Sanded To A Fair Curve, Longboarding - Episode 266 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat

[@AcornToArabella]

Bonfire shirts here: www.bonfire.com/official-launch-shirt/ hoodies, kids’, and women’s styles too!

[@AndrexT]

And ordered this evening :>)

[@Laz_Arus]

Longboarding must be one of the most fatiguing processes of the entire build. Well done to all the volunteers who attended. There would have been a lot of sore arms that night! 👍

[@AcornToArabella]

🙌

[@JoesWebPresence]

I'm shocked and disapppointed to learn that the trash can is made of plywood, and not a lathe turnedfrom a single piece of elm burr, then highly polished and fitted with a rosewood lid and brass fittings. I thought you had standards!

[@AcornToArabella]

Ha!

[@seanthornton9969]

@@AcornToArabella I have to agree this is a special boat even the minute detail like the Garbage can should be special.

[@alexnelson8]

It's a trash can covered in epoxy paint. It seems practical and looks good.

[@JoesWebPresence]

In a way, I think it is @@seanthornton9969 That 'rare' material being the only piece onboard and all. A lot of the boat builder's craft seems to be determining the right type of material for the job of each component, and this is most likely the best choice for this job.

[@jamesbeaman5944]

As a Coast Guard veteran, I applaud you and that station. Never be embarrassed, that’s what we are there for. Semper Paratus!!! Boat is looking great. Long boarding!! That’s brutal!! Will be well worth when done! Hope Steve is doing ok. Home from hospital ??

[@sailingsomeday5975]

Steve’s technicolor Dream Boat…..

[@AcornToArabella]

🌈

[@Camstro80]

Lmao I actually seen it as a kid

[@sunny71169]

Good morning. You’re welcome for the pickup. Dropping by the Station with a float plan is almost a good idea, but not quite. The good idea is leaving a float plan with a responsible person ashore. Glad you had a VHF radio, but since Murphy's law is always at hand, the float plan will assure that if you don't return when expected we will be notified and launch in time to make a rescue instead of a recovery. Wouldn't hurt to wear a lime green, international orange, or similar, highly visible, colored life jacket and neoprene wet suit cap for warmth and visibility from the air as well as the surface. Not much of a person sticks out of the water when they are bobbing up and down, and even light chop makes locating a person in the water even more challenging.

[@AcornToArabella]

^this. -Anne

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@peterandersen8684 Strikes me he's suggesting additional ways they could be more prepared and less foolish. Seems to me the world is not black and white in the way that your "fools" characterisation implies. And (more generally) just because something bad happens does not necessarily mean that it was a likely outcome. Unlikely things happen all the time. Which is why it's so easy to be the "wise" guy after the event.

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@peterandersen8684 You overlook differing capabilities. One of the two people was OK. The other could not know his limits without testing them. The world is not conveniently black and white like a cowboy movie.

[@camielkotte]

What a joy it has been. What a journey with UPS and downs. At some point, in a few years, i will binge watch every episode without commercials. It was pure happenstance that I stumbled upon these guys pooring a led keel. I was only a few weeks behind and ever since been looking forward to the next episode.

[@claudehopper9813]

The Long boarding like caulking was developed thru practicality . Hardwork but the finish product is a watertight fair hull . Hats off to all the voluteers , what a great team to bring Arrabella to full glory .

[@MrMichaelcurran]

Fairing the hull is work. It's a real gift to have so many willing to help. I am awed be this build and the amount of high tech envolved.

[@olatedin]

I am happy Satchel and his friend got picked up before it got too bad out there in the wind. When I was active with the Rescue boat in Ystad, Sweden, we sometimes got out and helped kite surfers and other such. Surprisingly common, the gear they use are devoid of reflecting material, making it very very hard to locate people in distress from dusk and on. so please, if you get out there, make sure you have reflective stuff on you. And a VHF, of course!

[@JohnBysinger]

I'm trying to picture sitting on a wingfoil, holding on to the board and the wing, in 6' breaking swell, talking on vhf, and clicking on a share-location text on their phone without losing anything to Davy Jones locker!

