Floors

After fixing the electrical, Dan and Leila returned to finish the project they were originally scheduled to do:  put new sub-flooring down.  I want to use SIPs for construction, but there was no need to use full SIPs for the flooring.  So, they laid sheet foam insulation onto the existing flooring and put plywood over it.  Nice solid floor, no more forest green vinyl.  They even prime coated the plywood for me after realizing how difficult it was for me to paint the floors while in place.   So, that project is finished.  Dan even installed hinges on the bilge so I don't have to find a place for it when it's opened.  ZhouZhou helped.

Oh yeah--they installed the long awaited back stairs!!!

 

And put a frame around the bed!   Now I have to hang curtains on it.  So luxurious.

So now, I'm in the middle of the floor painting project.  After mulling over a number of ideas, I decided the easiest thing to do would be to use high gloss deck pain.  So, I went to Home Depot and found a nice blue deck pain that I chose from the chart.  I also bought white so I could do an effect.  When I got home, I opened the blue and thought I would be blinded!  I'm told I can take it back but I haven't had the nerve to yet.  Maybe today.  I went back to find something else and was told I could get a custom mixed color, so I got a nice Nordic blue that doesn't blind.  The biggest problem is that the high gloss paint is oil based and takes longer to dry than acrylic paint.  But I don't have to use a sealer.  I paint a small section, then block it off with whatever I can find to keep the dogs out and then find them in the paint anyway.  ZhouZhou loves fresh paint.  I considered just putting out a pan of paint and letting her take care of it herself by walking through it then walking all over, but decided no.  PJ found himself in the paint and waited to be rescued.  So far I've been able to head Teeny off before she actually made it into the paint.  This project is going to take awhile.

While I was shopping for the floor paint, I asked about paint to cover formica and the salesperson told me that the deck paint would work.  And it does!  Covers the forest green fake marble like a charm.  That's good for now.

And I have these fabulous stairs! 

Upcoming projects:  minor bathroom remodel until the big remodel.  New back deck with roof.  More built-in shelves and get rid of the big bookcase.  New flooring for the living room.

Disaster strikes

Fortunately, we're all alive and well and the boat is still floating.  Over the weekend, there was an apparent power surge (the light got brighter before it went out and that's the electrician's evaluation).  All of the power went out on the boat but no fuses blew and the breaker on the dock was also fine.  I found out later that there's an additional breaker on the individual plug-in too but it was also fine.  I figured there was a short somewhere and unplugged most of what I had plugged in, checked cords, felt the walls, couldn't find any burned or warmed spots.  I bundled up (it's the coldest time of the year) and tried to get some sleep eventually, but kept waking up to make sure everything was okay.  The next morning I started making calls:  Dan and Leila to let them know that the work on the floor that was supposed to start today needed to wait while the electrical got sorted out, a "boat guy" that a friend suggested, and a contractor I know to give me a referral for an electrician.  All my calls went to voicemail, so I was on hold.  I grabbed food and clothes and moved to the office to keep warm and busy.  Eventually, Leila got back to me first and told me she and Dan would run up from Tacoma to try to troubleshoot.  Quite a bit later I heard from the other two, but decided that, since I trust Leila and Dan, I would see what they could do first.

They started looking through and testing and found:  both ends of the big, fat boat plug were melted as well as a portion of the cord, the fuse box was blown and a portion of wire going into the fuse box was also burned and melted.

 We went out and got a new fuse box and all new fuses, boat cord and plug and installed all.  One portion of the boat is still not working and has to be re-wired but there's heat (some), lights, and a working refrigerator.  While we were working on all of this, we had some interesting conversation with the next door neighbor and her electrician who said he was finding the same thing on her boat.  Unfortunately for her, he did not repair her electrical and is coming back to do that.  It seems the rest of the dock is okay though.  It got down to 29 degrees last night and the boat was as cold as outside before we got the electric on again.  So, my little heater is working overtime.  I need to run two, but when I tried it, the breaker blew again.  I'll try again tomorrow morning.  So, we're all wearing heavy sweaters and making do.  New floors go in later this week and Leila and Dan with re-wire at that time.  I'm pleased that my computers made it through just fine.  So, all in all, it was just a big, expensive scare and inconvenience.  Today, ZhouZhou is acting sick so I hope she didn't catch a cold.

