Got a couple of pics and an update.

This is what infuriates me. He does nothing ahead of time. He waits until he needs whatever it is to get it.

Which really means it won't happen for two weeks.

I think this first pic is the transducer that needs a brass fitting.



Looks like he has the side tanks glassed in. Not sure what is going on with the center tank.

Virus update. My wife's work situation is a total cluster.

The facility was giving her tests every two weeks. That stopped and we believe it is because the state stopped mandating or supporting this.

My wife went into work the other day and they weren't going to let her in. She had been tested in the right amount of time but she wasn't on the list for some reason.

She went to get a test and it wasn't showing up (this was about 3 weeks ago). She then got a second test 2 weeks later and go tthe results the next day. Then the previous test results finally showed up - three weeks after taking it.

Her employer has told her so many conflicting stories it is crazy. The latest is she doesn't have to be tested. This came 4 days after the facility left her off the list.

Then, yesterday she had to take yet another test that the facility provided because she came into contact with someone that tested positive. The contact happened on Monday and they told her to get tested Friday. She did and got instant results (negative).

Nothing is consistent with testing.

The bilge pumps (red tops) are in. The brass shutoffs I believe are for the livewells.

should be fine but i like a master shutoff at the entry to the water line. if one of those valves fails or behind one of them your boat sinks.

I've been working on materials for submitting my book(s) to agents. Each one has different requirements.

A lot of them use this query application that I'm so far struggling with. It's hard to present a series of picture books when the format is geared towards adult books. I'll work it out.

Sent my first submission to one that accepts emails.

"Mr. Boat" is still a crowd pleaser at our house with the 4 year old! The book is coming apart - namely the chocolate cake one. I keep meaning to buy the rest but always forget.

Maybe it can be for Xmas or something.

Thanks!

Got several texts from the boat guy.

He sent these yesterday without any description. This was on his facebook page with these pics.

Things are moving along. This is what he told us last night.

Yeah baby! Getting close. Any eta on delivery?

I talked to him last night for a while. He won't commit. He said he thought he would have it all put back together by Friday. Based on his units of time I'm guessing that means midweek next week.

He called to ask about which side we wanted the trolling motor mounted on. Makes no difference to us really. Then we talked about the tackle box. As with everything, he said he expected it to be here already which means he waited until the last minute to order it.

He said he would put gas in all tanks and sea trial it to make sure everything was working.

I'm guessing we are still looking at 2 weeks.

Looks great but the first thing I'm going to do is replace his logo on that door.

Latest pics:

Finally got to go in front of a judge for probate.

The process seems a little silly to me. I'm not sure why I have to do this in person (well, via zoom). The lawyer just has some standard questions that I just answer "yes" to and it is done.

I still have to wait for the official document (letter of testamentary) to arrive in maybe a couple of weeks before we can actually do anything.

Mom's house goes on the market this week.

Fortunately, for the logo, you only have to cover the "G" with a "B" and you're all set.

If your experience is anything like mine, running Mom's estate remotely will have stupid headaches, like you're getting with boat guy. Just stupid ****, having to keep after estate sale person/tax person/etc who aren't doing anything because you're not there to lean on them.

Hope yours goes better. MY experience was also with small-town (read: not ****-together) people. As you're working in Austin, can likely find more professional people to help you.

Best of luck.

This has actually been pretty easy. Slooooowwwwww....but easy.

We got lucky and found a top notch lawyer.

We fired the lawyer mom was using late last year. He "helped" us through dad's probate. He was beyond awful. Mom had hired him to update her will and it never happened. When I called him to ask about it, he told me he didn't think she was making good decisions. Arrgghhh.. My mom was sharp as a tack mentally until the last few months. I fired him on the spot.

I found the new one by just browsing the internet. Got really lucky. From day one he was outstanding. He went to mom's house and spent a lot of time talking to her about everything.

He has been on point throughout this process. He explains things simply and thoroughly and has made this whole thing so easy. He's a little pricey but worth every penny.

Since I left the bait shop, I really haven't had a lot to do other than taking care of mom's stuff.

I don't really want a job job but I think it would be nice to have something to keep me busy.

I pretty much stopped watching the news channels so I've had the TV on the business channel. I actually enjoy watching it, especially the trading segments.

Quite some time ago I dabbled in trading. I didn't get my shirt handed to me, but I did lose some money.

I think I'm going to give it a shot again.

I didn't do well before for the same reasons that most amateur traders don't do well. Lack of discipline. Much like gambling I craved the action.

I don't know that I can say that this time will be different but I'm hoping that I can pick my spots a little more carefully. The other difference is that I'm limiting the amount I will risk in any one trade as well as the total amount I have in cumulative trades at any one time. Not to mention some good stop loss management.

I don't know if I'll be successful but it is something I'm interested in so I'll give it a shot.

Stayed up late watching election results.

I need a pretty sunset so here is one.

The boat is getting closer. He sent this text and these pics:

This is great news but he still has quite a bit to do. Trolling motor, windshield, leaning post, tackle box....... But we are moving forward.

I guess this first pic means he had to do some work to get ready to install the trolling motor:

Thanks for the sunset pic, nice. Surprised to wake up today and see the election still in doubt.

What does 'splashing it' mean? Hosing it down to check for leaks or something?

Good luck, hope you're able to fish before too much longer.

"splashing" means he will put the boat in the water and drive it around to make sure everything works.

i assume you are having remote steering on the trolling motor instead of tiller at the transom. otherwise the side its on is important. and you also probably will do better if your transducer is opposite it but that may not be affected. its probably on the bottom thru hull.

There's no tiller. It's all remote control. And the transducer is thru hull.

one thing to check after you get it back is if the boat will plane on one motor. otherwise you limp home at 5 miles an hour if you lose one. defeats the whole purpose of two motors. but you can carry a spare power prop that may do the trick. most dual motor boats cant get on plane with just one motor.
boats looking good. give it a good workout close to shore the first time out.

Yeah, I'm on some other boating/fishing forums and my plan is to get input on any backup equipment that I can reasonably keep on the boat. I don't mind being overly cautious on this.

the hull truth is good.
i go offshore in the pacific northwest and there you really do need to be more prepared.

a good medical box. with a pack to stop bleeding.
handheld floating radio, strobe light, whistle, something big that floats like an ice chest. marine radio with dsc so one press on the red button lights up the coast guard and surrounding boats. have a box on your fish finder that always shows your gps position so you can relay it quickly. the modern radio with dsc does that as well.
radar is a big plus. as well as on your gps you put a breadcrumb trail back to your home spot so if in fog or at night you can follow it right home.
an anchor with enough scope to hit bottom in most places so you dont get washed ashore if you lose all power.
a way to get back on the boat all by yourself if you fall in. and practice it.
a square bucket for bailing. that will bail faster than all your bilge pumps.
a toilet bowl wax ring to stuff in any holes that may sink you from a broken fitting, to hitting something.
enough tools and extra wire to fix things.
a tow rope if your anchor rode isnt strong enough to tow your boat. this way you arent totally relying on the coast guard. a radar reflector ball you can raise up so a bigger boat doesnt crush you in the dark or fog.
portable load air horn.
hand held spot light.
an easy way to get to your fuel filters in case they clog with dirt or water. and possibly having a Y valve so your kicker can run off the gas tank ahead of all the other lines and filters. or have its own separate fuel supply which is my choice. and a way to start it if all electronics are dead. which likely will be your worse situation that happens that isnt life threatening.
carry a set of 2 or 4 gauge jumper cables long enough to reach another boat. you never know when you may need them and can use them to jump your main from another battery.