[@David_Walker16-3-51]

Hi Satchel, please finish the electrics before you try it again!

[@gregkilgour4545]

What a cacophony of sound as every one did their thing. Depending on the height , weight and physical condition of each sander, the sound the long board made varied immensely and it was extremely interesting to sit and watch and listen to the goings on and sip my coffee. Kudos to the the maker who crafted the glorious herb planter. All the best from Australia.

[@PerEdlers]

My name is Per Edlers from Denmark. Through some years I have followed the building and the many fantastic skilled craftsmen who have participated everywhere have been a wonderful experience to witness (you get completely envious of their ability ) Acorn to Arabella has thus become more and more beautiful every day. It has all been very amazing- Thank you for the many experiences and the knowledge we have now.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thank you for watching, Per!

[@Dug6666666]

Really like the aesthetic being built up in the interior, sturdy, functional, beautiful without being precious. It is going to age well with a lot of charm.

[@alexnelson8]

That is a very nice way to describe it. I think it will age very well too. Maybe Steve will be able to keep it cleaner than the boat house.

[@David-hm9ic]

Late again, life interferes with watching A2A. 16:57 Port and starboard chalk. V. cool. The entire crew is pretty awesome! It's been so much fun watching young Aaron develop real skills while helping out on Arabella.

[@seanthornton9969]

I used to visit Mystic Sea Port when I was stationed at the sub base at New London during off crew aboard one of the SSBNs and when I found y'all all I could think of was Popeyes boat from the cartoon opening. Well Arabella is so much more I have been with y'all since the beginning even through my recent Cancer surgery I watched what I missed during a month in the Hospital. Steve I hope you have many years of enjoyment from her and your future trips across the briny deep.

[@cliffstevenson5773]

The excitement is tangible. Arabella is glorious, and soon she will swim.

[@Ayns.L14A]

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!! She's coming along beautifully, so close now, well done everyone.

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Aynsley.

[@dcallan812]

Happy Friday too. 👍👍👍👍 Weekends are great.

[@h2energynow]

Of all the episodes which tell a story. This one is amazing. It shows how Arabella is going to be finished because of these incredible people who came, gave their time, skills and is making this a reality. Go Go GO

[@alexnelson8]

This episode was a lot more exciting than the entire summer worth of planking videos. The bronze floors drug on for a long time too. She's come a long ways.

[@Tomhohenadel]

As the last day comes closer, all the little jobs become more urgent. Much appreciation for the work everyone has accomplished over the past years, from laying the keel to fairing the hull. Thanks to all.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for being here, Tom!

[@Stavoren405]

Your Friday video is the highlight of my week. Thank you!

[@AcornToArabella]

That’s so nice to hear, thanks!

[@qthemerrybandofanons4481]

It really is crazy how long we have been following this, but how short it feels. I am sure it has felt much much longer for Steve.

[@BradahBri]

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the build from the start while being able to watch the Sampson guys doing different techniques to both achieve beautiful vessels that I would just love to run my hands along their lines and take in their smells. Well done to you Steve and all those loving hands that have chipped in. Praying your mom enjoys it to no end!

[@jonasmichaelmoir9378]

She’s gonna slip through the water like magic ❤

[@greybear3090]

I still remember pouring the keel, So enjoy the videos.

[@AcornToArabella]

Hooray! Thanks for being on the journey with us!

[@ianlangley987]

Steve, Anne, Aaron and team, Arabella is coming along nicely and I am looking forward to seeing iher in the water. I have followed your progress from day one and its a credit to you all. Cheers Ian, New Zealand

[@Calibrumm]

as a person who has been longboarding the doors for an old Mercedes my shop is restoring for the last week, my condolences to all the brave arms that will be lost doing the entire sides of a boat.

[@muchmorecoffee]

A "fairly" good video, for a change... Great work! Cheers from Eastham MA, Toby

[@AcornToArabella]

Heeey yooo. Happy Friday, Toby!

[@chrishoward8473]

That neighbor kid with the hat really needs to be at the launching. The dude is solid.

[@kaylynpalella2253]

He’s the best

[@jimparsons9454]

Arabella is really coming along now. Great work by all involved. Can't wait to see her sailing.

