INSTALLATION (part 5)

Finally we got the two pieces together. The steel plate on the base created a tweak to the lower floor, causing us difficulty lining up the bolts. (sort of like that ikea cabinet that just doesn't line up...only bigger). Through grit, crowbars, cursing and dumb luck we found a way to get the bolts in. During all this the house was blowing freely around in the ways, and I stupidly grabbed a line and tried to pull the barge back from the edge. This resulted in something very painful happening to my lower back. At the time of this writing (four days later) I am still not able to walk.
Good news is that the house sits low enough in the water (we're actually going to have to be careful in how heavy our stuff is and where it's located). Better than the opposite problem, I suppose, but I'm very happy that I couldn't find/afford any more ballast steel.
The wind blew for two days after this install, making it impossible to move into our berth. The plan as of Monday evening (7pm) is to float it into the berth tonight at 10pm with the high tide. Should be very dramatic seeing the tow boats moving in with lights everywhere and this crazy modern houseboat finding it's way, it's owner leaning on one of those rest home walkers in order to stand up.

WISH US LUCK!