MacGregorSailors.com

Looking better and better with every update. Nice!

Idiotfool wrote: ↑Tue Sep 01, 2020 7:54 pm Looking better and better with every update. Nice!

Thanks!

I used the soft close drawer mechanisms on all of the drawers - because I had all but one laying around and wanted to get them off the floor. At any rate, I got around to checking the opening force on them this morning. Takes 4-5 lbs to open the drawers. Will probably try them without latches initially based on those numbers. I don't anticipate heavy items in the drawers. Canned goods, etc., will be in a plastic bin under the seats. I may wind up having to add latches later.





Still struggling with the countertop color. Lots of white counter tops in boats. Some tan, which would be a safe choice. Lots of marble/granite looks, most are darker than I wanted to go. Want to make sure I get it right as it will be difficult to change if I don't like it.

Screwy day today. Odds and ends mostly. Got the tilt out panel finished up and handle installed (see post above). Then moved to the stove cover hinge. Since the laminate (that I can't decide on), will eventually be installed over the hinge, I ground the screw heads flush with the hinge and then smeared a load of filler over the whole business to get a nice flat surface. The fact that my clamp-up wasn't perfectly flat, actually worked in my favor. It's a lot easier to add 1/16" than it is to feather a full width hinge.



Decided to start on the pot holder contraption. Cut a plywood buck to bend some aluminum rod over. Made the buck about 1-1/2" smaller radius than the 5" radius I want the rod to have - to allow for spring-back. Came out close enough.



My idea was to start work on it and hope the design would come to me - even if I had to throw it away and start over. So far, no luck. I just need to sit and stare at it awhile. The Admiral said I had to come up and do my chores before the kids and grandkids roll in Friday.

Jimmyt wrote: ↑Wed Sep 02, 2020 8:03 am Still struggling with the countertop color. Lots of white counter tops in boats. Some tan, which would be a safe choice. Lots of marble/granite looks, most are darker than I wanted to go. Want to make sure I get it right as it will be difficult to change if I don't like it.

On my , I would consider that blue as it like the color of the original cushions. Having the horizontal surfaces the same color would be a safe bet. However, my dinette table is black, so maybe a darker color countertop would compliment that. I would not like a white countertop as there is already too much white in the , too sterile.

Aren't the interiors a warm tan in color?

K9Kampers wrote: ↑Wed Sep 02, 2020 4:36 pm
On my , I would consider that blue as it like the color of the original cushions. Having the horizontal surfaces the same color would be a safe bet. However, my dinette table is black, so maybe a darker color countertop would compliment that. I would not like a white countertop as there is already too much white in the , too sterile.

Aren't the interiors a warm tan in color?

Yes, you are correct. All tan, off-white, and medium brown upholstery with dark wood tones on the dinette table and head compartment. Although, I plan to make a new dinette table to match the galley (maybe I can keep that from getting out of hand).

There is no bright white in the M cabin, that I recall, and I'm cooking so I can't check now. But the Admiral kind of squashed the white because "it will be hard to keep looking nice".

I want a light color to keep it reasonably bright, but the blue is light enough to suit me. I was ready to pull the trigger until I searched the Internet and only found a couple of blue countertops, and they had some pattern in them. Lots of blue seat cushions that were almost the same blue I was considering. Just couldn't get a warm, fuzzy that blue countertop with brown seats was the best choice.

I asked one of my buddies to look at the interior colors and give me her opinion (interior designer). She said she would send me some recommendations (not necessarily blue or white). So, we'll see what someone who''s supposed to be picking out finishes comes up with. It's really out of my wheel house.

Closed out the day by mounting the stove cover handle. It will have to come off to put the laminate on, but the holes will be located right already.

Decided to run the numbers on the drawers to check the need for latches. The large drawer under the sink weighs in at 6.5 lbs (empty). Opening force required is 4 lbs. By inspection, I know that there is some point below 90 degrees where this drawer will open, even when empty.



Looks like between 35 and 40 degrees. But, we know that where there's storage, something is going in it... If I put 10 lbs in it, it comes open between 10 and 15 degrees heel angle.



While the smaller, lighter drawers are less of an issue, there isn't one that is roundup-safe without a latch. Even the small drawer under the trash, with three pounds in it...



So, in addition to the pot holder puzzle, I have a latch puzzle to work also. Love those opportunities...

Speaking of which... what's the mechanism that's going to hold the cabinet in place so it doesn't topple when heeling?

I'm using the original sliding tracks and track cars. The tracks are bolted to the fiberglass liner, and the track cars grab the track and shouldn't pull off.

