2011: Still Repairing at the Marina

Deltaville Marina: Part 3

Trying to check the Nav when it's bucketing

Dodger Side Curtains.  We had had made for us, some years ago in the Caribbean, side curtains of shade cloth  for the bimini – I have written about them before in glowing terms.  Between the bimini and dodger there is also a joining piece and there are side curtains for that as well.  These particular side curtains are great but don’t keep out the sea when bashing to windward, for example.  So I made some sunbrella screens that we clip onto these side curtains when sailing in wet weather – they did the job and kept out a lot of water that would otherwise have wet us in the cockpit.

All hands use the canvas machine...

Locking the Steering Wheel.  We have a Hydrovane wind vane self-steering gear that steers the boat all by itself and the main rudder steering is locked.  I have a steering lock as part of the wheel steering arrangement and, to be frank, it has never worked well ie it’s pretty weak and one can fairly easily turn the wheel by hand.  You also have to rotate the knob on the break which is very slow to take up.  I therefore came up with a block and tackle arrangement, quite light weight as the steering is quite light, which I will try to describe here.

I attached with chord a block with cam cleat to each side of the steering wheel and shackled two other blocks (one for each side) to a u bolt that I bolted to the cockpit floor at the middle base of the steering pedestal.  I ran lines connecting the respective blocks at the bottom of the pedestal  to the blocks on each side of the steering wheel.  I could lock the steering wheel centrally in an instant by using the cam cleats and, just as easily, make slight adjustments to the wheel to allow, for example, weather helm.  All this is necessary to balance the boat as best you can so that Mr Hydrovane can steer the boat with his (much smaller) rudder.  It is also easy to disconnect the steering lock and steer the boat using the wheel if, say, you need to manoeuvre quickly to avoid something. 

With the Hydrovane fitted, ready for some blue water action

Though not all the crew were taking this up-coming voyage (Atlantic Crossing) seriously..

2011: More Repairs at the Marina

Deltaville Marina: Part 2

f.  Fridge.  The fridge stopped working after the Mate cleaned it last year – the freezer soldiered on as though nothing had happened.  The fridge had a new pressure valve installed ($300 thank you) and the whole system will have to be re-gassed by a technician.  An expensive fix but essential for crew morale (and the Captain’s appetite! Ed.).

g.  Engine Raw Water Impellers.  I replaced both the engine and generator water impellers, because it was suggested by some around here that this was a wise precaution to do each and every year.  I wasn’t convinced until I found that both of them each had a flap missing.  So, there you go, change them annually whether they need it or not, even if the owner's manual says otherwise or at least remove and inspect them for any damage, before replacing them.  Don’t forget the lubricant before you replace them. 

I also use a special impeller removing tool but there is insufficient room to be able to use the turning handle that it comes with – other engine bits and pieces get in the way.  Nevertheless, just being able to grasp the impeller with the two ‘arms’ is enough to get a decent grip on the impeller so that I can wiggle it out of the engine just using my hand.  I also have to lay on top of the engine when I do this and I can hardly see – all done by feel as the impeller faces aft and is on the side of the engine.  My generator has its water pump mounted on its front which, comparatively, makes it a joy to change impellers.

Installing antenna for HF radio - more RAT shots!
And Mast Steps come in handy too.

h.  Generator Raw Water Hose.  I had been watching this hose ever since I purchased the boat.  It seemed to be okay but, this year, I thought I would treat our venerable and hard working generator with a new hose.  Well, I replaced it with another new one of exactly the same size – 5/8’’ only to find that, on testing, it sucked its insides together, obviously seriously restricting water flow.  I then checked the fittings on the strainer and generator only to find they were ¾’’, not 5/8’’.  So, I replaced it with another new steel-reinforced ¾’’ hose and it works a treat – the generator loves me again.  I also replaced/tightened a couple of the other hose clips which had been allowing a few drips of water to escape.

i.  Primary Engine Fuel Filter Fittings.  R2D2 no longer looks like something from outer space; he is settled in looking more like a new filter with brand new elbow fuel line fittings. 

j.  Fridge Raw Water Strainer.  I replaced the wire strainer for the fridge – not a simple task as there are no brand names on these housings, so I had to purchase a complete fitting with some spare screens.  Screens also come with different sized openings so there you go.  Remember that you measure the size of the inside diameter of the hose that attaches to it ie ¾’’ in this case, not the 1’’ on the outside of the thread.  Needless to say, I got it wrong first off before realizing my mistake when the 1’’ strainer arrived and it was way too big.

