Sail Life - Cockpit table and trim

[@peoplewatchingpeople684]

Mads, you are so so funny, even when you are not trying to be. You and I both know that there is no way on this “oh glorious” Earth that you will be happy with two short slats as a permanent finish, even with the edge of the slats eventually being covered by a trim. Those two little crevices behind the eventually fitted trim will creep into your dreams and become nightmares, stop kidding us and yourself and get them changed out when you can, so we can both sleep at night and calm our OCD. 😂 Thank you for the video, excellent viewing. 👏🏼

[@lukehughes7274]

As a tip for drilling Stainless Steel. Use a good quality drill bit, keep lubricated, use a slow speed and don’t apply to much pressure let the drill bit do the work. I’ve drilled hundreds of holes in stainless steel and this is what I’ve found works best. 👍🏻

[@daviddickerson6866]

I’d even try drill bits meant for hard(ened) metals such as cobalt. I had good results on armor plate with lubricant. Pick some up when you hit the States and keep them strictly for stainless.

[@joes7166]

Luke is right and I would add use the 'tap drill' technique. Push in for a second or two and easy pressure for a second or two but leave drill in the same place. This allows the drill to cool and spin out the burrs. I've drilled many holes in SS with the same bit. By the vein popping out on your neck as you were drilling, I would guess you were pressing a bit too hard.

[@Anmeteor9663]

I combine Lukes technique with cobalt bits that only get used for SS. A little lube helps if you can. Can be tricky when working alone and non flat drilling.

[@wallacegrommet9343]

Cobalt bits are essential for drilling metal. Is there anything better since I left construction 10years ago?

[@Hallacairion]

​@@wallacegrommet9343 Not for drilling with handheld tools, but for machine work on a mill there are drills mde entirely form tungsten carbide. They dont even need centerpunching or drilling but on the downside they arent flexible at all so in a handheld drill they would break very fast due to not being able to hold the drill perfectly straight all the time

[@rb-rq7kq]

I learned a long time ago from a old guy at a machine shop to go slow and use lots of pressure. He taught me the art of using my hip to lean into the drill motor instead of using my arms. In that situation you just did it would have been at the perfect height to do that. It's a lot more staple push and you don't break bits that way. Being in the trades that's one of the most usefull tricks i have learned for drilling holes.

[@Wanderglobe]

This is too funny. I'm buying a sailboat tomorrow that does not have a cockpit table and was watching all sorts of videos on how to build one. Log into saillife and Mads is at it. Thanks!

[@tomgraham6833]

Drilling Stainless: Just in case you are not aware of this I thought I should point out that 300 Series Stainless is a very "work hardenable" material. This means that if your frill is not sharp and you do not apply sufficent pressure to keep it cutting the matrial will develop an amazingly hard and further progress with your drill very very difficult. I always try to use a drill press to drill stainless. A small diameter pilot hold and cutting fluid help. Aluminum BTW has similar properties; especially the lower alloy varieties, it is really amazing how hard it can get. Really enjoy your Videos; love "nerdiness".

[@WadeAbout]

“We will get a nicer one later..”. Proceeds to make a gorgeous table and gorgeous cockpit decking that I would be honoured to own.

[@svbarryduckworth628]

A bung-cutting set is invaluable to have onboard. Make your bungs out of scrap cutoffs that perfectly matches the project wood. Store-bought bungs are never very close. A good cutter kit will have matching countersink drills for the bungs that the cutters make. Badda-bing Bob's your Uncle. If you match the grain direction they almost totally disappear.

[@NiaTrue]

“Man glitter.” That’s one for the OED. Love it!

[@richmortillaro]

Hi Mads. Love your channel - such great information delivered in a fun concise manner. You really are doing a fantastic job on content, editing, and being the on-camera talent along with Ava! Here's a tip to up the quality of your cut when using a jigsaw to crosscut. Instead of freehanding it, use something as a fence that the metal base plate of the saw can ride against to create a flawless straight cut. It can be any straight edge clamped to the work - a scrap piece of wood, straight edge, ruler, etc... Saves a ton of time because you don't have to go slow and it won't need as much "oh glorious" sanding afterward. You end up with a perfect edge. Thanks for sharing your life with us and safe travels!

[@Amicaner]

I love that you are so committed to making videos and improving on you boat.

[@libra4books]

Mads, you are a brave man doing all that cutting drilling and epoxy work on your lovely worktop.

