New bimini While working full time jobs there never seems to be enough quality time to enjoy sailing and hanging out on the boat. The winter in North Carolina and my erratic travel schedule for work actually opened long enough for us to spend some time on Starjewel. We have been working for several weeks to replace our old bimini. We purchased a Sailrite LZ1 Sewing Machine awhile ago and are putting it to good use. Lisa has made several covers for various items on the boat to include a dinghy engine cover, a grill cover and now a new bimini. We originally tried to finish the bimini at home which turned out to be a fiasco. This entailed taking measurements at the marina and then driving 3 hours home to do the sewing. After a couple weekends of back and forth we quickly realized this was not the best way to do a sewing project. We didn't have an accurate way to check the measurements and make sure everything would actually fit prior to sewing. Maybe a skilled sail maker or seamstress could get this done remotely, but we aren't that skilled yet. The decision was made to bring all our sewing equipment and supplies to Pecan Grove Marina. Once we moved our location to the boat we were able to complete the bimini in two weekends. We would set up shop in the boathouse before dawn so we could finish working before people starting showing up. We were a busy little sewing machine until lunch. At noon we would break down our sewing station as to not get in the way of the other members . Although we didn't have nearly as many hours as we had at home we were able to get so much more accomplished. We would sew a little, fit it to the boat then make changes as necessary. This was the largest project we have completed thus far. We utilized newly developed sewing skills by putting in snaps, zippers, and a vinyl window. Not to toot our own horn, (toot toot) it really turned out fantastic for our first "big" project. We're looking forward to getting started on the enclosure for our next venture to tackle this fall.
Since we did have some nice weather we made sure to get out and play on the beach. We didn't take the boat out since it was in various states of disarray with the new bimini going up. Instead we went for a long walk around Pecan Grove. We found a small beach along the Neuse River. It was only about 100' long which made it nice and cozy. It was as though we had our own little beach for the day. Sophia always enjoys a nice walk after staying on the small boat most of the time. Of course after a long walk and swimming she's more than content to stay on her bed for a solid 8 hours afterwards. The water was a little cold for Lisa and I to take a dip, but that didn't stop Sophia from fetching sticks and going for a swim or two. It was a nice couple of weekends, and unfortunately will probably be the last time at the boat for awhile. I'll be travelling a lot in March and April. Hopefully I'll have some time in May to start enjoying the North Carolina summer.
Since we did have some nice weather we made sure to get out and play on the beach. We didn't take the boat out since it was in various states of disarray with the new bimini going up. Instead we went for a long walk around Pecan Grove. We found a small beach along the Neuse River. It was only about 100' long which made it nice and cozy. It was as though we had our own little beach for the day. Sophia always enjoys a nice walk after staying on the small boat most of the time. Of course after a long walk and swimming she's more than content to stay on her bed for a solid 8 hours afterwards. The water was a little cold for Lisa and I to take a dip, but that didn't stop Sophia from fetching sticks and going for a swim or two. It was a nice couple of weekends, and unfortunately will probably be the last time at the boat for awhile. I'll be travelling a lot in March and April. Hopefully I'll have some time in May to start enjoying the North Carolina summer.
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