[@stanleyweith]

I got the hoodie with the wife's permission I still don't know why I need that yes for some reason . Anyway keep up the great work it is looking beautiful been watching you all since the start I have learned so much by watching you build Arabella love your videos

[@AcornToArabella]

Well I suppose if you share resources then it’s a good idea for any extra stuff to be agreed upon-the polite and kind thing to do. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ thanks for watching, so glad you enjoy what we do!

[@RedHillian]

Arabella is looking so good now - she's always been a beauty in the middle of the boathouse, but with the newly longboarded curves in this episode there's such an elegance coming out. Appreciating the "time to launch" countdown calendar shots as well for the context; I make it 29 days to launch in realtime, but over 50 when today's footage was filmed - looking forward to seeing how you've come on in those extra weeks, and of course the launch itself (I presume it'll be one of the best recorded launches in history by now - and those of us on the other side of the Atlantic will be grateful to see it remotely!)

[@gregk9558]

What a impressive group of humans. Craftman, Artist, and much more.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks! That’s very kind.

[@petergroves9343]

TGIF & A2A, another awesome Friday. Much respect & thanks to the volunteers for helping out like that, wish I was closer to chuck my two pennyworth in however, two T's ordered so hope that helps out in my absence Great work by & to all concerned ⛵⛵⛵ is getting closer PS. I trust Steve's on the mend, I've experienced Kidney & Gall stones, not at all pleasant 😝

[@peebee143]

And Bryant is a passed Expert of explaining the technicalities of boat building in plain and simple English. She, clearly, knows and understands the craft!

[@AcornToArabella]

Aw that’s very kind. Thank you. -Anne

[@chuckvanderbildt]

I like to use a self-locking (sometimes called self-latching) relay circuit to make a soft start that you have to re-engage after every foreseen or unforeseen power cycle. This is great at preventing unnecessary excitement : )

[@firefighterfarmer]

Happy Friday all!!! Looks so good. Love Satchel saying put a grow light and grow "herbs". LOL.. sorry just how I took it... Such an amazing accomplishment by you all. very cool to watch and I enjoy all the FB updates as well as the video every Friday. Cheers.

[@eamonnlawlor1129]

Jesus Syeve that's one sexy electrical system and as for a longboard crew kudos brother

[@robblaauboer5862]

Dear all, so far I have seen every uploads of building Arabella and looking forwards to see it floats🎉 and hereby congratulations to all ❤❤ Greetings from Holland

[@MrCanadianGoof]

So excited!! Hope I get to see her in a port in Canada one day!

[@philparmenter53]

Happy Friday and A2A day from me in Plymouth UK

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Phil!

[@thomasarussellsr]

Heck yeah, definitely go back and try again. Its only a failure if you give up. Maybe start earlier and check wind forecasts to plan the best route possible? Love the sidewalk chalk, but doesnt that partially fill up the sand paper, reducing its bite a bit? Crayon on a smooth long board will mark the highs but will also partially fill the sand paper. (Just a thought as you get closer to fair.)

[@FlowStateWingFoil]

I did actually go back the next weekend, very similar conditions but a much better outcome. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqSan4dtbrV8lZI

[@thomasarussellsr]

@@FlowStateWingFoil that's great

[@davidc6510]

Another great A2A update - nice progress - thanks for sharing

[@georgecairns7399]

A lot of really hard work in this video, awwsome

[@AcornToArabella]

🙌

[@jamesHadden-l6l]

COASTIES are cool One old CG boat I would love to have is the old 44 MLB It can even do 360 degree roll overs

[@scottwooster4102]

Looks fantastic! Can't wait to she her at the Wooden boat show.

[@randyclyde4939]

Great video! So happy to see the progress! I hope the Coast Guard doesn't send that volunteer a bill for responding to their aid. Maybe not for the first time... Be well, be safe!

[@AcornToArabella]

Satchel is one of our crew and nope! No one gets billed for coast guard rescue because they don’t want people to hesitate about calling for help. And no one should. From advice to actual picking someone out of the water, when a Mariner has doubts it’s better to call.