[@MaxMakerChannel]

I have been brave a couple of times with epoxy and it never worked out.

[@williamwittman1543]

Keep up the great work! I know you were worried about transitioning from DIY to sailing and how your videos would be received, but you two are doing a great job!

[@madmaveric]

I like how Mad's quick and temporary table fix is better than most peoples slow and permanent thought out fixes (well most of mine anyway) :D

[@billgolcher2537]

Great job on the table for a quick fix. I'm sure your wife will love the newly added charger take care

[@Even_Keeled]

I was just about to go work on my own refit. Guess it’ll wait. Can’t wait for your crossing.

[@martinmicheal4595]

You won’t ever finish if you don’t begin

[@Even_Keeled]

@@martinmicheal4595 very true. I’m about halfway done. Always nice to see progress on Athena. Watching boat work leads to boat work.

[@martinmicheal4595]

Congrats on being halfway done that must feel great I’m still looking for my project so your ahead of me lol

[@NothusDeusVagus]

Ahhh Mads... The only reason why your outstanding issues with Athena are of the "Champagne" and Caviar variety is that you've been diligent in taking care of the Beer and Pretzel problems up to now... So enjoy the finer thrills and frustrations of fine-tuning... Athena is looking fine... Well done! Thank you for yet another enjoyable and educational episode!

[@mattevans-koch9353]

It is going to be hard to surprise Ava unless she hasn't been able to watch the videos. Nice work on the trim and the table Mads. Sometimes you have to do things "temporarily" to keep moving ahead. As long as you plan on getting back to do the permanent fix, the temporary gives you time to come up with a better solution. Have a great week and thank you for today's video.

[@madmaveric]

Not sure how far behind the videos are. ie if they are a few weeks behind then Ava will be back aboard before the videos go up so the surprise can be maintained :P

[@ELCADAROSA]

@@madmaveric, the schedule is about three weeks behind real time. He mentions that from time to time.

[@madmaveric]

@@ELCADAROSA thanks, I do remember Mad's saying he was going to have some cached/backlog videos for the trip so he could schedule them while sailing but wasn't sure if the delay in the crossing meant he was now posting real time 'extra' content while waiting to start the crossing.

[@mzungu4770]

I'd forgotten what day it was and just got waaay over excited when I saw you guys had dropped a new video. A truly wonderful surprise. 👍

[@mikeskelly2356]

You can get 'Carbide drill point countersinks' in several sizes for small holes in thin SS. the one to two cm shank fit most drills and is far sturdier than a drill bit. A dab of cutting oil helps keep things clean and cool... A 'tempoary' fix for the freezer top might be a slab of foil faced, adhesive backed foam insulation usually used in engine compartments. It should just about double the insulating factor till you can make a more permanent fix! 👍

[@1sheinz]

When finishing wooden counters and tables , the UNDERSIDE AND THE TOP MUST BE SEALED . Not just the top or your wood will warp even though it is not in contact with water. Just the humidity of the air will warp tables and counters that have not been finished on the underside. Ava will be pleased at all the finished work you have done while at anchor. CHEERS AND FAIR WINDS Steve h.

[@nordyfamily]

I like when you say this isn't a long term solution...and then it isn't! Too many other channels have been putzing around for years adding to the amout of their temporary fixes instead of reducing them. Well done Mads and Ava

[@lesstraveledpath]

Consider adding a 3" radius on the corners of that table. When moving around the cockpit, you do not want to catch those corners in the hip.

[@bebagrr]

Hello ! Jig saw Tip. You could use a straight piece of trim hold with clamps to guide the saw straight with better results. I've used this method successfully even using it on the all purpose tool . I learned it with a circular saw to cut long straight pieces on plywood when a table saw is unavailable. Good Luck sir. Boat looks great !

[@Tomm9y]

Whilst you are killing time, have you considered adding fiddles to your splendid temporary cockpit table? On the roly days or even with a little heel, the fiddles will restrain the plates of delicacies from sliding, the flutes of champagne will require alternative means of restraint.

[@williamjacobs236]

Another great video Mads .

[@epheljr1]

I believe a center drill will be of great use to you for drilling stainless as well as a quality drill bit. 👍

[@donaldwatson554]

MacGyver of the boat world, Mads!

[@svenhohne2697]

Hey Mats, concerning your condensation problem on the freezer lid, maybe you might want to think about replacing the insulation material to some Aerogel. I'm quite sure you already heard of its incredible insulation abilities, and also you might get a chance on getting hold on some of that stuff, or some premanufactured sheet material including aerogel, when staying in the US on summer. BR and carry on with your tremendous Vlog, always enjoy getting the latest news what’s going on on good old Athena and seeing your smiling faces, Sven.

