More on the Solar Canopy Construction

We finished bolting the 4 main posts of the solar canopy to the deck yesterday.  This is a huge milestone for us as the time nears to make another excursion to Port LaBelle for a potty dump. Securing the posts to the deck was an extremely involved process because we had to  take down the ceiling and insulation below deck.  This made a mess but it was time for a good cleaning downstairs anyway.

First we had to take down the ceiling panel and insulation.

The bolt is in place on the starboard side, (note the notch in the insulation) and we are ready to put the ceiling back up. This shows a good view of the Belgian chicken wire in the concrete decking. I guess it's more visible here because the concrete is a lot thinner on the superstructure than it is in the hull and this is the only place on the boat that it shows like this.

Carter reconnecting one othe many lights that had to come down.

 

The posts are bolted in the bathroom (shown), the mechanical room and 2 are located in the salon area.

We have spread a tarp over the canopy to provide shade as we work.  We will now finally be able to install and hook up the solar panels to power refrigeration and air conditioning and cut out the use of the generator saving mega $$.

My assignment on this project is to complete staining all the wood.  Please note that this involves a lot of overhead painting...meaning that I end up wearing a lot of stain.  Very messy work.  Here's the conversation:

Carter: Oh man!  You should see all the stain you have on you! LOL

Diane:  Could you do it neater?

Carter:  Probably not

Diane:  Good Answer LOL

Next, Carter will build the sundeck over the cockpit.  Once that is done, and stained, we can finish painting the deck and by then it will probably be time to pack up and head north to escape the "anti-winter". With temps in the 90s during the day we can feel it coming.