Someday there will be new walls with actual insulation so there won't be such a drain on the heaters when the temperature drops.  I can't wait.  In the meantime, there will be new floors and another wonderful set of stairs, this time at the back door where I really need them.  We'll see what I do with the floors once they're down.  It's a painting project, so with three dogs in a tiny area, that should be interesting.

But life goes on!

The Shower Is Usable Again!

Dan and Leila are home from their road trip/honeymoon and in minutes, Dan was able to get the sump pump for the shower repaired.  First, he had to remove the electrical tape that was used instead of as well as over a hose clamp...  So an almost two month adventure appears to finally be over.

There are two batteries that are used for basic functions when the boat is away from the dock and electrical hookup.  They're also used for starting the motors but that's not an issue currently since I don't even know if they work.  That's a project for later.  So far we've found that port battery powers the sump pump, bilge pump, stove  switch and auxiliary lights.  That battery is brand new with a new charger hooked to it.  The starboard battery is currently unhooked.  So, Dan will return in a week or two to replace it and the terminals.  I hope he'll be able to figure out what it's connected to besides the starboard motor.

In the meantime, I can put the storage closet back together.  When you live in a small area, everything needs to be in its "own home".  The storage closet contents have been out to make it convenient to repair the sump pump.  I'm going to spend part of my Thanksgiving holiday cleaning up and being thankful for Dan and Leila and my working shower.

There's lots left to do here on Sweet Pea and now we can get back on track and moving forward again.  The next step is to finish the floor and put in the new steps by the back "door".  Dan has an imaginative idea for that.  The back deck needs to at least have some of the framing replaced but I think I want a more traditional deck instead of the fiberglass.

Fixing the shower

So, my boat has been listing a little to port for awhile, but in the last couple of weeks it's gotten worse and that's something that can sink your boat.  I was pretty sure it had to do with the shower, but, not being knowledgeable in boats, I'm willing to listen to someone who might have a better idea.  The previous owner really didn't know much about the boat and seemed to have just spent weekends on the boat, using the restroom and shower at the marina and never taking it out.  When I moved to a new marina, I had the boat towed.  My reason for starting this blog is to memorialize my learning process and possibly help someone else who finds themself in a similar situation. 

I have no network and no mentor, so everything is a learning process.  I decided to advertise on craigslist since I couldn't find anyone advertising what I needed.  My ad read:  "I need someone to check my holding tanks that I think is responsible for my boat listing to port. Bilge is dry and no leaks have been found in the hull. Help!"  Amazingly, I started getting replies pretty quickly.  I arranged for someone to come over on Saturday.  Aleko felt like I needed to learn everything there was about my boat at this visit while I just wanted the list corrected that I felt was the result of something wrong with the shower.  After a three hour tour of my boat, visiting the "beautiful" anchor, the engines and batteries, the diesel tanks, the black water holding tank, Aleko found that the shower was the source of my problem with the boat "lisping".  The sump pump had failed and there is a separate bilge below the shower that was filled with grey water.  He pumped it out using my hand operated bilge pump followed by the wet version of the wet/dry vac.  Then he pulled the soaked sump pump out and snipped the wires, announcing that I needed a new one.  On questioning, I found that he had no experience in installing sump pumps but he felt sure he could do it.  I felt differently and sent him home.  I went to the marine shop down the road and purchased a new sump pump.  Now, since the outlet for the grey water is higher than the drain on the floor of the shower, that makes a sump pump necessary--something I had not thought about at all, but completely makes sense.

Now, I have the water pumped out and have purchased a new sump pump.  What next?  The sump pumps for boats are run off battery power and I just use shore power with a dock plug-in.  Phase three of the repair:  find someone to install and get it running.  Another ad on craigslist.  "I need someone to install a new sump pump that I've purchased on my boat to drain the shower. The battery will either have to be located on the boat or a new one installed. If you have experience with this sort of thing and are available, please email me."  More answers to my ad.  First available time for someone who said he has years of experience with marine plumbing and electrical was today.  Good thing I have my own shower at the office since my marina doesn't have one.  So Steve showed up today and almost immediately broke a strut between the two engines while looking for the batteries and chargers.  Great.  This is the way I get on and off the boat.  Hmmm.  Another thing to fix.  But right now I need my shower.  He determines that one battery is dead and one is good but can't find a charger in the engine compartment.  I will buy one.  I will buy a new battery.  Just fix it.  No, he wants to find it.  Oh wait, he can't.  Okay, he'll hook up the sump pump for me while Teeny and ZhouZhou help.  PJ knows that he's better off in the corner out of the way.  All hooked up and he tells me it "should" work if I can charge the batteries because it's not working now.  That's the same thing he just told the guy on the phone--that it "should" work.  Crap.  Now, I have to go out and get a battery charger and probably a new battery and find yet someone else to install them so I can have a shower at home.  Now don't get me wrong.  I don't mind having to do the stuff, but can't I get it all done at one time and be done?  The trouble with boats is this.  The people working on them are kind of nuts.  The people living on them are kind of nuts.  But I have nice new steps!  And my boat is no longer "lisping".