[@RobFomenko]

If you can get it that would be a good choice.

[@TheNick540]

Aerogel isn't suitable for low temp insulation, condensation would annihilate it.

[@yannkevin8309]

Hi Mads, again great work. Thanks for sharing. Please next time a timelapse of cleaning and tidying as those are amongst the most satisfying 😂. Thank you.

[@gregoryh4601]

Mads. So sweet to get the Honey do list done in time. Mads check around and see is you can find a Wood Spindle for the Metal pole by the Map Station and just square the bottom .

[@normanboyes4983]

Madz - well the enforced stay in Mindelo has had very positive aspects and you have cleared some very useful ‘later’ jobs. On the freezer, yes the insulation is clearly under spec for a deep freeze application but I wonder if there is also poor air sealing on the hatch too.? BTW I love the way you ‘shite’ - very British.🤣👍⛵️

[@davidtorcello3765]

Beautiful Table

[@tomlane4102]

Replace the insulation on your freezer lid with Aerogel. Its expensive but you don't need a lot. It will provide max insulation and not have the fail risk of a vacuum panel.

[@LPMCC330SR]

Love all the DIY fun!...keep it going

[@PittwaterMowingAustralia]

Loving the channel mate

[@brucerleech]

Good morning and thank you very much for the nice video

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

You know when Mads says “cobble something together” and “It will not be super spiffy” that he will do a far better job than most of us. All those little jobs take so long to do and I’m with you on moving stuff around to access somewhere else and my boat has way less room than Athena. I hope you got the ship shipshape for Ava’s arrival, you know she will clean it all again but you can but try. Andy UK

[@dcallan812]

The hair trigger was so funny, thank for the lol. Next week you could knock up a tool shed, that yopu can dump the junk in and tow behind the boat. 🤦‍♂😆 great update 2x👍

[@glennedwards1449]

Of all the sailing channels I watch which is quiet a few I enjoy this the most. Probably because it is all about the voyage not the destination pun intended. There is no way that the choices made were in any way about getting cruising as there are many ways to have done so years quicker and for a lot less money. It is obviously about someone who enjoys building things with the added benefit of actually getting some use out of it. As to the future well you will never run out of work on your boat but I hope one day you will take on another big project after getting some use from the work you have already put in rebuilding a sunk or damaged cat would be great and give you and Ava some much needed space especially is there is some little madlings in your future.

[@propylaeen]

A like ratio of over 10% something lots pf other sailing channels (who start using continuously strangely childish clickbait) would dream of… Guess Athena is on a good way! ❤❤❤

[@RobFomenko]

I like your table. I think it would work would be a metal fitted over the leg that would slide up the leg to store and then down over that joint to secure the leg. And maybe have it go into a hole in your cockpit sole to further secure it. Make the metal out of stainless like you have on the binnacle and put another piece like it on the sole. Couple coats of varnish and you should be good. You can always add fold out side pieces to make it larger with more piano hinge later. Assuming you could match the wood. I laughed at your description about trying to find things on the boat. I live in a 40-foot motorcoach and have that same exact problem. I feel your pain on your freezer. I don't have a huge problem with insulation, mine was the construction of the box. In my RV I have a marine fridge-freezer don't tear in the US in Seattle. It's about 10 years old. Uses a bd50 compressor that's remotely mounted. The doors hang on small pin style hinges that have two screws for each hinge there's one on the bottom one in the middle and one on top and the bottom and middle hold the refrigerator door and the top and middle hold the freezer door. Over the years moisture has leaked down into the box because it wasn't sealed well and they had unsealed would possibly pressed wood. Which wouldn't of course hold the screws anymore. Very bad design. I said what would mads do? Made some thickend epoxy after treating a piece of oak with thin epoxy, and glued it in. Time will tell I may have to rebuild the whole front of the box. Great video as usual.

[@exhstbearing]

I’m here for the projects and cursing in Danish!

[@WreckDiver99]

When you make your permanent table cockpit table, put in some cup holders, you'll thank me later. West Marine (and many others) make cup holder inserts that can be had as well. Best thing I ever did when we had our boat and decided we needed a table on the dance floor (St. Tropez with a ~4m beam...and about 1.5m between the back of the captain chair and the back bench). Put cup holders in so we could actually have beverages while under-way or when we were rocking from wakes or waves.

