Spring Projects Before Hitting The Water

[Pittsburgh]

You guys are scaring me. I think I need to check the PH level in the pool. Then I really need to cruise the toon over to the gas dock and top off the tank and pick up another bag of ice for the cooler. I like my Pepsi frosty.

Cheers, Steve

There is nothing like rubbing it in 

When I need ice I just open up the door 

The frozen TUNDRA is there to greet me 

ENJOY 

I hope you get some rain and snow in the mountains

Lived in California and visit routinely 

Family all over the west including NV 

It is not easy with the prolonged drought

                                    At this rate the projects will begin in MAY !

                                                                         

 

[highpond]

Tearing the bathroom apart :wacko: , get rid of a hot tub that got used twice in 8 years . Getting rid of a phone booth shower and replacing it with a shower for two :wub: (Don't think the wife will, well, she'll prefer to shower alone.)  DARN. Make the Phone booth area into a linen closet. Then put a roof over the back porch.

Get this done by April 1st. The rest of the time give the Benny some exercise

 

[Pittsburgh]

Tearing the bathroom apart :wacko: , get rid of a hot tub that got used twice in 8 years . Getting rid of a phone booth shower and replacing it with a shower for two :wub: (Don't think the wife will, well, she'll prefer to shower alone.)  DARN. Make the Phone booth area into a linen closet. Then put a roof over the back porch.

Get this done by April 1st. The rest of the time give the Benny some exercise

That is a hell of a list 

I would like to put an outdoor shower in 

I think it would be great during the summer

But that would be a project for another spring

One project at a time

I think the deck and rail or staining the cedar on house is this years project

Will decide after some research which it is 

 

[Bamaman]

My house has a balcony overlooking the lake, and a 36' screened porch below with a vinyl ceiling.  Rain blowing in has leaked down into the screened porch and made a mess--for years.  The railings on the upstairs deck finally got weak after 35 years.

Last May (2014), I started tearing out the deck flooring and railings.  I expected to find rotten wood underneath, but the materials were #1 spruce and in great shape.  I spent all Summer prying up the floor with a 3 ton floor jack and a 4x4 from below.  I reframed the floor joists, put down porcelain tile flooring, rebuilt the railings and screened the whole thing.

I never even cleaned my Bennington or ran it enough to use a tank of gas last year.  We never even spent the night in the house last year--staying in town.

I'm bound and determined to finish my 2014 project by 5/2015, clean up the house, clean up the boat and take the Summer off from new projects.  We hope to tow the boat up to Chattanooga and run back down river 200 miles.  Long cruises on great rivers are great--especially when you have hotels and state park inns to stay in.

And by the way, I have a 13' x 15' Trex deck.  I find it to be very hot to the feet on a Summer day, it retains dirt and it gets mildewy easily.  Needless to say it cost a fortune.  Whenever it looks too bad, I'm going to replace it with pressure treated #1 5/4 x 6" decking.

 

[Pittsburgh]

Bamaman ,

                      That is the research I keep reading hot , mildew and easily scratched

What good is it, if I can't sit on a chair without feeling the heat rise like a furnace beneath me 

Or have to limit activity or furniture on it due to scratching and ofcourse the mildew is a worry

I may seriously look into power washing and staining floor boards and replace railing alone

Less cost, less work, less stress and less regret

More time, more enjoyment and more Benny

Sounds like a plan !

                                          I feel like jumping for joy 

    More Time For Benny 

 

[TomS]

My neighbor used Ipe wood with hidden fasteners and it is as beautiful now as when they installed it several years ago. Expensive, but lasts pretty much forever with proper care. 

 

[Pittsburgh]

My neighbor used Ipe wood with hidden fasteners and it is as beautiful now as when they installed it several years ago. Expensive, but lasts pretty much forever with proper care. 

I have never heard of it Tom 

But I am loving what I see 

Wood That's Tough as Nails What natural building material is highly durable, resists flames and doesn't float? It's ipe wood, a material that upscale builders and interior designers are increasingly incorporating into their plans. But density comes at a price.

By ALYSSA ABKOWITZ

Oct. 25, 2012 5:45 p.m. ET

ENLARGE

Ipe is one of the densest hardwoods available. EMILE DUBUISSON

What is it? Also called Brazilian walnut, ipe (pronounced ee-pay) wood is typically found in South America and some parts of Central America. It is one of the densest hardwoods available, three times harder than cedar. Ipe has the same fire rating as concrete and steel, meaning it resists flames much longer than softer woods, and is so dense that it doesn't float in water.

How is it used? Because of its durability, ipe wood often is used outdoors as decking and siding. Inside, it's typically seen in flooring or cabinetry. For indoor use, the wood has to be kiln-dried to remove moisture, which keeps it from warping or cracking, says Scott Zubrow, architectural specialist at General Woodcraft in New London, Conn.

ENLARGE

Ipe wood lasts a minimum of 25 years, although many architects say it can last up to half a century if maintained properly. GETTY IMAGES

Pros: Like redwood, it has a natural oil that keeps bugs out; it's resistant to mildew and decay, making it ideal for coastal construction. Ipe wood lasts a minimum of 25 years, although many architects say it can last up to half a century if maintained properly.

