Welcome Spring... The Project Moves Into High Gear!

Spring arrived yesterday and it's time to move the project into high gear. Of course the 50 degree temperature predicted for today should help!

repacking the portlights

I worked on the Nimble for a couple hours today. Anna Marie and I replaced the gasket (3/8 x 1/4 neoprene sticky on one side from McMaster-Carr (less that $8.00 for 50' under $15.00 with shipping) in the two starboard oval portlights. We then removed the outside rims and laid in fresh butyl. Then we put it back together, only now, two screws were too short due to the thickness of the butyl. We managed to get it together temporarily.

After the portlight project, I experimented with a variety of grits of sandpaper on the ceiling. I settled on a light sanding of 180 grit to remove some of the paint and will follow with 220 to remove the rest of the paint. The I'll use ever finer grits until I get to 1500. A coat of polish and wax and the ceiling will be finished.

Cabin lights after 800 grit sanding and polish.

While watching TV in the evening, I cleaned and polished two of the cabin lights. I wasn't sure how to bring them back to life. The Brasso wasn't nearly as effective as it was on the portlights. Coincidently, Capt.  Mike (Boston Belle Charters) posted pics of his refurbished lights on the Nimble Nomad Owners Facebook page. He used 400 grit wet/dry and polish. I used 800 grit and a brass polish (Brasso). They look pretty good!