Bubba Hut

http://gallery.me.com/sundogjoe#100847

Those of you who saw the last several years of my 22′ C-dory boat saw my $40 dollars worth of materials and 1 afternoon build of what I called the bubba hut out of wood and tarp that covered the whole back of my boat. In fact – here is a picture of the bubba hut 1 – http://gallery.me.com/sundogjoe/100325/IMG_5120/web.jpg?ver=12999614040001 – I loved that hut and amazingly got several great seasons of use out of it without the wind blowing it off while towing it down the highway.

So, as I was boating up the inside passage, my mind kept wandering off to Bubba Hut 2 and how nice it would be if the aft portion of this boat was covered with a nice roof. Heck, maybe it if was strong enough I could throw dingies and shrimp pots up top…, and maybe even tents or a good diving board – Yeehaw – I really need someone to hold me back sometimes.

I considered tackling this in wood but one day at West Marine I stumbled onto a business card of a welder, Mr. Jason Neyman and contracted him to build the roof. He came down with his family and we pulled measurements. Several weeks later Bubba Hut 2 was done beginning this last Saturday’s adventure. Here’s Jason’s email if you need a great welder – jsneyman@hotmail.com

Well, as usual with me, the project grew some and by the time I added hand rails and extended the roof to extend over the swim step. So let’s just say this was not something to be lifted by a couple people! You can see by the pictures I had a lot of help from some great friends to get this roof into position. A hearty thank all those who helped! It means a lot to us and I truly could not have done it with out you.

So after the brawn part was done, we had the roof sitting on 2/4′s and the process of welding the vertical supports and tying in the roof to the top of the cabin began. It was a very long day, working with the tide moving the boat and truck so that we have enough power to run the welder and tools. We were blessed with good weather and just after the boat was back in it’s birth, we were hit with a nasty small craft advisory.  The weather and the snow came in sideways!

We still have some cross bracing to do to stiffen up the roof but I am very excited about the project. It changed the boat’s lines and, in some ways, detracts from the Grand Banks Classic lines.  However, with 5 boys and lots of rain and northern weather, I am forced to lean more on utility and comfort than a classic line. To tie the design into the boat better I am going to paint the outer trim piece the almond white to match the boat and we intend to canvas in the entire back-end. The finishing touch will be adding a small ceramic wood stove for a warm dry space to dry clothes and have a wonderful place to hang out, fish and enjoy family and friends.

I finished out this trip with a nice ‘fix-it’ ticket from a state trooper on the way home – but, well, that’s another story.

Again, thanks to all those who helped – I look forward to sharing time on the water together with you.

Cheers from the Sundog Crew

Green Island Deer Hunt

Just back from a great fall hunt out in PWS on the Sundog.

We had been planning on going out to Green Island to chase some deer around on the 1st of Oct. when Doe season opened up but 9′ seas kept us from it so when we had an opening this last weekend we jumped on it and just got back today from our adventure. It ended up turning a little nasty weather wise coming home yesterday and today but we made it home without to many dents in the boat.

The biggest highlight for me was being with Caleb as he took his first deer, and then his second and then his third all in a matter of minutes and he was calm cool and shot well. What can I say, it makes a Father proud. We ended up with 4 deer total and had a wonderful time exploring, eating like kings and generally enjoying our floating deer camp on the Sundog.

I hope you enjoy some of the photos and thanks to Larry and Charles for a great trip!!!

http://gallery.me.com/sundogjoe#100831

Joe

Blueberry Pecan Pancakes

Hello All,

Just back yesterday from a wonderful trip out to Bettles and Granite Bay.

Photos: http://gallery.me.com/sundogjoe#100824

Highlights:

• Nice weather – flat calm seas until the last day

• Fixed my deck lights and anchor light – thanks for the help Charles – we even stepped the mast again with a coin – after all one must try and adhere to traditions.

• Blueberry Pecan Pancakes and sausage – does it get any better than that, especially with Bettles glacier as the backdrop.

• Caleb caught a wolf eel at about 20 feet of water in Granite Bay – quite the surprise and great to eat.

• Pretty good pile of fresh shrimp for my birthday feed.

Well this was the last family trip of the year and this summer with the trip up from Washington has definitely been one for the books for us. It was with some sadness that we pulled a lot of the gear from the boat as we start to prep it to be up on blocks for the winter. I am planning on getting one more trip out to chase some deer around with some guys and that will likely be the last trip of 2011.

Cheers from the Sundog Crew

Joe, Cathy, Caleb, Joshua, Daniel, Gabriel & Josiah

http://gallery.me.com/sundogjoe#100807

Had a wonderful trip out in Ziegler Cove and then onto Barry Arm to dance around with the ice bergs and calving glaciers.  The glaciers were not very active but it was great to hang out amongst the majesty and share the experience with friends and family.

Cheers from the Sundog Crew

Joe



Fresh Spot Shrimp - Anacortes

Wednesday April 27

P 2792.9

S 2813.7

Photos: http://gallery.me.com/sundogjoe/100542

Yesterday we wrapped up the change of the impellers and again I was glad to have Jim taking me through it step by step. The impellers have not been changed since 2007 and both had a vein that was off and some of the pencil zinc pieces were broken down and hand to be dug out by finger.  I promised Caleb that after the impellers were done that it would be a play day and whatever he wanted to do was next up.  He chose Target to spend a gift card he received from his Aunt Sarah and as long as we were there we tackled a good part of the gearing up for the trip north.  Two carts later and boxes of diapers and baby wipes we were back at the boat to meet with Rod for a little run out to let the motors run.  The run went smooth with Rod mostly at the helm and we even did a good anchor drop test to make sure all was operational.

After a better than normal landing into our dock and a cold beer to celebrate we took a walk towards the end of the harbor where we hear a rumor that shrimpers would be coming in from an opener.  Jackpot, took a little asking around the commercial fisherman but finally found a guy that was willing to fill up a gallon ziploc of spot shrimp for $20 and after a little frisbee and golf and a trip to the point overlooking the harbor we fired up the stove and proceeded to eat all 45 of the shrimp soaked in hot butter.  Finished out the day with the first movie in the Horatio Hornblower series and finished reading the book of Luke with Caleb and off to sleep.

Tomorrow the rest of the family comes and today is all about readying the boat.  I really want everything to be in great shape when they board and have all the gear stowed in as good as spots as possible.  It will be nice to have Cathy’s stowing skills at work and a women’s touch on the boat as right now things smell more of WD40 and Diesel.

We have a little over two weeks before we actually head the bow north towards home and I am starting to feel like I am getting to know the boat and my confidence is growing in her capabilities and systems.  These next two weeks will be focused on more test runs and continuing on with my big list of to-do’s that ensure a ship shape ship.

It has been a wonderful couple weeks with Caleb and I am really thankful to have shared this experience so far with him and hope that it is a memory that lasts his entire lifetime.

To all a wonderful day

Sundog Out