Unexpected repairs, unexpected lessons, and a few unexpected blessings along the way.
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| | When we pulled Doulos out of the water, we thought we were well prepared with cost comparison spreadsheets, prioritized lists of projects, and a plan to tackle each one. |
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One major project on the list is replacing every thru-hull fitting below the waterline. Tim even plans to eliminate four of them. Fewer holes in the boat means fewer opportunities for water to find its way in, and that's a pretty high priority item!
We also knew we'd be tackling some drive shaft and engine work; replacing a bearing and installing an new shaft seal. |
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Simple, right? Well mostly... |
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| | While inspecting the bottom of the boat and measuring for new thru-hulls, Tim noticed a small amount of water weeping from an area around the strut-the heavy bronze support that holds the drive shaft in place. |
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| | A little poking around led to more questions. The water itself wasn't alarming, but it was enough to tell us something beneath the surface deserved a closer look. |
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| | Then came the repair we weren't expecting... |
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| | As Tim removed the paint and filler around the area, a closer inspection uncovered years of corrosion and pitting on the strut. Suddenly, we found ourselves wrestling with a decision. |
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| | Do we leave it and hope it's strong enough? |
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Or was this one of those moments where it would be wiser to address the problem now and move forward in confidence?
After much prayer and asking the Lord for wisdom, we decided to replace the strut entirely.
Not exactly the easiest part to find considering only 39 of these boats were built and the measurements are very specific. Thankfully, Tim connected with someone who appears to have the exact mold needed! The downside? The replacement will cost around $2000. Ouch! |
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| | As we processed that number, Tim finally said, "That's about what we pay for tires on the truck, and those only last a few years. The new strut should last another forty!" |
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| | Curious about other projects we're tackling? Explore our ongoing list and explanations of some of the work involved. |
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| | How Are the Girls Doing With the Transition? |
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Not all of the unexpected things we've encountered in the boat yard have come with a price tag. One of the sweetest blessings has been watching the girls embrace the transition, jump right into life aboard, and even put their hands to some boat work. |
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They have been incredible through all of it. We made them a whiteboard with projects they could tackle on their own, and every day they've been picking a task and getting after it. Their attitudes and willingness to jump in and get dirty have been such a gift. |
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| | One of my favorite moments happened this week when Evy decided she wanted more light in the girls' cabin. She asked Tim about the LED strip lights we had. He gave her a quick crash course on wiring, connectors, crimping, and heat shrink tubing...and then sent her off to do it herself. |
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| | Not only that, but after she finished, Izy wanted lights too. So Evy became the teacher and passed along what she had just learned. Before long, both girls had installed their own cabin lights! |
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| | As much as we're preparing Doulos for the ministry ahead, we're thankful that God is preparing the crew aboard her as well. Tim's comment about truck tires gave us a good laugh, but it also reminded us that perspective matters.
While there may be more surprises along the way, we've seen God's faithfulness too many times to be anxious about what we don't yet know.
We're grateful to have you celebrate, laugh, and occasionally say "ouch!" right along with us!
We'll keep seeking His wisdom, making decisions as they come, and trusting the One who called us on this adventure in the first place.
With love, Tim, Kim, and girls |
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P.S. Be sure to explore our haul out page for the detailed list of projects and a closer look at some of the work. |
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And if you're wondering, "What in the world is that?" or "Why are they doing that?" just hit reply. We love hearing from you! |
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| | Sharing the gospel on the water, supporting ministries, and bringing hope to the Caribbean. |
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Feel free to share this email with someone you know would be encouraged by it! |
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