A Bit of This and That .. aka .. Are We Almost Done? (MJ Sailing - EP 19)

[@theislandpackrat]

Love it when someone makes things Extra strong, and not just for looks. You guys are doing a great job and won't have to worry about it breaking!

[@garyritter9076]

Thank you for the reply on the boat zincs. Your doing a great job. Love the videos.

[@edrosenberger6947]

Your rudder modifications are excellent and its installation looks professional. It had to take a lot of hours to complete and then probably four times that for the design time. With all of these neat mod's, this is going to be a very desirable ship when finished....thank you for taking the time to show us what you're doing.

[@bill4nier]

You guys have done an awesome job and are gonna have an awesome boat! 👍👍👍👍👍 ⛵⛵

[@kevinswanson3910]

mat has done a lot of homework on his knowledge of ocean and boats to keep you safe ,to do what you did with the rudder is smart less mechanical things to worry about.good job

[@matthewfeliciano4918]

I just want to say you guys are such a inspiration. keep it up

[@aportilla007]

Guys, your boat is kicking ass - awesome boat. Great job.

[@MJSailing]

Thank you!

[@jimmcdonald9244]

Matt and Jessica I'll just throw this in, but I don't mean to sound too gushy....assuming you're publishing post real time, I hope the boat has exceeded all your best expectations, and you're able to sit back and say to each other "yes, it's been worth the effort". The detail and complexity of the refit is extraordinary and you've clearly put your best efforts into it. Some people are able to go out and buy something bigger and better, but I hope your new boat is the perfect fit for you both, that you lack nothing, and that she will return you with many years of wonderful sailing adventures. Good on you guys, very well done. Oh and the vids are great too....! Cheers

[@mattjohnson6716]

Thanks Jim, but we're not to the point of forgetting all the work that's gone into this yet. The "it's been worth it" moment will be once we can't remember the pain. Matt

[@JCAJCA3]

I think you "Guys/Gal" are great. The thought and care that have gone into the refit is impressive! Attention to detail everywhere. That boat is going to be gorgeous. You two should be very proud of yourself s. JC

[@fritzmeynejr2983]

Wow, you two are a Team...great expertise and to share it is great!

[@rear_admiral_thrawn9163]

Great work on the boat, Keep it up

[@treadhead7651]

Great explanation of the rudder control. It's coming together really nicely. Was looking forward to seeing some painting.

[@geremychubbuck3730]

Awesome video. I love the chair and the tiller setup. Well done.

[@WallaceRoseVincent]

Can't wait to see you sailing!

[@MJSailing]

Us too!

[@rondejoux8006]

Thanks guys another great video

[@Rob89139]

Really enjoying your videos and watching as the boat comes to life. I agree with the earlier comment suggesting a consultant gig in the future. Thanks for sharing

[@hwp69]

Hi Matt and Jessica, That gap at the base of your hard dogger you pointed out can be filled with flox. Matt is probably aware that if you mix a structural matrix with your epoxy, it becomes structural. Mix shredded cotton, or glass of some kind with your resin. After first isolating the steel with cellophane tape, apply your flox mixture like puddy, let cure, and your gap is filled structurally. You guys keep going, love your adventures!

[@seajourney5491]

wonderful video. well thought out designs and best part is they are practical. engineered with solutions that actually work, well done!

[@TheMonkeyrock77]

I love the way it's coming together. I know what hurry-up and wait means too. You got to wait for money to build up then work, then wait for more money again. It's looking great.

[@rem9607]

MAN, that boat looks solid, amazing work you guys are doing

[@tylerclemens6095]

11:00 team work makes the dream work!

[@wornslapout]

Awesome job on everything so far! That's a great idea with the seat! Love how you guys think outside the box to solve even small problems. Keep up the great work and thanks for being an inspiration!

[@davidclarke7728]

Slacking on the painting Jessica !

[@allynonderdonk7577]

I love all the Maple on the boat!

[@drx1xym154]

The boat is coming along! Maybe I should follow... with a BIG boat project.

[@geoffreygluckgunslingersgu916]

You did a wonderful job on the tiller and the autopilot system. This boat is really set up as a tiller boat I really like how it's all in a locker and out of the way unlike most tiller autopilot systems that are attached to the tiller and the cockpit wall so you loose a bunch of seating area. Keep up the good videos and we can keep watching your next adventure. G from Mi.

[@fxpthl]

Very impressive job on the dodger kids. Lots of engineering had to be figured out in order for all of the angles to come out correct. The nav seat is going to be great too! I too so look forward to seeing you under sail!

