We’re in the water, but the boatwork hasn’t stopped.

We’re now at the “finishing” stage though.  Not as in finished, but things like varnishing, oiling the teak, and other more cosmetic items.  Two days ago we sanded the rest of the rails.  Yesterday we bleached all the wood that has been sanded in prep for oil in the case of the cockpit where varnish is too slippery and varnish (cetol) in the case of the rails.   Today we taped the rails in prep for varnishing (hopefully-weather permitting) tomorrow and Ann put the first of three coats of oil on the cockpit.

Taping the wood in preparation for varnishing

Taped and ready for varnishing tomorrow.

Getting ready to oil the cockpit wood.

Oil really brings out the color of the teak and helps protect it from sun and saltwater

Before the oil...

...and after the oil. We'll put on two more coats over the next couple days.

All this work has made for one messy cabin. Can't wait to be done and able to put stuff back away.

I also forgot to mention the other day that once we drove around to our spot here in the marina, I had the engine shop come and pull the injectors for cleaning.  You’re supposed to have them cleaned around 1000 hours and Charisma’s engine has 2900 hours and to my knowledge they have never been cleaned.  Crossing fingers they are good since it can get expensive to repair them.

Since it’s Sunday, we quit a bit early and Ann’s gone for a hike with her girlfriends Ann and Lisa.  They have a five to six mile loop that goes up the river, into the hills and tops out above town with expansive views of Whangarei.  Also since it’s Sunday, Ann made a delicious breakfast with farmer’s market fresh eggs, bacon and artisan bread.  Yum, yum and yum!

The eggs are so fresh the yolks are almost orange.