But, a very valid question.

Still mulling the drawer latches. But, while getting some corner protectors for my fireplace hearth (grandkids coming this weekend and they're getting mobile); I found these aluminum sliding window clamps. If I combine some aluminum rod with the aluminum window clamp, I've got sliding pot holders. The pieces are small, thin, and aluminum. So, there's about a 50% chance I can weld the parts together. But, we can all get a good laugh if it goes wrong.

I'll bolt an angle to the forward gimbal upright to serve as the track for the pot holder clamps to ride on. I'm bolting it to the gimbal to make sure I don't mess up the gimbal if it all goes bad. Conceptually, I like it. Just wish it was stainless or mild steel welding instead of aluminum. But, I've got a few pieces to practice on...

Pot holders! Great idea.

Russ wrote: ↑Fri Sep 04, 2020 6:01 am Pot holders! Great idea.

Thanks Russ, but not an original idea. I saw a lot of pot holders on gimballed stoves while I was in the planning stage. The only original thought I had was using the sliding window locks for the adjusters.

The kids and grandkids left this morning around 0930. So, after we bulldozed out the house, and ate some lunch, I decided to take a whack at the pot holders. The welding is, well, ugly. But it's solid, so I'll call it a win.



I've got a little research to do before I mount the angle that the adjusters clamp on, but here is the basic idea. It holds this kettle in place very well. There shouldn't be much load on the pot holders due to the 2-axis gimbal.

Jimmyt wrote: ↑Thu Sep 03, 2020 10:07 am I'm using the original sliding tracks and track cars. The tracks are bolted to the fiberglass liner, and the track cars grab the track and shouldn't pull off.

But, a very valid question.

one question to Jimmyt

maybe I will put a carpet onto the side bunks. But there will be not enough space under the galley to move over the the carpet. I put away all the cusions - to much hassle. But just nude it does not look very vell...

I don't know how it is under there, can you just use longer screws to bring the calle 1cm higher?

Maybe you can give me a pic from the slice under the galey?

thanks kurzs

kurz wrote: ↑Mon Sep 07, 2020 11:36 pm
one question to Jimmyt

maybe I will put a carpet onto the side bunks. But there will be not enough space under the galley to move over the the carpet. I put away all the cusions - to much hassle. But just nude it does not look very vell...

I don't know how it is under there, can you just use longer screws to bring the calle 1cm higher?

Maybe you can give me a pic from the slice under the galey?

thanks kurzs

The slides raise the galley slightly above the deck. You could add a few fender washers to give a tad more space if needed. The stock galley only has 3 slides, so the inboard rear corner drags on the side bunk. The tightest clearance on mine is at the edge of the removable covers. Clearance to fiberglass is slightly better.

Hope that helps.

Jim

The grandkids shared their cold with me (I hope) this weekend, so a little slow today. Did get the pot holders finished up and mounted. I based the elevation of the pot holders on the Magma nesting cookware frying pan. The bottom of the handle connection is slightly over 1" from the bottom, so I put the pot holders 1" up. I bolted the mount to the gimbal, so it can be moved if necessary. The gimbal can tolerate 35 degrees to port, more to starboard (not that I'd be cooking in that ). Looks like it will tolerate 25-30 degrees fore/aft (didn't have a good perch for this measurement and didn't want it to slide off and hit the floor).









So, the drawers may fly open, but I won't spill the boiling chittlins.

Lost two days (so far), to something that didn't even slow the one year old grand babies down. Getting wimpy in my old age.

Pulled the trigger on the laminate today. It won't be in until Sept 17. Decided to stick with the stock interior theme of fifty shades of beige... I'll work the blue in on some throw pillows. Tried to talk myself into picking one with a pattern in it, but couldn't work out the constructability issues of keeping the pattern continuous through the hatches, covers, etc. My gaps are only about a saw kerf wide, so I was concerned that I would run out of material around the hatches and covers which would force me into using another section of the sheet. While some patterns might be subtle enough where it wouldn't bother me, I decided it wasn't worth the risk. The solid color will look more "factory" for the boat anyway. Ok, I'm just a chicken.



Still working on the drawer lock concept. Considering pins that come in from the sides - with the goal of keeping the face clean. I want them to be able to be individually operable, and completely disengaged when desired. So, child safety latches, or similar solutions (which would work fine), are off the table for now. My problem is the center drawer under the stove bay. There is no easy side panel route to it. Oh well, still marinating. Maybe tomorrow I'll feel good enough to do something.