[@SwiftRIBSAust]

Wow a victron interverter and some USB ports successfully wired - only been done in about a million boats - well done and thanks for the tedium - lm sure when she’s launched (if) the tedium will continue

[@HaroldKuilman]

Had a busy afternoon, but there videos are just as good in the evening ❤ Happy Friday! 🎉

[@charlesmoore456]

This channel used to be so relaxing! Now, after watching, my blood pressure is up, my heart is racing, and I can hardly stay still. "Excitement so thick you can cut it with a knife. Technology high on the leading edge of life."

[@AcornToArabella]

Aaah! Imagine it here! 😅

[@piraterubberduck6056]

I can imagine how much you would hurt if you tried sanding like that for a week or two. Glad you got plenty of help.

[@AcornToArabella]

It’s pretty bad, many people do it with a much smaller crew over a couple of weeks.

[@kenolson3064]

My body is sore just watching the long boarding of the hull.

[@AcornToArabella]

It’s brutal!

[@michaellovell9625]

My arms ache watching all the sanding been there done that. The fairing is looking good. I would like to be at the launch but you are 3000 miles away so I bought a launch shirt and yes you have a nice group of volunteers. Until the next video stay safe.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for your support!

[@dcallan812]

Gosh, launch day coming round so fast. Neat that there was no magic smoke from the angry electrical pixie's Great update 2x👍

[@usmcforever7630]

I wonder what’s going to happen to Steve when he is the middle of the ocean and one of those fuses goes out. Is he capable of troubleshoot the system so he is able to navigate safely back to port. Is he familiar enough with the system? I hope so.

[@dcallan812]

@@usmcforever7630 I would think he is watching what's happening, everything is labelled too. So its just the same as buying a new boat, but the owner could have less idea about the wiring.👍

[@ProjectDimeBag]

I believe the saying goes many hands to make light work. I wish I could get some of Arabellas wood to carve, i would love to cnc carve something for Arabella. But shipping wood isn't cheap. However, that haul is looking gorgeous, and the glow from the grow pot it going to look great.

[@dean3184]

I love every episode and at the end of each one am left wishing it was longer lol

[@Pocketfarmer1]

I work on sea going tugboats and used to o a lot of coastal bulk work. We maintained 6hour watches. 6 on 6 off 24hours a day for usually 21days a hitch. Off shore that could turn into a month easily. When we get off watch, we spend about 1/2 unwinding eat something and go to bed. Now to my point: we wanted a cool , dark place to sleep with as little noise as possible. You get 5 hours to sleep and then 1/2hr to wake up . Over and over. All those “widows” and and glowing lights make effective rest difficult. Fatigue will kill your if you are not careful.

[@gilbreathca]

Put a few air holes in the sides of the trash can toward the bottom. That way, when you remove a liner, it won't create a vacuum and fight the bag being removed from the can. Only really need about two holes about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter each to offer enough make-up air to release the trash sack.

[@onnayoung7699]

I know you are joking about the pre-booking rescue but there is no shame in filing a sail plan with them, that's what its for. Hay Im doing this, could be fun could be dumb but this is my plan. Really helps them narrow down a search.

[@jthepickle7]

Contact cement, heavy on the board, light on the sandpaper. Heat gun to peel off worn paper. Then light contact cement on just the paper...and back to work with a fresh board.

[@KRWoodworks]

Ahhhhh the torture boards......fun times.

[@kathywrightjohnson6804]

First off, hoping Steve has passed his kidney stones without too much pain. Yah, i know, any pain is too much. The check marks are piling up on your list of to do's. Soon there wont be much of a list left to cross things off of. That was one heck of a fairing team you had there. You all must have been tripping over each other. That makes for some exciting days with all the different conversations going on. Still praying for Kp, Steves mom and now Steve to get berrer soon. See you next week.

[@kjell-ovekarlsson8965]

When I have straightened the fiberglass hull before new gelcoat, I have sawed cellular plastic 100 x 100mm and approx. 1200mm long and glued a thin plywood on one side to attach 80 papers to. Sanded with these longitudinally with waterline, diagonally up and down front and back, sometimes on two people one at each end.

