The Key to My Trailer

Pam is no longer able to climb into the V berth in the bow that has always been her bed.  I’ve been lifting her up there for several weeks, but finally decided to move her into the main saloon where access is much easier.  Alzheimers doesn’t like changes and boat cats don’t like changes, so let’s just say that last night was not the most restful on our little boat.

Cold, windy, and rainy this morning, but I had respite care for Pam and 6 hours alone to work on the trailer.  I got the 12 volt fan hooked up on the heater and connected the gas line.  And, the work mostly stopped.

It was nice and warm with the fire burning in the heater.  I sat back in one of the recliners with my copy of David Winick’s  Airstreams Custom Interiors and most of my day slipped away.

Guilt made me get a little work done, some sanding and some stripping on the cabinets.  I emptied out the stuff in the drawers in the galley cabinet too and scored a great find.

When I bought Island Girl, the keys could not be found, so I installed a deadbolt and have been using that to lock the door.  But in one of those drawers was this little key that fits the Bargman lock perfectly.

-steve

We Almost Have Heat Again

About a year ago I got the Dickinson Propane Heater installed temporarily so Pam could be comfortable inside and so I could work through the winter.  The wet weather we have this weekend and the look of the forecast means we need it back in again.

Nothing is ever simple.  Since it sticks out more than the Panel Ray it replaces, I needed to get the other big pieces of cabinetry back in, so the bed and galley are inside, with refinishing of them still to go.

 

Tomorrow I’ll get the propane hooked up on the heater and the 12 volt power for the fan that we didn’t have last year.  Then our little fireplace will be permanently installed!

Even though there’s a lot of work still to do on the cabinets, it’s a really big deal to get them back in.  We’re starting to look like a trailer inside again.

-steve

The Recliner Cabinet

is mostly done except for the hinges for the top compartment and the laminate tops over the electrical system area.

The circuit breaker panels for the 110 volt system and the 12 volt system are on opposite sides under the radio.  Front panel is the solar regulator, and it also has the battery voltage readout.

Brissy the boat cat is just starting to get used to the trailer.  She’s not at all happy with car and truck noises outside, though.

Both of the Elfa bins are accessible behind the one panel opening.  The pull is off the original gaucho and matches the other drawers.

Still waiting for hinges to arrive for the top compartment, but they’ll be here shortly.

I spent most of the day today cutting, fitting, sanding, and fitting on the forward bulkhead for the fridge/wardrobe cabinet.  It’s close, but not quite there.

-steve

Big Stuff Goes Back In!!

All the original cabinets moved out of Island Girl about a year and a half ago.  Yesterday was a big step forward with the refrigerator/wardrobe cabinet going back in.  It’s not refinished yet and needs a couple of panels replaced, but it is back in.  Mainly it’s back because I want to reinstall the Dickinson propane heater with cold weather approaching, but it still looks good back inside.

The cabinet for the recliners is nearly done.  Mostly waiting for some hinges to arrive from Lee Valley and for the laminate install.  I have absolutely no idea for color or pattern on that and am just kicking it down the road.

-steve