Life in the Slow Lane (The Pearl): Boat Improvements

Showing posts with label Boat Improvements. Show all posts

Updates to The Pearl (Part II)

"The big lesson in life is never be scared of anyone or anything." ―Frank Sinatra

The Pearl is a Monk 36, hull #21, built in 1983...she's old, 36 years old. We've done a lot of work on her, but this summer we're giving her a facelift on the inside. Since the boat was built in the early 80s, it was built with ugly gold formica and gold vinyl in the shower. We painted the shower when we first bought the boat and it has held up very well. Our formica was so worn out the color was completely gone in some areas. We had several options for improving it...we could have new countertops installed, new Formica laid or paint what we have. The easiest and cheapest way to go was paint.

We did a little research, talked to a few people and decided we'd go with a product called Giani Marble Countertop Paint Kit. The only problem was we were ready to paint and we couldn't find this product anywhere in town...so we decided to try something else. Anything would be better than what we had.

While we were at Home Depot, looking for the product we wanted, we found another type of paint, Rust-oleum Countertop Coating. It was a quick, cheap way to make the formica look better and it definitely looks better than what we had. I don't think I can recommend the product, unless you want a quick fix. It was difficult to apply evenly (we may try wet sanding it to make it look a little smoother) and it doesn't look as modern as the marble paint, but hey...we're an 80s boat and it has brightened it up. We'll see how it holds up and how we like it. We can always use the marble kit at another time.

Here's the finished project.

Before and after photos

Here's the paint we used...we chose Light Ash

This is the product we thought we'd like...maybe next year.

Our other project for the week was to replace the window over the stove. Can you see the difference?

Updates to The Pearl (Part I)

"Learn to depend upon yourself by doing things in accordance with your own way of thinking." -Grenville Kleiser

Last year I did a post that took readers on a tour of The Pearl...today's post is an update to that tour. This summer we've been doing upgrades to the boat to refresh its look and make it feel a little more like home. When we bought the boat 9 1/2 years ago the saloon cushions were in good shape, so even though they weren't the color I would have chosen, we left them alone and decorated the boat to match. After spending over 1500 days on the boat the cushions have gotten pretty worn out and needed to be replaced, so now it was our chance to choose exactly what we wanted. It's amazing how wonderful the new cushions feel and look...we love them.

New shades, rug and a new quilt that I made this winter really make the stateroom look nice. We also added new lighting so we can see better. We definitely like the improvements. (all the following pictures show the before and after)

The galley is pretty much the same...a new microwave and a few decorations. We're in the process of painting the formica, easier for now than replacing it. We've also replaced the galley window...pictures on these projects a little later.

The V-birth...a little more color.

This is the front head located in the V-birth. It's my private powder room.

Pictures of the saloon (before and after) with the new cushions and rug.

A close up of our new rug in the saloon

A close up of our old cushions and the new cushions.

Our bimini and isinglass were in terrible condition so we had them replaced this spring...it's nice to be able to see through the windows again.

We use to have the name of our boat painted on the bottom of the dinghy, but we never replaced the name after we repainted the dinghy. This new sign will make keeping the dinghy bottom clean a lot easier.

Back on the Boat

Beacon Bay Marina

"Memories made at the lake, last a lifetime."

We've been back onboard for two weeks, so I guess it's time to update the blog. We spent the first three days “On the hard”. This is what boaters call it when we have the boat hauled out of the water and blocked up on land. It's the way we store our boat during the winter here in upstate New York. Staying on the boat when it's on the hard isn't fun, especially when the weather is hot or cold. Without water the heater/AC unit doesn't work. Maybe that's why it's called hard! 🤣Water and electricity is limited too, but at least we were able to use our heads (toilets).

Unwrapping The Pearl...coming alive for the season

Our front door while on the hard

Just a few things to unpack and stow (all this stuff came up the ladder...plus more boxes that were in the stateroom and v-birth).

This year seemed especially hard since the weather has been so cold. We woke up our first three mornings to cabin temperatures ranging from 35º-41º...that's pretty darn cold. Plus it snowed all day Saturday, but despite the weather Stan finished the items on his to do list and we were launched on Monday morning. Meaning we could turn on the heater.

The main reason we returned to the boat so early this year was to have a new enclosure made for the flybridge. The Mahaney brothers at Mahaney Canvas located at Beacon Bay Marina did a wonderful job. They were very professional and got the job done in four days. We couldn't have asked for a better job, and the price was very reasonable.

The first step in getting our new enclosure was to install an extra support for the bimini top

Then the new bimini went up

and they made patterns for the new isinglass

Our new enclosure looks very nice

On Friday (after being on the boat for a week) I went down to Pennsylvania to visit our little ones while they finished our enclosure...little did I know the Mahaneys would finish our top before I got to Kyle's house, so on Saturday while the weather was decent Stan moved the boat down the lake to our summer slip. Several friends met him on the dock to catch his lines...pretty nice my delivery captain had the boat all ready for me when I got home.

May 2 - Splash Day

Beacon Bay Marina

The Pearl got a much needed makeover this spring. The last time she had new bottom paint or a good wax job on the hull was in November 2015 when we were in Indiantown, Florida. She was really in need of a face lift...and boy does she look great now.

One good thing about keeping her in upstate New York is she'll be kept on the hard during the winter. That means each spring she'll get the care and love she deserves. We spent a week on the hard getting the work done and trying to stay warm...it even snowed one day, but splash day was warm and sunny and spring has arrived. The boat and crew are ready for a wonderful summer of fun.

Before and after pictures of the bottom and hull.

This is the first time the dinghy has gotten a coat of paint since Stan made the dinghy in 2010...she looked even worse than this before picture. I didn't get a picture of it before Stan cleaned and sanded the bottom.

Back in the water

The Pearl on her way down the lake to her summer home in Ithaca.

Nov. 22 - Progress Continues

Indiantown Marina

“To accomplish great things we must first dream, then visualize, then plan...believe...act!” ―Alfred A. Montapert

We've had a busy week in the work yard. Seven months of dirt, slim and mildew have been washed off, the hull has been waxed and two coats of new bottom paint have been applied. These projects are hard work and they were even harder this week with the heat and humidity that is still around in south Florida. It's hard to believe it’s November...it feels more like August.

But it hasn't been all work this week; we've made time to catch up with old friends and enjoyed meeting new ones including blogger and Facebook friend Ellen from Cynical Sailor. Hopefully I'll have more time this coming week to visit with her. We're also enjoying events the marina is hosting this week as part of their Thanksgiving Rendezvous. Free meals, drinks, music, fun and fellowship as their way to say thank you to all the boaters that use their marina. We’re scheduled to be put in the water on Friday November 27…and I think we’ll be ready.

The Pearl in our temporary home