ago I mentioned the "merit of simplicity' this is a statemint that I'm now taking 2 heart, as simple balance can cure my perceived problems if I allow it!
Captain Felix




4 comments:

  1. Hey AUSsie,
    Up here we are experiencing a heatwave! Imagine that! In england, the hot weather is causing fires and its all very new to actually have a summer!! Not used to it an d it is set to last another week at least. Looks like work is going very well. Cant wait to see what you make with the sewing machine. Keep your chin up, wish you were a little closer to Ireland.
    Mer x

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  2. Greetings, CF
    As you'd gather, we FINALLY have the internet back after nearly a week!!!! Looks as if things are progressing really well with the modifications, but you and Kenny must be exhausted after so much work in one week. We're back to school today -not that I'm really looking forward to it - roll on retirement-and the second storey brickwork on the house starts today. They estimate a couple of weeks to finish that, then the roofing can be done. Did some exciting shopping on Saturday - looking at toilets!!!! Who would have thought there could possibly be SOOOOOO many different styles, shapes, sizes and materials in a toilet. Mr Ed (Callisto) will come in and measure up for the cupboards as soon as the roof is on, so we're making progress, too. Also looked at saucepans for the induction cooktop - looks as if the best solution for these is to buy separate items, as all the package deals have several pots I'd not use- big stockpot and Dutch oven mainly and I already have these and would use them on the big stove outside. We mainly need pots for 2, not 6-8 which is what most of the sets have. I've finished painting the bedside tables (did I mention that I HATE painting?!!!!!), so the next step is the cabinets in the family room - JOY!!!!!
    Should look good when they're finished though.
    Better head off - don't want to be late for school!!!! Will give you a bell soon. Take care, and say hello to Kenny for me.
    Mum xo

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  3. Ahoy Cptn Felix
    New pods look great. All this extra floatation means more fishing gear!! Speaking of which..Kayaks for the Kids and Me?? what should I be looking for thats not too expensive. Want something to put on top of the camper trailer for our next trip to geraldton. I think the organiser on the end of the kitchen is a worthwhile addition. If I remember correctly we lost a few glasses of precious felixxer when I was last aboard. Hope the second pontoon goes as well as the first and before too long you can point the bow east and keep on going.. Cheers for now Brother Mark.

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  4. Ahoy Cptn Felix
    Missed your witty comments on the great weekend that was Ipswich Raceway. Action aplenty and Sunday finally saw a resounding Ford dominance. I know you have a birthday on the horizon so let me know if there is anything in particular that you want. Can arrange most things to be delivered directly to the yard so just point me in the right direction. Enjoy your SIMPLE life and remember that it is the forces around us that try to complicate the world. Whether we let them is our choice. Personally I would like nothing more than to jump on a plane and spend a month or 2 in Townsville or the waters around it. Got 16 weeks of leave available but no time to take it or the finances to enjoy it! Oh well that is the path I choose. Enjoy life aboard the elongated and vastly improved GalleyCat. Ciao for now. Brother Mark.

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