We Built an Ancient Tool to Solve a Problem with our Boat | Step 383 

As a truck driver and having dealt with containers and truck trailers, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember when you open those doors and are going to be inside for a while, latch the handles on those doors in the latch assembly on the doors. I was warned when I first started driving that there have been truckers who went into their trailers to clean up or strap something down, the door caught some wind, slammed shut and locked them in. And in a warm or cold climate, THAT can be a dangerous and deadly situation to find yourself. Hoping that Kikas' family is safe in Haiti.

Teamwork is the secret tom success. Poor Kika surely need something to stand on, Dan. Hope Kika's family is safe in Haitti.

Every once in a while I notice just how good the cinematography is on this channel. Hats off to Kika for doing such a good job filming and editing.

A clear hose filled with water and just spitting a little red wine in the end was more than good enough for a complete abandoned stone barn to 4 bed luxury holiday home 40 years ago. Level is level

Damn those are some pretty 2×4s

That frequency and that many decabels from that tracksaw will give you tinnitus real quick. Tinnitus royaly sucks sphinkters.. The longer you live the more time you have to curse yourself for not taking a second to put ear plugs and defenders in/on. You're much more fun when you aren't grumpy about being an{choose derogatory adjective} when you were slacking or in a hurry when you were young. Love your work, blessings and kisses!

Hubby was a general contractor and loves your track saw. Cutting multiple pieces at a time is a time saver.out of all the sailing channels you guys are our fav. All your ideas are so great. And both of you are equally talented.

Prep time and time spent getting organised are never ever wasted.. perfect set up, she’ll be a good un better than ex factory Pearson !

Sailing Parley taught me this trick, and I immediately bought $10 worth of tubing to level out a fish pond I am digging. They did one thing differently, they added some soy sauce to the water, to make it more visible. :) And the track saw, great idea. I have never purchased one, I clamp a straight edge to the lumber and do the math to figure out how to butt the saw against it to cut in the right spot...

I never tire of watching you. Your projects are real and meaningful, you are obviously very skilled at what you do, but most importantly, at lest to me: you always treat each other and the people around you with respect!

I hesitate to ask, given that this channel is about sailing and not personal family life, but Kika's family must be concerned about the current situation in Haiti. I hope that they are safe

For as long as I can remember an 'actual' water level has been a length of plastic tubing. I'm pretty sure that seeing something specifically marketed as an actual water level will just have me rolling my eyes....

I could barely contain my excitement over the topic of this Step! : - ) And what about those steps?! (up to the boat deck level)

I have the same tracksaw... welcome to the family :) Btw, I recommend buying the clamps that lock into the bottom of the track especially for longer cuts. Also, you will really appreciate it if you ever need to use it inside as it is very clean when hooked up to a shopvac.

If you’re looking at long term for that sea can I’d also think about creating a quick to deploy and stow outdoor work bench/table.

I LOVE the creative solutions that you both come up with for addressing challenges. The container... genius. Magnetic tape... resourceful. The water level... imaginative! Is it next week yet?!?!

Looking good! When you are cutting many pieces to same length, put all boards on top of one another and set the depth a little long and you will mark the piece below automatically. Prayers for all of you,. especially Kikia's family in Haiti..

I was kind of expecting the magnetic tape to give up when the container was closed :-) ! Love the shelving! Miss the level counter, also wondering how many times Dan had to say "Matt black bottom paint :-)!"

Add some food coloring to your water makes it easier to read especially in sunlight

So excited to see you have a container!

Actually the water level was used by the ancient Egyptians while building the pyramids. On the other hand, the water level's precision actually increases with the distance over which you measure the level and it has the additional benefit of working even without a line-of-sight. According to comments I have seen the laser level has a precision of ±3mm over 3m. So over a distance of 30m you could potentially have a margin of error of ±30mm. Meanwhile the water level, as long as there are no air bubbles in the hose, will have a margin of error of ±1mm over whatever length your hose can reach. You just need to take your time to let the water in the line settle to a steady state. Plus you can measure around corners and other obstacles, unlike the laser level that needs an unobstructed line-of-sight.

2 or 3 years and it will be done. Only kidding but I did watch every one of your videos this winter and love watching you sail and visit locations. Thank you for sharing!

Dan the water-level expert. Figures that a HOSER would be good at that. 🤣

Container: Smart! Shelves: Smart! Water Level: Smart! Cap both ends with a cotton ball to help prevent differential winds (wind-induced pressure) from giving you a false reading.

Great idea. I've done it twice now,

Did you try to level her port to starboard using the stand jacks?

One of the simplest but most accurate tools known. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

I must say I'm really impressed with your out of the box thinking. So creative! Inspiring!

You guys have the best videography of all RU-vid sailing channels.

The level was a pretty cool idea to use. Something so simple that worked great! Great show as always!

Buying a container is a very bright move. I heard Mr. Maersk also startet in this way.

Storage shed portion looked like Houston - pouring rain. More importantly, good thoughts and prayers to you Kika that your family is safe and well.

