x-mas

The flexible couplings are here and I had put together the port side V-drive with a 3/64 (were sold as a 1/16), 1/32, and 2 1/64 handmade gaskets to get the 0.007 clearance between teeth. I had to take the drive apart and kept on measuring to get it just right. In the meantime the flexible couplings have arrived so the shaft will have to be taken out and dealt with. It will need a shortening. Looked up Steyr motors for retrofitting boats with new technology... must say it is a great design and could be used as a hybrid. Boy that is very interesting and hey it comes from Austria... how is that for being on the edge of things?

a week before x-mas

So, I guess the units are ready to be put together and than they need to be aligned in a way that everything is in line and working just the way they were designed to. Have to take the shafts out and they will have to be shortened. The key way have to be lengthened and doing this on site might not be so easy. Taking the shafts out of the boat is not exactly what I would call an easy job. The new shaft hasn't arrived yet so if everything is on time it'll be here tomorrow. Have to make shims and also have to come up with a system where the engines can be lifted and positioned for alignment. I wish I was at that moment already. Not just yet but the day is coming.

huckins blueprint

The original blueprints are showing the Ajax flexible couplings and since they are no longer avail. to reproduce the same results...and not to even mention protecting the gears in the V-drive. I think the flexible coupling is what has to be done to reduce misalignment and flexing and anything which might want to transfer from the boat flexing while it is on her way. Pacific Ocean can get pretty rough and we are moving so there is impact and things get hammered. The shaft will have to be removed and shortened of course. Alignment will also be crucial.

Port side

Here we go with the prep work... everything has to be made by hand. Gaskets in different thicknesses and this very funny looking rubber gasket for the oil cooler. We already bought the material which will be used to cast the gasket... we hope. Did I mention that Huckins have a brand new shaft for the Starboard side, lower shaft with 29 teeth. I was ready to put it together like it was with two of the teeth broken (we have been ridding it like that for 2 and a half years, since we owned her and God knows how long the previous owners have been ridding it like this) and was going to start looking for drives and shafts. It is a pain that these v-drives are obsolete, everyone who has seen them said that they are a piece of art. Finding someone who makes these shafts from scratch would be an other story all together.

V-drive and the rest of the story

Well I did remove the drive on the starboard side and boy am I happy that I did it. The coupling was giving me a hard time but was able to take it apart. I certainly did not want to cut it off like I had to, on the other side. Starboard side was not giving me any trouble at all but I felt something was wrong while turning the shaft. Well as it turns out two of the teeth are broken but not by us since I did not find any broken tooth at all in the case. It is very disturbing to me that we have to deal with this... have no idea how? Was told that the only person who could make this shaft is on the east coast. I am going to call the factory on Monday and want to talk to them about this.

upper shaft for V-drive

It has been welded and also had been grounded down to proper size. We will still have to make a tool so taking the drive in and out will be much easier and have to make all the gaskets etc. Still have not been able to locate the gasket for the oil cooler where it butts against the case. The one unit (actually a pair) we had located down by Newport Beach was cut up and sold for scraps by the yard whom obviously did not know what these puppies were. Too bad, have to keep an eye out for some other ones.

what would FPH would think of this?

So, wouldn't you love to get two of these? 1948 perfection with 2008 perfection, simplicity at it's evolved form. The Prius of the PWC world... more on this later. The Bagarre awaits the correct
wheel bearings and the shaft is being welded where it was chewed up.

weld or metal spray?