[@AcornToArabella]

👍

[@JK-zx3go]

The Victron kit is great, very robust. I've installed single and three phase systems with -48V batteries and never had any reliability issues.

[@AcornToArabella]

Good to hear, thanks for sharing your experience!

[@dmitch1177]

I know it’s not particularly relevant, but I love your music. All of it!

[@AcornToArabella]

It’s relevant to Ben! Thanks for saying. There’s a link to his bandcamp page in the description if you want to listen to whole songs.

[@fishingcostarica]

Stephen. I watched you come down out of the tops of the trees and stand on your back legs and gaze over what was laying on the ground. I saw the sharp look in your eyes and the determination in your face. I watched you morph into building a wonderful craft. I watched you become an excellent shipwright with the ability to see the same talent in other men and women and motivate them to help. The world is watching. Your next learning curve is to become a sailor and an excellent caption. Just a little advice. After being on the water for over 60 years, I had a lot of fun traveling but at some point I realized I was always searching for something. I found what this was when I read the words of a very famous caption. He was asked what is a boat. His reply. "It's not a keel, and a hold, and a deck, and sails; that's what a boat needs. But what a boat is, is freedom." Capt. Jack Sparrow

[@dennisdownes9319]

The copper planter is gorgeous!! Really gorgeous! Side note; If your going "out to sea" in a ship, boat, kayak, or foil, first ask yourself;" If something goes horrifically wrong, and I need to call the Coast Guard, will I be embarrassed by my actions or lack of planning when I have to explain my need for rescue? DD

[@JK360noscope]

I do not and have never asked that question. "Will I have a backup?" Is the only question. And a VHF radio in case you go swimming

[@AcornToArabella]

I think embarrassment is less important than calling for help before someone gets seriously hurt. There’s a point at which “buck up buttercup” isn’t a valid plan.

[@dennisdownes9319]

@@AcornToArabella I agree completely….. as some in the comments have pointed out…. The Coast Guard would rather make a rescue than a retrieval (pick up dead bodies). My point is always the same; nobody goes out to sea and says “I hope today’s the day I get rescued by the Coast Guard.” Having been on a Navy Destroyer to a sailing dingy, the dangers are all there out on the water. “Think before you sink.”

[@SouthOfHeaven33]

Thats brutal haha. If it were me id plane it, hydraulic sand it then finish with an orbital sand. Nice work fellas

[@passinthru4328]

Oh! Glorious Sanding!

[@davidcogan9163]

Your almost there well done to all your team team I know how much fun long boarding is ending up with Gorilla arms David Australia

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, David!

[@DarkSoulBaja]

I still think if you were to grab a bunch of the stills from your years of building this and put them all into a large format coffee table book, it would sell like crazy. I'd buy one without hesitation. So many of the shots are just amazing. Just a sentence or two here and there with a date. I'd pay $100-$200 for one.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@fordfan3179]

All very exciting, hope to see you on launch day.

[@AcornToArabella]

Cheers!

[@davidstewart1153]

So glad there was not an earth-shattering kaboom!

[@TomLeg]

I like the multi-coloured hull ... Maybe you should paint it like that!

[@bigbrother5781]

The Partridge Family paints a boat. 😂

[@cageordie]

My friend's wife was fourth in the selections for the LA Olympics windsurfing in 1984, so she was an expert. Some years later she was windsurfing around the Golden Gate bridge when she came across someone who couldn't get back on their board. So she called the USCG. There's a station virtually under the north end of the bridge, so they were there in a hurry. When the got there they immediately saw that there was a man and a woman and assumed they needed to rescue her. She told them to take the guy first. Then they insisted on taking her too. She replied "if you can catch me". And she was off. On summer afternoons there's always a strong wind through the Golden Gate, so she just lifted her sail and she was away. They didn't catch her, but they did chase her all the way to the beach at Crissy Field. I called them out once when a yacht was run down by a barge. They decided to sail between the barge and its tug, their keel hit the tow line and turned them into wind, seconds later they were run down. The sail held them on the bow for a few minutes then they were driven under. I called 911 and asked for the Coastguard as soon as I saw they were stuck on the tow line. The crowd on Marin Headlands were delighted to see two people bob to the surface, it must have been a hell of a ride under the barge, those things are huge. The USCG sent a 47' Motor Lifeboat and I gave commentary over the phone to guide them to the survivors. Once they were in the boat we headed down to the Coastguard station to check on them. The crew coming off the boat were absolutely stoked to have recovered two survivors. The survivors weren't so happy, they'd borrowed the yacht from friends.

