Sorry for the slowness of posts of late. I have to admit I'm in a bit of a funk. Having a hard time finding motivation lately.
Since I got back to the boat it feels somewhat different. It was really nice having my wife back around and maybe I'm getting a bit sick of living like a bachelor again. Or maybe it is the fact I don't feel I've made much of a dent in "the list" after almost three months of work. Or maybe it is is things like when I went to change the transmission fluid yesterday I found an engine stud with the bolt attached laying on top of the transmission with evidence of a couple threads pulled out and embedded in the stud.
Not sure what it is, but for whatever reason I've been having a bit of a time finding motivation lately. So, I think I'm going to take the upcoming weekend off and go explore the area. Maybe I'll take the camera and go see if I can do some photography...been a while since I've done that.
Oh and as far as the stud goes, apparently the hungover mechanics just couldn't manage to reinstall the heat exchanger properly. When they tried to remove the bolt I assume they backed out the stud and then instead of putting the stud back in first, they tried screwing the stud with nut back in and it apparently only grabbed a thread or two in the engine. A little vibration and it came out. Was able to reinstall the stud properly and it appeared to grab well enough without having to install a helicoil. I then tightened the bolt and it all held, so hopefully the heat exchanger will stay put now.
Hope things are still on track for both you and your wife-its got to be tough at this point, being apart. Enjoy reading your blog, you do a fantastic job.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it is a bit tough. Glad you like the blog.
Delete-Mike
How do you eat an elephant? We are engineers - how do we tackle a big problem? I just pulled my stbd injectors for a rebuild. And put my reupholstered helm seat back on. And put the new Triple M stbd holding tank in. And just rec'd the new stack pack to put on. And ...... it never ends. That's why you need to do as much for yourself as possible, because you will always manage to find that shade tree mechanic who doesn't do it as well as you will, because you have vested interest. Look at it as a constant learning curve and DO take some time away.
ReplyDeleteDave
http://svfifthquarter.wordpress.com/
Well...since I wouldn't eat an elephant... ;-)
DeleteI know that the work will never end and I know that I need to do it. Of course I also need to learn some of this and it seemed that having someone that came recommended would be a good way to do that...compared to say the thousands of opinions found on the internet for any given task. Unfortunately it just didn't turn out that way in this case. So I learned from that as well.
I think I just tend to be overzealous with my estimation of how much I can get done...especially while still working full time. But that alone I don't think was the reason for the funk...just another straw as you say.
Lots of other things going on right now...some I write about and some I don't...but added stresses none the less. Things will improve soon.
The main reason for the post is to give people an idea that I'm a real person with feelings and not just post after post about repairing a boat. While I am currently spending a lot of my otherwise free-time working on the boat, I'm trying to occasionally provide insight into the more mental side of the equation. It's not always rum drinks and sunsets you know.
-Mike
Mike,
ReplyDeleteWe all get there sooner or later when making big life changes like this. I could relate in the difficulty of not having you wife there. My Bride is my partner in crime and it doesn't feel right when she's not around. Soon enough she will be able to join you full time.
I see a typical problem in your post that I tend to make from time to time as well. In our professional lives we are taught that the end of the to do list is the goal. Get all the tasks completed so you can go home or on to the next project. But in this big life style change this is one of the mindsets that needs to change to. The goal is to live, see and explore. Not get to the end of the list. I have read articles and blogs from people who don't get this change and they pass through their cruise like it's just another item on their to do list.
So to combat this I have been making a conscious effort to stop making lists. In cruising the to do list will never go away. There will always be something to rebed, oil to change, bottom of the boat to be cleaned, etc. Making lists will just make it seem like a never ending list of things to do with no time to actually live. And that's the whole point of going cruising. To slow down and live.
I do slip from time to time. Last week and the home inspection went well and it started to look like we will be selling our house before the end of April, I started to make a list of everything I need to do. I immediately threw it out. Still a work in progress :)
Good luck and fair winds,
Jesse
Hey Jesse,
DeleteYeah, can't wait until my wife and dogs can join me on the boat...that is probably one of the bigger issues. It's getting a bit old at 3 months in.
I understand what you are saying about the list and what the goal here actually is. I know there will always be something that needs attention or work and I'm cool with that. Actually, I enjoy working on the boat.
Having a list or not, there are a few things that I need to do to get the boat ready for cruising...right now it is more a floating apartment tied to a dock...which is not what I want. Those items still need to be goals in order to make this transition.
As I stated in another reply, the funk probably had more to do with other things going on than just getting the boat ready. It happens...it's part of life.
Have you read Harts at Sea?
DeleteOne of the biggest things that I got from that book was that after about 8 years living on the boat and getting it ready, they still weren't done. But they went anyway. No solar panels? No problem, we'll find time to do that along the way. Sure, there are things I would like to have done before I go, but I would go today with the boat in the shape it's in if our kitty was where we wanted it. The boat will never be the reason for not leaving because it can be worked on along the way.
Another couple we are friends with have a boat with only half an interior, only 1 battery bank installed, mostly working engine, etc. They went anyways. They are in South Caroline now. Very happy and barely noticing the things that aren't complete.
Good luck and I hope the wife and dogs join you soon.
Jesse
Nope, haven't read that one. But I've watched a similar thing happen back when I was in aviation so I'm well aware of the trap of having things "perfect"...something that will never be.
Delete