Friday, April 5, 2019

Maintenance and Upgrades 2019 and 2020

General - Monthly wash-down, and bottom cleaning. Quarterly clean and wax.

18 Feb - Troubleshoot VHF radio.  Soldered PL259 Connector @ end of Antenna Line.  All function check good from both main VHF and RAM mic.  Transmit good @ 20 Watts.  Receive good.  Invoice #1417.

Maintenance and Upgrades, 2018

General - Monthly wash-down, and bottom cleaning. Quarterly clean and wax.

15 June - Engine tune-up and oil change.  Replace impeller.  Smith's Marine Invoice #466.

19 June - New sail cover using Sunbrella sewn with tennera gore tex thread, reinforced.


Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Maintenance and upgrades, 2017

General - Monthly wash-down, and bottom cleaning. Quarterly clean and wax.

22 March - 9 May.  Alizee at Olsen Marine boatyard, Fort Myers Beach, for a variety of work, some small and some large.  Work completed on Invoice #148 included:
   Haul and relaunch
   Pressure wash, scrape and sand bottom, paint with Petit Ulima Pro SR (red)

   Remove and replace shaft and hull zincs
   Replaced broken dog latches
   Repaired cap on emergency bilge pump
   Installed new propane regulator and gauge and seal propane locker where line goes to galley
   Removed and rebedded three portlights
   Removed and replaced ST 60 instruments
   Removed and replaced spacer tabs (custom teak) on swim ladder
   Repaired glass damage on foward edge of anchor locker
   Service three winches
   Installed new 8 gps Shaffer Bilge pump
   Cleaned and resealed mast and installed rubber boot
   Replaced reefing line
   Thoroughly cleaned bilge and discover small crack in shaft log
   Removed prop, stuffing box and shaft, shaft log and tube
   Repaired crack in shaft log
   Cleaned and repacked stuffing box
   Reinstalled shaft and stuffing box, and installed new cutless bearing



Thursday, January 21, 2016

Maintenance and upgrades, 2016

General - Monthly wash-down, bottom cleaning and water-maker flushing.

Jan 20-22 - Prepare boat for five day trip.  Everything in good shape except fresh water pump, which I discovered running continuously but pumping no to little water.  Could only shut off at electrical panel.  The pump is a Jabsco Par Max 3.5, model #3260-00092.  West Marine did not have one ins stock and said it was special order and would take at least a week.  At Amazon I found one available for overnight delivery via Amazon Prime, which delivered on 22 January.  Installed it.  Cleaned out strainer on shower sump pump.

Early March - I found and patched a leak in the dinghy, and figured a way to secure her on the davits so that straps did not rub against the tubes.

22 Mar - The dinghy seems to be losing air again.  I tested it and found a tiny leak where I'd patched it, so that needs to be fixed.  We also noticed bad chafing on the topping lift and decided it was time to replace some of our running rigging and check out the standing rigging.  A good time as well to fix the wind indicators at mast top.

26 Mar - Met Ray Bradford, South Coast Rigging in Punta Gorda, at Alizee, and we agreed to do some line replacement, fix the wind indicators, put up some mast-top spikes to deter the Ospreys from landing there, and he inspected the upper portion of the back stay.  It had a lot of rust, and I agreed to have him replace it.

9 Apr and Apr 12 - Ray Bradford installed new running rigging: main halyard (1/2" sta set), boom vang (7/16" sta set), stay sail sheets (1/2" sta set), traveler lines (1/2" sta set), and flag halyards (1/4" sta set white). Replaced Raymarine wind instrument with refurbished one, and used new wind indicator, which I supplied from an on-line purchase.

6 May - Replaced upper portion of the back stay with 5/16 1 X 19 wire, 5/16 marine eyes swage fittings, and rotary swaging.  Invoice 033119T, 9 May 2016.

30 Aug - Replaced UV cover on Genoa at Sail Repair Fort Myers.

12 Nov - Replaced 2008 Walker Bay Genesis inflatable boat with new Walker Bay 270 SLR inflatable. Not as fancy, but lighter and perfect for the sort of coastal sailing we're doing now. Purchased at Inflatable Boats of Florida, Naples.

