Shop Talk

If you're not a past, present or future sailor, you'll probably want to skip this entry. No pretty pictures, no interesting stories--just a list of this season's projects. Indeed, I hadn't planned to post this info at all, but in the spirit of comradeship (and commiseration?), we have had some inquiries about our work list.

So here it is! Of course it's an ongoing list, and it doesn't include any of the standard maintenance tasks. (We stopped chiding ourselves for not finding time to go the beach when COVID-19 closed the beaches anyway.)

Our hydraulic autopilot stopped working not long after we left Nuku Hiva. Fortunately we had plenty of wind most of the way to Hawai'i (our windvane steering system works well), and few sail changes where extra hands on the wheel would have been useful. But since we want it for the passage to Alaska, this was a high priority item that ended up lasting the entire repair season. Tracking down replacement parts for the old solenoid and then for the motor itself was difficult. A subsequent fluid leak, in spite of replacing all hoses and clamps, led to a decision to have the RAM rebuilt as well. Fortunately Honolulu had some excellent shops where hydraulic systems and parts could be procured.

The gooseneck needed to be reinforced. A longer bolt with additional washers and a locking nut will help stabilize the boom's movement while at sea.

Replacements were installed for many items that were either broken or well past their prime:
Force 10 stove
Main halyard
Sail cover
Bimini extension
Stanchion foot
Forward head intake valve
Tether carabiners
Radar reflector
Windex  (maybe the opening photo counts as a pretty picture: replacing the Windex at the top of the mast in front of the luxury hotels)

Project creep is never desirable but is a fact of life on a boat. It was time to replace the house batteries, but once they were removed it was apparent the battery compartment needed to be rebuilt. That led to more project creep (and an interesting story, but that story will need to be told in person).

Electrical projects included:
Replacing corroded wiring for the bow light and the port solar panel
Installing a new solenoid toggle switch for the propane stove and a new engine hour meter
(yes, we kept meticulous track of engine hours when the old meter didn't work)

As part of a comprehensive rigging inspection, we pulled the chain plates (which, thankfully, met with the rigger's approval).

Leak preventions, trying to keep water out of the boat when we're a submarine:
Windows--replaced some screws, removed and caulked all others; removed and reseated 2 windows
Reseated chain plate covers
Caulked absolutely everything
Replaced or reinforced several enclosure zippers (all hand stitching)

Diesel heater ducts: improved connections and insulated them, then built and installed protective "cages" around them.

Stripped and varnished all exterior wood, cleaned and oiled interior wood

Replaced the finger clutches for the reefing line downhauls with regular clutches

Adjusted hatch fasteners and steering wheel "play"

Since we had to change from a UK to a US insurance company, we were required to have a survey. The surveyor had to cancel due to COVID-19 distancing restrictions, but the appointment was a great way to force us into a very thorough cleaning of the engine room!

And with any luck, by the time we leave Hawai'i an added NMEA 2000 cable will have enabled a radar overlay on our chartplotter. But it's time to post this now, so I can get back to work...

It wasn't all fun and games at the top of the mast...

...most of Art's time was spent
squeezed into small spaces

Are those feet attached to a body?!