The find of the day was at the local Fisheries Supply annual swap meet. We stumbled across it accidentally this morning and although the breeze was quite brisk, we perused the stands. And found EXACTLY what we needed. We’re currently replacing a few deck planks on the bow and it’s tough to come across caulking tools. Brock was thrilled to come across these. Caulking is the traditional method of sealing seams between the planks on wood boats. Made of cotton in our case (as opposed to oakum, which reacts chemically with the 5200 caulk we put on top),, the caulking is driven into the wedge-shaped gap between the planks. When the planking swells from exposure to water, the caulking material is squeezed and it forms a watertight seal. These tools are what you use for pounding in the cotton. We picked up three different sizes and should be able to get great seals between the boards with this project.

There was a lot more cool stuff, but knowing how much work we have ahead this weekend, we appreciated the find and headed back to the boat.

The addition of the towel warmer made it imperative to find a home in the stateroom for it. We couldn’t very well leave it in the middle of the stateroom, so it became a perfect opportunity for a trip to the Container Store and a remodel of the portside closet. It wasn’t space that we used particularly well, so the gains were huge on this one. And I do love my warm towels in the morning!

Added benefit? When we throw them back in for a few minutes after using them, then hang them for the rest of the day, they are dry and fluffy again the next morning. That dampness that didn’t always completely dry previously (especially in the winter) is a thing of the past. So we get a couple extra days between washings, which is handy. I love my boat & the luxuries we’ve added. Flourishing!

Years and years, I’ve been meaning to get a layout drawn to scale for KJ. I’ve never actually done it due to wanting it to be perfect. I could spend hours and days straightening the lines, adding color, making the details more seamless. OR, as an alternative, I can just get it done. I finally decided that an imperfect layout is better than none at all. So I have the forward quarters done at least. I tried to do it all on one page, but the Habitrail nature of the front half of the boat made that awfully complicated when drawn on small scale. I decided to divvy it up instead. I guess I can console myself with the fact that I can always go back and make it perfect sometime when I don’t have anything else to do. But then I just laugh at myself, knowing that day will never come. I resolve to add this to the Good Enough file in my brain. At least it’s done!

So nice to have KJ back from charter. We love that she goes out, but I am reveling in the feeling of being Home At Last. Went fishing today near Jefferson Head. It’s been one of the best coho seasons in recent memory and Magic Brock was thrilled to get in on it.