[@phil-fr4lg]

very happy for both of you and enjoy your vids. Also from MI (TC) and restoring my 1970 WestWind24 for MI/Canada cruising thoughout the Great Lakes...I can not wait much longer for your new adventures to start...safe sailing!💨💨

[@Richdudevids]

good stuff making some headway.nice work guys

[@solarsail56]

Very nice explanation of the steering system!

[@timberino8778]

Great video, plenty tips for my new boat. thanks guys. Fair wind.

[@stevecoe-pcjunke2377]

I really like how you planned out the tiller handle as well as the auto-pilot to work smoothly with one another. I thought I had remembered there being a wheel before but I like how you've removed it for more space but yet you didn't loose any functionality in steering. As for the Nav. seat, I would have cut the tube down about 2 inches so that it would accommodate you both, you get head clearance and she can rest her feet more comfortable.

[@CGCampbellJr]

Well done. Even before you pointed it out, I was thinking she'll really want a flip/fold-down foot rest, slightly angled. In rough-ish sea states, she'll want the stability, and in calm seas, the underside of her knees and thighs will thank her.

[@FlyIndy]

Thank you for the video. Another job well done.

[@rickymyers3103]

very cool, I love it , it's so exciting the closer y'all get , would love to be there for the launch and after party for sure, if y'all can figure out a date and let us know it beers and wine !!!

[@000001willy]

You folks just keep marching along. You are getting closer to wrapping up all of the smaller projects good for you. One small comment, this is a pet peeve of mine, the word "across" does not have a "t" at the end of it. The word is pronounced a - cross as in "Jesus was hung on a cross, not a crosst.

[@tylerclemens6095]

11:50 I am a welder and that looks nice. They did Quality work. A simple solution to the gap getting bigger to the right, would be grind or sand left side of the part they made - that might mess up the finish and could cause early corrosion. Or you could get a thicker gasket and longer screws. I think the proper way to fix it would be to cut the top weld with a band saw 90%, starting on the left side and leaving a little tab on the right side, smashing it shut and welding it. This way is going to change the screw holes. I think it is minor and I really want to see the paint job, tons of cameras and light! Let's pray for good painting weather. After it's painted can you put it in the water or do you still have stuff to do before a float test?

[@timothyblazer1749]

I would make sure that hatch is very well sealed, or salt water will make a nice conductive path to the hull ;-) Beautiful job!

[@FoxtrotDelta11]

Love all these videos, safe travels

[@noway2733]

A lot of hard work well done. Keep up the great work. I didn't know that across had a "t" in it.

[@franklinrice3361]

so ready to seeing on the sail

[@geraldthomas9253]

For the Dodger, shims work wonders. They will provide you with all the support necessary for securing the top while allowing for the angle discrepancy. Regarding the auto pilot where it penetrates the hull. I would think that you should be able to locate a boot from a stick shift to seal that hole while allowing for the movement of the cylinder. I'm hoping that they would have provided this as part of their system, but a modified shifter boot should do the trick nicely if they haven't. Luck with the projects

[@mattjohnson6716]

Thanks. Were just DIYing the boot from a piece of rubber.... just like a mast boot for a keel stepped mast. Matt

[@5winder]

May God bless you, your boat and your travels... until the Lord comes home.

[@adamcarr8738]

I really like your rudder/tiller engineering! That's going to be sweet!

[@roberttorres1110]

Wow, fantastic!

[@LovelyKauai]

Nice navstation chair design. Oh, and Go-Blue!

[@MylesNicholas]

We had a linear drive on our 50 ft satellite dish at 18th floor. First to fail, took a few years to fix, by then the tx/rx was updated too.

[@thatdutchguy2882]

Great work you guy's 👍 😆.

[@ProjectManaia]

I guess it is gernerally true, that there is ALWAYS SOMETHING to do on ANY Boat. Our Sea Nomad is a good piece of work herself (can see all that in our videos) but also iconic ships like Rainbow Warrior (that I am sailing on right now) are constant work.... it never stops

[@VetTails]

Your never done fixing a boat right hehe, we haven't been moving for two months and it feels long enough but also coming close to finish sailing necessary jobs. Great renovation!

[@GEORGIANBAYNEWS]

Great Job/Joy!

[@theoldwizard998]

I would use some fiberglass to build up the pads on the dodger where it meets the post. Fill in the exist hole and then contour sand to match the post tops. You REALLY do want some kind of a foot rest at that chart table ! It will give any one sitting there in rough seas something to brace against.

