Busy like a (Canadian) beaver
We’re still here, having fun, in Beaufort, NC but have also been trying to be productive. Yesterday started with Rebecca heading to shore to do a second laundry run and while she was gone, I once again plumbed in our watermaker. I did have that completed at one time before but when we installed our new Jabsco head, I removed the sea-water connection. It’s back on now though so when we get to some nice clean water, we’ll be all set to go.
When Rebecca returned she broke out her sewing machine and set to work on making some covers for the jerry cans that we carry on deck. We have been told that the sun is so strong down south that uncovered items are quickly destroyed by it. The covers are made from Sunbrella that matches our sail cover and they are even sewn with special UV-resistant thread. She did a great job!
This was the previous day’s laundry run.
The rolling cart makes it much easier to get to the laundromat.
Rebecca is really getting the sewing thing all figured out.
A completed cover…
…with a little opening so that we can siphon the contents out without removing them from the rail.
It’s not all work though…
We started our Halloween decorations.
The black stuff is electrical tape, so it’s not permanent. 🙂
Love the cover! Rebecca did a great job. The Halloween pumpkin is a really great idea, too! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Thanks Cheryl. 🙂
Awesome job on the covers…. I smell I business there. I would pay you to make me a few!
Put in your order. We accept Paypal. 🙂
Awesome job Rebecca just where did you learn to sew like that!
Oh, no doubt from you of course, or… perhaps it was youtube. 😉
Wow! Rebecca won’t even post to answer her own mother?
Alright Kirk! I get the hint! 🙂
I’ll try to make comments on here more often. Sheesh!
Mom: I am slowly getting the hang of my sewing machine. As long as no one looks too closely at my sewing projects, they look pretty good (I think)!
I love the sound of your voice, Rebecca. 🙂
I *love* the pumpkin!
Maybe we’ll start a trend.
Nice job on the covers Rebecca! You will be so happy with them because the sun effects are just brutal!
Regarding your watermaker. You should be able to make water virtually anywhere along the ICW. We found we had to change the filters more frequently, but otherwise once we started south we never used our jerry cans again (except in places like Vero Beach where the water was free and easy to access directly from the dink.) Push button; have fun ashore; return to a full tank is our routine.
Fair Winds,
Mike
Hi Mike. Thanks. Rebecca did an awesome job on all 6 of them. Now she is sewing a barbeque cover in the same material.
I didn’t know that about the watermaker though. I had assumed we wouldn’t use it until Florida.
Love your spirit!!!!! Great job Rebecca. We need at new mainsail cover . . . This could be income for your cruise!
Have a great weekend! No boat for us this weekend.
Treat or Treat!
P & S
We better not have any kids come by in dinghies trick or treating… we don’t have any candy.
Crazy cool pumpkin fender! I am going to steal that idea. Zach just looked over my shoulder and said, “Is that my friend the strong guy?”
LOL @ Zach.
We were just bragging about what a good boy Zach is yesterday when the discussion came up about kids on boats. There is another cat here with a 12 yr old boy on board and he seems great too.
OK, Mike, solar charge controller and watermaker in the same week. You ARE a plumbtrician. Rebecca, fabulous job on the sewing; Dan would be pleased (I think). Soup for you!
That is hilarious.
I like soup:)
So, when do the bikes and bike rack show up… with a custom cover!
You know, we just got back from riding to the grocery store on our friends’ bikes. Yesterday we used them to tour around Beaufort. I am now almost sold on the idea of getting a couple. Perhaps we’ll just look for a couple of inexpensive beater bikes that we can send to Poseidon when they rust out.
Exactly. And get a rack at the same thrift store.
Some argue they make no sense on boat, but I think it depends on whether you liked bikes beforehand. We find they increase our range and spontaneity.
Great job on the covers! Next thing you know she’ll be making seat cushions.
We have a few other projects to do before that.
enjoyed the posts greatly
Well, by the time you guys need new sails, Rebecca should be all ready to make them. Fabric is MUCH CHEAPER than already constructed sails. I also like the pumpkin, BTW.
It had better be a LONG time before we need new sails. I am definitely NOT ready to make any of these any time soon!
Mike-do you have a brand name or a manufacturer on that cart you can share. That looks like a sweet one. And although you may have posted this before…what kind of sewing machine is it. Thanks much.
The cart was purchased at Home Depot. It doesn’t have a name on it so I assume it is just their brand. It is quite robust which is why we purchased it.
The sewing machine is a Necchi 6110. We got it from these guys:
http://www.lotathings.com/servlet/Detail?no=671
They were great to deal with and the sewing machine works perfectly.
Wow! Those are some first rate covers! They’ve transformed those somewhat unsightly cans into something really smart!! I can see you getting a lot of orders for those while you are out, might want to stock up on some fabric! Well done, Rebecca!!
We did stock up on fabric, spending over 500 bucks at sailrite. That stuff is expensive!
Rebecca, you did a great job on the covers! I just bought a new sewing machine but I don’t know if it will end up on the boat (I think I need shore power to use it). Sunbrella really is expensive but I found a very swanky fabric store that for some odd reason carries it. Anyway I’ve bought pieces for as low as $5.00 each (remnants I’m sure). We so wanted to head south using the Dismal Swamp but as I type this we are motoring toward the Virginia Cut since we have a schedule to meet this time.
Hey guys
Be careful about that schedule thing. I read what you posted about getting beat up on the way to Norfolk. Didn’t sound like a lot of fun.
As for the sewing machine, ours will run on our inverter but I did have our honda running while she was sewing the other day.
Hi there,
Was just about to buy my own sewing machine to do some similar projects. What machine are you folks using? Some of the Sailrite models look pretty big and beefy, not to mention expensive…
Hi Steve
The Sailrite ones are very nice but yes, they are heavy and more money. This is what we purchased:
http://www.lotathings.com/servlet/Detail?no=671
We recommend both the machine and the supplier.
Mike,
Thanks! That looks like an awesome machine – I came across it in other internet searches. Thanks for the recommendation.
You’re welcome Steve. We are definitely happy with it, as are friends of ours who have the same model.
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Love your site and your sewing tips…..I happened on a new LSZ-1 sewing machine form Sailrite. I friend has bought it for his wife then she passed with out ever have used it and it gave it to me. So I had to learn to sew.(thats saying a lot for man of 68 that never sewed)….still have a problem sewing a straight line…LOL…..anyway I have been buying from Sailrite and still do but a friend gave me this site http://www.sailmakerssupply.com/ and the prices are a lot cheaper for a lot of items….Checkit out $500 dollars worth of material cost me a little over $300 and shipping was less. keep up the grate articles.
Thanks for that tip, and the nice comment!