2 Dec - Replaced 150' 5/16" G4 anchor chain with 125' 5/16" G4 chain.  Replaced West Marine Group 31 batteries -- installed by Sailor's Wharf in July 2013 -- with X2 Power, Group 31M, deep cycle, dual purpose batteries from Batteries Plus.
     Finally discovered our long-time battery problem.  When Sailor's Wharf replaced the batteries in 2013, they reattached the sensor wire that originally connected to the two house batteries to the start battery.  I discovered the problem when looking at a photograph of the original battery configuration from 2010.  So, we'd been reading the battery monitor not realizing it was showing inaccurate data.


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Maintenance and upgrades, 2015 ...

General - Monthly wash-down, bottom cleaning and watermaker flushing.

Jan 2 - Wash and wax hull and deck, polish stainless, clean canvas.  Slippery When Wet (Denise Stanco).

Apr 7 -  Wash and wax hull and deck, polish stainless, clean canvas.  Slippery When Wet (Denise Stanco).

Mar 30 - On Sunday, March 29, ignition key did not turn starter nor warning signal.  Friend Hermann Schaller joined me the next morning to troubleshoot the electrical problem.  We traced all wires and battery connections and found voltage everywhere, except the ignition switch.  In the process, we discovered that the coolant in the cooling system had leaked out of the heat exchanger and down on to the starter under it.  So much corrosion had occurred that we could not reach the start to check the voltage.  It also appeared that there might be a pinhole leak in the exhaust elbow, as lampblack was all over that side of the engine. I decided that we should stop, and I would get a Yanmar mechanic to come out to investigate, assuming hoses had leaked or worse the heat exchanger had cracked.

Apr 7-8  - Smitty (Smith's Marine Service, Punta Gorda) came out and looked at the problem and said he could pull out the heat exchanger and starter the next day and we could assess the problem.  I met him at the boat the next morning and he went to work.  The result was that the coolant had indeed destroyed the starter and solenoid, the brass plate on the back of the heat exchanger was cracked, and it appeared that a loose connection had sent stray voltage through wiring harness and the main cable to the starter had actually started melting, which had caused the lampblack problem.  It was clearly close to starting a fire.  Because we had not taken Alizee out since the end of October, and I had only run the engine once for just a few minutes in February, we surmised the coolant leaking began in October and was really aggravated in February.  Anyway, Smitty took all the starter, heat exchanger, alternator and voltage regulator to see what might be salvaged and what had to be replaced.
                          Heat exchanger (left) and starter (right).

Corrosion and lampblack.            Below: heat exchanger.

Apr 10-May 8 - Smitty worked on the repairs and waited on Yanmar to deliver parts from Japan (which took over two weeks).  In the end he completed the following work: He checked the condition of  the seawater leak at the heat exchanger and the starter, removed the heat exchanger and elbow, removed the starter and associated burned wiring, removed the alternator and regulator for testing, removed the seawater pump for evaluation.  The starter, heat exchanger and voltage rgulator all needed replacing.  The shaft in the seawater pump was badly pitted, and we decided to replace it as well.  Installed a new starter, heat exchanger, voltage regulator, and seawater pump, all with new hoses, including the exhaust hose. Replaced the engine wire harness and modified it as required for the Balmar alternator (getting the Yanmar harness held up everything).  Installed a new thermostat and gasket.  Lifted the engine as required to gain access to the seawater pump.  Cleaned and painted engine components at the boat.  Repaired battery cable end at the starter, replenished coolant, test ran engine, checked all above components, re-tightened clamps, and topped up coolant.  Invoice #255 dated 5/13/2015.

Apr 7 -  Wash and wax hull and deck, polish stainless, clean canvas.  Slippery When Wet (Denise Stanco).

July 1 -  Wash and wax hull and deck, polish stainless, clean canvas.  Slippery When Wet (Denise Stanco).

Oct 16 - Wash and wax hull and deck, polish stainless, clean canvas.  Slippery When Wet (Denise Stanco).

Dec 7-19 - Spent four or five days on Alizee cleaning inside and out in preparation for our Christmas week cruise. Found and patched a leak in the dinghy, defrosted the refrigerator/freezer, washed the exterior canvas and applied 303 Aerospace Protectant to the bimini, dodger and mainsail cover. Since the end of September, having a real problem with Starlings finding comfort on the masthead - every day - and leaving droppings literally all over the boat.  This is a really problem at Burnt Store Marina, to which we relocated in May.  We bought a small pressure washer to clean some of the pavers at our house, and it is the only way to get the decks and canvas free of bird shit.  We probably cleaned the deck four times during this period.  