That is the question. By Monojet welding and regrinding to size is the way to go but have to find the person who will do a great job and will recreate it so it is true. In the mean time we have located a drive in Newport Beach, it is a little different because the drive has the oil pump and oil is circulating through it. The one we have is basically an oil bath design. The shaft is chewed up so first things first.

the love has just gotten more intense

3 and a half days(!!!) later we finally removed the unit (model M 48) and started taking it apart. Would have been nice if we had some literature on this whole operation because it is kind of tricky. Because of the space considerations we needed a special tool just to remove this baby and the tool I am thinking of has to be made so the installation is much better and more straight forward. My idea of removing the drives was completely different, must add I was just thinking of unbolting and taking things apart. So was John, well now we know.
Talked to Dick at Huckins and if we are lucky he might have the bearings and the gaskets etc. for the drive. Thank God the teeth are not broken or damaged, if they were we'd be in a whole lot of trouble and we can not afford that at this point. Also the the drive on the other side (starboard) also has to come out, I can already tell that it is a lot more roomier over there. The person who built the kitchen was not thinking of servicability at all because he framed 100% over the drives so things had to be cut and could not be removed. For example the water heater is right over where you need the space the most.

Washington DC and V-drive

So both of the v-drives need to be rebuilt but the one on the port side needs to be dealt with right
away. We are hoping that there is nothing wrong with the teeth and the only thing needs to be replaced are the bearings. Talked to the factory and Dick Rogers is again at the helm and helping me with whatever he can with. Blueprints etc. The factory stopped making these so it is very hard to come by with these and I have to tell them to look for one for us just to have as a spare. I also asked them what they do when they do a complete refurbish. Obviously they can not use the same system since the Huckins V-drive is obsolete so what they do is they replace the engines and install a tranny v-drive combo. I really want to see the factory and see what they do over there. Fascinating place and people. Just love the whole idea that they are still in business.

Dock rebuild

After 2 years finally it happened. We were all ready to do it ourselves and I am so happy that the county just went ahead and did it in three days. They did a great job and also made it a little bit different where you can actually put stuff on the dock form the dinghy. What is also interesting that we were looking around for an other docking situation. I went out and checked out several situations and the new marina called Espirit is just opened up. Prices are a little bit on the high
side but the docks are great and it looks great but would be not able to do anything boat related after reading the rules and regulations. You could not even hang a towel without getting punished for it. I am so happy where we are I never really wanted to move but it is hard for some of the women and it is a catcher's net and one day we will be able to move I am sure to a proper dock with water and electricity. It is also rather hard to get out when it is windy and it is windy
most of the time in the afternoons. And it is a catcher's net. I was in the wheelhouse one day and these people are just coming at me and I am saying to myself what the hell they are coming really close. Some piece of shit sail boat and the people are laughing and chatting about that they are trying to rescue a hat which evidently flew off but they are having engine trouble and their boat will not go into reverse. The wind was light thank God and they missed the Bagarre about 5-6 inches or so and smashed into the pile on. By the way this kind of thing happens all the time. Anyway enough of this. Right now we have a brand new dock and we love it.

signage after two years

Well it has taken a long time and a lot of work but finally there is a name for her. We were going to have someone do it for us but that did not get finalized so we ended up with someone in Florida. Yes, Captain John is the man who helped me by talking to me and sharing with me all his experiences with the installation. I was having a hell of a time with what was suppose to be an easy install. It just would not do what was said on the instruction paper. I could not sleep for two days and was very worried about damaging the art-work. After talking to the maker everything just became so much easier. Now get on with the swim platform. I have decided that it needs to be as wide as the back of the boat, so the teak swim step will become an insert so a frame will have to be made.

Princess Mariana

So I am trying to get gas and can not find the gas dock. Well as it turns out the Princess Mariana
belonging to the richest man in the world is parked right in front of the gas dock. Ok so I get gas on the other side... little manuvering and there I am. One of the deck hands wanted to talk to me about the Bagarre, of course, also I had Springers with me and she was all over the dock as usual letting everyone know who she is. Got fuel and off to the island. Coming back was fun because we just ran into all these ACBA members who were wondering how come we did not participate in the event. As it turns out they were having a gathering with all the classic yachts and they were showing them to the public...etc... etc. I told them that last year I was so involved with the boat that did absolutely nothing except worked. This year it is a different story because we go whenever we can and we love it. They knew what I was talking about. It was great to talk to them because they are the same kinds of people, loving the old and the unique. By the way guess how much it is to charter the Princess Mariana, note the Helicopter on top.

