Starting in-the-water work, rebuilding the companionway hatch, but going sailing a lot, too, which interferes with progress. But the new mast is ordered and in progress. At this writing, the machining is complete and the mast is off to the anodizer. Kuewa has sailed 247 miles since launching from Napa Valley Marina.
Another trip out to the Kaneohe house in October 2016 to sail the little Venture 17 on the bay, and take a couple of kite boarding lessons at Kailua Beach.
I spent the entire month of March at the Kaneohe house completing the mini-drydock for the Venture 17, sailing, visiting with family and friends, and running on Kailua Beach in the mornings. There was a bit of stress after the Venture was launched and the trailer was made un-roadworthy. I couldn't leave until the boat was recovered onto the dock permanently and there were a lot of variables as we tried different fixes to the challenges that came up. But it was a wonderful trip - windward Oahu provides such a pleasant lifestyle!
This episode covers replacing the old teak cockpit coamings with Core Cell foam and fiberglass to make it completely waterproof and maintenance-free. The forward ends were also raised up for greater spray protection and a nice backrest.
If the box above doesn't have the video, you can link to it directly at YouTube here: https://youtu.be/rhgFV-pa4tQ
In early November I went out to the Kaneohe house to rebuild the pier in order to accommodate a new-to-us Venture 17. The boat also required some re-rigging and a rudder modification. I was hoping to get in some sailing as well but that was not to be this time. The work turned out quite well, though.
Overcoming two iterations of the new propeller shaft and engine alignment challenges, the engine goes in for the eighth and hopefully final time, gets bolted down, and all the systems attached and made operational. The episode ends with a clip from the Gitana Group testing their new 60' foiling monohull.