The boat is ALMOST ready to sail.
Funny, we thought once the masts were on, it would be a piece of cake getting Moontide back into sailing trim.
But we failed to consider that we have two completely different masts stepped onto the deck now, and how each line of running rigging attaches to the boat is a whole learning process.
Outhauls, downhauls, topping lifts, reefing points, sheet winches, wire connectors, fairleads for the sailing sheets, cleats --  all have to be built onto the masts... in appropriate locations. 
One doesn't want to promiscuously drill holes into one's shiny new masts, does one?
Looking at photos of the old masts, then standing on deck and making fools of ourselves simulating the movement of working lines to see where things will work -- it gets to be mind boggling!!

On the Bright side, after assiduously analyzing the problem, utilizing our best collective deductive reasoning, scrupulously researching, photographing and weighing what could possibly be causing the leak in our bilge, we concluded that the only feasible source of leakage could be our fresh water tank.
For eight months, we have carried bottled water onto the boat, avoiding putting water into the tank. Gabrielle has carried dishes to the restroom down the dock to wash them in a good natured way... getting the masts on was our priority. The bilge has been dry.
But with the masts on, Gabs tackled the water tank problem while I continued working on deck.
Since the water tank is fiberglass and integral to the hull, She extensively researched ways of patching it from the inside, and decided to go with epoxy.
First we cut 2 new holes in the top of the tank and installed access lids on them. Then she cleaned out the inside of the tank. Towel dried, then cleaned it again. Let it air dry for a week or so.
Just to be sure, she applied 3 coats of epoxy to the bottom and sides. No easy feat, believe me.
Next step: wash out the amine blush. She filled the tank with water, scrubbing the new surface with a bristle brush as it filled.

(Gabrielle here writing as Michael takes a break from blog posts)
With 110 gallons of fresh water back in the tank it was time to test systems. "Water preasure on" Check. "All faucets opened." Check. The tanks had to be flushed twice before use. It was on the second flush that Michael peaked into the bildge to find ... WATER! Somewhere on this fool ship we still had a water line leak. " Bloody hell!" was all I could think as months of packing water onto the boat and dishes off rushed back to my memory. Moontide, like a petulant 2 year old , has a way of  eliciting reactions from her people. Once our emotions settled logic emerged. In the restoration pages we detail the art of finding the leak but suffice to say  the actual leak was from a tiny imperceptible  hairline crack around the grey water outlet. A couple bottles of different food coloring and  my being perched atop the tanks for hours to detect an errant drop of water lead to the true cause. This was Michael's initial thought but an optical illusion  deceived us early on as we traced the leak. Once the true source of the leak was  isolated , Michael made quick work of repairing it. Again we tested the systems and this time, all was dry. This confirmation was not a minute too soon. My dear Michael was left with the task of ensuring all was working and dry as I raced to the airport to collect my sister, Kim who was traveling in from R.I. for  a visit... and yes, she stays on the boat.
My family already questions our sanity for taking on this venture, 
no running water would have erased all doubt.


NEXT POST: Moontide Rises! The Pirates Festival and sister Kim's visit

Three years. 

It has been three years since the top two feet of Moontide's Main mast snapped off in light winds.

Those of you who have followed our odd odyssey of discovery of decay and the repair that our little Mariner has undergone over these several years will be relieved to know...

We have Masts!

Through much effort, expense, and a lot of help from our friends, our mizzen was stepped in our slip at Pirate's Cove on July 21.
(See the latest entries under "Restoration - 2014" on the website)

Today, 8/05/14, the main mast, at long last, was stepped in the ways at Rocky Pointe Boat Yard.

Our special thanks go the folks at Rocky Pointe for their help and advice, to Jason Bent, Dar Nelson, and Kim Winkler, who were integral in helping us step both masts, To the Pirate Crew of Royaliste, who relinquished a day of work on their own boat to help us, and to the incredibly generous people of Pirate's Cove whose generosity of Spirit, kindness, and encouragement helped us to persevere when times were tough over the last several years.

Moontide Looks like a boat again! 

Now if we can only figure out where the damn oil leak is on the engine!!! 

Last June, when we discovered dry-rot lurking beneath the decks of Moontide's aft deck and cockpit, Gabrielle and I dug in with all the temerity we could muster. There wasn't much choice, really.
We had done the bow deck, the side decks, and a good portion of the cabins already, why not finish the job?
And yet, we hesitated. 
Rebuilding this section meant removing the electrical and mechanical components that gave us power to and steering of our little boat. Without those components, why, Moontide would become -- dare we say it? -- a BARGE!
Not that we personally have anything against barges. Aside from its unfortunate use as a verb, a barge can be quite lovely. 
However, they are also used to haul trash. And they aren't really considered... boats. 
So it was, with these thoughts in mind, that we carefully removed the wheel and control cables, steering box, deck, frames, carlins, and pretty much every rotten part of the back of the boat we could 'til we reach the hull. (See above)
Then we started putting it all back together, adding a few features that we hope will both customize, and modernize the boat while retaining her Marineresque character and qualities.

