Garage Works - 6/22/2025

I got this sewing machine for Father's Day, but today was the first time I plugged it in.  I also organized the feet and other accessories.  I'll have to practice on it a bit later - need to finish No.41 (as Miles is asking for a board to be made).

Speaking of No.41 - yesterday I sanded the top and bottom - and for the most part there weren't any real surprises.  It wasn't perfect - there were still some low spots, so that meant another fill coat.

I taped up the board for a bottom deck coat first.

You can see some of the low spots.

I used Pro-Link for the bottom fill - that won't be hidden by deck pads so it's worth putting it on the bottom.

And this evening I found some time to get the top deck coated.  I used regular aluzine epoxy for this coat.

Tomorrow I'll sand both sides through the sanding regime, then place another fill coat on the side of the trench I hadn't gotten to yet.  After that hardens, I'll get the leash plug and vent installed.

This one is getting close to anointment!

Water Sunday

Marlon and I went on a dawn patrol at White Plains and sailed a weta in Pearl Harbor - but we didn't take any pictures.  It was a really fun day!!!

I did take pictures of La sewing a spar bag out of tarp - that's one super talented woman!!!

More Project Sunday - SailRite Ultra Feed LSZ-1 Christening

I have always been intimidated by sewing machines - mainly because I didn't understand why they worked. When we bought this sewing machine during the Sailboat show in Annapolis, I ended up asking tons of questions to the guys demonstrating the machine - and my fear of sewing machines slowly melting away. For my first project, I dug out a board bag that I keep the paipo in. I had made a mistake a while back by assuming that I could sew in a long zipper and use the bag from the top instead of the side zip. Unfortunately I didn't get the zipper sewn in and the board bag, although functional, required lots of concentration to make sure the contents didn't fall out. That ended yesterday - the bag was thick and didn't want to stay aligned, but it got it repaired. I even broke a needle and heard/felt how that happens. I spooled a bobbin and threaded the machine a couple of times. I got the thread started multiple times and learned to keep a finger on the ends until the first knots were sewn. I've got a ton of projects in my head now and I am glad I got over the reluctance to sew. Now I look forward to taking notes to determine what needle-thread-material combinations are out there and make rod socks, rack strap chaffing gear, fix old rack pads, hiking strap pads for the Weta, handles for potted plants and tons of other useful things.

Christmas in October

La and I got our Christmas present to each other - a Sailrite LSZ-1 fully loaded with LED lighting, spool holder, flywheel, needle package and more. Couldn't pass up this deal and it will open up the gateway to making a lot of our ideas come to fruition (bags, holders, organizers, cover and tons of other ideas). Merry Christmas La (and me)!!! As we complete projects, I'll post them up here. I already have a neoprene spinning reel case lined up (a mod to a fly fishing reel case, not from scratch) and a rod holder. This is going to be fun!

Side Project - Sewing

After watching my wife La make beautiful things for nearly a decade, I have now gotten the bug to be able to sew things. Not "pretty" or "cute" things, but MANLY things for doing MANLY things - like:

- Board bags
- Combination GPS, Anemometer, Pliers and knife holders
- Equipment covers
- Padded paddle covers
- other manly things

Also hoping to become proficient at doing repairs on kites and sails.

This is the project to get the foundations under my belt - the Sailmaker's Apprentice has an intro project - the DITY bag that has all the different types of stitches and materials pushed into one small project.

I know what you're thinking - doesn't he have enough going on with all the foam and epoxy sitting in the garage? Well - in order to keep the creative juices going, you sometimes have to leave the project you currently are vested in behind so you can come back to it with a fresh perspective - that's what La always tells me anyways when I see her juggling 20 sewing projects. This will be good backup for when I just don't feel like hanging out in the garage.

The picture is the bag parts all laid out and ready for cutting.