I really miss the "level" counter !!! :( Dan seems very fixated on level - I'm sure for good reason. lol

I know you stated earlier in the season that you couldn't sell Uma because she had too many issues and she would end up being scrapped. When you get her fixed and sell her then you guys should contact the company that is in the last episode the O'Kelly's where they went and looked at a Expedition catamaran that was all aluminum and the work of the company is gorgeous. Just planting that seed😂

Glad to see that you 2 are making progress on Uma. Ive never missed a posting from you guys. Kika. Just wanted to say I am a bit of a news junky and have been seeing a lot of the goings on in Haiti. I hope its exaggerated by US media but I dont think so. That said I hope that your family is safe and well protected. Best wishes to and for then

Makita OWE's you man - Great editing! ~ I wish I could be at your level. You guys just keep getting better, and better. 🌴😎

Lights, that's good, now power points, phone, LAN ports, WiFi, Pir on the outside, water of course, heating, first Aid Kit with mirror, fire extinguisher. Kidding - I think 🙂 Water level, that explains a lot, wanted to try water skiing, but never found a lake with a slope 🙂

"Smoke Test!" Love it, just like my uncle use to say...while smoking a heater

I've often wondered why boat folks who are doing a build like this don't make level-marks somewhere while the boat is in the water on a dead-calm day. That way, you could use those as reference for 'level' in the boat for things like tabletops and it'd be right. Course, if you don't have weight perfectly balanced, then the boat isn't going to sit level anyhow.. :)

I wish people would ask truckers who hold containers before they didn't think like this. They get soaking wet from condensation, when it is hot they get hotter when it is cold they get colder. They are actually not very big. You can't buy a long one like a 55 but they are still only about 8 ft wide. You can build a nice wooden shop that fits your needs better much cheaper. Plywood 2 by 4's add cheap plastic roofing. Use drywall screws that you can take it apart when you're done with it. And containers are made of steel. So guess what happens when some power tools shorts out touching it I pulled these for a year or two and we used one for secure storage at a railyard. The absolute only thing I would use a container for its if I need it very secure storage Also I love how innovative you two are. But I don't think you measured the boats new water line. I think you measured cow level it was sitting on its supports

Terrific episode, you guys! It emphasizes that working on a boat entails so many skill sets. But Dan, don't forget to don eye protection when using any saws!

can't wait to see what happens when using as a shop and have to hammer on something LOL

Love watching you guys. You are both very talented and I admire your work ethic. The container idea is absolutely genius! Cannot wait to see you boat once done! Best of luck!

You should also learn how to uses a tic stick. Anyoe who works on their own boat should. Its great for carpentry on odd shapes cuts. I used it all the time and I work on boats for a living. Its old world boat building stuff.

I used a water level back in 97 to make my patio with a little red dye that worked very well.

Did a village stay in Fiji some time ago. They were build a concrete footpath which when laid out was definitely not consistent slope. I suggested the clear hose level to them, which they used.

Guys, I have done the same, my steel frame work benches are fold up against the walls with the permanent storage up high and to the rear, and yes I store my car in there when I'm offshore sailing. "Fold-up" is the go plus a recess for an "aircon" and "power in". consider insulation too.

I still find it adorable how much faith you guys have in the factory waterline 😅

This is going to be really interesting! By the way, did the Romans have any small, clear plastic tubing? I wanted to make a suggestion. In 5 years, when you get the boat back in the water, and before you leave the Med, I would like to see you visit Barcelona and give a two architect opinion on a tour of the Sagrada Familia Basilica and its design. Maybe you even studied it in college. It's pretty unique and looks pretty 'gaudi'. After 142 years, it should be finished by then! I, too, pray that Kika's family and friends are OK in Haiti.

6:46 rain and waves. My fav.

I used a water level years ago when I fitted a suspended ceiling in my first house. This was way before lazer levels or any digital equipment. The ceiling was on three different levels and would have meant taking loads of measurements and hoping for the best. The simple length of hose made it very easy and accurate in no time and the result was perfect 👍🏼

Very lovely and realistically coming together.

What seems like a straight forward project turns into an epic endevour.

I'm sure glad to see that you removed the exterior door latches on one side of your container. Getting accidentally shut in could be deadly.

I bought my container 30 years ago and it’s one of the best investments I ever made.

love the water level . I used the same technique on a 40 ft long residential caravan .but the tubing was slightly larger Bore / dia.

If anyone is going to copy the water level, wider tube works better and a tiny bit of detergent in the water.

With this crazy climate we are experiencing, I think you should tie the boat to the ground. A strong thunderstorm can lift up the boat and make it fall on its side. It sadly happened to my dad with a boat longer and heavier than yours (7.2 tons for 11.4m)

Just another day in two lives traveling the planet. OK, boats done, now what? We've got plenty of choices.

Gota love the shipping work shop. Ideally miss mine.

Hi guys, you always make me smile when I see you both together. You just radiant love for each other. Keep up the good work. Love and appreciate you babe from Australia

Great idea !!! ‼️🇨🇦❤️

Nice work! I used a hose for a water level when building an addition on my first house. Often, simple technology is the best. Looking forward to seeing Uma transform as I give my sloop a few upgrades in preparation for spring sailing on the west coast of BC.