[@finditfixitsailit9322]

Drilling stainless is easy with a Cobalt drill bit. I do it all the time.

[@cawfeedawg]

I give mads two years at most with Athena before he takes on another boat restoration challenge. 😂

[@douglasrobbie9998]

Perhaps you will make it to the island of Grenada in the Caribbean, just in time (June) when everyone flocks there to be out of the hurricane zone for hurricane season.

[@jeffcee9457]

I enjoy to the end thanks for sharing

[@mk1photography62]

A spiffy temporary table Mads fingers crossed for Ava's view and opinions 😊

[@wobby1516]

What a shame the freezer is of such poor quality, hopefully the company will see and hear your remarks and offer a fix.

[@DragonForgePottery]

May be a bit overboard, but what about a spreadsheet with all your tools, bit, and bobs tagged with where your are storing them. That way you will always know where and what you have. You only need to update when you move them. THAT is the trick

[@petercaras3696]

My third world leg solution was a aluminum closet rod with the pocket attached to the underside of the table and a rubber crutch foot on the bottom of the leg. Only drawback was the leg had to be stowed when not in use.

[@desolatemetro]

Great video. References to swearing in Danish are just so...Sail Life. 😊

[@Nerd3927]

After lots of iterations of moving stuff around during the past 5 years living onboard, I have reduced the amount of stuff with about 80% :-)

[@jeffreygilchrist1330]

pro tip for drilling stainless steel , don’t push and drill like steel just put your drill bit on the stainless steel then with gentle pressure squeeze the trigger on and off the bit will bite and drill easily hopefully this works for you regards jeff

[@rgarizonahomestead2729]

looks great thanks for the update and please have a wonderful week ahead and i will see you on next weeks video

[@stallion78]

I have a trick that will drill stainless like butter….taught to me by an old man. Use a masonry bit….it will be sacrificed but for dollar or so it saves a lot of grief. You will be surprised how fast it goes

[@crazyg74]

yes! you really need to sharpen them first though. Masonry bits generally have positive rake (for hammering rather than slicing), so they don't bite very well. If you sharpen them like a normal bit, you get the best tool for drilling hard materials by hand. It'll cut like butter, stay sharp for ages and will never snap.

[@davidbrown8365]

Ref the freezer, heat rises/ cold falls - probably wise to extra insulate the side walls and base too.

[@jeanhawken4482]

Great work

[@milt7348]

Stay safe and we'll see you next week.

[@clearthedek]

Hi Mads! Nice job with the table. However, you broke the golden rule of any good sailor. Where are the cupholders? Lol😅😅😅😅

[@torstenhansen4308]

Pick up a set of Milwaukee Cobalt drill bits when you get across the Atlantic. You will of course want to visit the former Danish Virgin Islands and there is a Home Depot in Charlotte Amalie…. Fair winds for your crossing.

[@crazyg74]

get some Trefolex, Cimtap or other reputable cutting fluid/paste. Glow slow, apply decent force. Don't allow the drill bit to rub - at all. Use only sharp high-grade drill bits (HSS with Cobalt). If you can find some masonry bits that are actually sharp, use them. With a bit of knowledge and practice, you can sharpen masonry bits with a 4" grinder and a diamond wheel :-)

[@stevegem4155]

You can easily drill through stainless steel even with a hss drill bit. Your biggest enemy is heat. Put some cold water in a spray bottle, and just keeps spritzing the bit and the work with cold water and you'll be fine.

[@gsandrews]

The slats look good. What were you drilling them into? I'm guessing it wasn't right into the hull

[@billsrq1788]

Hello from Siesta Key Florida

[@jefflaird7478]

We do miss Ava!

[@zackman62t]

You need some solid carbide drills they're expensive but you'll never have issues drilling anything again

[@SVImpavidus]

Getting insulation right on freezers seems to be a major issue for Isotherm, Dometic and Webasto. They cant get the W value calculations right or plain ignore them in some areas. Interstitial condensation, exterior condensation or no insulation in some areas should not be an issue when paying vast sums for a cooling appliance. + Their after sales need a shake up too. Sail Safe mate. Ant & Cid

[@robaust3049]

Hey Mads, I hope Eva doesn’t watch your video’s - Athena is a mess when she is not there…. Looking forward to Eva rejoining you and you guys setting sail across the Atlantic, calm seas and nice winds…

[@TK-11538]

For the life of me, I can’t figure out why any of the sailors on the channels I watch don’t own a battery powered circular saw. It’s one of the most basic tools to have.

