It seems a little surreal that is was just three (3) years ago today that we arrived “home” after Magnolias first trip north from Florida. The preparations and the trip are well documented starting here. Not only did our friends Greg & Marie get Magnolia, Annette and I safely home but they set the “tone” on Magnolia that we observe today.

The rhythm on Magnolia is slow and steady with an emphasis on safety. As I was heard many times, “It’s a sailboat, things don’t happen that fast, patience.” I am not sure if the following is a hard and fast rule aboard S/V Second Sally (Greg & Marie) but “we only go in and out of ports that ships do too.” We have learned so much from them but unspoken lessons are some of the most memorable. A couple years ago Magnolia was in company of Second Sally departing the Choptank River. As we have been through this area many times we had grown accustomed to “cutting a corner” by ignoring one of the markers. We knew there was “plenty of water.” A couple of minutes later I looked back and saw Second Sally further back than I anticipated. She had not cut the marker, I felt a little guilty and somewhat irresponsible at the time but I got the lesson! Funny thing, to this day Greg has no idea he even taught a  lesson that day!

Fast forward to yesterday…last fall we met a couple of similar age as Annette and I with similar plans. I received a surprise message from Frank on FB yesterday afternoon that S/V Eleanor Q was anchored here in the West River. What a treat to share some time with Frank & Mary-Marie sharing thoughts and lessons of the last couple weeks…yup they are ahead simple by a couple weeks! (and yet I am jealous!!)

As Annette take off for sometime in the Chesapeake to celebrate her retirement (tomorrow) we take with us gifts of old and new friends! We are very lucky to have this opportunity!  What an exciting time here on Magnolia!

The Admiral wanted the hanging locker converted for additional shelf space. If you go back and review 2012-04-16 “Single Digit Midget” & “Nearing Splash Time” you will see the beginning of this project. As I said at the time “The Admiral suggested Wire Rack Shelves but I initially resisted because of  how to make them work with a curved which backs the cabinet. I will build some suspense with the answer cause I think it might be one of my best ever ideas! In the meantime I used some left over oak threshold material for supports. I used some thickened West epoxy to attach them to the exposed hull fiberglass. After some primer and paint they will be ready for that surprise shelf solution so standby!”

As can be seen below the supports were indeed epoxied to the bulkhead, taped up and painted. As you can see the paint plan came off the tracks, it happens. The paint bled behind tape! Thankfully the supports are at the BACK of the cabinet!

As you probably know there are no square edges on a boat yet the Admiral wants rectangular wire shelves installed. The solution was to simply trim the wire shelves to the shape of the hull as required.

The Admiral and I split a piece of 1/2 inch PVC lengthwise and opened it wide enough to insert the individual shelf wires. The PVC grips the wires like a vice and completely stiffens the overall shelf. I am not sure about corrosion where the shelves were cut. Could be a problem down the road (waterway), but if they need to be redone, they are cheap and next time I will fill the the PVC with epoxy. (I think I am becoming an epoxy addict)