Yesterday was very exciting. Actually working on phase 2. I’ve sort of got it in my head that we have 3 things to do: Painting (which includes the caulking), Prop Shaft (basically plugging up the shaft log aka big hole in the back of the boat), and Rudder (its made but not finished and we have to hang it on the boat.) So Phase 1 is almost complete:

Inspecting the scribed waterline

1 Coat

3rd and Last Coat

Garrett completed 3 coats of primer on the starboard side Wednesday meaning one side is totally ready for finish paint. The port side and transom still need to be sanded/preserved and then also need 3 coats of primer. That third coat really evened out the hull and eventually that green preservative stopped peaking through. Although a few people think we should paint the topsides minty green…

Phase 2 began with hunting down a prop shaft, cutlass bearing, and stuffing box. We were hoping to find all three of these used. The Napa Boatyard, Kirby, came through for us. They have so many treasures littering their yard he was happy to unload a few things. Kirby sold us the whole set up for $80. We had to buy a new bearing (that goes in the cutlass bearing stern housing, might be a different term for the outer piece but I don’t know it) which was a little pricy at $100 and we’ll have to buy new packing still for the stuffing box which doesn’t cost much. The real work for this phase broke ground yesterday:

Garrett drilled a pilot hole and then with a double nut set up was able to screw in the big bronze bolts that will hold the housing in place.

Garrett passed through a stick with a string attached so we can line up the stuffing box on the inside. The stern housing fit perfectly snug on the outside of the shaft log but the inside end of the shaft log was a little larger so the stuffing box didn’t sit quite so organically.

It went really smooth. The only hiccup was when one of the drill bits for the pilot hole broke off, in the hole! Garrett was so pissed. It took forever to get that dang thing out and we were frustrated that we might have to cut a bigger hole to remove the metal. Garrett persisted and eventually twisted the busted piece free and we were still able to use the hole for the stuffing box bolts.

We got 4 bronze bolts shipped to us from Jamestown Distributors. Garrett wasn’t too stoked with the quality as the threads are a bit ruff but they’ll do the job fine. They were just over $15 each and we got the nuts and washers from the marina store. The 4 nuts were $3.24, the washers were $2.64, and the lock washers were 80 cents apiece. The whole set up including the shaft and two housings and new bearings is going to put us right around $300 so not too bad all in all.

Yesterday was my first day back to the boat since the hospital. I was mainly filming while Garrett did all the real work. “Taking it easy” I think is what they call it. Easier said than done but it was very apparent that I couldn’t do much more. Going up and down the ladder would wind me. I’ve never had limitations like this. Garrett’s usually the one hurting himself. I’m listening to my body and drinking as much water as it can take. Today we’ve decided to go sailing on the bay with our good friends, Jon and Carly, removing the temptation to over exert myself in the yard 😉

But…

Everything is dry fit into place and waiting to be bedded and lock washer tightened down!

I went into the ER this last Thursday for crazy abdominal pain and a high fever. The pain started the Saturday before and the fever began late Tuesday night. By Wednesday my fever peaked at 104.7 and trying to break it myself with our home med kit and ice packs we were able to lower it back to 99 but Thursday morning it was right back up to 102. When Garrett awoke not 10 minutes later and retook my temperature it was 103; I knew then that he, my family, and coworkers were right I had to go to the hospital. Something was wrong. I was terrified, I hate hospitals like people hate the dentist. I was nervous. The doctor on the floor quickly eased my worries with his determination to figure out what this was, it didn’t hurt he was easy on the eyes too. He ordered an ultrasound and a CT right away. Had blood drawn and got me on pain medication. The ultrasound was to look at my gallbladder and if I needed surgery to have it removed. That wasn’t it. The blood tests proved it was an infection but where was it coming from? The urine test gave us the first clue; I had a UTI. The CT scan revealed my kidneys were the ones struggling. My body was trying to fight with an extreme white cell blood count of 27 but it needed help. They got me on an IV and started my first dose of antibiotics. Every single doctor and nurse was kind, efficient, and professional. I’ve never had a health care experience like this. The nurse informed me I would have to remain in the hospital for a few days to load up on fluids and for them to culture my urine to make sure they have me on the right antibiotic to fight this thing. Over the next 4 days I had waves on pain and shakes but Monday the nurse wheeled me outside to catch the last bit of sun where Garrett pulled up the car and we went home. Garrett stayed every night (except for the one night I had a roomie he wasn’t allowed to stay) right by my side helping me to the bathroom, washing my hair, getting me more and less blankets continuously. He slept in a chair. He told me it was a lot like being on-watch at sea. He went to that same state of mind, a calm but assiduous demeanor, light on his toes and alert to any sound. The hours seemed to disappear becoming only landmarks to the last pain pill taken or vitals check. I’m so thankful for my crew, teammate, and husband. Needless to say I’m forced to rest on the bench this week. Garrett will be putting two coats of primer on the starboard side and beginning to sand the port side fare. Before all this hullabaloo he did make it to the boat last Tuesday and finished preserving the whole starboard side. Getting the green preservative, copper-naphthenate, above the waterline and black, Creocoat, below the waterline to the chine.

I find it ironic for the power yacht that’s sat beside the launch ramp for as long as I can remember but culminating for our story. Finally, the launch ramp is in our sights. Can you spot Rediviva? She gazes upon her destiny. I yearn for the day I can capture the spectacle of her bow parting the sea.

But for today … we take her back to wood. In order to fare her hull after the seam compound was added Garrett basically had to sand away the primer and most of the preservative. It’s kind of nice getting one last glimpse of her beautiful planking:

It was still well worth preserving and priming before caulking while we were still in the woods; especially after that freak termite swarm we were thankful we did!

Once she gets a good sanding on every seam above the chine we’ll have to coat with the green preservative again and then a couple coats of primer before finish paint. A few more steps than you thought should always be expected when dealing in boats, I guess. This also proves the decision to carve in the waterline was a good one or else we would’ve sanded away oodles of work.

 It’s so dark down below (inside) now that every seam is filled. I’d say it’s about time we get some ports!

It’s crazy when you’re up close; head-on Rediviva looks sharp and narrow but standing further back she actually appears quite beamy:

It took Garrett about two full days to sand the starboard side. I think he’s going to add the preservative, maybe even the primer, before moving onto the port side to protect the hull and keep it from drying out and ruining the seams we just did.

There’s a rhythm to each day. Garrett’s typically involves the boatyard sprinkled with small material runs from time to time. A few days are dedicated to research or hunting for the next stage of the project; researching different drive shafts or hunting down a crucial bronze bolt things like that. Mine are a little less repetitive but none the less rhythmic. Divided between blog posts and episode editing, whatever the day job of the week is, and putting time in at the boatyard filming and getting my hands in some tar; every day is full. Today’s task: get this post out to you guys and finish episode 28 (which may be a tall order.) Tomorrow: cooking for the Culinary Institute of America. Day after that: I’ll get yard-tarded with Garrett, slap on some gloves, and help turn the boat green.

Every plank front and back eventually gets covered in the green preservative: copper naphthenate

When Rediviva was first unveiled we had to give her a full green makeover to protect her hull from the outside world.

Long story short it’s another beautiful day in the office!