WEATHER STATION

WEATHER STATION

Our weather station, chart/nav cache mod.

This is a project we’ve been wanting to tackle for a while now and even though there has been no shortage of ‘additions’ for R.E.D. this winter requiring modifications, what’s one more?

We found a great piece of white oak at our local lumber yard.  It’s really a very high end place and every time we visit we drool over the beautiful exotic woods…beautiful teak, wenge, tiger wood, mahogany.  They also supply all the bells and whistles needed for any craftman’s hobby from fine carvings and beyond.

But back to our white oak.  For last year’s wood trim project (link here and here) it was advised that if we didn’t want to mortgage our life away using teak that white oak was a great alternative as it is very resistant to moisture and was quite often used in ship building.

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Wood Cost

Really!  When you can walk away with a purchase for any boat and pay this little, it’s a good day. $10 for a piece that will serve this project and more than enough leftover for a couple more that Captain has rolling around in his head. The extra $10 charge was for plaining from 1″ to 5/8″ and cutting in two.

Our Go-To Wood Place

Our Go-To Wood Place

Now on to the making of…

We chose the piece that had the most attractive grain which will hopefully show up well when stained and finished.

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White Oak

Onboard R.E.D. there is always enough cardboard for making design templates. We do love our beer and wine.

Template

Template

Because we are cutting into an area which could have structural implications, a backing plate will be glued and riveted in place.  A secondary benefit will be to soften the edging around the fibreglass so we won’t cut ourselves when accessing the hatch.

Backing Plate Design on Baltic Birch Plywood

Backing Plate Design on Baltic Birch Plywood

 

Now we’re ready to go back to the boat to check that the template is accurate before cutting.

Door Front with Backing Plate

Door Front with Backing Plate

We had a little ‘discussion’ about the shape of the door – a conflict between Francois’ love of wood and my wanting to keep with the existing lines in the cabin. A compromise was reached (Francois’ interpretation: the Galley Kat won this one)

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Measure Twice. Cut Once.

 

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Holes in Each of the Four Corners ( 1.5″)

 

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Dremel to Cut Fibreglass

 

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Door Opening (5″ x 15″)

 

The foam core material was removed and relocated under our black water bladder, startboard V-berth.

 

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Hardwood Backing Plate

 

Backing Plate Riveted

Backing Plate Riveted

 

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Magnet Door Closure

 

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New Simpler Door Design (7″ x 17″)

 

The Finish (Primer, Tint, Urethane)

The Finish (Primer, Tint, Urethane)

 

Piano Hinge Secured w/ SS Screws

Piano Hinge Secured w/ SS Screws

 

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Hydrometer, Barometer, Thermometer

 

 

Chart Storage

Chart Storage

 

A Place to Hide All Precious Cargo

A Place to Hide All Precious Cargo

 

WEATHER STATION
Ingredients
  • White pine planed to 5/8″
  • Plywood for backing plate
  • Cardboard for template
  • Barometer
  • Hydrometer
  • Thermometer
  • 16 x 5/8″ SS screws
  • 15.5″ SS piano hinge
  • Primer
  • Wood Stain
  • Urethane Finish
  • 2 Magnet Door Closures
  • PL Glue
Instructions
BOAT MODIFICATIONS: Galley Access Hatch

BOAT MODIFICATIONS: Galley Access Hatch

Storage on any boat is limited

and ours is no exception.

Just accessing some areas is difficult and at times frustrating

so we decided to follow the lead of one of our virtual MacGregor friends

and order an access hatch.

The perfect place to start will be to install it below the galley
so we ordered the larger rectangular model.
23″ x 13.75″
If this goes well will consider smaller ones later,
but François knows that anything that makes life easier for his Galley Kat,
creates smooth sailing for the Captain.
…we used 3/4″ plywood (leftover from our ‘coffin’ project)…
…for a backing plate to add strength to the fibreglass
and to ease installation…
 
 
…once the hole is cut.
…tracing the template, measuring twice.
…because cutting once will be our only option, says my confident Captain.
…my Galley’s belly opened and raw.

Time to see if it fits…

…this Galley Kat is always usually a big help.
… a polymer glue added to the painted backing plate.
…perfect fit opened.
…perfect fit closed…
One more project completed,
making life onboard R.E.D.
just a little more comfortable.
…now to get on with the next job.
BOAT MODIFICATIONS: Storage and Seating

BOAT MODIFICATIONS: Storage and Seating

MacGregors typically lack good easy access storage
and with this season taking us away from our home for at least two months
we wanted to make some small improvements
by adding a place to store extra supplies.
We found the seat between the galley and V-berth
to be wasted space – who wants to sit opposite the head (toilet).
And last season it became a catch-all for clothing bags, ball caps and galley gear.
 
After gaining some great insight and inspiration
from a fellow Mac owner, Doug Wendt aboard
Captain François undertook his winter project
(keepin’ the boat dreams alive)
Measure twice…cut once…
…the first cut (back panel)…
…Important next step…
…rough assembly + trip to the boat to make sure it fits…
A couple of minor adjustments then piano hinge installed…

…securely glued and screwed…

…it’s looking disturbingly like a coffin…

…front panel stained and silver trim to match the galley refrigerator assembly
with 4 coats of varnish…
A visit to R.E.D. and the new addition fits perfectly…
…and we can still easily access the storage below…

…Captain (of course) is very pleased…

…the seat cushion is back in place…
…showing that we will be able to access the new storage
with cushion in place (a latch with bungee still to come)…

…and Captain can still sit comfortably beside the galley

without bending over.

Now if only all this snow will melt so we can get this season started…