[@johnnickel8182]

looks great yall

[@johnh.5779]

I'm a sailing junkie watching dozens of sailors via YT when I can. This week I found myself thinking, "Hey, when is the next M&J episode coming out?" Sure enough here it is and it's excellent. You guys are in my top 3 of favs with Delos and SLV though many others are great as well (Soph. Lady, Happy Together etc). Might you need a seatbelt at the Nav station for when you take this beast into open seas? Love all the technical detail of your vids. She is really looking spectacular! Glad you got some vaca time!!

[@mattjohnson6716]

We hope the armrest are enough to hold Jess into position. Matt

[@denzildon9202]

Friends you have so far doe a fabulous job in all, one thing I have not heard you mention is corrosive protection and being an alloy hull you will need to pay special attention to this possible problem in the short future. There is a couple cruising on yacht called RAN they are Swedish and have done a major fit out of their boat which is also aluminium and it was very interesting to watch learn and listen to the fitting of anti corrosive devices to their Yacht RAN. Please look them up on utube as I am sure you will be very interested. Great sailing to both and have a wonderful life on the water. Regards Denzil.

[@samgentile7494]

Hi Matt, Great work as usual. Think about some ventilation for the battery compartment if you have not done so already.

[@harleco1]

great video

[@znon5876]

Matt is so damn smart!

[@MJSailing]

I agree!

[@znon5876]

MJ Sailing you're smart too Jess! but darn that guy thinks like an engineer

[@kadven6447]

Very Nice! Thank you

[@trawlertravels6376]

nice work....just a suggestion...cover your battery terminals. Dropping a tool across them could make for a really bad day.

[@advancedwaterjet3940]

amen, do it to every battery the terminal covers are cheap, buy extras

[@advancedwaterjet3940]

ps summit racing catalog

[@mattjohnson6716]

I've never liked the covers in a dedicated box. Under the hood of a car, when you're working on something else, then the terminal covers are great. But in a box dedicated to only the battery bank, I'd rather have the unencumbered access the the terminals to clean. Matt

[@marcss73]

Great job keep up the good work. ill keep watching .& be were your feet are.

[@susanl435]

You guys are doing a wonderful job. Amazing! Come north for the summer?

[@williamwallace176]

You have created a real jewel of a sailboat...and something else. With your talents, skills and experience you may have found a marketable commodity. Not as worker bees, but as consultants...Plus you have the best resume possible...one that floats and sails.

[@MJSailing]

It would be fun to work as a consultant, maybe I'll have to set that up for Matt on the side. :)

[@triprobinson2808]

Good stuff. Great rudder placement and auto- pilot design. Damn knew it. The hard dodger and not having the boom accurate hight w solar panels bit you in the ass. All 👍. Get a case of Sikaflex from Duca...looool Carry on crew

[@verynearlyaboutsailing8114]

Excellent steering system. I never steer either. Tiller Pilot for motoring and Windvane for sailing. My only job is to park the boat.

[@ProjectManaia]

Love the comment! Do you happen to have any experience with Windpilots on catamarans? Our Sea Nomad doesn't have an auto pilot (Also visible in the videos) but I would love to put a windvane on, just a bit unsure about performance on cats....

[@verynearlyaboutsailing8114]

What a good question. Unfortunately, I have quite literally no idea. I can't ever remember seeing a Windvane steering system on a catamaran. Someone, somewhere must have tried it.

[@charlesbabb9154]

You guys appear to be doing a wonderful job. Would a footrest, collar fitted to the chair post, be less in the way? So anxious to see you on the water.

[@jaysparc]

Great work. I like how your refitting a boat that is built for passage work. Matt -- solid construction techniques no "Huntering". How long before you get wet again?

[@MidnightVisions]

@7:10 What kind of sealant are you using between the delrin bushing and the aluminum hull? Will there be a rubber boot over that too? The expansion and contraction ratio of delrin is much higher than aluminum. And re: the dodger supports, just use a gasket to fix the mismatch in angles. It will also help with the squeaking that will happen between steel and fiberglass

[@majesticmark6054]

I am always working on some kind of project.. How be it much smaller scale than your boat, but from one do it your self'er to another looking great guys. I was in Stuart a few weeks ago taking care of my Mom. Wanted to stop by and say hello but time was to short. Would have loved to see your boat up close though.

