I took a week’s vacation and so did SAM and we went to Satugatuck where we keep Inspiration in heated storage.  Most of the time it was warmer outside than the 45 degrees inside.  First we replaced the shut off cable without too much problems except we did not have the tool to cut the fine wire cable that was just  a bit too long.  Then we checked all the fluid levels and did some vacuuming in parts of the bilge. 

Next day was consumed with painting VC17 Original on the bottom.  for some reason it took 4 quarts to cover the bottom this year.  Last year we used only three quarts.  It may be my imagination but it seemed as if there was less fluid in the cans htis year.  Has anyone else had the same problem?

Most of the boat work is done for the May 2 launch.  SAM did all of the polishing and waxing while I did the inside work and rebuilt the head water faucets.  Now we will have to see if they work OK.  I had to use available parts at Menards and Lowes.  These parts were of a different size so I may get a surprise when I turn on the water in a month or so.

I continue to mess with the electrical wiring clean up and I soldered the bilge pump wires that were just twisted together.  Afterwards, I coated the solder joint with liquid tape.  The test of the bilge float indicates the pump should turn on and off OK.  While down in there I renewed the oil absorbers and mopped the far aft area that had some gunk in it.  It is now much cleaner with no loose objects to plug the pump.

We arrived back at home about 1530 and unpacked the truck and vacuumed it out in the wonderful  mid 60’s temperatures.  Now the washing is going and we are making dinner.  I am also preparing for my trip back to the GR area tomorrow AM.

I have been taking triple of my usual dose of Ibuprofen to ease the pain in my middle back area.  I have never been the same since I fell upside down into the aft lazerette last January.  This type of springtime boat work seems to aggravate the problem.  It also seems like sitting in my chair at work does not help matters either.

The Lake Michigan water levels seem a couple of inches higher this year so far.  This is good news as we were dragging bottom late in the season last year.  At least the bottom is silt with no rocks so it just sort of pushes out of the way