This Saturday, March 1st

Tomorrow we will be starting the deck repair project. While this is about a week later that planned the warm weather will help make it a much more pleasant project. The vertical grain Douglas Fir for the deck arrived a few days ago along with the white oak for the gun track and quarter deck battens. Work will start at 9am and continue through the day and I would like to have all of the bad planks removed(planks that have started to rot due to improper bedding of deck fittings), deck prepped for new planks and the top yard inside by the end of the day. At this time we have 5 crew members and myself on the project, any one interested is welcome to attend.

Jim Schneider

P.S. When you leave a comment you must also leave an email address so that I may reply. I won't post anonymous comments.

Maintanence committee minutes

Maintenance%20Committee%20Meetinbg%20Minutes%2C%2016%20February%202008.doc

Febuary 16th Opportunity committee meeting minutes

Feb%20minutes%20of%20opportunities%20committee_v1.DOC

Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who give their time and skills to the care and maintenance of the FGW. Truly, you who come back week after week for sanding, scraping and painting and all those other difficult and sometimes monotonous task are to be commended! After looking at the included status report and projected expenses it seems worth mentioning that the costs would be much, much higher if these labors had to be hired out - and likely not as skillfully or carefully done either! The ship and the associated programs simply could not function without all of your enthusiasm and dedication. It makes me very glad to be involved, even in my second-hand way, with such fine folks! Thanks again for the enjoyment you have brought to my husband and to our children and to myself!
your friend,
Ginger Schneider
(Capt. Jim's 1st Mate)

Friends Good Will Status Report

This is the status report I prepared for the Board on February 15th. I consider this report to be incomplete. After all of our committees have had the opportunity to meet, I will work with the committee chairs to produce a more detailed report.

2008%20spring%20status%20of%20FGW%20Program.doc



Jim Schneider

Spring Maintenance Timeline

March 1st

The quarterdeck repairs will start, rotten planks will be routed out and surfaces prepared for lamination. New planks will then be glued in place.

March 8th

The Hounds (They support the cross trees) will be removed and replaced. This involves chiseling the old ones off as they are glued and we don't want to damage the mast. A tent will be put over this section of the mast for this.

Wednesday work sessions will continue to address skilled rigging and other small detail projects that improve the overall function and appearance of the vessel.

April

The mast will be stepped April 1st-5th, weather will dictate the re varnishing time line.

Rigging will will be completed by the 21st.

21st-27th will be crew training in preparation for the yearly Coast Guard inspection.

May 1st will be our first school group educational sail.

We will paint when the weather allows, this will likely be late April through May.


Volunteers interested in participating in any of the above listed projects should contact me in advance so that we can make the best use of your time and skills.


Jim Schneider

Ice Breaker

Last week David, Eric and I launched a small boat to repair a bubbler. The ice was 18-24 inches thick at the dock though most of the harbor was clear due to the East wind. David and I then rowed up down the channel to take soundings in preparation for next summer.
Jim Schneider

Saturday Febuary 9th

There will be not work session this Saturday as the Padnos will be busy with the Traditional Small Craft Assoc and the fund raising dinner being cooked onboard The Friends Good Will. There is still room at the table for more people, and volunteers may attend at a reduced rate of $40 per person. Matt Goacher will be preparing the pork tenderloin and stuffed chicken breast on the wood cook stove and Ellen is suppling the appetizers and wine. Dinner will be served in the Padnos at 6:30pm. Call the Museum or email ellen@michiganmaritimemuseum.org for reservations.

Jim Schneider

P.S. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend as I will be busy with a National Guard equipment inspection Saturday.