Foredeck Vent and Deadlights Install

February 28, 2018

Continuing the pace towards the finish line, I set out this evening to complete the installation of the foredeck mushroom vent - a solar powered vent that keeps air circulating in the boat even through the nighttime hours - and the new Spartan Marine bronze deadlights - a lovely addition for any vessel!  Both items were selected by Joule's owners, and I couldn't agree more with both selections.

I began with the vents overhead mounting plate, ensuring that I placed the fasteners in an alternating pattern with that of the deck fasteners.  I predrilled for the #10 3/4" self-tapping screws, and then drove them into position.  With the mounting plate in place, I moved up to the foredeck to complete the balance of the install.

I had tapped for #8 fasteners thinking those would be used; however, I am glad a made the error with the smaller of the two sizes, because I simply predrilled for the #10 1" self-tapping screws.  There was ultimately no issue with the install, so I moved forward with it.  I applied a liberal amount of polysulfide to the underside of the deck plate, and then firmly screwed it into position.  I completed the install by screwing the cover (with the small solar panel) into place.  The instructions advise that the, due to packaging, the vent may need to be exposed to sunlight for several hours in order to build a suitable charge to then begin to operate.  Somehow I don't think Joule will be able to 'resist' inspiring the vent to life!

I also removed the nonskid tape line, thereby exposing the foredeck and side deck paint scheme - not a bad looking Typhoon!  I moved on to the install of the port side deadlight.  I cleaned the surface of the deadlight frame and the cabin side with solvent, as prep for the polysulfide.  I then applied a generous amount of the polysulfide, and secured the deadlight with 5 bronze screws.  I clipped about an 1/8" off the tip since they were in between sizes for what I was looking for relative to the thickness of the cabin sides.  All good.  A future project for Joule's owners may be to frame out the interior of the cabin side to 'finish' the deadlight from an interior perspective.

I repeated the process for the starboard deadlight.  Making good progress, and more finishing work to come.

Total Time Today:   1.25 hrs

Interior Painting

February 27, 2018

I managed to get another coat of interior paint in the cabin.  There will likely be at least one more coat for the interior.  The Pettit EZ Cabin Coat is a great mold and mildew resistant paint, but man it goes on thin!  Although it does not require a base coat primer, it might prove to accelerate the lay down of the paint on top of a primer coat.  I will certainly consider that for future applications. 

Total Time Today:   1.5 hrs

Final Coat Nonskid Deck Paint

February 26, 2018

I wanted to finish off the deck's nonskid application tonight in order to continue with installation of the foredeck mushroom vent, new Spartan Marine deadlights, and the coaming boards - BIG final additions to the reassembly of Joule!

So, I grabbed a change of clothes, a Scotch Brite pad, the shop vac, and solvent...headed over to Joule and got to work.  I scuffed the surface with the Scotch Brite pad, and then vacuumed the sanding debris from the decks.  I then wiped the surfaces down with solvent to remove the remaining contaminates.

Back in the shop, I prepared the painting tools and poured a few ounces of the nonskid paint in a tray.  I worked my way around Joule from the starboard decks to the port decks, which completed the task of painting nonskid on the side and foredecks.

Total Time Today:   .75 hrs