[@Gottenhimfella]

Rescue personnel can get a bit officious sometimes... I guess they get used to thinking they're the only adults on the scene.

[@FlowStateWingFoil]

These are two incredible stories, thanks for sharing! I love her response to the USCG's biased assumptions!

[@FiferSkipper]

2:57 Why not use a dual bank battery switch? Bank one is the charging circuit then bank two is resistor-bypass?

[@FlowStateWingFoil]

Sorry, may not have come thru clearly in the video, but that is exactly what we did!

[@williamfreeh1198]

considering the quality of plywood these days making a trash can with it is in my thinking very fitting.

[@fonhollohan2908]

When sanding go in an X pattern do not sand in the same direction as the length of the wood if all possible. Yeah need a borrow a couple ten inch DA Sanders, and use them in a x pattern as well, that thing would chew the haul up in no time and save your arms from wanting to fall off. That's pretty good though being able to get to a finish product in one weekend. Cheers boats' looking good.

[@Gottenhimfella]

They used rotary sanders for the rough fairing. They're not suitable, or even usable, for finish fairing. Power operated long-board sanders are available but expensive, and still require a team of people (and are not hugely faster at getting results than old school elbow grease), so it seems to me not much point given that willing volunteers got it done.

[@badcat4707]

Good morning Akiva 🐺 and Crew 😸😺

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday!

[@JustSomeVideos0]

Limiting inrush current with a fixed resistance resistor seems a very bad way to do things as inevitably it will result in increase draw. Surely this is a screaming out for a NTC?

[@billsrq1788]

Good morning all from Siesta Key Florida

[@AcornToArabella]

Good morning and happy Friday, Bill!

[@rerolley]

Looks like a Carolina Wren set up housekeeping in the garage.

[@AcornToArabella]

Sure did. Four little ones have fledged.

[@MikeSawyerwhitewater]

Do a few live casts as you wind up. The transport, for sure, should be a live cast.

[@CVS1401]

I hope someone is documenting how the systems are configured and compiling a manual to go into the boat so 5-10 years down the road when something needs to be replaced Steve doesn't have to chase a ton of wires.

[@AcornToArabella]

Yup, we have diagrams and… videos. 😁

[@abcadef6171]

Random question: up until now, you've put a lot of effort into making sure you don't make any shelves against the hull - avoiding butt blocks and the like, but your through-hull blocks just seem square. Is there any particular reason for that, or is it just that they're low enough and accessible enough that you're not worried about having to clean them out?

[@rodneywroten2994]

Fairing looks great

[@ShipHappensUK]

You guys are all awesome ❤

[@AcornToArabella]

💌😊

[@hank5655]

This boat is fabulous

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks, Hank!

[@latitudeash]

Starting to look beautiful now. Please keep the external wood colour and not paint it. Sexy courses on the boat hull and the natural wood colour would be so wonderful. You guys make me proud of the talent and generosity people are prepared to give ❤

[@robertspies4695]

Arabella is also a genus of marine segmented worms.

[@AcornToArabella]

Cool!

[@lookronjon]

When I lived in the VI on St. John I had a friend named Red. He was given a wooden sailboat. It was on the hard on St. Croix. He went over and worked on the boat and had it splashed. He got the leaks stopped and headed north to St. John. Half way across the boat started leaking. He was ok. He had a bucket. Shortly after that it became apparent that he was being overwhelmed. He was losing the battle. He had no radio but he had a cellphone. He called the emergency line and they kinda figured out where he was and said help will be sent. He was standing on the deck holding onto the mast when he saw a black dot on the horizon. It got bigger snd bigger. The inflatable from the USS Cole was sent to get him. He had no life saving equipment. No jacket. When the inflatable got to him he was knee deep. The rescue boat had navy seals. They grabbed him and yanked him off of the sailboat and threw him into the inflatable. They turned back and headed back to Pilsberry sound. Red looked back and the mast was all there was sticking out of the water. It went down. They transferred him to a national park boat that took him to the national park dock on St. John. Realizing how close he was to not making it back made me be more aware. I always make sure that all onboard have safety equipment and know where it’s at and how to use it. I had a jonboat that sank on me in a creek in Florida when I was 11. I never forget that.