Dec 21-26 - Our Christmas week cruise lasted only two days, when we discovered on leaving Pelican Bay the morning of the 22nd that the alternator was not charging the battery under engine power. Called Smitty (Smith's Marine Service) at 10:00, and he agreed to come down to BSM and look at the situation around noon.  We sailed back to BSM and pulled in our slip at 11:30.  Smitty arrived as promised and checked the charging system for alternator/regulator failure.  Disconnected load-tested batteries.  Did some adjustments to the wiring of the regulator and, while we got it charging at 5 amps or so, the alternator was running almost 250-300 F, much too hot.  So we agreed to replace it.  Got one on Christmas Eve, and Smitty replaced it and tested the system on Dec 26th. Too late to go back out and continue our sail, but we'll reschedule for a week or two in January. Invoice #287 dated 12/29/2015.

Dec 21-23 - A mouse apparently got aboard while we were loading provisions aboard the boat had the hatches open on Sunday, Dec 20th or when we readied for departure on Monday, Dec 21st.  I found mouse droppings on the galley counters when I got up Tuesday morning, Dec 22nd, and found a lot in the cockpit as well.  When we returned that morning to BSM, I dug up a trap we'd used a couple of year's before.  That night, we stayed on the boat (hoping Smitty could find an alternator the next morning), and I set out the trap on the counter and put up our screen hatch covers. In the morning, while the trap was untouched, the little devil had gnawed his we out of the boat through the screen hatch cover. I've left the trap out, but I think the mouse was just an overnight visitor.




                                                                  

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Maintenance and upgrades, 2014 ...

General - Monthly wash-down and bottom cleaning.

Mar 13 - Wash and polish by Slippery When Wet (Denise Stanco).

Apr 26 - Head clogged.  Replaced flapper valve and joker valve.  Found a bit of toilet paper in the old joker valve.  Got good flow through the system, but there is a clog in the line after the joker valve.  Tried snaking it, but could not clear it.  Have to replace the line, which is probably calcified so much that the toilet paper a guest on the boat flushed through blocked it completely.

Apr 29-30 - Met Jeff Copeland, Skipper Marine, at the boat at 10:00 on the 20th to help me with the head problem.  We agreed it was calcium build-up in the lines, and Jeff pulled out the old lines and pulled off the vented loop, which is accessed by removing a panel behind the sink.  Lots of calcium build-up in the line from the toilet to the vented loop, a lot of gunge in the vented loop so it was clogged and was not venting, and less gunge in the line from the vented loop to the Y-valve.



Calcified elbow fitting, which connects toilet pump to exit hose.  The                Vented loop located behind the head sink, to which is connected
hose inside circumference was reduced by half.                                                      a brass venting tube that takes odors outside.
                                                                                                                                            



     Vent connection at top of vented loop, obviously clogged so no air and 
     thus odor could escape outside through the vent.
















On the 30th, we cleaned the vented loop and installed new hoses and fittings.  Should last for a decade.

Apr 29-May 7 - Sanded and put two coats of Epifanes Wood Finish on the cockpit teak. 

May 7 - Troubleshot dinghy engine, which seemed to be running on just one cylinder.  Turned out that one plug wire and slipped off the plug.  Replaced plugs, which were pretty fouled, and engine is running smoothly.
    Replaced one of the salon fans with a new one.  All fans in the boat now running fine.

May 23 - Engine serviced by Certified Diesel & Marine Corp., Englewood, FL.  Replaced impeller, adjusted valves, replaced on Racor filter, final fuel filter, oil filter, and changed oil.

May 24 - Bottom cleaned for St. Pete trip.

July 1 - Wash and polish by Ohana Sailing Services (Jeff Grant).

Sep 10 - Spinnaker panel replaced by Advanced Sails, St. Petersburg, FL.

Oct 10-24 - Bottom cleaned and painted with Trinidad SR Red, hull zinc replaced, inlet hose on head raw water supply replaced, bilge pump inlet and discharge hoses replaced, and rigging inspected by Sailor's Wharf Yacht Yard, St. Petersburg, FL.

Dec 10 - Replaced Bottomsider cockpit cushions with new Bottomsiders.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Maintenance and upgrades, 2013

General - Monthly wash-down and monthly bottom cleaning.

Jan 27-Feb 1 - One week of applying two coats of Epifanes Wood Finish to the cockpit coaming, hatch covers and stern-pulpit seats.  Also replaced the primary CQR anchor with a new Spade anchor and moved the CQR into the secondary anchor spot, stowing the old secondary Delta anchor in the dock box.

Feb 24 - Jeff Grant washed and polished the boat for us. 