[@round51]

Frankly, I've seen enough painting first hand to last a couple of lifetimes. Much more interested in your other projects.

[@oldmanriverrimington3442]

I didn't read all the comments. but you should put an escutcheon around the seat post where it enters the panel. especially if that panel is semi- permanent it would clean that up really well. great job! keep the vids coming.

[@mattjohnson6716]

We'll show the finished floor around the seat in the next video. It looks pretty clean, but maybe some shiny stainless around it would look better. Matt

[@oldmanriverrimington3442]

oh yeah by the way I'm an illinoyan. from near the lake lol. living in arkansas close to the ouachitas.buncha pond sailors here. lol

[@jackfedersail90]

Wow, you have really cleaned up and eliminated hidden gears cables etc. by getting rid of the wheel. Now you can see everything necessary to control steering from above quickly and saved space at the same time! I like that and would try to copy if I was doing ANY blue water cruising. Thanks for the vid!

[@dprider02]

Good stuff. I was wondering if you've thought about cutting the seat standpipe down close to the floor, and sleeving the upper section so it would be simple to remove for easy access to your electronics/wiring? Maybe leave it an inch or two proud to leave room for a set screw. That way you wouldn't have to worry about the seat flying out should you ever do a 360! :)

[@kevinswanson3910]

yes ,make it fit for both of you

[@dutchmansailing857]

How do your batteries vent ? Might not be good to have them in the cabin . Just a thought Have fun and good to see the projects getting done !!!!

[@lxmolx]

O haven't used a autopilot on a tiller for some 3 decades... as far as I recall, (i) they hook in the front of the tiller, (I assume you can program it for "opposite thinking" as you are hooking behind). (ii) they normally stay a bit further from the tiller pivot so the rudder puts less strength on the pilot. (iii) they unhook from the tiller when not in use (from video I could not see if you had enough room to pull it up and out of the future/final work). (at last, apologies as my technical English is not so great to express my views)... Cheers, and keep up with the awesome boat!

[@mattjohnson6716]

Ours is an actual hydraulic linear drive with a clutch to disengage. We just press the button on the display and take over steering. Matt

[@MylesNicholas]

Solar navigation lights on your dodger ??? Maybe some lexan clipon windscreens too.

[@normstephens8354]

Cool progress! :-)

[@gregormiller4037]

Maybe get a hard/stiff rubber gasket mount for the alloy footings?

[@paulswan1965]

Short & sweet, thanks for showing us some thing, love the way the chair turned out, when it swings will it hit the electrical panel? Cheers Swany

[@MJSailing]

You have to swing the chair so the back passes by the electrical panel, but no, it just clears it. :)

[@siaripop7]

Matt.....Looks like you took classes in the "school of improvisation", a "hands on" study of making things work when literature is not available. Otherwise known as "using your own noodle"! Great job!

[@RomboutVersluijs]

When you do work longer behind that make sure your elbows can rest. You'll get a lot tension on your trapezius muscle which aint fun if you need to hold them up al the time.

[@tylerclemens6095]

16:26 future office will be amazing.

[@SailingTranquilityBay]

Thankfully you didn't start the canvas for the dodger yet!! That would have been a bummer. Nice work.

[@MJSailing]

We knew it would be a possibility from the start it might have to be dropped, so I was not going to start that any time soon, just in case, haha.

[@timallen1619]

Matt! I didn't see a vent on the battery compartment! For your safety PLEASE find a flexable tube and put it in! Those things are seriously dangerous !

[@mattjohnson6716]

There's a vent and fan attached to a voltage relay. It turns on to clear the compartment when voltage hits the point that gassing can occur. Matt

[@timallen1619]

Airy! Ha! Ha! Didn't see it and it being the living compartment .....COOL!

[@allenlong1445]

hi love the videos first time commenter (another suggestion) about the seat, it looks high to me! if you where to drop its height down you will have more head room and solve the foot rest thing as well ...

[@mattjohnson6716]

Only issue is Jess couldn't see out the front windows if it was lowered. I've spent too many days sitting in an office chair anyway :) Matt

[@allenlong1445]

hi thank you for the reply, I was thinking the seat was set that high for desk height for typing, in that case a booster cushion might help(just my thoughts) any way you two are doing so well your making it look easy.

[@sc1212able]

I am so impressed, every project you and Matt take on is so professionally done, can't wait until the day she is back in the water and her sails are up and full of wind, Jess, are guys going to be selling your mini van? Looking for a small van to turn into a small camper, wanting to come off the boat for awhile and go out to Arizona.