[@AcornToArabella]

Thanks for sharing that story.

[@Smokkedandslammed]

I have a 4 switch basic Blue Sea System panel for my Boston Whaler, really nice set of switches. I was unsure if it was a cheap "overseas" brand, but they are very well made.

[@AcornToArabella]

Yup, they’re great.

[@Nick-ye5kk]

Greetings from a cloudy Bedfordshire, in time for my lunch as usual.

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Nick!

[@willywonka8730]

On the electrical did you choose to share or isolate the AC/DC/lightning grounds? And why? Thanks?

[@budschermerhorn6062]

Good Morning from Sandwich, MA

[@AcornToArabella]

Happy Friday, Bud!

[@fredflintstone8048]

I hope all the wiring is clearly labels with labels that won't deteriorate and accurate schematics are made. Take it from someone with experience. Sooner or later one or more of the systems will fail and sometimes it's important to be able to track down the cause quickly. The more complex the systems the higher the chances of failures and the more difficult they become to troubleshoot, and no one has a good enough memory to remember how they're all put together even if they were the ones that put it together.

[@kaylynpalella2253]

It’s an organized work of art in there. The most detail-oriented will be proud.

[@fredflintstone8048]

@@kaylynpalella2253 Yes, I agree. I only hope it never gets a sea water bath because it will all begin to fail at an alarming rate soon after. Water and electrical circuits don't do well together, especially salt water. And then there's the humidity combined with salt of the sea air. That also wrecks havoc with wiring especially at the connection points over time. It doesn't matter how nice it looks, and it's really very hard to have connections that are sealed from air intrusion.

[@fredflintstone8048]

@@ralphgesler5110 🤣🤣🤣🤣My point is that it cannot be prevented if one is perhaps caught in a bad storm. It only takes one mistake or mishap. I appreciate your sarcasm, but I speak of life in the real world of sailing. There is of course the sea air that I also speak of which is a 24 x 7 x 365 day reality. Corrosion in electrical systems as well as other metals on boats is part of the life of every boat. The bottom line is that the more complex and larger the electrical systems, the larger the problem will be.

[@fredflintstone8048]

@@ralphgesler5110 I'm not suggesting installing a simpler system, but only good quality wire markers that won't deteriorate to the point where they cannot be read in time, and having a good schematic of the whole boat because sooner or later they'll be needed and probably when least expected. I also recommend that a person who does NOT have a lot of experience trouble shooting electrical systems does a little bit of mock troubleshooting, practicing when time permits running drills with the test equipment. When there's a problem with a system you want to bring up badly in a short amount of time is not the time to try and learn how to use a DMM and accurately interpret what it's telling you.

[@stick004]

He’s gonna grow “herbs” in that planter…I’m sure he is 😎

[@kyflyboy965]

What will have to be done to help swell the planks to close those large gaps? Can they be caulked somehow even if they aren’t swelled to the point that they are touching? What do you do if they don’t close?

[@AcornToArabella]

They’re closed now 👍

[@bengtabelsson9727]

A bit pessimistic to keep the snowblade on the truck?

[@ToddSonneborn]

a) It actually snowed in bordering state, New Hampshire, yesterday. (though admittedly only at higher elevations). b) As a skier, I'd call it "optimistic", not "pessimistic". ;)

[@AcornToArabella]

We just haven’t removed it yet. Not high on the list of action items haha

[@Gottenhimfella]

@@AcornToArabella Could come in handy for clearing the site of sawdust ;-)

[@charlesseymour1482]

I do vote for aviation plywood for the dust bin.

[@AcornToArabella]

Ha!