4th of July

Finally we had a full boat... lots of food and people sleeping everywhere. Kids were incredibly well behaved. Grown ups not so much... we had a couple of fights but nothing serious. Could not ask for a better trip and having Lynn on board after the Corsica trip was truly the best thing. She was so cute and dealt with everything like a champ. I have you know but just whispering that she has a bathroom phobia... but not on the Bagarre no sirie Bob. Glasspar's first trip performing excellently and don't ask me why. After the fourth I had so many things go wrong with her... I am still trying to find out how to tow her. On the way over to Catalina we lost her and found her and on the way back she almost flipped over, the outboard came loose and was held on by the remote control cables, completely under water all 143 lbs. of it. Anyway she is still hanging around...

Emerald Bay instead of Santa Barbara

Planned on going to Santa Barbara but can not figure out how to be there with the dogs and Darlene since there is not a beach. Might just have to do it when she is gone to New York. Leave the dogs with Mom for sure after all this will be our first time. Emerald was a blast we did not get out of the water for two days. Monday morning departure quite interesting as the wind came up and started blowing like 20-25 knots. So much for taking a shower a night before. Kept on blowing 17 NM out from the island. Very calm in Santa Monica bay. We left at 6:05 in the morning. Met some great ACBA members this weekend. Saw their boats but screwed up and did not take pictures. By the time I got ready they were heading back to the main land. Going to have to join the local club. Nice to meet people who are into older boats. Kristine had a Christ Craft from 1950... very nice indeed.

As you can tell we all had a great time!!!! Note special guest Barkley!

emerald bay

Anchor held very nicely and the harbor wasn't very busy since everyone was over at the Istmus Harbor for some wine and cheese festival. John the previous owner (from the sea scouts) came by and we had a great visit with him.... she liked her old friend, looking her up again. He could not believe and was very happy to see all the improvements. John had a piece of an apple pie with us. Last night (sunday) we had 3 other boat joining us and doing a nice job by anchoring so it was no problem and kind of event-less. I guarantee you it'll not be the same for the 4th of July. I think I am going to get a mooring so we can leave and not worry. Or perhaps go to Santa Barbara or the back side of Catalina, little harbor, oh how much I love that. Will see. I am looking into the whole swim step install and fabrication of the frame. Not in the budget right now but you never know...

back from Catalina

So we went and I haven't cleaned the bottom since we painted it (4.19.08) I wanted to do a little cleaning before heading out but did not find the time and got wrapped up doing other things. SEALIFE... well it is the best indeed. Got to emerald bay just as the sun was setting... what a crossing, just dreamy really. Anyway the morning got under the boat and could not believe how clean everything looked and was. This sealife stuff really is working out like nothing I have seen.
The weekend was great and I am planning a trip to Santa Barbara island. 40 NM heading 210 should get us there no problem. I am wondering about the dogs (since they will most likely be in the water as soon as possible) and the whole sealion population, would they want to attack them or what? Underwater photography will be just the dream... maybe next weekend. Looking forward to it for sure.

before the summer rush

Moving pictures, aren't they a hoot?

Basin G

This is what I look at every day and boy are we happy to have a view such as this. The development at the end of the basin is having a major problem like the whole project is sinking. They were suppose to be ready by the end of November 2006. Now a year plus later I hear that they are in court and God knows how long that is going to take. One thing for sure, once that Marina opens we would have a lot of vacancies all over and that will be a great time for us to look for an end tie. Have to become friends with June and we are on our way.

SEAMARK

Sweet home Baby. When the county decides to fix the floating dock we'll be so grateful. The issue came up and Reuben said that he'd do the repairs if the county supplies the material. I also talked to June and want to get on his good side but most of all just want to get on the top of the list for end ties.

v-berth

this is the next area where I want to work and do some of the painting and just making sure that everything is a 100%. Right now this is where I sleep with the dogs.

great meals

we spend so much time in the galley and I really don't know why but it must be all the great food which had been prepared over here. Darlene is a fantastic chef.

wheelhouse

Darlene likes to sleep here and when we have a guest they can share the room because starboard side opens up to a single bed.