I've taken a few days from the boat to build a tool shed. The more work I do, the more I need to leave tools at the yard and have secure, convenient access to them. I wanted a shed that would have easy access to all the contents, be able to be organized well, and be a size that I can relocate it when I'm done at the yard. I made a 4' x 8' shed that is 7' at the front and 6' in the back. Double doors on heavy duty hinges open to give access to the entire shed when opened up.

I have more planned for my new shed, but now that it's secure, I need to get back to other important projects on the boat. When I get back to the shed, I'll get some removable shelves built with the remaining plywood. I also have plans for a new lock that will fortify the doors a bit more. I'm also going to paint the walls and cover the roof with metal roofing. Another little addition will be made to open up an additional 4'x8' covered work space when opened up. Stay tuned for really cool stuff! I will get it finished before fall weather hits....

Lots of stuff accomplished today. Pulling the plastic off the windows took about six straight hours! I broke it up with a short list of other things that need to be done before the polyeurethane goes on.

I pulled 4 of the 6 port holes off and worked at removing the caulking and rubber seals that had them locked in place. I'll have to work up a new system for weatherproofing when they go back on.

There were five access ports that needed to be removed and I'll have to replace them after the painting is done. I ended just breaking them out with a pair of pliers. They shattered with a small twist of the wrist.

Long, tedious day but very productive. It's all good progress in the right direction and I'm eager to get all the prep work complete. Here's a few pics of where I'm at.

It looks like the weather dictates another day that I won't be painting. But, warm and sunny weather is just around the corner! This gave me some more time to focus on the small details and more cleanup. It's a beach out there with sand everywhere!

Here's some close up shots of a couple spots I worked on today.

Get it? The grind? Cause I'm grinding. Oh, nevermind. I had to do a couple fixes and changes before I went further with the paint. I found a buch of sharp, protruding welds in various spots on the hull. I'm not trying to make a perfect yacht finish, but getting rid of these little sharp spots just make sense. They are gone now!

The other trouble spot looked like a damaged weld on the keel just beneath the prop. I used the grinder to take it down and make a 'V' notch so I could build the weld back up.

Here's some of the grinding tools I'm using today. I have a dewalt grinder with a brush wheel on it. That's nice for a quick prep for welding. The other one I got from a friend of mine for $20, thanks Milligan! It's been a great tool and my primary grinder for the past couple years. I used a cutoff wheel to remove the flatbar and thicker grinding wheel to smooth out the rough spots.

See, one of these don't look like the other one. I needed to make them like the on on the right. The nice thing about working with steel is the ability to cut, and weld thngs together. I screwed it up the first time and just cut it off and did it again!

While I was at it, I reinforced the other five of these and cleaned them up with the grinder. Tomorrow I'll rough them up with the sanding disc and paint on some primer. I plan to use some 3m epoxy filler to make a clean/smooth transition for water flow.

That's all for today. I discovered an Industrial supply store just down the street that I've driven by a hundred times and never noticed it. It's amazing, they have a huge warehouse full of steel and another full of tools! I'll have to go back and take some pictures, cause it's my new favorite store : )

I get my painting supplies from Fisheries Supply and my good 'ol standby, Home Depot. They even shook the heck out of my primer today at the Home Depot so I wouldn't have to spend a half hour shaking each gallon by hand!

I'm painting Interlux 2000E primer on the entire boat top and bottom. So far I have 2 complete coats on and I've started the third coat on the bottom. My goal is to get 3 coats on the deck/cabin and 4, maybe 5 coats on the hull.

I'm really pleased with this brush! They sell it at both stores. I have to buy a new one every day cause it's impossible to reuse it after soaking it in two part epoxy paint. It's a short 2" brush with a rubber handle that allows me to get to all tight spaces on deck. All those crazy, tight spaces.

The woven, 1/4" nap roller is holding up really great. I've used foam rollers with epoxy paint and they just swell up, eventually falling apart. I can put in a full day with this style and get consistent results.

If I look tired, it's because I am. Sandblasting went really well. Since the chance of rain looked probable, I spent a couple hours getting ready. Just as the new tarps were secure, the down pour began....and it continued until the wee hours of the morning.

The first coat of primer up top was a lot of work. Lots of nooks and crannies that are really hard to paint! The toe rail has so many angles I have to use a stubby 2" brush and liberal amounts of paint. I still find little spots I missed on my second time around.

I slept for a while under the boat on my cot. The down pour and water dripping off the old tarp didn't keep me from falling right to sleep. When I woke up, I was ready to get back at it. The second coat of paint will be done and I can start on the third.

The lightning storm almost held out until I got the first coat on! I watched a huge rain storm pass just to the east over Boeing field. Lightning strikes all around me. All I got were sprinkles.

The first coat is going well. It's taking some time, but I'm trying to go slow and really enjoy myself. I have a lot of boat to paint and I don't want to miss anything...

Well, that's enough of a break! Back to it! Time for a second coat...

This is actually round 2 for sandblasting. Last year we started the process, not cheap by the way, and had to stop short of finishing painting the first coat if primer. Our house flooded and priorities change pretty quick.

Black diamond sandblasting is a mobile operation that does a great job. I've got 6 days off from work...sand blasting today and tomorrow. Cleaning and painting starts tonight and keeps going through to this weekend. It's already getting hot and it's only 10:30am. Let's hope for a beautiful and productive day!

I found some pictures on the computer from last spring. Looking back, it looks a lot the same! But, with a little determination, and some money, things should look a bit more complete soon.