2011: Repairs at the Marina

Deltaville Marina: Part 1

At some point we realised just how useful it is to have time at the dock rather than trying to do it all on the hard, particularly when it comes to adjusting or finetuning all this expensive gear we have on board.  So after we splash, we head to the dock for a few days at least.  In 2011, we spent quite some time there.  After all, we were prepping for an Atlantic Crossing.  So, everything needed to work perfectly!     

a.  Freshwater System.  A couple of those PVC fittings broke so a lot of freshwater ended up in the bilge as I filled water tanks and then turned on the pressure water system.  A breather line came away from the hull fitting sending more freshwater into the bilge and I had to add a short extension to the original hose.  Oh well, the bilges love a bit of fresh water circulated through them. 

b.  Manual Toilet.  The two anti-syphon valves on the inlet and outlet lines to the manual toilet decided to fail at the same time so I had to replace them.  No leaks now, which has made the whole thing much more ‘attractive’. 

More motoring up the Chesapeake with BW at the helm

c.  Forward Bathroom Hatch Rebedded.  The acrylic had come away from the hatch frame and so I rebedded it with 3M 5200.  It’s quite heavy since I added the Nicro solar vent to ventilate the compost toilet and, I think, there may have been too much weight for the sealant to adequately hold the acrylic in place.  So far it’s doing what it should.

 

d.  Regalvanize Anchor Chain and Second Anchor.  The chain and second anchor were quite rusted in places so I was able to get it all regalvanised at Ashland near Richmond.  They did a good job and it cost about a third of a new chain.  Since my chain was not that old nor showing any obvious signs of excessive wear, this seemed like a sensible solution.  All we have to do now is mark the various depths (with cable ties) and then put it all back on board.

 

(For anyone interested, BW scored the job of marking off the chain.  He chose to measure it in 10ft lengths and fold it in 30ft lengths.  Every 30ft length, over the entire length of chain, is marked with cable ties - yellow @ 10ft; orange @ 20ft; and red @ 30ft; starting yellow @ 40; orange @ 50 and so on until the entire length of chain is cabled with these three colours.  Then, each 30ft is marked as well.  We started with blue cable ties.  One @ 30ft; two @ 60ft; and three @ 90 ft, then repeated the same with green to mark the next three lengths.  It sounds complicated but as the chain is running out over the anchor winch - even in torchlight - you can be sure that you know exactly how much is out. We haven't had too many cable ties pop off either.)

 

e.  Spinnaker Pole End Fittings.  I purchased two new Ronstan spinnaker pole ends and Crew put them on the pole, after I broke one of them (a plastic fitting - not Ronstan) last year in a simple and not particularly stressful situation.  The fittings I purchased in Australia, brought them with me, then found that there was one or two millimetres difference in diameter of the pole and Ronstan fittings.  My Crew had to grind some of the raised sections down and then they fitted perfectly.  These aluminium fittings are much more robust than the ones they replaced.

First flight - new spinnaker feels the breeze
on Chesapeake Bay

2011: More Work in the Boatyard

Deltaville Boatyard: Part 2

Series Drogue.  I purchased this last year but, since we only coastal cruised, never got around to attaching any of the 138 drogues to the line.  This is a job to be done before we leave the Chesapeake this year and so many hours, while cruising northwards up the Bay were spent sitting on the back of the boat seemingly endlessly attaching drogues to the line.   It's a simple task and only took a "few" days - I could almost do it in my sleep now.  I only dropped one splicing tool overboard but happened to have a suitable substitute so work continued.  Anyway, the next issue was to decide how to attach the gear to the stern and without pulling the stern off/apart when using the drogue seriously.

Apparently, in a full gale/storm, the forces exerted along the line, and by extension via the bridle onto the boat, can be quite enormous.  So, where to attach the two ends of the bridle?  Some publications advise fixing special reinforced points around the stern, however, in my view, this seemed like a lot of hard work and best avoided if another solution could be found.  My erstwhile son, Boy Wonder, is a RAT (rope access technician – does outside repairs on tall buildings/towers while hanging from ropes) and he suggested a number of lines could be taken from various already-reinforced points around the cockpit ie six winches and two mooring cleats.  By using various sheet and halyard lines/tails already positioned around the cockpit they could be easily attached to the ends of the bridle from the winches and cleats so that there would be something like four lines per bridle end.  Hence any loads are spread about and there is excellent control via the winches so that their lines at least can be equally tensioned.   I haven’t had to test it, thank goodness, but I’m still of a view that it’s a sensible and strong solution.

A good view of the solar panels on the bimini, the self steering post
in place & a RAT (BW) up the mast installing the antenna

Third Solar Panel.  After last year’s experience with our two solar panels we’ve been converted to using this energy source and, as there was room for one more panel between the other two, I purchased another.  The advice from e Marine Systems was that I might exceed the regulator’s capacity of 25 amps but that would only be when the system was producing max amps ie perhaps 28 amps and so I may not get that surplus three amps to the batteries.  My experience was that two produced, for my setup at best, 16 amps so a third would only increase it to, perhaps, 24 amps.  Anyway, we’ll see.  It was a simple task to put in the third, wire it in parallel with the others, and the wiring was adequate for my needs as advised by the yard technicians.  These panels really are great and the more the merrier.