Dropping the groceries

Well, I knew it had to happen sometime.  I was wrangling the dogs and leashes trying to get them on the boat while carrying my giant Ikea bag full of paperwork and groceries while trying not to drop my really beautiful Starbuck's glass water bottle.  ZhouZhou was trying to jump onto the boat while the leashes were tangled and she was on the verge of pulling one or both of the other dogs off the dock.  Suddenly I heard a few (yes, more than one) plops into the water.  I managed to get the dogs on board, the bag, my water bottle with no further incidents.  Then I retrieved my little play fishnet and laid on the dock to get the groceries.  It seemed like everything floated!  When I thought I was done, I spotted a floating bag that was too big for the net.  I found the grappling hook and snagged it and all was saved!  I hope that doesn't happen too often.  Better the groceries than the dogs I suppose and lots better than my paperwork or a wallet!  The hazards of living on the water.

I have new stairs!

So, here's the floor patch and the removed wall and banquette, exposing the storage cupboard that I painted white.  The wood was nasty, dirty, and dark and I thought it would be easier to keep clean and find stuff if it was white and clean.  Leila recommended a paint called Zinsser and it's great!  It needed three coats and each one has ZhouZhou footprints in it.  She's an explorer and feels the need to touch everything she can find.  The painting took place Monday night and Tuesday.  Leila and Dan stayed home to build the staircase and get the supplies they needed.

On Wednesday, they added the new stairs, added the little cupboard, and roughed in the new wall.

Dan sitting on the stairs with Teeny, Leila showing how they lift up to expose the cupboard.

After they left, it was my job to finish the stairs.  I stained and varathaned the treads.  They're hinged to expose the storage cupboard and I have them propped here, mainly to prevent ZhouZhou from "exploring".  The hinged stairs were my idea and perfectly executed by Dan.

Look, organized cupboard!!!

The stairs are finished, cupboard organized, ZhouZhou resting.  There's room to put baskets under the stairs for additional storage.  They're coming back in a couple of months to finish the subflooring throughout the lower level.  In the meantime, I think I'll put new flooring on the upper/living room level.

More to come!

Getting the floor repaired

Looks like there was a problem with the photos, so I'm trying this again.

Okay, these are the before pictures. You can see one of the hatches to the bilge and the light-colored thing is an old cabinet door covering the soft spot in the floor at the bottom of the stairs. There's a curtain covering the storage area under the pilot house/living area. The stairs go off to the right, then there's a left turn to the pilot house. And the stairs are different heights and covered with really nasty carpet.

Leila and Dan started work yesterday morning and I came home in the afternoon to this! The wall is gone, the stairs are temporary because they're building the new stairs today at their workshop. The patch in the floor will eventually be covered, but not this week. The dark green is horrible, slippery-when-wet linoleum. The white wall is the storage area that I painted last night so that I can find things that I store there. It used to be a black, musty, moldy hole. ZhouZhou was so excited with all the room, that she just ran and jumped all over. Then, when I painted, I found footprints in the first coat, then the second coat, had to scrub the dark green linoleum. Now, I have to paint one more coat. We'll see if there will be more footprints. Oh well, it's a storage area. We have to plan to allow access to my little water heater--you know how they are. So Leila is making cabinet doors and the new stairs will be hinged to move out of the way (that was my idea). Teeny followed ZhouZhou in exploring every new little spot they had access to. PJ was just put out because his little bed was upstairs and there was no way he was going up them. He doesn't adjust to change well at all.