Mar 14 to Apr 19 - Alizee into Sailor's Wharf for a bottom job and some repairs in preparation for a trip to the Dry Tortugas, and to replace water hoses chewed by rats on board.  I also decided to splurge big-time and covert my primary and halyard winches to electric.  The years are starting to creep up on us, and cranking is not what it used to be!

1) Boat hauled, pressured washed and bottom and running gear (prop) painted with Petit hard copper.  New zincs installed
2) Rebedded two port lights on the port side (nearest the stern above the galley stove; 3rd light from stern at the bulkhead).  
3) Pull off and rebed the 3/4"-1" stainless rub rail on the starboard side.  Discovered screw holes underneath without screws in them and water in the holes, finally determining the source of water intrusion into the cabin interior when heeled on a port tack.  The forward half of this rub rail was damaged in a collision two and a half-years ago and replaced at a yard in Daytona.  

3) Disconnect, load test and reconnect the batteries. Good condition.
4) Service the Yanmar engine (fluids, valve adjustment, filters).
5) Reverse and restring the reef lines, which reversed when boat was in yard in 2012 (yard warranty).
6) Repair tank leak in forward water tank lid fasteners.
7) Troubleshoot galley faucet; install new Kohler faucet.

8) Replace fresh water hoses chewed by a rodent.  Majority of hoses replaced, from watermaker and cockpit shower to lines under cabin sole leading to front water tank and head sink.  During the process, it became clear that the exterminator from the Harborage Marina had not gotten the second rodent, which started in on a couple of the replaced lines.  The yard worked with the exterminator to put out traps and, finally, poison.  As of 17 April, the rat had one no more damage; smells in the bilge suggest it's died.  Left poison in place in several spots when the boat left the yard; watchful waiting thereafter.
9) Installed Lewmar electric halyard winch on cabin top, wired and constructed cabinet and trim to cover motor and wiring.
10) Prepped for installation of two Lewmar electric primary winches (conversion kits) by making panels to cover winch motors.  Unfortunately, this meant the loss of the two small storage cutouts under the primary winches, where we generally stowed the sheets.  On the port side, the fuel overflow and aft water tank overflows were moved from the storage cutout to the outside of the cockpit coaming.

Apr 20-22 - Prepping for three-week Dry Tortuga cruise.  Replaced burned out dome light over freezer in galley with an LED dome light.  Replaced suction hooks in various spots in the cabin.  Thoroughly cleaned the galley, refrigerator/freezer, cabin sole, settees, lights and head.  Vacuumed out locker where the rat had spent some time (left poison and a trap in there for the time being).  Straightened out the cockpit lockers and the lazarette.  Bilge pump has not gone off and no sign of the rat.

May 14-Jul 3 - Take Alizee back into Sailor's Wharf to complete work started before our Dry Tortuga cruise.

1) On trip we discovered that the batteries did not appear to be functioning as they did before boat was in the yard at the first of the year. The Link 20 monitor showed bank 1 (2 house batteries) holding charge, whereas bank 2 (single start battery) was carrying the load and going down fast.  Also appeared that Kiss Wind Generator was only charging bank 1.  Yard went through the system and determined one battery was bad, so replaced all three.

2) Installed new galley faucet.

3) Installed two electric primary winches and controls.  Cover panels fabricated for areas cut out for winch motors.

4) Replaced plexi-cover for engine controls.

5) Repaired wire damage to VHF remote microphone and wiring behind electrical panel.

6) Repaired section of steel rubrail.

7) Replaced water maker tubing damaged by rodent.

Sep 7 - Lippincott Canvas installed new dodger and new bimini, the latter with side sunshades.

Oct 18 -Wash and wax by Ohana Sailing (Jeff Grant).

Oct 28 - Northeast Marine replaced reverse lock pin and rod on dinghy motor and cleaned shifting gears.

Nov 19 - Re-certified one propane tank.

Nov 25 - David Weinstein (Professional Marine Services) met us on our return from a four-day cruise to trouble shoot our shore-power problem.  Although I was a bit embarrassed, it turned out to be a circuit breaker that had tripped, one that I did not even know existed.  But, in the process of trouble-shooting, David suggested that we replace some electrical units on the main panel, which were faulty.  We agreed, and he ordered the parts.  He also repaired the V-berth air fan, and I ordered a new air fan for the port side of the salon.

Dec 15 - Wash and polish by Slippery When Wet (Denise Stanco).