So Frustrating!!!

[HeaveToo]

Every time I turn around it is something else that I have to get to finish a damn project. Just when you think you have the pieces you end up having to get one more thing to finish it.

On Monday I planned to finish my VHF project. Well, as it turns out, I got the correct terminals but I didn't get the reducers I needed for this. The reason being was the difference of one tiny little X. I bought the connectors for RG8. Not realizing it but if you have RG8X you need the reducers. I just ordered the reducers so there is another day of working on the boat where I won't finish this project.

How many times does this happen to you? You are just about to finish a project and, darn it, you have to run to the store to get one more screw or bolt. Or, even worse, you have to order a darn part and it takes a week or two to get there.

I have so many other projects to do I will go right up to the point of installing the terminals with the VHF project and then I will work on some other projects. Still, I really want to finish this project because it has been a long and on-going one. Darn it!!!!!!!

[Bob23]

Heave:
   That has never happened to me. Every time I start a project, every part I need, no matter how large or small is always right at hand. And I've finished every job on the boat right on time, sometimes sooner than I anticipated. And...I've never dropped a tool overboard! "Unbelievable" do I hear you say?
   "Forgive me father for I have lied" "Again?"
Bob23

[Mas]

Just take her dancing wearing jeans but by all means take her dancing!

[Potcake boy]

Well HeaveToo did you think they were called projects because they are fun? If they were fun and easy they would be called something like giggling or happy times or even sailing, but certainly not projects. So just smile and pretend it's not really a project and you may find yourself giggling all the way to the store.

Ron
23 Pilothouse
GladRags

[HeaveToo]

I enjoy some projects...that being said I enjoy them more if things line up properly.  LOL   I do get satisfaction out of a good finished project and the fact that I know that I did the modification.

[captronr]

Wow, my day was like this (and sadly, many are similar)...............

I offered to construct a child safety gate for my daughter.  Simple project, had the measurements, did a simple design, bought the wood, and planned to start today. 

Got the chop saw out and had all the wood cut in TEN minutes. 

Then spent 20 minutes looking for my cordless drill charger in case I needed it.   Plugged in a spare battery.  Then started looking for my large square.  Spent 30 minutes and gave up on it.  Used a tri-square in it's place.

Got the gate completed minus hinges/hardware, so I was pleased.

So often I buy supplies or tools for a project, then misplace them................  totally frustrating...........

So I feel your pain. 

Ron

[kahpho]

You should just be thankful it isn't a plumbing project. Those take at least six trips to the hardware store to complete.

[crazycarl]

this sounds like ALL my projects, except too many of mine finish with me sitting in the emergency room waiting for a doctor to sew something back together.

c.c.

[kickingbug1]

   not this year.

[sailen69]

I have spent many hours and days helping my grandfather with many projects.  These were some of my many great memories growing up with my grandparents around.  I learned many things from those experiences.  Sometimes, it was a lesson in new vocabulary.  I think most importantly it was that we had to see the project thru to completion, as in finish what we started, regardless of how long it took or even changing the plans.  I also learned that it is not an "official project" unless it required at least three trips to the hardware store.

As for plumping projects...  The store clerk always looks at me funny when I buy three of everything and other things I probably don't need.  I just explain that I know I will have to come back anyway; hopefully it is only one more trip to return what I did not use.

[BruceW]

Some times I do great planning, and it takes so long that I have decided that project doesn't need to happen. Those are my favorite projects.

My typical project is do, find out I didn't understand it right, undo, and redo.

[NateD]

I bought the connectors for RG8. Not realizing it but if you have RG8X you need the reducers. I just ordered the reducers so there is another day of working on the boat where I won't finish this project.

When that happens I try to buy more than needed to complete the project (assuming it is relatively low $ item), to have on hand for next time. The only problem is keeping it all organized so that I can find it 5 years later when I need one again....

[Cats Paw]

My favorite line to the sales clerk as to reason for return of an item is " Better sitting on your shelf than my shelf at home"

[HeaveToo]

My parts finally came in.  I still managed to do a ton of work last week.

I did the rudder bushings and I painted the rudder housing.  Quite frankly, this was an extremely good project that went really smooth, made the rudder really nice and smooth, and it looks great.  I am so pleased with this improvement and cosmetic fix.  I highly recommend this to anyone who has any play in their rudder.  Oh, I used a regular drill bit but I used the high speed on my Dewalt 20V drill and a titanium bit. 

I did some fiberglass work on my dingy and sanded it down to prep for paint.  It will get two coats of paint.

My VHF upgrade is done, except for the coax terminals.  I will install these next time I am down there and I will program the radio and the GPS so that they communicate.

I created a small extension on the mast head to put my wind instrument off of the back of the mast a little to clear the VHF antenna.  This went smoothly as well.

I took some left over aluminum and created a plate on my bow sprit for the anchor to sit on.  This will save some wear and tear up there where the anchor sits.  I also attached the new anchor rode.

I figured out how I wired in the new deck plug.  I am ready to finish the mast section of the plug when I go back down there so I will have a working anchor light and steaming light.  Each has their own switch now.  For some dumb reason the switch I had for the Nav Lights wasn't working right (it was a three position switch) and I could only get current off of one position.  Because of that I did the next best thing and wired in a switch that went from the Nav Light switch to the steaming light run.  The switch is right beside the panel.  This means for the steaming light to work you have to have the Nav Lights on and then turn on the separate switch for the Steaming light.  The steaming light won't be able to be on by itself and this actually makes sense. 

I managed to figure out why once of my cabin lights wasn't working.  The bulb was loose so I sanded the ends and re-installed.  It works perfectly now.  At this point the only original wiring in the boat is a 4 foot strand from a bus bar to the cabin lights, the bow light, and the stern light.  The rest of the wiring is brand new pre-tinned wire.  I have a great 12V system with two fuse panels, 2 GC2 batteries, Solar, and all new wiring (even up the mast). 

The goals for my next boat maintenance trip are:
Put the terminals on the Coax Cable
Put the mast end of the deck plug on the new mast wires
Powerwash the hull and bottom
Touch up the bottom paint
Paint the dingy with 2 coats of paint
Add the cup holder cover-up behind the sink (this gets rid of a hole in the wood back there that doesn't need to be there)


Before I go in the water I need to:
Wax the hull
Clean the interior up
*Hopefully the sail maker will be done with the repair to my main sail*


This season I will:
Fabricate a cover for my tiller pilot so that it is protected from water and spray a little more. 
Fabricate winch covers
Fabricate outboard motor cover


Progress is being made!