Dogs on a Houseboat

ZhouZhou loves being on a boat.  She loves to look over the side at the water or out the window.  If she notices the ducks or geese, she really likes it, but she's usually too busy looking at the water.  I try not to be nervous and just let her walk around outside sometimes, but if she went into the water, it would be awful getting her out.  Her love of water has rubbed off on Teeny and she follows mom right around the boat.  I prefer they go on the front deck, away from the dock, but today they walked the length of the boat down the narrow walkaround to the back deck.  ZhouZhou likes to watch the neighbors coming and going.  Occasionally though, there's a neighbor that barks when he sees dogs and she'll bark back.  Then Teeny starts.  PJ just stays inside since his disastrous dunking last winter.  He's not taking any chances.  Ever.

The end of summer and the work goes on

Well, I found someone to repair my floor and she's going to change the stairs and wall to the living room/pilot house at the same time.  So, next week, we'll be in a mess for a few days, but I think it will be much nicer when it's done.  It will open up the space a lot and it should be lighter too.  Now, the stairs go to the right, then you go to the left and the stairs are not the same height and are covered with nasty old carpet.  The wall to the upstairs will come down and the stairs will go straight up with no turns.  The stairs will be hinged to allow access to the bilge and water heater.  So exciting!

I'm still exploring options for the flotation.  The one that I'm most excited about is heavy-duty styrofoam coated with cement.  We'll see what happens.

Changes

Yesterday, the boat next door moved out to a different marina.  The move was noisy, exciting, and brief.  It's a nice boat and the new owner and new occupant are really nice.  They will be missed.  But my kitchen gets more light now!  The other boat sat very high in the water and blocked all the light.  We'll see what happens next.

In the past three weeks, the level of Lake Union has changed significantly again.  When I moved on, someone told me that it would, but I never dreamed that it would be from 18-24"!!!  During spring and summer, it's been high, then suddenly has dropped about a foot.  I just put my little step back for getting on and off the boat.

I'm still looking for someone to repair my floor's soft spot.  Needs to have rotten wood pulled out, some new stringers and a new subfloor.  This kind of work seems to be all word-of-mouth.  And, I've found some new products that I want to use and folks in construction seem to be set in their ways...  Anyone know a woman contractor?  Send her my way!

Finding a new neighbor

In the last week, the boat next to mine was sold, renovated, and rented.  In a couple of weeks, it will be moved.  So, there will be a space open next door!  Does anybody need covered moorage?

Finding moorage on Lake Union is difficult.  There are lots of rules.  Liveaboard vs non-liveaboard.  Boat (motor) vs sailboat vs houseboat vs floating home vs house barge.  Covered vs non-covered.  Pets or no pets.  It can make your head spin.  Then you have to find the right size.  So, even though you have the ability to move your boat, it can be difficult to find the opportunity.

When I moved my houseboat to it's current moorage, I intended to use the front door as my main door.  But my inexperience showed from the beginning when I did not use a tape measure.  I have a finger slip that extends past the front door, but to get to the door, you have to straddle a telephone pole sized support.  Not a good thing when you're walking dogs, carrying bags and groceries.  So, my main entry is the back door, through the bedroom.  I'll try to do better when I move someday.  But, there's room between my boat and the next one at this marina.  The old slip had my boat leaning against the fender of the boat next to it.  You could reach through the window and touch the next boat.  And the finger slip was very shaky, so even though you could walk straight down to the front door, you didn't want to.  It's all a trade-off.  So, there's moorage and pretty good moorage and perfect moorage.  Heaven is when you have the perfect boat and the perfect moorage!

Boat For Rent

If you're a good neighbor and want to live at my marina, check it out.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/2487759685.html 
OR 
http://www.seattlehouseboatrentals.com/rentals.htm#SUMMERNIGHTS

 

"Summer Nights"

	If you are looking for a comfortable liveaboard vessel, this is the one.
	This boat is warm, cozy and extremely user-friendly
	Beautiful new wood ceilings and warm rug covered floors
	Dark leather chairs, new counter tops, table tops, upholstery in the dinette and flat screen tv in the saloon with full stereo system
	Fully equipped galley with full sized ac/dc refer/freezer, 4 burner propane stove/oven and microwave
	Comfortable dinette seating for 4
	2 Bathrooms - one with shower with good pressure
	Master king stateroom with flat screen TV and large walk-in closet.
	Double twin beds in second stateroom
	Upper outside deck with beautiful deck chairs and boxes
	Washer and dryer for small loads
	Pets okay with larger damage deposit
	Available now at $1600/month for 1 year lease