Comments on Contractors

Well, it's been a while and for good reason.  Part of posting on the boat is actually having progress on which to report.  I've gone through two contractors who although well-intended have not really held up to their ends of the bargain.

The bedroom is pretty well done, with the exception of sun-proofing the windows.  I've replaced the air-conditioner, refinished the shower, replaced carpet in the sleeping area and addressed the needs of both decks.

 Plumbing has been an adventure.  I'm happy to report that the plumbing which I replaced is leak free...the remaining original plumbing is not leak-free and so Joe, the plumber at Lowe's and I are becoming well-acquainted.

Affectionate-friend, Nikki (that's what I like to call her) has been keeping me company, well hydrated with Heineken-light, and lending a hand.  My mother's friend, Dana popped on board and helped out in exchange for several beers (beer is both a wonderful motivator and troublesome sedative).

So here are a few pics and now that progress is once again being made, I promise to post more frequently.

House boat party second weekend in June.  Mark your calendars!

Bedroom with walls up and windows trimmed out.

Paint and an Oil Pastel up. 

Dana helping with the front deck.

Front complete!  WooHoo!!

Thanks to my WONDERFUL Mother, Toni for the teak chairs!  They are perfect!!

Slowly but surely!

Finding time to work on the boat has been a bit challenging since I spent a few days out west to visit Olivia.  This week however, the walls will go up and I can move in!

The shower works!  The hot water heater works! WooHoo!

KITCHEN BEFORE

KITCHEN ALMOST AFTER

I used glass tile on the backsplash.  Not too bad for my first ever tile job!


I'm so hungry to move onto the boat.  I can almost taste it!

It's gonna get worse before it gets better!

 Bringing in reinforcements!  Wayne is taking down the steel bunk-bed to make room for a real bedroom.  After taking the paneling down I realized there is NO insulation.  Better to find out now, rather than December. When I have more energy, I write about the funny things Wayne says.  You will laugh, I did.

My project on Sunday was to insulate the walls.  DONE!~

Moving the boat to a slip closer to the shore.

Time well spent....

For the first time in a long time, I was focused on one goal; finishing the swim board.  It should be a swim board, but on Mynrva, it is a counter or buffet or bar of sorts.  It sits off the bow, and although not used for it's original intended purpose, makes an excellent addition to the deck.

Since I am a bit in limbo awaiting a new roof, I decided to start sanding and somehow refinish this mysterious piece of dried wood.

One thing I've noticed about my dock family is that people are friendly and warm.  My car clearly displays that I am gay and liberal, yet no one wants to discuss politics.  They discuss their boats, their projects on their boats and what a gift it is to spend time on the water.  Yes, it's just a lake in South Carolina, but it's water and for those magnetically attracted to its ripples, reflections and sounds, it's a little slice of paradise.

Larry, a contractor, who is married to Brenda, who works for Merrill Lynch, pass by Mynrva frequently as they go back and forth, having pleasant but brief conversations with other house boaters.  Larry would like to live on a houseboat if Brenda would let him.  Brenda would let him is she could quit her job.

Larry stopped and commented on my 6 hour sanding job.  " You're enjoying yourself, aren't you, Chris?.
"Yes, I really am.  It just doesn't feel like work", I replied.
"That's going to be a beautiful swim board and you're going to feel proud."


Although it was a bit patronizing, he was right.  I am.

Learning the lingo.

• Bow - the front of the boat
• Stern - the back of the boat
• Berth - the bed. If the bed is located at the bow of the boat, where the shape of the structure usually makes a "V" shape, the bed is called a V-berth.
• Stateroom - the bedroom
• Galley - the kitchen
• Head - the bathroom
• Cabin - a place where passengers can meet. A living room is also known as the salon.
• Cockpit - the place where the boat is steered, also known as the bridge. The helm is the specific steering station.
• Nav station - the place where navigation equipment is located, necessary for bluewater houseboats. This is where the boat's radio, charts and GPS will be.

String some pretty lights.

It's final!  I've handed over money, signed documents and Mynrva is now mine.  As thrilling as it is to have a piece of South Carolina actually belong to me, I am nervous and feeling a bit intimidated by all that lay ahead.

First- The roof, the roof, the roof is NOT on fire, but only because it is saturated with that non-flammable liquid called WATER!  The roof is coming off and getting replaced with an ever so slightly sloped surface that will hold the weight of Chandra, his Guitar and the posse of people that seem to relish his 3 am serenades.  I am one said posse. 

Second- The electrical.  I am convinced the only blind electrician in North America is responsible for the wiring of Mynrva.  When I get a bid under $2,000, I'll jump right on that one. 

Third- New walls.  Each time I walk into the boat, I ask myself, "Self, have you been drinking?  Or do the walls really buckle like warm taffy?".  Each time, the answer is the same...."no, it's not the booze, it's the taffy walls".  THIS IS NOT WILLY WONKA'S FACTORY, I am not eating blueberry bubble gum nor is my name Violet.  The walls must be replaced.

Lastly- The head.  It still freaks me out to call it that, but now that it is officially ripped out, it must be replaced.  Until then, I'll use the facilities at the marina.

All of this work and the only thing I want to do is paint the boat a pretty color, string some festive lights and blast a Bachata.  Que esta Bachata? Link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W58KVcBTZYA&feature=related

Eyes on the Prize.

This will be my view each evening.  C'mon, you know this is going to be worth it.