Day 130 Let there be light!!

We finally have lights in our boat!!!  Jack--the electrician--hooked one of the mystery wires to a ground and voila, we suddenly have lights back in Zephyr after 5+ weeks of using just the one AC lamp and flashlights we have on board.  They seem much brighter than what we had before the redo.  Maybe the new heavier wires have something to do with it or may be it is just the elation of having lights again. Not sure, we're happy to have them again.  That mystery wire also was the ground for many of the other systems on board.  Apparently, they took one ground wire and used it to hook up most of the electronics and pumps and other things on Zephyr.  They didn't seem to care that that is not the way to do things.

With this wire hooked up, I can now reinstall the bilge pump that I ripped out earlier to see if it worked.  Yes, it is hooked up to the same system.  With that revelation, Jack will probably be rerouting more wires on Monday to make the system correct.  I will have to finish emptying, cleaning and drying the bilge before it can be put back in.  A VERY messy job.  I sure hope the pump works properly.  I've got to check the hoses to make sure they aren't blocked with stuff that was in the bilge before we got hauled out.

Our wood worker, Robin didn't show up on Friday so the bows teak work isn't done.  I'm still not sure who is reinstalling the stem fitting(holds the anchor and genoa sail at the bow) but the mast can't go back up till it is installed.  I did find out from one of the people at the Wooden Boat Festival that the easiest and "greenest" way to clean bronze is to soak it in ketchup for two days.  The acid cuts through the oxidation.  I just might get some at Safeway this afternoon and try it while it is off the boat.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Met with Gordon(master rigger) at one of the booths and got an update on what is happening with the refit.  Brion(our rigger) didn't get home till late Wednesday after his truck broke down.  He had to drive his 1950 panel truck(no power steering) all the way in by himself from Burning Man.  Really took it out of him.  Not a fun trip back to Port Townsend.  They will be getting back with us on Monday  and start refitting the mast so it can get raised some time next week.  

Jack--the electrician--will be finishing up with the rest of the DC systems next week and starting on installing the SSB radio.  After that is done, we go back in the water for testing all the systems.  After that, we haven't decided.  Stay here or head South.  Which ever it is, only time and Mother Nature can decide.

There are LOTS of boats anchored in the harbor and in the marina for the Wooden Boat Festival.  I haven't seen that many boats at one time since we have been here.  I did make some contacts as to diesel schools  in the area, so if we stay, I can attend one of them.  We will have to bring our car up here from Newport to make that feasible but that is no problem.  As the days pass, it seems more like we will be here over the Winter.  Lots to keep us here but lots of reasons to take off South also.