Command Performance Updates
Command Performance Updates
Website Overhaul
The new website is up and running. After several weeks of spending what little spare time I had, I finally brought it from "draft" to published. A completely new look for sure.
Interesting is the fact that for years, I have used Microsoft's FrontPage for all of my web design. Microsoft no longer manufactures or supports FrontPage. They have a new program available for web design. However, being the owner of the latest (and very expensive) publishing tool QuarkXpress, I decided it was time utilize the incredible web design features of this program, which surprisingly work as easily as the desktop side of the program.
So.... without further ado, I present "Classic Commander ".
-Rob
Interesting is the fact that for years, I have used Microsoft's FrontPage for all of my web design. Microsoft no longer manufactures or supports FrontPage. They have a new program available for web design. However, being the owner of the latest (and very expensive) publishing tool QuarkXpress, I decided it was time utilize the incredible web design features of this program, which surprisingly work as easily as the desktop side of the program.
So.... without further ado, I present "Classic Commander ".
-Rob
Groco Toilet Rebuild Project
Refurbed 40-year old toilet - Manufactuer (Groco) / Model K
Lee Dahlen, much to his chagrin, finally acquiesced and agreed to do the rebuild of this 1968 Groco Model K toilet for me. A new model K (yes, they're still being made) is around $850. The rebuild kit to bring them back to operational status is around $125. At that price difference, a rebuild was the appropriate choice. Lee took it back to North Carolina with him and not only installed the rebuild kit, but wirebrushed the unit and gave it a couple of coats of spray paint. When I say you can trust me this looks miles better than it did when it came out of the boat, I mean it! It looked 40 years old! It will be installed the weekend of June 26th. We'll once again have two functioning toilets aboard CP.
Until next time...
NEW CANVAS INSTALLED!
June 2010 - Command Performance receives new "clothes" - a total replacement of her canvas enclosure.
We're pleased to show off Command Performance's new enclosure. You'll recall from photos in earlier posts, the off-white colored canvas enclosure, which was installed in 2005. This enclosure did not survive a 3-storm run over the winter (including a pretty nasty n'oreaster). We contacted our insurance company, and working with them, we were able to get the enclosure replaced.
The work was performed by Mike's Marine Canvas, located in Virginia Beach. Mike did an excellent job, and the attention to detail is evident. We couldn't be more pleased with the outcome and service.
Jamie and I are both delighted at the change in the boat's "look", going with the deep navy color. It really sets of the beautiful lines of this classic.
Until next time...
CP Up & Running
Command Performance is up and running, and ready for business. Many thanks to Lee Dahlen for once again working a few small miracles which enabled us to complete the tasks at hand. Bring the engines, air conditioning, generator, and water system back into service for the 2010 boating season. No small feat, when you consider he had 24 hours to do it, plus enable the boat to make a scheduled appointment for haul-out to have her bottom cleaned.
She ran good, and proved once again that her 42-year old bones can get up and do what needs to be done when called upon. The fun really begins now - cleaning her up from a very long and nasty winter.
She will be getting a good scrub down, wax and buff job, as well as new canvas in the next couple of weeks, which should make her feel all the better.
More to share in time.
Until next time...
Getting Ready
Well... we're less than a week away from getting CP up and open for the season. Parts have all been ordered for the fume detector installation, as well as the toilet repair/rebuild kit. In addition, I've ordered 4 new lines to replace some deteriorated lines currently onboard. I was the proud recipient of a former neighbor's corner dock box last year (he moved away and sold his boat). We will also install the new dock box, and bring the teak box home to use in the backyard to store gardening "stuff".
We have an 8:30am appointment on Saturday (May 22nd) for a "short haul" - giving the marina an opportunity to clean all the underwater gear, re-zinc everything, do a visual inspection and possibly touch up any bottom paint. Hopefully, we'll be back in the water in a relatively short amount of time, although it is the start of boating season, so I'm sure the yard will be busy. Luckily, I had the forethought to schedule this way in advance, and get in as #1 on the marina's hauling schedule for that day.
As a side note, I have to say, I was referred to "defender.com" for boat parts some time ago by a fellow Commander Club member, and wasn't convinced, at the time, to change from my usual supplier - West Marine. After having to order a variety of things over the last couple of weeks, I'm finding my buddy to be dead on with regards to pricing. Defender has beat West Marine each and every time, and not by pennies, but by dollars. Even adding shipping into the price, I'm still coming out ahead. I have even had my buddy check his Port Supply pricing (West Marine for the boat business guys), and their pricing doesn't beat Defender's.
CP during her "short haul" last August prior to the Commander Club's Annual Rendezvous. She was ready!
It's going to be a busy week, and an even busier weekend. A very stout agenda for 2 days, but with Lee heading up the work, and the schedule, we might be able to make it all work. We'll see.
Until next time...
To Do List (MAY 2010)
Well, we've got a list of to-do's started for CP. In a couple of weeks, we'll hopefully get the following accomplished:
- Restore all systems (engines, generator, AC, water, etc.).
- Rebuild aft cabin toilet (stopped working last year).
