La Tortuga...updated 05-03-15

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

Everything will be simple and functional...that's about it

We now have a place to eat out of the weather

so far I have about 15 hrs into the project,
which includes:
6 hrs to pull out the first part of seats (in back) and paint back bedroom windows black,remove wire covers and all the other crap screwed to the walls
5 hrs to remove rest of the seats and build and install dinette
4 hrs to clear coat table and build one bed base

I just don't have time right now and we want to enjoy the road/places we go

Everything being installed right now on top of the old floor can be removed in an hr or two and be re-used this winter when we rip out the floor and windows
Even the bed room walls will have about 10 screws(1/4-20) to be unscrewed and they will come right out.

If we feel like it everything can be moved as we get a feel for it.

Basically we live outside so the cooking/dining etc will be used to get out of the weather(like a normal RV...you don't cook inside unless there is a good reason to )

Lisa wants a comfortable bed,a bathroom that doesnt require going outside and a fridge for cold wine and food....everything else is gravy

 

[GreyEagle-SKO]

Re: El Tortuga

Sounds like a simple plan, makes life simple and sweet......

 

[Accordion]

Re: El Tortuga

That is a nice looking table.

 

[sdwarf36]

Re: El Tortuga

Do NOT get crazy about adding up all the hours you have /will have in the bus-you'll find out how little your time is worth.

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

Do NOT get crazy about adding up all the hours you have /will have in the bus-you'll find out how little your time is worth.

...that's way true....just was thinking I've had it almost 2months and haven't had time to spare.....I have 4 days off starting 2morrow and if I'm lucky I will have maybe 10 hrs to spare .
There are times I wish we were not good parents/kids and providers :mrgreen:

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

I have used same online name since the internet began
You can see this thread under other vehicles on the planet....welcome aboard

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

Got alittle work done,bedroom is coming along.
The beds and walls and everything is attatched to a header board down side of bus,this is so everything can be easily removed this winter when we do the floors,a few small angle brackets keep everything squarish

back to front

a quick wall to contain the cold AC in the bedroom area
front to back

and storage for things we don't need all the time and for driving to campspots(water,grill toilet etc...so they don't roll around)
under bed storage

So far the modular design has worked,I moved the bedroom wall and beds forward 14" to accomidate the kayak storage(removed about 25 screws moved stuff and re-screwed them

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

so I have been working on El Tortuga today
decided to get kayak mounts installed over the beds in the "master suite"
I made 4 mounts at work

I installed them into the roof bows...why I made 4 when I needed 8 for the straps I don't know
So I went to local hardware store and grabbed 4 threaded rings.
I drilled .391 holes
and installed 4 riv-nuts

and installed rings

Here are how the straps will work (1 kayak on each side)

Once it stops raining I will put kayaks up so I can install a padded rail on the ceiling.

Here they are in the "stowed" position w/o kayaks

I stopped at lowes last night on the way home to get some reflective bubble wrap and peel and seal.
I wandered by the return/damaged area to see if they had anything to use in the bus(they hadn't yet)...score!!
a set of custom length bi-fold doors,returned never used

they are cheap house quality but will work great for a temp door to bedroom and 2 hanging closet doors.
I unfolded one set and they where 3-1/2 in to narrow...no worries I cut a PC of 1x4 and using 1x4's on the back made a one PC door,and reused the folding hinges to make a normal opening door

That is my $8 door...couldn't buy the wood for that price

It fits our natural 1x4 theme perfect :mrgreen: ...some paint and poly and it'll be done...oh and a door stop,and latch and handle of some sort

Maiden trip is next month for an ECORS race at The Devils Playground....lots to do before then

 

[ol trunt]

Re: El Tortuga

My lunch at Mickey D's cost me more than that--that's just wrong? The doors are a great find and look like they belong.

 

[bus-bro]

Re: El Tortuga

Yea to riv-nuts! Thanks.

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

well we decided to introduce Veronica to the turtle saturday night.
So we set the stage for some quality family time

First time she has been outside since Nov 2nd when she showed up at the doorstep of her human servants

She was really freaking out with all the new smells.

She absolutely loved the big flat dash,

she found a bug and chased it back and forth for 10 minutes until she got distracted

I pulled the dash apart looking for an intermitant short with the low air buzzer and a few of the gages.

I found a broken pin that was caused when someone took the pin out to "add" another wire to it.

What to do on Saturday evening with nearest store to far away?

I ended up tinning the wire end and slip it inside of the remainder of the pin( it still had the tangs attached,worked great and clicked right back into place!

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

I also found several of the wire terminal studs had worked loose and were touching,so straighted them up and retightened.
I assembled dash back together and now only gage that is flakey is still the fuel gage...no worries most of our vehicles have messed up gas gages

 

[GreyEagle-SKO]

Re: El Tortuga

So????????? What do you do in your spare time?????

 

[ol trunt]

Re: El Tortuga

I've also had fuel guage wows over the years. Specifically, how does your guage "act"? Jack

 

[browncrown]

Re: El Tortuga

Bansil, the bedroom doors look great...very nice!

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

Browncow...Thank you

latest updates,so little time.

not much has been done...I did get the mirror mounted,recycled not bought

doesn't stick out much

insulated back upper wall and mounted fishing pole rack

Test fit the Kayak's..nice and snug!

plenty of room above bunks

started on armour (s/p) it holds plastic bins with clothes and shoes etc.

 

[sdwarf36]

Re: El Tortuga

If I could critique you set up (from a fellow kayaker) unless you plan ahead on cleaning your 'yaks, you going to have big drippy -sandy things right above your bunks.

 

[browncrown]

Re: El Tortuga

Never thought of using the inside mirror like that...excellent recycle

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

If I could critique you set up (from a fellow kayaker) unless you plan ahead on cleaning your 'yaks, you going to have big drippy -sandy things right above your bunks.

Good catch!the plan is an "outdoor shower" hookup,for a quick spray down.an old towel to dry off residue...hopefully it'll work out

 

[bansil]

Re: El Tortuga

so...as the sun sets we have an update....the nostrils are clogged due to shiat that is illegal in cali..
say what!!!!!AHAHAHAH
so I decided the most important thing to do now....was to make it a pain in the arse for NC to pull me over next month....so i applied a more none school bus look...or started
Mr. Miegeeeeeeee don't have shiat on me...(insert : cool ninja sounds :mrgreen
after countless wax on wax-off with cleaners and scotche brite....I gave up and said "......"
so: El Tortuga...is almost not ...ugh...yellow
so after grinding,sanding and removal of alien snot......I scuffed and sprayed the rails and big rivets

then sprayed and let sit while sipping wine ohhh!! and then I masterleeeee! applied the (add cool french word here)
the base coat...with a genuine foam roller

so ....mmmm....she is not yellow as a whole....2 morrow...arrrrrr...need wine...