It's funny about boatbuilding. Maybe other forms of construction are like this, too. But we know this about boats:
you work and work and work, and even though you know your accomplishing tasks, nothing really LOOKS different. 
And then, one day, things strangely begin to take shape. Pieces that you never thought you'd get to reuse are suddenly part of the assembly.
We realized all this as we put the wheel back on this evening. 
Yes, we have so much to do: paint, rigging, chainplate, masts, sails... and yet.
And yet, our little barge has triumphed, and transformed. She is once again, truly, a boat!
Welcome back, our Good little boat!  Welcome home, Moontide! 

Whoooo'd a thought it would snow like this at Pirate's Cove?!
We haven't had snow like this since 2008. Then, it was just a snow storm.  So far, there have been 3 storms that brought days of snow on the dock amounting to over a foot of snow.
Of course, it started raining a a few days later, and all traces of the white stuff were washed away within a day or so.

And took care to keep the snow from weighing down our 'terrarium' on the afterdeck of Moontide.

We hope everyone is coping well with whatever weather you are encountering this season. We are making slow progress under the tarps, and will have more to show you when we can. 
Be Well,
M&G

Well, The end of the year held a few surprises. One was the early snowfall at Pirate's Cove -- a good half-flask deep! Add a lingering, biting cold snap and nasty cold/flu season, and that slowed epoxying efforts down considerably.
All in all, though, 2013 was pretty good to us. It gave us prolonged stretches of mild to really nice weather that allowed us to reach the farthest realms of deck and replace old and rotted wood. It gave us pretty good health (relatively speaking) to continue our work and lives in a manner we choose.
We have much to be grateful for. As we stumble under our tarps and listen to the thundering threnody of rain coming down, we remind each other of the weather extremes so many other folks are suffering through right now. It could be worse.

We shovel a little snow, but not too much. The cold air may bite, but it's not deadly. We have the love of each other, the support of those dear to us, and a dream at which we persevere.
And finally, we are reminded that, in the words of Van Morrison, 
Precious time is slipping away.  Between the achy mornings when it's hard to get out of bed, and the sadly declining health of our 

dear companion Carmen the Wonder Dog, we appreciate the need to keep moving. Not to waste hours or days or lives.
Carmen is an important part of our life on Moontide. To help keep her able to get on and off the boat, we built her a Christmas present of a new boarding ramp.  It's handy for us, too, getting aboard with armloads of gear.
We wish everyone a prosperous and healthy New Year!

Looking at our earlier blogs, one might get the impression that all we do is work on the Moontide. Not at all! 
Well, it's what we MOSTLY do, but life on the boat, particularly life here in Pirate's Cove, does have its fun and relaxing moments.
For instance, last Saturday, we had a wedding on the dock, just a few slips down from us!
John and Char Redlich tied the knot on the bow of their new boat. Fortunately, Nature obliged with a with a beautiful Sunny day!

The weather was not as accommodating the following day, however, as we joined the crew of the pirate ship Royaliste for one last dash of the season up the channel to the Willamette. 
It was cold -- obvious, when you note how bundled everyone was -- but the rain let up, and the wind eased, and we were able to motor without difficulty south up the channel.  Kate and Shuhe, owners of the Royaliste,  led the crew in some sailing songs, and the raised voices seemed to chase the clouds off, as the afternoon warmed and turned beautiful for the voyage home.

Back on the dock, rum and music-making were the order as everyone joined in to bundle the Royaliste up in her togs for the winter.

Actually, in the summer, there are many dockside potlucks, BBQs and dinners here at Pirate's Cove.                                                                                               We celebrate birthdays and bon voyages, from TGIF to TGI-Wednesday- or if it's not raining, or if an eagle flew over, or if someone catches a fish, or -- any of a thousand good reasons to celebrate life.

In July, the dock had a going away brunch for our neighbors RaeAnn and Frank Haynes, as they cast off and began the voyage South to warmer waters on their sloop Luna Sea. (So jealous!!!)

We hope everyone keeps warm this Autumn as the weather and waters turn cold .  Til next time,
Fair Winds,
M&G

Seems a good time to begin this blog. We are in the dead of winter, here in the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures soared to 39 degrees today, making it a challenge to step outside, much less do work on the boat.
Our current status: 7 feet of deck is missing on the port stern quarter, and a large chunk of cabin wall is hanging loose over the galley, too rotten to clamp back together, too many other tasks to be done before it's safe to remove, waiting for its opportunity to be undone and rebuilt.
But it's cozy inside, thanks to Gabrielle's imaginative use of insulation and seat cushions for padding. 
Building this site, I've been reminded just how far we have come over the past two years, and feel a deep sense of gratitude for my loving companion, for her energy, intelligence and generosity, for our lives, our health, and for having together endured -- even thrived -- through events that were hazardous and sometimes dangerous to  life and limb.
Boat life is either adventure or adversity, depending on how you look at it.  Even rebuilding a boat that you live on is successful solely based on your perspective.
Gabrielle and I feel truly successful... and this boat gives us opportunities every day to be more successful! 
We hope you enjoy sharing our adventures.
M&G