I was reading an article recently about how major depression is on the rise among young people in America. There are all sorts of theories as to why that’s happening–the internet and toxic social media, the politicization of everything, the formerly slack economy, massive college debt accrued studying subjects that have little to no value in the economy, etc. Those factors (and many more) may contribute to the situation, but it seems to me that a more fundamental factor is that humans aren’t made for a free and easy life. Strife and complex challenges make life worth living. Take away strife and big challenges, which isn’t all that difficult in the modern era, and the simple, worry-free life turns into a vacuum sucking out your soul. And what fills that void is almost never a good thing. When I see articles talking about how the solution is to provide mental health counseling and other support at work, and school, for example, I wonder why they think more of what caused the condition in the first place (i.e. make life easy) can fix it. I think that’s a recipe for making it worse.
They don’t need counseling…they need a challenging hobby. And where else to find a challenging hobby than in the Purgatory Rows in every boatyard across the fruited plains? That’s how this Roamer refit began, and I assure you that in spite of the paperwork SNAFU, the ongoing tent improvement project (Model XXXv4 is the best so far!), the bastard thieves clearing me out, and Nor’easter storm damage setting the project back, I couldn’t tell you what depression is because I’ve never experienced it. I can tell you all about frustration, but that’s not a debilitating mental illness.
Since I started this project ten years ago, I’ve learned to do cabinetmaking, TIG welding on stainless and aluminum, and there’s always a challenge waiting for me when I arrive at the boatyard. So if you know any millennials who are griping about how life sucks while walking down paved streets staring at their ‘smart phones’ and sipping their $5 double-mocha vente coffees, tell them where they can find purpose: go to the boatyard and commit to bringing an unloved boat back to life…and stick to it!
Speaking of which, I wrapped up the cabinetry in the V-berth. A year ago, I was working on the bed foundation and surrounding cabinetry in the V-berth. I decided to build a little cubby cabinet at the forward end of the bed surround, and I made it so it could be dismantled for access to the forward stem, AC ducting, and wiring that’s behind the cabinetry. I recently finished the installation of the AC ducting, so once I get the wiring done and cubby cabinet reinstalled, this is a wrap.
The starboard panel comes out first
Then push the insulation back
Today’s parts and materials
I’ll put in a 120v plug here as well as a combination 12vdc/USB charging port.
Slide the panel back in while feeding the wires into the proper holes
I’m using leak-resistant electrical boxes, which are better at stopping cold (or hot) outside air from leaking into air conditioned spaces
12vdc/USB port is installed
And that’s pretty much a wrap
Installing the outlet and face plate won’t take but five minutes, and I plan to do lots of them in one go. That’s a wrap for the V-berth cubby cabinet!
Next up in our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Back Into the Aft Stateroom
1969chriscraftroamer46 