- Install fume detector.
- Have boat hauled, cleaned, re-zinc'd, etc.
After that, I'll get aboard and start trying to rid the boat of the ravages of this past winter. As I've already mentioned, it was a tough winter on just about everyone, so there's a lot to be done. Add to that, the replacement of our canvas enclosure which is schedule to begin in the next couple of weeks... we're off to a bang this year.
Looking forward to getting back down to the marina. I've been an absentee landlord this year, I'm afraid. With my nose buried in my schoolwork, and trying to manage 3 different jobs, time is quite tight. However, I do believe I'm going to be able to fine tune things a bit better, and be able to devote a night or two each week to the boat in hopes of bringing it back to a respectable condition quickly.
Until next time.
-Rob
Spring is Fast Approaching
Well, it hardly seems possible that we could be standing on the doorstep of Spring, but it's here, and the weather is beginning to show signs of waking up after a really hard winter. And a hard winter on Command Performance, too. She took some canvas damage during a series of several storms over the winter. So... she's getting a whole new cover in a few weeks. This time, as much as we liked that oatmeal cover, we're going with a deep navy color. This isn't etched in stone just yet, as we have considered a very dark brown to go with the non-skid color of the deck (dark brown). Jamie will make this call.
De-winterization is scheduled for the weekend of May 23rd. Not only will we wake up all her systems, we will also be installing a new fume sniffer, and repair the aft head toilet (yuck!!).
Also looking to schedule a quick haul-out, cleaning and re-zincing of the underwater gear on that same weekend. It'll be a busy one, for sure, but it'll be nice to get back to the boat. I have had my nose stuffed in text books all winter, and I'm looking forward to getting out and getting some fresh air, working up a bit of a sweat and re-joining society.
It has indeed been a long, cold winter!!!
Til next time.
Time for Bed
Winter appears to be quickly approaching, so we have to bid farewell to our 42' friend this weekend, as she gets prepped and primed for her long winter's nap. What a year this has been. It's a bit bizarre in that we spent less time overall aboard CP this year, due to other outside obligations, yet this year was CP's year. She got the chance to really stretch her legs, making the 14 hour journey to Annapolis and back, and accommodating her crew all week with all the comforts of home.
I would venture to guess that most folks in this area do not winterize due to the usual fair winters experienced here. However, there are occasions in which we see N'oreasters, ice storms and some bitter stretches. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Jamie and I have always enlisted the services of Glassic Boatworks to winterize each year (and de-winterize). We feel much more comfortable knowing that each Spring, when she is unveiled mechanically, we have done everything possible to keep her from freezing during the winter months. It doesn't mean we don't have other surprises from time to time, but mechanically she has been properly attended to (thanks to GBworks).
Small winter projects will get underway soon, and we'll keep everyone up-to-date on those. We did not attend to the vberth this year, and will probably get that project going before next Spring.
Til next time.
-Rob and Jamie
Three Hour Tour
Going to Annapolis
Here's a shot of the side of Command Performance, moments prior to hitting some very, very rough seas. The colors in this shot make it beautifully eery, in my opinion. It would be about 3-1/2 hours before the waters would calm down enough to bring the camera back out of hiding.
Here's a shot of the side of Command Performance, moments prior to hitting some very, very rough seas. The colors in this shot make it beautifully eery, in my opinion. It would be about 3-1/2 hours before the waters would calm down enough to bring the camera back out of hiding.
Command Performance's Second Lease on Life (A Look Back)
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
A look at CP's humble beginnings. The look on Lee Dahlen's face tells the story. Arriving in Stonington, CT days prior to my arrival, it was Lee's duty to complete work started by the yard (but never finished). Not happy with the list of "to do's" facing him, and only 48 hours to get them done before "take off", he (along w/ Rick Traskos) get down to business getting Command Performance in working order. Not to be outdone, Lee finishes the tasks and even gets the "dead generator" up and running (and 5 years later... it's still running!!!). It's interesting (as the owner) looking at this photo. I don't recall that black chair behind Lee (probably one of the items thrown out in the two dumpsters full of crap that came off this boat!). I cherish the fact that we finally completed the galley work to get rid of that huge square hole (look to the left of the small step) that was once a big screen tv. She has definitely taken on a new "look" since then. This photo taken in May of 2004.
A look at CP's humble beginnings. The look on Lee Dahlen's face tells the story. Arriving in Stonington, CT days prior to my arrival, it was Lee's duty to complete work started by the yard (but never finished). Not happy with the list of "to do's" facing him, and only 48 hours to get them done before "take off", he (along w/ Rick Traskos) get down to business getting Command Performance in working order. Not to be outdone, Lee finishes the tasks and even gets the "dead generator" up and running (and 5 years later... it's still running!!!). It's interesting (as the owner) looking at this photo. I don't recall that black chair behind Lee (probably one of the items thrown out in the two dumpsters full of crap that came off this boat!). I cherish the fact that we finally completed the galley work to get rid of that huge square hole (look to the left of the small step) that was once a big screen tv. She has definitely taken on a new "look" since then. This photo taken in May of 2004.
