After Memorial Updates

We don't have the setee table up unless we're going to use it. The wood part of the table is stored on the upper bunk bed.

The cushion is stored above the aft dinette backrest...a snap holding it in place even on the road.

The table post is stored in the head.

We discovered that while on the road, the boat often took on the aroma of the holding tank. This is presumably because the only barrier between the odor in the tank and the inside of the boat is the water in the drain traps. On the road with the grades, pavement irregularities and who knows what wind/pressure/vacuum dynamics at 55 mph, the trap water isn't enough. I tried the 1 3/4" commercial plugs and they fit nicely, but after a spell they work themselves up to a very casual, non-hermetic fit. 'Got some PVC pipe caps and turned a valley in them for an O-ring, then drilled a hole for a 1/4" bolt and put a hole in the head for a pull ring. They make a nice air tight plug...made one for each of the drains.

Put a post at the transom stairs. Suzy asked what it was for. I told her she'd know when she needed it. It's a natural place for a handhold and unlike a handle you don't have to worry about letting go or getting your fingers caught if you don't. I used a piece of clear plastic for the post, from a $1 drain plunger.

One more thing for now. There are indicator lights on the panel that indicate levels in the fresh water and holding tanks, but until Big Duck and I get to know each other better I'm not going to rely in them. Water tank level isn't critical as we'll be boating on fresh water and use the tank only for dishes and bathing...we float in enough fresh water to easily take care of those needs. For holding tank level, it's a no brainer. The head is a gravity feed directly into the holding tank. Open the head and put down a dip stick to check the level - or just shine a light in there and have a look?. The Poop (dip) Stick has a home in the shower.

And one last thing - I took off the nylon 3 strand that holds the transom steps in the proper position when down, and replaced it with vinyl covered stainless cable. This provides a much more positive stop and stows better although it is a little harder on the hands when pulling the steps up from the boarding position while in the water.

OK a couple more things to wrap it up.
Found some soft wood under this Dorade vent on the front deck. I bumped it with my foot while docking and it shattered so I thought I'd take it off and see about a replacement.

 

The glass is 1/2" thick so I'm not considering any repairs, especially since the wood is sound under the stanchions and cleat.

As far as I can tell, this Dorade ventilates the (forward) bilge - or maybe it is only for inside access to the forward port vent. I have to assume this vent is for the holding tank as the fuel and water tank vents have been verified.