Let’s Talk Strategy

~ grjolly

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In an attempt to get organized and on the same page a list was created. Garrett’s head is full, too full. How can we relieve some of that pressure? While getting away and distracting ourselves from our monstrous project is nice it doesn’t change the fact that we will inevitably have to return and deal with our problems. Because we are adults. Taking in some advice I think breaking down what’s left to finish Rediviva is a good idea. So looking at the next three to five projects this is what we’ve come up with:

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#1 The Engine

#2 Bulwarks

#3 Decking

#4 Anchoring

#5 Main Interior

Even this can make your head hurt. So the first three things then. Bulwarks and Decking are a want-to slash would-be-nice but also “if we were to do things in order” kind of thing. They both require dry working days (we’d love sunny) and … more wood. Having these things done would make #4 easier. In order to set the boat up to anchor we need a bowsprit, samson posts, windlass, anchor, and rode. The only things we don’t have are the samson posts and the bowsprit which if we had the decking laid first we wouldn’t have to work around them later and the bulwarks would help determine the sheer thus determining the angle of the sprit. All of which we need more wood for. So back to #1 The Engine.

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We had to make a sub-list for it’s involved. So far, this list has 15 items. Thankfully, most are just a matter of purchasing said items but building the exhaust elbow and control box and installing the fuel tank are more elaborate. We have a good amount of what’s needed like the shift/throttle lever, wiring, fuel tank, and locust for control box to run the Westerbeastie. Some of the things we need to buy are raw water stainer, starter battery, cables, fuel lines, but most importantly the thrust bearing. Where to even start? Well we just got paid for January’s videos so let’s get the thrust bearing! Not something we want to cheap out on so there goes $262. It’s on its way to Napa! There we go, progress! Visual progress is extremely satisfying but we’ll have to settle for new parts arriving in the mail and pretend it’s Christmas again. “Oooo, a thrust bearing, just what we’ve always wanted” and “Oh, oh a water lift muffler! You shouldn’t have.”

Hopefully we can find a few things at the two marine consignment shops near-ish by. Trick is not to get distracted and buy something less crucial. Although ports would be nice. If there’s a deal to be had we will find it. If it’s not having the money it’s the hunt that can delay projects but that is also part of the fun.

I think I can help Garrett get organized and stay on task. Really work as a team to finish this thing. We’ve decided the engine is priority number one. As our budget allows we’ll move onto the other things. Planking the deck would be a major moral booster so our eyes are pealed for the right wood/craigslist deal. The deck being everywhere wood and the bulwarks planked will make her feel even more “shippy.” Next would be getting her ready to anchor. To be able to drop the hook in the river and spend a night away would be amazing. Finishing the interior is an ongoing thing but we’ll be able to start sleeping aboard soon; now that the forward bunk is in. The interior is more together now than it was when we were living in the boatyard. We need to get a few more boat things checked off the list but I want to start checking things off the make-her-a-home list too. So finishing the interior comes in at #5. It’s weird to feel excited, determined and overloaded all at the same time. I guess it’s just a strange point in the build. We are in the water, floating which is extraordinary but also still very much in the construction stage. She’s a boat but not a sailboat yet. We’ll get there. One step at a time. Thrust bearing is ordered.

Sub-step one in progress.

30 thoughts on “Let’s Talk Strategy”

  1. I’ve been following your amazing blog for three years. I’ve been thinking for a while that if you had a public list on amazon, people could donate by buying needed items from the list to have sent to you. Thoughts? You two are amazing and I wish you all the best!

    Danny Z

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    1. Yes! That would be great! And be sure to include some smaller, more inexpensive things as well. Even if it’s just a box of screws, or some glue. Especially if you guys provide us with birthdays… I’d love to send something you need your way on your birthday! 😁 (Though, don’t post your ACTUAL birthday on the internet… Maybe just a birth month?)

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    2. Thanks Danny! Someone brought this up a while ago but I’d forgotten as the thought was buried by others so thank you 🙂 Garrett and I started to put together a list but we really need to finish it. I think it would be a huge huge help!
      ~Ruthie

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  2. I continue to be baffled as to what you are going to do with a thrust bearing, unless you are using that term to describe a carrier bearing that you don’t need either.

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    1. Hi Tim,
      Since we are using a driveline with universal joints we need a thrust bearing to take the load of the prop shaft. There’s a lot of forward and aft thrust coming from the propeller and prop shaft so the bearing is in place for that.
      R&G

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  3. I agree with Danny. You need a list on Amazon or Jamestown or Defender. Rather than give cash it just seems more personal to buy the boat something. Sort of like a wedding present for the boat and you. Leo at Tally Ho has one, and it works. I thought for a couple weeks “I could get them a thrust bearing. But what kind, where do I send it?” We all want to see you out sailing.

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  4. Excellent! I love this list as a way to prioritize, grapple with the tasks ahead, and especially making the next bits and all that lies ahead less daunting! I’m really looking forward to watching it unfold!!

