Screws, Latches, Anchor Winch and Bow Rollers

DougBow Roller, Winches

            I am so ready to retire. The weather is absolutely fantastic and I’m stuck in my office box. Having Hobo Francis back and listening to his stories of traveling and working outside does not help. The sea is calling. My boss tells me there is a bet at the office that says I will … Read More

Breaking Wire and Machining a Capstan

DougLathe & Machining, ROV, Steel Boat, Winches

That second capstan has been siting in the lathe from over a month, and Doug Stout a retired machinist showed up and not only completed the bore but showed us some really nice tricks.  Tomorrow is the final fit up.  The rest of us spent the day stretching and breaking ROV cable.  Very surprising is how crappy Cat5 is and … Read More

Gears, Capstan, Decking and more

DougLathe & Machining, Steel Boat, Winches

I’ve been listening to “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” lately, ….actually I’m on the second time through it.  There will likely be many more times.  Habit #1 is be proactive.   In short:  Work.  Work on the things you can work on today.  Do something every day to make your goal happen.  Make work your habit.  I suggest … Read More

Capstan Progress

DougSteel Boat, Winches

Many thanks to Cody Allan Rydell who spent a last weekend cutting gears and a day at the lathe. The bore is over 7 1/2 inches and had to be cut back almost a 1/4″. A huge job for our Grizzly lathe. Lots of chatter and heat with our 1″ boring bar and to top it off, this capstan did the strangest thing. … Read More

Gangway and Sail Winch

DougGangway, Steel Boat, Winches

We could not be happier with the gangway and catwalk.   The summer heat is here so we will be moving inside the shop to complete work on the ROV.   We’ll need an outboard to replace our dead Suzuki 150 on the boat before we can test the ROV at the lake.   Please drop us a line if … Read More

Sail Winch – Mark 1

DougSteel Boat, Winches

Junk sails are heavy, and we want a sail winch that is versatile.  This idea is centered around a hydraulic hub motor, allowing the sail to be raised or lowered with a remote switch in the pilothouse or a secondary switch near the winch.   I do not think the motor will hold the sail in position, so a solenoid will … Read More

Fore and Aft and Capstan

DougSteel Boat, Winches

Excellent Day!  Bart and I got the foremast step ready to weld in tomorrow.  Jack and Dave worked on the rudder tube.  And Grant & Serena got a capstan looking really good.

Casting the Capstans or Try try again.

DougCasting, Steel Boat, Winches

When a toddler stumbles and falls for the fourth time.  No body says, “Just give up.  You’re a failure”.    But by the time we get to high school it’s common.   Failure is synonymous with looser, flunkies, stupid, retard.  The whole idea of failing at anything is abhorrent.   So most of us rightfully avoid failure, and in doing … Read More