I'm happy to report that since the boat was launched, a lot of projects have actually been completed, but I have discovered that it is much harder to accomplish many projects when just sailing is an option. The week after the boat was launched, I was successful in my attempt to get the engine running, which was a relief. For a while I was content with just sailing the boat, but recently I have really gotten a lot of major projects done which has left the boat looking better than ever.
One of the first projects was to prime the interior of the boat, and while doing this in the water wasn't ideal, the primer seemed to go well, and the boat started looking better immediately.
I also spent a lot of time sailing, and now have played with a lot of the different headsails that came with the boat. It's pretty nice to break up projects with sailing...
Here's the genoa:
And a light air drifter, which looks pretty bad, but really is in decent shape.
...and then this jib, which is in pretty good shape
More recently, I was asked to show the boat in a "Classic Boat Night," which really gave me some motivation to wrap up a lot of the nagging projects I had. On a nice day, I finally painted the mast step, along with a narrow strip on the transom (where the waterways and hull meet) and gave the interior a final coat of paint.
Mast step finally not looking rusty:
And that strip (where I had masking tape separating the red and white paints when I painted the boat): 
The interior:
Pretty minor details, but they really made a huge difference. I also finally re-bedded the fixed ports (for the second time) and this time they are really watertight. That led to me really finishing a bunch of other interior projects. After some bargain hunting, I finally found a brass galled faucet that fit the narrow galley counter top, and was able to hook up the fresh water for the first time in a while. I also put the ice-box lid together, and replaced the hinge on the counter top over the head. So with fresh paint, and nicely cleaned and oiled woodwork, the interior is really looking good. New cushions really weren't in the budget this year, so I'm stuck with yellow vinyl for a little longer, but its not the end of the world.
All in all, my to-do list is getting pretty short. Still need to get the name on the boat (which hopefully will get done this week), and the brightwork needs many more coats (but that won't happen with 90 degree, humid days).
So as the summer starts winding down, I am really just looking forward to enjoying the boat before the fall, and the boat is finally at a point where I really can just enjoy it rather then letting nagging projects get the best of me.