HF Radio.  After much thinking, discussion, research, skipper and crew decided, for a variety of reasons, that we should have a HF radio for the upcoming Atlantic crossing.  So, I purchased and installed an Icom M802 radio plus weather fax system.  It has DSC too so that added the odd complication.  Anyway, it came as a kit from Sea Tech so I didn’t have any problems with wiring or fittings as they were all there (just about) and staff were ever willing to provide friendly advice as and when I needed it.  It’s all installed now so we’ll see how it performs (see comments later). 

I went down the route of installing a KISS SSB ground counterpoise and a GAM antenna which ‘clips’ onto the starboard shroud.  This system is counter to some of the conventional/traditional readings and writings on HF radio grounding etc but, on the other hand, I have read good reports about this kit.  So, for anyone contemplating installing a HF radio, read widely and then make your decisions, knowing that there are so-called experts out there that might disagree with your solution.  You would think by now that we boaties would have our act together on this but, clearly, we don’t. 

Bedding down the HF antenna

Spinnaker Winches.  I found a couple of second-hand Lewmar 44 sheet winches looking for a new owner on the shelves at Nauti Nell’s in Deltaville.  I’d been contemplating adding a couple of cockpit winches to make life easier handling the new spinnaker sheets, furling lines on occasion, etc but had been put off a bit at the price of purchasing new ones.  These two used ones were too good to resist so they are about to be installed on the cockpit coamings.  I’ll comment later on their utility.

2011: Year 4 - Work in the Boatyard

Deltaville Boatyard: Part 1

Let me begin by saying that I arrived back to a sweet smelling boat – our winterizing last year had worked well and there was no mould.  Also the teak oil we used (Starbright) was more robust and has really made all the internal wood work look much improved.

I Don't Think I Need Any More Stuff.  Now, I think I’m approaching the point where I just can’t put anything else on or into the boat.  June 2011 has to be the turning point where I’ll finish adding stuff and only look after maintenance, or may be occasionally replace some thing with a new better thing.  Also we have plans to sail from the US to Portugal via the Azores, so I’m doing a check of all our safety and storm gear before we leave.  Of course, all you Old Salts out there will know that there is always more gear to be added to a boat and so I have to eat humble pie here.  Read on to find out about "new better things" I've since added.  (Ed. No more stuff?  Hysterical laughter begins....)

Home Preparatory Courses.  I started our preparation at home by having us all attend a Sea Survival course with Gerry Fitzgerald, Offshore Marine Training.  Further to this I also did a radar course to try to understand my electronic system better.  Both GS & Boy Wonder decided to get their Marine Radio Licences and then do a Marine First Aid Course to cover any eventuality. 

We ordered this at the Annapolis Boat Show

Sails.  We didn’t ever set our new 2010 spinnaker or attach the hanks to the storm trysail, but we will this year.  I have new sheets for the spinnaker and a deck line for the tack to be adjusted from the cockpit.  The trysail has its hanks attached and had a trial hoist before we leave the Chesapeake for Europe.  Meanwhile, I purchased a storm jib – the Storm Bag, which came from France.  This sail comes, with its own sheets, in a saddle bag arrangement which you place around the furled jib/genoa.  You then attach the (spare) halyard to the head, clip the tack to a bow deck fitting and make sure the sheets are clipped together at the clew, and hoist away from the safety of the cockpit, then trim to suit.  Seems a simple solution to setting a storm jib over furled sails, provides a reserve sail in case of damage to the genoa and/or staysail, and minimizes the amount of time on the foredeck in high winds.  I ordered one that was a size smaller in area (not in sailcloth weight) than recommended because I have the staysail which I will use for as long as I can before resorting to the storm jib.

Moving House

Documenting out Trip: ISP Hazards 2

As one of our calamity prone PM’s said, “life wasn’t meant to be easy”!  There was a lot of research needed to find an appropriate solution.  Who was the most appropriate blog provider for us given our gypsy circumstances.  Transferring WJ3’s 2008-2010 posts, all 145 of them to date, could not be done.  Way too big, apparently!  So, with heavy heart, GS began in early 2012, a slow cut and paste process, reducing the number of posts on Typepad, until its size was more acceptable to export. 

