Hi again.  I took a full 2 days off. I don't think I climbed the ladder a dozen times the whole 2 days. Slept until noon yesterday and was drinking some fantastic coffee about the time everyone else was taking a lunch break. About 3:00 pm. I decided to do the last few things and finish box for gps.

The base will mount on table by pedestal. The box slides down onto base through slot in back.

The wires will go through the bottom. The 7 or 9 inch screen will mount above chart plotter. It was interesting building a box with mitered corners on a wobbley bench using a skilsaw and a piece of metal for a straight edge.

I took out shop manual for the second time. The first time I looked through it I had my doubts about how good a manual it was. Not anymore. I spent another hour or so looking over the few things I had questions about. This is a good book. There is no system on that engine I can't assemble, troubleshoot or adjust as long as I have this book.

In the end it did turn out to be a Kubota D950 engine. It got a few add-ons from Universal and some ugly paint. I have been looking at how Universal did a few things. Mostly the alternator bracket. Someone there needs to take a class on not cobbling things together. At first I thought it was some Mickey Mouse thing done by an owner wanting to save money. I have seen  pictures of other Universal engines and it is the same cobbled up bracket.

Tab on the nut side is much crooked and you can see how it wore out alternator mount next to it. Trust me. This picture does not really show it. I had shop bore new hole through alternator and put in sleeve so bolt will no longer wobble in hole. You would think when I had alternator rebuilt they might have mentioned this. I didn't notice it until I was installing it last year. I will beat the ears out a bit straighter and find a washer to fill gap. I wish I was healthier. With a small shop I think I could make a good living fixing up cobbled messes.

Of course you have noticed I am feeling much better. I guess I have been so used to feeling horrible for so long that it never dawned on me that I have been pushing myself to exhaustion. Even the shop manual seeemed simple once I got some rest. I was lucky to have Steve and Linda here last year to drag me away once in a while :-)

I have to make a few calls and figure out where my crankshaft is. I still need to finish mounting windlass (about 45 min. to be done with all that). I also need to get wires run for gps. Cannot have a box with no wires :-)

Mike is going to bring a tablesaw here when I am ready. It will take about an hour to make a couple dorade boxes and 4 speaker boxes. I think I have finally figured out where to put amplifier. Speaker boxes will be a special fit but at least now I know how and where.

Lots of stuff to do. But all else falls to the side when I have engine parts. I will get everything done but a lot of projects like painting and making non-skid white will be done on trip. I forgot how well I tan until I noticed the GT stripes on my feet from wearing flip flops constantly.

I have not heard from cousin Julie and her husband Steve. Steve was contemplating making part of trip earlier this season. Of course at that time I thought I would be heading south sooner. Still have a place for you Steve.

OK! Now I really have to do something. Right after I have my late morning coffee. I love this french coffee press. what a neat way to heat only the water you need and get a great cup of coffee in minutes.