Some assembly required...

We have been busy since getting back home.  Joan is getting anxious to take on more quilting projects.  To make using her sewing machine more convenient, she wanted a folding/rolling cart for it.  She found one she liked on-line... it arrived yesterday.  Yeah, some assembly required.

Spreading out the pieces and hardware, I was surprised to see tubes of wood glue.  Looking at the assembly instructions, I was dubious that there wasn't enough glue to complete the project.  By the time I got to the second part of the assembly, it was real clear there wasn't enough glue.  Joan ran to the hardware store while I continued on the project.

Upside down in the process...

All told, it was about a 4 hour project - Joan is happy with the results...

Another thing that has occupied our time: considering another boat.  We are in agreement that we want something small, simple, and easy to keep up.  We are not looking to cruise again (at this point), but interested in something for day-tripping around the local area.

We've been talking about this for a while - nothing is off the table.  Well, the idea of another sailboat is more work than either of us are interested in.  We got spoiled by Wild Blue - turn the key, untie the dock lines, and go.  We came across an ad for a 16' C-Dory while still out in the motorhome (it wasn't too far out of the way)... but it turned out that the boat was already sold.  My feelings wouldn't be hurt if there wasn't a lot of fiberglass that needs regular waxing and polishing to stay nice looking in the Tropical Tip (the motorhome gives me enough of that).

I tossed out the idea of a pontoon boat.  Something we haven't considered in the past.   While some of these are definite "party barges," there are small models available.  Simple.  And, no fiberglass to keep up.  I started doing some research.  Yesterday, we went out to see some in person...

Built-in seating that seems plenty comfortable.  Storage under the seats.  Different motor sizes available.  Definitely easy to keep up: hose it down and put a cover on it.  Wild Blue also spoiled me with that cabin and inside helm - nice protection from the sun.  These come with a bimini for shade.  Windy or rainy?  Good time to find stuff to do off the water.  ;-)  No climbing up or down: open the gate and step onboard; flat floor.

We are not looking to overnight.  No need for a suite of electronics (chartplotter, radar, fixed VHF, autopilot, etc); a hand-held VHF and a marine navigation app on the phone will provide speed info.  Doesn't get much more simple than that.  Wild Blue was equipped for adventure cruising - we are looking for sight-seeing and dolphin watching with whatever we get next.

They come set up for different uses: fishing, party-barge, pulling "water toys" (skiing, wake-boarding, pulling a float).  Some are absolutely luxurious (no, I don't think we'll be needed a built-in wet bar); some have up to 900 horsepower and will top 60 mph... I'm thinking 10 to 15 mph and sipping fuel instead of gulping it.  We don't fish, so not much use for a trolling motor, rod holders and a couple live wells... but the extra floor space in a fishing model would allow room to haul a kayak or a stand up paddleboard.

Things to consider.  We might even learn to fish.  I wonder if Izzy would be interested in eating something fishy that doesn't come from a can?  ;-)  No, me neither.