27 Comments
User's avatar
Jake Flory's avatar

Congrats on the shutter plank. Big step. Sorry I missed the celebration 😘

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

As you know in particular, Scott, I had no idea what I was into! A vast project that continues to loom and yet as you say, so satisfying too. Patiently saving history.... I always appreciate your commentary!! Thanks.

Expand full comment
Scott Corner's avatar

Appreciated the link to Classic Boat — suggesting, naturally, that this might all be sorted by tea time… 😂. I was especially moved by the line, “This part is very satisfying,” and this little gem that surely caught Steve’s eye: “…account for any bevel…” Understated prose at its finest. In that vein, to both Steve and you: well done, you.

Expand full comment
Switter’s World's avatar

I spent more than a few days working on my boat down at Jones Creek, east of Sparrow Point. Always something to do and it was always hot and humid, except in winter, when it was cold and humid.

As they say about building a homebuilt airplane: 95% complete, 90% to go.

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

You're right Switter. She still wouldn't float even with all four bilge pumps running and me desperately bailing. Maryland summers and winters are truly awful and we are immersed. Praying for a daily breeze! Always nice to know another sailor understands the suffering and the joy...~J

Expand full comment
LeeAnn Wheeler's avatar

I say this all the time, you are amazing. I think the reference comes from the karate kid, wax on wax off.

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Amazingly crazy, perhaps??!! Thank you Leeann, I truly appreciate your words. During a writing workshop the other day the prompt for a sentence was "My life is...." interesting to do it.

My response was "Nothing like I imagined..." Glad you're always my support! ~J

Expand full comment
prue batten's avatar

So I guess you’ve reached lock-up stage. It’s looking so beautiful.

Expand full comment
Egor Korneev's avatar

Whiskey plank is in! Incredible achievement, Janice. Hope to see the boat ‘in-person’ in time :-)

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Longest passage ever! Egor I most certainly hope we drop anchor in the same place at some point in the future. That would be delightful. It's astonishing how many boat components are so interdependent and complex...restarting all those systems when the time comes is now in the back of our minds.... Thank you for following along and the recommendations! ~J

Expand full comment
Scott Corner's avatar

"... patience, grasshopper ..." - - from the TV show "Kung Fu". In the flashback scenes, the Master uses this expression with David Carradine' s younger self, when teaching him life lessons.

Expand full comment
Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

Oh, friend. The intensity of this heat combined with limited air flow, paint fumes, and the requirement to be a contortionist to get at the spaces you are tending...! Let's just say it's a good thing love exists. Love and perseverance. She looks amazing, and I am thrilled for you!

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

As the Watermen say "Shew" it's been INTENSE!! Truly. It's a great task to be done, although as you know we have plenty to go. Already planning the distant launch party. But first, hydrate and celebrate. We'll have to hone down the must do vs could do...and if I'ave got four more months I'm really going to have to get creative to keep boat life ON THE HARD interesting.... I so appreciate you. That was a great memory lane playlist, too! ~J

Expand full comment
Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Cheers, Janice Anne! And I'm so glad on completion of that major achievement you chose something colder and bubblier! Wow- making 'waves,' there! Love the hatch!

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

I may just have to stock up on bubbles for the summer, don't you think?! All her hatches are original and graceful teak. Superb woodworking; I'll show them all at some point when the dustcovers come off. Your cheering is a delightful, invigorating thing, Jeanine, thank you! ~J

Expand full comment
Alfred Fricke's avatar

Great stuff (content and writing)!

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

You know what it's like to check something big off the list, I imagine Alfred! It's awesome to share these things with people far and wide and get an exclamation point or two. THANKS! ~J

Expand full comment
Larry Peck's avatar

Congratulations! Still lots of work to do, but you finally have a hull to be proud of.

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

So much more time consumed than we ever imagined! And now the ultimate SPAR with the temps so high while trying to get it all sealed up. We learn, we learn! Your true appreciation of the processes are noted! ~J

Expand full comment
SV Fearless's avatar

Amazing! We still have trouble getting off our asses to do the normal maintenance things. :)

Also, the patience grasshopper is probably a reference from the TV series, "Kung Fu" with David Carradine. IIRC Master Po gave David Carradine's character the nickname grasshopper.

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

The inspiration comes from getting our life on the water back, I'm sure! I miss it terribly. The joy of accomplishment was steaming hot last week but we're moving forward....lesson learned don't shirk the maintenance and glass boats may have less romance, they're also not biodegradable..!! Great to hear from you! ~J

Expand full comment
Lindsay Waite's avatar

Impressive. I can't truly understand all the technical aspects of what you are doing, but it's still amazing to me! I love this first person accounting. When do you plan to set sail?

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Not sure I have all the technical stuff down either at this point, it truly is another 'language' ---boats and sailing and all things nautical and all things that hold those things together....it's a life I certainly never imagined. The best laid plans tend to go awry but we should splash her in the fall....I'm glad our paths crossed, Lindsay! Thank you for all your kind words. ~J

Expand full comment
Keith Halfmann's avatar

$8517. I did the math! It won’t be long and all of this will be fond memories, as you sail in paradise. Great work team SJ!

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

LOL. That's just the $$ for the stuff that holds all the other stuff together!! Ah well spending retirement funds has a bit of joy in it! Thanks for the cheers Keith, I've stocked up on bubbles. ~J

Expand full comment
Joe Willey's avatar

I started sweating just reading this!

Expand full comment
Janice Anne Wheeler's avatar

Right Joe? Wow. When sailing gets cancelled..... and the heat index got to 107 this week. Your bees are fanning like crazy. Thanks for following along; you can see her at Yacht Maintenance on the Maryland Avenue side right on the lawn behind that old skipjack. ~J

Expand full comment