[@larrimos]

I’ve wondered the same thing many times about a sawzall (reciprocating saw). I see folks using hand saws for Petes sake. A Sawzall with the right selection of blades is an absolute necessity around my neck of the boat yard.

[@crazyg74]

yep, a 6.5" is plenty for boat work. Almost nobody can cut a straight line with a jigsaw.

[@crazyg74]

@@larrimos they seem to be more useful for destruction, than construction though! :-)

[@myblueocean2]

Are you sure you will make it across? After all theres so much refitting to be done ;) Give your drillbit a fresh sharpen before a stainless job.

[@gregyellenik8492]

Oh how i also dislike moving stuff around just to get to a small part. It certainly adds to the procrastination problem.

[@colettedagny-4972]

If you build a properly insulated box Mads look in the Sea Frost refrigeration units. Quality and Variable speed

[@websitesthatneedanem]

Leaving a Like as Always! 👍

[@kevlarandchrome]

It might be a hack Mads, but due to your meticulous nature, your half-assery is better than most people's best efforts. I wish everyone I work with could get their professional standards up to your jury rigged temporary ones.

[@jeffrippe6559]

You had better make plans to abandon ship for the first few days after Ava returns. I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s going to be a cleaning frenzy on Athena!

[@johnhayford5946]

Freezer condensation fix - Aerogel insulation. I managed to get some in the UK (before covid) but boy does the job, expensive, nothing gets through this stuff.

[@bentaylor4570]

Full disclosure i haven’t worked with epoxy… however if i were filling a hole in wood i would put saw dust in the glue to match the color. Not sure if you could do something similar with epoxy and sawdust?

[@mckenziekeith7434]

I haven't done it but it is a standard technique. With a mixture of sawdust and colloidal silica filler or micro-balloons you can get a pretty good match for the wood color. If you just use sawdust it will come out much darker than the wood. You have to add something white to lighten the color.

[@nildefonsop]

Mads will be the inventor of a sailboat trailer to carry all his tools LOL

[@jcfgh]

Well done Mads

[@wojtekkubacki5382]

Eva be excited 😂

[@dannyjones3840]

I always use Dawn dish soap to lubricate drill bits. Works like a champ!

[@daviddefrees9883]

A carbide bit and very slow speed works well. You are either cutting or burning, go very slow.

[@flyinggyros9745]

Hey Mads, it’s time to downsize. The table looks great and that’s a great idea to lock the table leg. Alan

[@465maltbie]

Actually I sometimes think of people that have boats and campers all have the same issue with storage. Every corner is like a hole with no bottom. Ha Ha .

[@klauswilleken-konermann8064]

As a man who has been married to his beloved wife for more than 40 years, I hope you don't greet Eva with the words: "It's good to be on autopilot.

[@Bleys001]

I bet you could use some aerogel and make a nice custom lid for that freezer.

[@arudolf]

Good morning. I remember that you talk about two books about "electric instalation on board". I need names or the the video where you name its. Thanks

[@andrewbrown2063]

Fiddles and cup holders are needed for the open sea

[@monicaeaton7376]

This is why we always keep buying bigger and bigger boats....gotta store all my “stuff”😂

[@johnclark2660]

Perhaps more ventilation around the freezer box would help with the condensation.

[@donaldpetrey3064]

The slates how are you going to do the top one with the taper of the deck reason I’m asking is I’m doing the same exact thing inside my v berth and hanging locker. I’m using red and yellow cedar

[@johnmooney9444]

There is not a lazy bone in your body. I remember those days. Cheers. 😊

[@schudi5755]

Get yourself a "HSS CO 5" drill kit. That will do :)

[@joesmith1142]

someone needs to invent/build towable storage boats. u-hauls on the water/man caves.

[@vxnova1]

Whooo. Early this time. 0 views and 4 likes, So far

[@andrewmullen4003]

You spoil that woman of yours Mads, lights, charger and a table, steady on old chap, you'll give the rest of us mere mortals a bad rep!!

[@416srw]

"Man Glitter" Really you could write a dictionary Mads.

[@johnhoftyzer9703]

Get rid of the wood on top of the freezer and make a foam board lid wrapped in fibreglass that would greatly improve the thickness/ r value of the lid…..

[@CSNORG]

so if you are alone in the boat ...who is moving the camera ? :)