Annie Gets a New Tiller.

If you remember, the original tiller that came with Annie broke in a storm while in a slip at Nettles Island Marina, (you can read all about that HERE).

Thanks to a couple of friends, Jack Webb on s/v Drifter and Denis Morrin on Database, I was afforded two tillers that would get me by until I could do something about getting a new one.

Anyway, a new tiller from Westsail Parts Company was about $420 bucks including shipping. Now, you know me... I'M ON A BUDGET!

I needed an alternative... so I waited... enter, Mike from s/v Solana. Mike is one of the most helpful sailors I've ever met. He saw my tiller situation and offered to help me build another one and even provided the Douglas Fir to build it with! Mike, you're the best!

I still have a number of coats of varnish to apply, but thought I would go ahead and post the pics of the projects up until now. (I'll add final pics of the varnished tiller on this post at a later date).

Fair seas and God bless!

The Jig

Started with two boards, then added the last four

Galley Upgrade

When I bought Annie in March of 2014, this is what her Galley looked like...

When I rebuilt the Galley, I, in my naivete, decided to use tile for my countertop. Big mistake!

Grout does not like to stay clean! No matter how often I cleaned it, the grout, though sealed with grout sealer, would still get dirty and because of the natural texture of grout, everything stuck to it.

Galley's initial refit

Be it as it may, a Galley upgrade was not in the plans... until... a refit sailor friend, Mike, on Solana had some leftover Corian and he offered it to me. I couldn't resist! Thanks Mike!

I estimated three days to upgrade the Galley.

One day to remove all trim, tear out the old tile, remove the grout, and prepare the countertop plywood for the Corian countertop.

One day to make a template, cut the Corian and install it.

One day to hook up a new sink, faucet, drain, etc., replace the trim, and clean up.

Guess what... for the first time in the history of projects on Annie... the estimated time was right!

Now, judge for yourself as to the upgrade...

Mike told me the best way to make a template...

Strips of thin plywood, hot glued together... It's great! Thanks again Mike!

This was an extra piece Mike had so one corner has to be spliced.

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Fair seas and God bless!