The big day to move came and finally, after several failed attempts, the export to Blogger actually stuck.  Apparently there is some difference in “language” and not being a geek – which is pretty obvious given the above – made the process one of trial and error.  Not wanting to let go too easily, Typepad actually retains your photos on its site.  This means that if you suddenly delete Typepad, your blog photos – even the ones imported to Blogger – disappear into the ether too.  One other problem with the export was that Blogger doesn’t take to tables very well.  WJ3’s posts were doubling as our cruising log and some 75 posts contained tables…… 

Stop the boat, I've just found my new house!  (Oh, I wish!!)

Sharing a Room

All the issues with importing to Typepad, then Blogger, left a mountain of work.  To make life a little easier, we broke them into steps:

• Step 1:  Number posts.  Easy to use the saved Word documents as a ready reference.

• Step 2:  Remove duplicate posts (and note missing ones!) from Blogger’s post list.

• Step 3:  Remove tables, replacing with information presented in another, more suitable (to Blogger) format.  (This took hours, and we made changes to the Word documents first before removing table detail on-line.  Tables throw out Bloggers formatting.)

• Step 4:  Remove and replace photos, editing on-line.  I have the photos stored on an external HDD so that the computer is not overburdened. 

• Step 5:  Check each and every post for typos, spelling errors, tag omissions, links gone haywire and any other formatting problems from the import.  Don’t forget to insert a new visitor counter (if you want one).

• Step 6:  Remove Typepad, graciously acknowledging its part in keeping your posts alive until they found a new home.  (There is nothing wrong with either Wordpress or Typepad – they just didn’t suit our style of blogging.  Vox had been so easy to use!  It had set a high standard; we thought only Blogger came close.  We also like the way Google keep making improvements to its functionality too.)

Quirky Maine

Nice Wallpaper!

Of course, we are still tinkering at Step 3 given our “boating” circumstances and access (mostly not) to internet.  GS continues to suffer horribly every time the service falls over in our current marina. 

Lessons:

• It will take longer than you think!

• Choose your blog provider carefully but don’t be afraid to move if it doesn’t suit you. 

• Decide how important it is to keep your old posts.  Perhaps they might find a better home in a coffee table book using a program like Blurb. 

• Always keep a backup of every post you make if you do want to save them.  Then learn how to file things away so they can be found later if needed.  Keep paper if you don’t want to use a computer. For anyone nautically inclined, we also keep a proper “log” on a spreadsheet (or indeed, even in a Log Book!).  It all helps when you need to fill in gaps.

• Always back-up your computer. 

• And finally, never waste a good crisis………

To keep a blog of our on water voyages in WJ3 was a fantastic idea
& well worth any "little" problems... 

Crashing Worlds

Documenting our Trip: ISP Hazards

Panic set in when Vox announced it was closing down (in Sep, 2010).  Completely shutting shop!  And all its blogs of wisdom would be lost – including ours if we did not act.  We had a month to export or were doomed to perish.  A month isn’t so bad if you’ve got unlimited internet access, all your old photos on hand and several slaves to help you achieve the impossible.  We were on a boat and only in town for a few days.  And we had been posting since 2008.  Our only immediate internet access was Starbucks – a 20 minute bike ride away in downtown Staten Island. 

Vox offered the opportunity to export to Wordpress or Typepad.  GS chose both.  Then on BW’s words of wisdom, proceeded to copy and paste every post into a Word document.  Just to be sure!  Safely locked away, the decision then (to settle on the best blog platform) could be left for “afterwards”.  Starbucks were amazingly patient.  For the price of a few too many coffees, WJ3’s blog world was saved. 

Do you think they'll have an internet connection here?

New Premises

Now, Vox was just so easy to use!  They had even made uploading photos from Picasa a dream too.  After much fiddle-faddling, Wordpress was the first for the executioner’s sword.  The import had gone well, but the software’s inner workings were not as agile nor as artistic for me.  Typepad was easier to use although the free version we were offered had some limitations – mainly size.  Also, the transfer had not gone well and most of the posts needed to be cleaned up.  Font styles and colours changed, photos disappeared or were smaller or larger than before.  This was a job for (much) later on….

In the meantime, we still wanted to record our boating adventures.  So at the Captain’s suggestion, GS took a look at Blogger.  Having read some e-reviews that rated it less desirable than others (only minimally), she was not too sure.  However, a few friends were happily blogging on it, so we trialled a blogspot. 

There was no looking back.  Blogger was easy to use, almost intuitive and an eminently  suitable replacement for Vox.  So began WJ3’s fresh, new start; a record of her sailing journeys, 2011 onwards (link here).  Meanwhile, Typepad sat at home with the posts from cruising seasons 2008 to 2010  - waiting, waiting for a new home…sigh!

We were able to relax & enjoy the delights of Maine after all that hard work

(Ed. And are still happily using it today at the end of 2022!)