Cons Holes must be predrilled for screws. Its high oil and tannin content makes it difficult for paint to adhere. The hardness makes it unsuitable for intricate woodworking. It's also difficult to ensure the hardwood comes through legitimate channels. Earlier this year, ipe wood accounted for more than 90% of the wood seized in a major sting by Brazilian authorities. When shopping for ipe wood, look for certification from organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council, which tracks sustainable forestry.

ENLARGE

Red Ipe Trees in bloom GETTY IMAGES

Price: 

At $3.50 to $4 per linear foot, ipe typically costs about 30% more than a knotty cedar or pine. A 400-square-foot ipe deck would cost about $500, not including other materials or labor.

ENLARGE

Coney Island boardwalk GETTY IMAGES

History: 

Parts of the iconic Coney Island boardwalk are made of ipe wood.

Unfortunately as you stated it comes with a huge price tag

Like everything you get what you pay for !

 

[TomS]

Disney has a gazillion board feet of Ipe in Orlando all over the place. They usually invest for the long term so I assume it's durable stuff.

Another deck guy here often times uses a variant called "Tigerwood", also a Brazilian wood and swears by it. A little cheaper than Ipe but gorgeous as well.

 

[Pittsburgh]

What seems a bit surprising 

No one has to my knowledge 

Mentioned a Boat Lift w/Cover

It is on my list

I do prefer a motor driven lift 

Just not this year

Off and on with mooring cover two - three times a day gets old

Sun is not the only concern, the geese, ducks, eagles, etc are cause for concern

One thing I will say 

When you live on the water 

The list never ends  :wacko:

 

[spinzone]

Weather is expected to begin the big warm up next weekend.

No honey-do projects for me. I'm going to drag the big girl home and begin the big preseason cleanup and dewinterization process. Looking forward to having some cold snacks with the neighbors in the driveway.

 

[Pittsburgh]

Weather is expected to begin the big warm up next weekend.

No honey-do projects for me. I'm going to drag the big girl home and begin the big preseason cleanup and dewinterization process. Looking forward to having some cold snacks with the neighbors in the driveway.

Some People Just Like To Rub It In (lol)

We should all be so lucky 

Here is a question

How many hours do you think you put on Benny in a typical year 

I am hoping on that level at least the retirees in the NORTH have you beat 

Last year 100 hours on 2014 SL21 w/90

If I lived in the south I would think double that !

 

[Bamaman]

Since we live on the lake, we really don't put that many hours on our boat.  We'll often start it up, run 1/2 mile out into the middle of the lake and just float--for hours and hours at night.  We do takes some 15 mile cruises on weekends, however. 

When we used to tow the boat 100 miles to the lake on weekends, we'd spend all day cruising, skiing, etc.  We might put 10 hrs. a weekend on the engine.  That'd be repeated 5-6 times during the boating year.

We probably average 30 hours per year running.

 

[Pittsburgh]

WOW 

Now I feel Guilty for wasting gas (lol) 

As I live on the Lake Front as well 

I seldom if ever sit on the lake 

I love just cruising 

We do sit when tied with other pontoons watching the sunsets

Other than that cruising

Curious how many hours an engine lasts with proper maintenance  

I am sure I am hurting trade in value 

More than likely I will just keep the Benny till it dies

 

[spinzone]

I am sure I am hurting trade in value

More than likely I will just keep the Benny till it dies

What good is owning a boat if you don't use it the way that makes you happy? I say rack the hours up, you paid for it! Btw..... A good friend of mine just crossed the 2000 hour mark on his 6yr old center console. Twin Yamahas and are pushed hard in salt water year round. No problems for him thus far and only having normal maintenance procedures done annually/on Yamaha's maintenance schedule.

 

[Pittsburgh]

What good is owning a boat if you don't use it the way that makes you happy? I say rack the hours up, you paid for it!

Btw..... A good friend of mine just crossed the 2000 hour mark on his 6yr old center console. Twin Yamahas and are pushed hard in salt water year round. No problems for him thus far and only having normal maintenance procedures done annually/on Yamaha's maintenance schedule.

If I could get 2000 hours 

I would feel like I got my moneys worth 

I am tempted to do the rivers of Pittsburgh at least once

For now it is the Lake for me

 

I just need spring to break so I can get these projects done

Would not be happy if we go from winter to summer and skip spring again

                            

 

[Johnny Volvo]

Making boat payments!!! Lol

Building and installing a dock.

Assembling and installing a shorestation.

Backfilling our sea wall.

Cutting down a few trees.

Refinishing a deck.

Who am I kidding, I'll never be on the boat with said list.

 

[lakeliving]

I'm starting the basement closet today. Should go smoothly

 

[SEMPERFI8387]

I'm starting the basement closet today. Should go smoothly

. So if you are inside and need to exit what are you doing? Lol!!!

 

[Pittsburgh]

My piece of PARADISE 

http://www.panoramio.com/user/2672106?show=all

The ice is damaging docks throughout The Lake even the sliding board in the Lake will be replaced this year ! 

Not quite

Beach Time 

 

[Pittsburgh]

I have been thinking about placing a ladder off the end of my dock 

I will not be using it , but family members may 

How much use does your ladder get , if you have one?

And do you recommend aluminum or stainless steel ?

  

I am thinking aluminum 5 step ladder