[@MJSailing]

We will be selling it, but a forewarning, it will need a bit of work. There is no AC, about three door handles are missing, and a few hoses may need to be replaced.

[@sc1212able]

That's fine, I'm a decent mechanic, contact me at [e-mail], so we can talk price and all the issues I well need to address, is it titled in Florida?

[@ernestdougherty3162]

Hello you guys this is a great adventure for young couple my only question is is can you answer it as why did you trade for an aluminum Hall built boat? why did you not like your boat that you already had?

[@inndy9758]

Wow, you have probably one of the best wind steering vanes in the world. I have one on my boat as well. If you need any info, the guy who invented, designed and built them, lives not far from me here in Quebec. I have a little booklet if you need a copy. Keep up the great videos

[@mattjohnson6716]

I've never seen the book, but the Cape horn guy (Yves sp?) has been great evn though we bought it used on eBay. Matt

[@radamspse]

Interested to know how much you have used the wind vane steering Matt?

[@timfrench9391]

Love you guys and your project. Just a question: your rudder seems limited to 45° port and starboard; is that sufficient for maneuvers such as heave to? Looks like it is built into the boat that way. Interesting, I've never seen it that way. Looking forward to splash day!!!

[@mattjohnson6716]

Tim, typically autopilot drives are limited to 35 degrees either side and stops are added to accomplish this. We'll be adding those too so it can't swing any further. You always have rudder stops on a quadrant. Matt

[@VetTails]

Tim French we don't have a rudder stop and it scraped our hull when it swung to far too the side - we tie the tiller now to prevent it at anchor but are getting a collar made to stop it going all the way!

[@skycop56]

You guys are making great progress and really doing the job right. One question, do you know the force of the hydraulic cylinder that turns the rudder? In a bad storm, that huge rudder will be subjected to mega waves and hundreds of lbs of force. The hydraulics need to be strong enough to overcome that. A marine engineer could answer the question for sure.

[@robtdriver]

As an aircraft inspector I was thinking the same thing, I would rather have a servo to overbuilt than fail when you need it most.

[@mattjohnson6716]

The hydraulic ram is a massive lecomble and schmitt with 1543 ft lbs of torque. We shouldn't have an issue. The old boat was a mechanical linear drive with just 600 ft lbs and it did just fine in big waves. Matt

[@robtdriver]

Matt sounds good, just make sure when you bolt down that heim bearing to add a large area washer on top of it so just in case the bearing jumps the race the assembly stays in place and still will be somewhat useful

[@floridasaltlife]

You two are just awesome and show so much tenacity to do the big projects, always happy to see a new video. I am just in my first year starting a car lot in Indiana, I occasionally buy from Florida sales and might try to stop by before you are done and gone. Keep up the good work and I will begin to offer something on patreon as soon as I am able to start paying myself out of the new business !! P.S. do you guys have a drone ??

[@mattjohnson6716]

I was in the car business for 11 yrs before we left to cruise. The Manheim auction in Orlando is where a lot of our vehicles came from too. Good luck with the lot. Nope, no drone yet. We of course are looking to get one, but there's not much of interest in the yard to show yet :) Matt

[@floridasaltlife]

Aside from work I am a life long inland boater on the Ohio River so just being around boats is always a joy for me. :)

[@geanozz8940]

Its not explained in the video how it will be connected yet but I would make that linear drive a quick release in case it fails and you can switch to tiller immediately in an emergency ?

[@versatec1]

The workmanship is stunning 😊👍

[@windonwater3895]

Hey - I was wondering - what was that temperature outside at the beginning of the talk about the hard dodger? Just kidding. The dodger looks great and I like the lower profile anyway (less windage). Great video and I look forward to some more painting. Ron

[@MJSailing]

Thanks Ron! I've just finished the second coat of Awl Grip all the way around the boat, so that should be featured in the next episode. :)

[@mattjohnson6716]

windage and looks. It was looking way too much like a phone booth before it was cut down. Matt

[@GypsyTinker2012]

Is that sea-foam green boat in the background an Islander 36?

[@mattjohnson6716]

It is. He just had it painted that color and it looks great! Matt

[@GypsyTinker2012]

Sweet.

[@joes7166]

GPO3, Delrin, Sch40? Matt has been an engineer and/or in manufacturing at some point. I recognize the lingo.

[@lancechristy2595]

Thanks

[@davelowinger7056]

sweet :)