Cool...

When we purchased Buddy approximately Six-and-a-half years ago one of the first things I added was a propane furnace to warm us in cool Wisconsin summers. After moving to SW Florida about 4 years ago, I finally decided a roof-mounted AC unit was in order. I considered a water-cooled unit but decided a roof AC unit would better fit our needs. I ended up purchasing a marinized 9200 BTU Coleman Cub. 

After measuring and remeasuring,  I cut the 14" x 14" hole in the roof. I then dug out the balsa core and packed the space with thickened epoxy.

The hardest part of the install was running power to the unit. I removed the conduit I had made for the TV power cord and antenna and fabricated new larger conduit.

In that the AC unit took the space on the roof formerly occupied by a 65 watt solar panel, I devised a way of mounting the panel to the cover of the AC unit using pull pin deck hinges. Using short struts I can raise the rear to the panel when the AC is in use so the air flow isn't restricted.

I am happy to report my 2000 watt generator runs the AC unit just fine! It was over 90 degrees the day I tested the AC unit's output.

 There is still room to carry our 10' inflatable on the roof.

Roofing

I recently installed a new rear cockpit canopy. Fabricated out of 1/2" Divinycell, 18 oz. Biaxial fabric and epoxy, I started by getting the roof curve off the back of the cabin top. I then built a strongback using that curve to form the roof. After laminating the top of the canopy and adding side rails for strength, I removed the top from the strongback and flipped it over to laminate the underside.

I also added rails to the front and back to provide additional strength. Then the fun began as the top and rails had to be faired. After fairing, I painted the top with the most expensive part of the build - PPG car paint that matches Buddy's tan gelcoat.

Once painted I test fit the top to Buddy using a 2x4 frame. I then measured for the support posts.

After I received a bid to fabricate the posts out of 2" stainless, I decided to have the posts fabricated out of equally strong square aluminum that I primed and finished with epoxy paint.

The top was then installed using the same attachment method Rosborough used on the aft end of the cabin top.

The top is lighter, stronger and a bit larger than the factory built top. The side rails also deflect all the rain to the back of the boat.

Home...

After 10 weeks away in Wisconsin, living on Buddy at a marina across the inner bay from our former home, we arrived back home. It was a nasty 1,500 mile tow home as we had trailer tire issues, three tire blowouts, one on the Interstate in Downtown Milwaukee, one on the Tri-State Tollway in Chicago, and the last one on the Interstate south of Chattanooga. 

We learned long ago that if one tire fails it's best to replace all the tires. Problem was we couldn't find replacements when we needed them. If we could have found 4 new tires after the first one failed, we wouldn't have had to deal with two more failures... Bottom line, after towing a 31' Corsair trimaran and now Buddy for the past six years, we have decided to retire from long distance towing. 60,000 miles plus is enough!

A sweetwater summer

While we haven't done much cruising, we've enjoyed our summer in Sturgeon Bay - clean fresh water, pleasant temps and comfortable accommodations while visiting good friends and family.

Back on the road

It's been 2 years since we've taken our Buddy on a road trip. We left SW Florida a week ago and headed North 1500 miles. While refuelling the truck in Northern Tennessee, the car you see in the photo backed into our starboard engine. Didn't even scratch the paint on the engine, but the car sustained a broken taillight and a slighly dented rear lift gate. The driver said she didn't see the boat... Our first "accident" in approximately 60,000 miles of towing. After an hour's delay dealing with this incident, the Tennessee State trooper informed us we would be receiving a written communication from the THP. If we didn't reply to this communication within 3 days of receipt, my driver's license would be suspended!!

We are now in Door County Wisconsin for the summer. We will cruising our old stomping grounds on Lake Michigan and making contact with family that we have here. The weather is a bit different here. We've had the heat on since arriving...

Buddy at Little Marco

We took a one week cruise South last week. One stop was a great spot, after the day crowds went home... This photo is looking West toward the Gulf, over the southern tip of Keewaydin Island.