Excited to see the boat work!

More power to you both in your coming build.

Nice work, guys. I know this was probably a one-time thing for you with the water level but just in case somebody else is thinking about using one, they should consider spending a few more dollars to make a single operator water level. I have found them much easier to use. Just attach the hose to a fitting on the side of a five gallon bucket. I recommend a shutoff valve at the other end of the hose to prevent spills.

great video

I'm totally confused! But that's normal 4 me. Love you guys! Stay well ❤

That boatyard is a massive improvement over Riverside 🙌

Where are you planning to stow the container? Will it fit in the starboard cockpit locker?

great to see this project kicking off cant wait

You could do with a pop awning over the front of the container, it will keep out the rain, which you don't want inside, and give you some shade in hot weather. Consider some insulation, it will help prevent your materials cooking or freezing. I like the stairs up to the boat, essential for a project like yours. Perhaps a perspex door so you can work in there when it's cold and windy. It could be set back just inside the container doors.

your going to love the track saw. Best tool ever :)

Fun video I hope your Haiti friends and family are ok

Great use of the water level. Isn't it cool. You Guys Rock!

I find it interesting talking about a level surface one a moving vessel😂. Especially when 'level' will change based on centre of gravity in your new setup.

The water level fails when one side is in the sun and the other side is in the shade for a while. The side in the sun warms up, expands and becomes less dense. The warm side will then read higher than the cooler side.

Thanks for a completely entertaining episode.

Great video as always with lots of detail...my hat's off to you for your project ahead !!! Just finishing up our 2 week stay on Voyage "Home Again"...had her up to 8.1 kts under sail :-)

This is so much work, was thinking just buy a new boat. But then i remembered, you 2 are both architects and you like to build-create. The big question is if this Old Boat frame can handle all the upgrades and sustaining measurements and structural changes? Wishing you Boat Blessings!🎉

love the attitude: "we'll just .... and see how it works" :-)

Used to use a water level to make sure we kept siding level all the way around a house during construction.

That was brilliant, great idea. Thanks for sharing

If you had some better way to hold up the ship on land, you should be able to alter the angles just by using those. I know that exist as the ship beside my dad's ship around 2 decades or more ago did just that and adjusted the whole thing with what was basically a wrench and a car lift along with a plank. Drop the side you want to move it toward a tiny bit, one of a time, and then use the lift and the plank on the other side to push the ship over so you can re-adjust that side to so the new angle is a perfect hold. Back then we all did that easily enough using a water level as there was no such thing as a laser. Even my dad did that with non adjustable holders by carefully pushing the ship towards the wrong side and then carefully moving the holders a cm or two, before pushing the ship the other way until that new angle is right and then pushing the holders on that side in. But to be safe, it is best to double up on the holders or what they are called, before doing this. There's always a way if you really need it. Even altering the back and front angle if that's a bit wrong. But to do that, I need adjustable holders. You could also use several water levels and some tape to make sure the ship is always in the right angle and level the whole time.

Good choice on the container

On a long enough timeline, all boat building channels become sailing channels and all sailing channels become boat building channels. Acorn to Arabella, Sampson Boat Company, SV Delos and Sailing Uma.

Luv your truck ! What a beast !

Nice one

Food coloring in the level helps

Nice idea the magnets. But this kind of rubber magnet are very weak, I would recommand real neodymium magnet discs epoxy glued on you lights...

Kika, The news is full of reports about the violence in Haiti, I pray your family and friends are safe.

That water level is some real North Avenue Trade School technology 😂.

Hope all is ok at home

Fantastic sailing couple

Bardzo ciekawe rozwiązanie... 🤔

You guys rule the B roll.

Finally, the boat gets fixed

With the water level, you need to watch out that one side doesn't heat up in the sun verses the other side. If the water temperature is different the the water density is not consistent along the tube resulting in errors. You can always check before and after you use it to be sure the ends match. This drove me nuts measuring the slope on a lot before I figured it out. Well I guess it won't be long before you get into the sticky-gooey-itchy stuff!

Put food colouring in the hose it helps to see the level. Cheap and accurate nothing wrong with that.

7:24 leave camp, drive, park, dolly, cut wood, load wood, drive, park ahead, park backward, unload wood, cut wood, expensive track saw, it is now 12:00 I am too critical or am I right to feel like Uma has been resorting on a lot of empty filling shots lately (for quite a while actually), like truck leaving,truck parking, truck door locked,truck door unlocked to fill up the 20 minutes of fame. You got something good going on, do not f%&# it up. PS: build your own track: you need approximately 5-6ft X 16 inch stiff ply or press wood, make a very straight cut lengthwise at 12 inch, screw or glue the 4 inch strip flat on top and flush with the edge of larger piece .Now you have a track with a strait guide on top and it is time to customize it to your skill saw by doing your first pass that will cut the extra width and give you an accurate track.