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  5. A night on the hook, sitting on the deck, glass of wine / beer in hand, sun setting on a calm evening, the stars popping out……. SOON!
    Keep the positive mojo going…… Awesome blog as always.

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  7. I have some old Samson post out of a boat that might work for you. I’ll check the dimensions in about an hour & let you know.
    Also have you heard about Duke’s Chandlery in Sausalito who probably have the port lights or holes you are looking for. Let’s talk as I have several things that I could donate to your endeavor!
    Email me at lindermanmaritime@gmail.com

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  8. Very important to make the list based on what is the logical sequence of jobs to be finished.
    Which jobs need to be finished avoiding any hardship of redoing things.

    1) Engine, exhaust, fuel tanks, water cooling, batteries and engine related electrical systems are very cumbersome and need to be locked in first.
    2) Agree upon the basic layout placement of the head, sink and galley and finish the plumbing for water supply, holding tanks, bilge pumps, etc..
    3) Define the electrical needs and install the systems and/or the connection points, includes provisions for autopilot, radar, AIS, battery banks, solar panel wiring and systems (provisions if installed later) etc..
    The above chores are a must before you can do any of the rest as listed by you s.a bulwarks, decking, anchoring and main interior are a logical next.. Indeed the interior should be last as all connections, drilling from the outside, wiring, plumbing, chainplates, etc..should be in place..

    Sorry this might be a bit long but the key is to avoid redoing or installing items that need cannibalization of your finished interior work. Outside jobs can and should be mixed with the 1-2-3 listed chores, weather and “mood” permitting….

    Enjoy, this is indeed a work of “love”…Keep up the good work. I just love your devotion, commitment, zest and drive..

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  9. Lists are great and if they are working for you, this may be redundant, but one way to organize things is index cards. A lot to times you can’t do things in the orders you planned, or left something out, or included something that doesn’t need to be there. If you are keeping a list, you have to scratch out or scribble things in and it gets to be messy. With index cards, you can re-shuffle them any time you want, you can keep notes on progress, you can add more cards, or chuck unneeded ones, review and re-shuffle the order any time you want. You can also color code the edges with magic marker so you know from a glance where the engine cards are, the rigging cards, etc, so if you are looking for one or want to put one back, it’s easy..Hang in there. You know you always pull through, no matter what.

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  11. Been binge watching your marvelous efforts for a while now, and am curious where original build was up in the woods. Beautiful location ! ! If there is a back story, I’d love to hear about it.
    Cheers! ! I’m amazed at the fortitude, strength and GUTS you both display.
    I used to work along side Pete Culler building small craft.
    Oleboatguy in Des Moines.

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    1. Why thank you! We started in White Salmon Washington just “up the hill” from the Columbia River between Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams. It was a beautiful spot. A friend we met while cruising in San Fransisco years before on a previous boat grew up on that property. His parents still own the logging land where there was a perfect acre clearing to build a boat. We were talking about bucket lists and things we want to accomplish in our lives one night and Garrett mentioned he’s always wanted to build a boat. From stem to stern and then cross oceans on the boat he built. Our friend very nonchalantly said, “My parents would totally let you build a boat on their property.” This was maybe October 2014 and we changed plans completely, sold our boat, bought a truck with that money, and moved to Washington breaking ground in March 2015! haha Long story short 🙂
      ~Ruth

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    2. Sean! Thank you!! It even came a day early. Putting this wishlist out there has been insane. It’s been more successful than we could have ever imagined. If it wasn’t for you we wouldn’t have done this and for that we really can’t thank you enough. Garrett’s getting to use the circular saw for the first time today cutting the 4 more stantions we need for the bulwarks. He is so relieved to have a GOOD tool like this. Instead of looking at the task with dread he’s so excited to use that bad boy! Thank you Sean 🙂
      Ruthie

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      1. Glad I could help… another thing you can do is to add the list of names of all your patrons to the end of each video. I have seen this work very well for other channels. Just as people like buying specific things for a project so they can see their contribution on screen, people will be more likely to contribute when you flash their names up in the video(it only has to be for a second or two) .

        Also now that you are getting to the interior woodwork, let me know if you have any questions about cabinetry or the like, I am cabinet and furniture maker.

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  13. Hey Sean, so I’ve added priorities to the list which you should be able to see as well as some comments about the products. The shipping address is private but I made sure our default was the right one 🙂 The highest priorities are a little on the pricy side but the two biggies as far as tools are the circular saw and the Lumix camera then as far as boat projects the raw water strainer is the next big cost for the engine. Thanks for pushing me to do this!
    R

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      1. Hey Sean, I believe I’ve fixed the problem. Thanks for your help in ironing out the problems. I can’t tell if our whole address will show on your end so if you wouldn’t mind letting me know how it looks 🙂
        Thanks
        R

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      2. Looks like you fixed it, it just shows your name and “full address hidden for privacy”

        Circular saw should be there Friday … tell Garrett to get to work 😉

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