Its been raining again and rain forecasted for next two days, so the final coat of Cetol will have to wait until Wednesday. The boat is looking pretty good with 3 coats applied so far.
With the teak work almost done, its time to turn to other tasks on the list. Replacing the radar will be a major task. I bought a new digital chartplotter before heading to Brussels in 2016, and subsequently learned that I have to install a digital radar to be compatible with the new chartplotter. The new radar requires its own power source, so I have to install a new breaker and wiring. I also have to continue troubleshooting why I am getting electrical interference with the chartplotter. I installed a voltage stabilizer but that did not resolve the issue. Running a new power line for the chartplotter and radar may be the answer. Meanwhile, I got the old radar dome off and at same time replaced the horn and cleaned up the foghorn PA speaker.
A quick fix was repairing the WiFi antenna. The fiberglass antenna housing had broken off the mount. Some 5200 polyurethane and a clamp fixed it right up.
On the mainsail furler, I needed to replace the rubber washers that support the furling mechanism. Once I found the one single provider that sells the replacement washers and bought a set (for 22$ plus 14$ shipping), the replacement was fairly straight forward. Or, would have been if I had kept the furler lined up correctly. Took an extra 30mins to get it back lined up with the screw holes, but the whole task took less than 1hr.
A much more exasperating task was replacing the propane locker latch. Should have taken 15mins, but took couple hours and couple trips to the garage to grind down parts to fit and cannibalize some parts from the old latch to make it work. The new latch is designed differently than the old one (16yrs old), so had to make some modifications. Here's the old latch - all corroded and doesnt turn.
Here's the new latch, with the old catch installed and center stud ground down to fit. (The new catch cam was way too large). Will need to keep it this latch lubricated to keep it working properly. It is not made of stainless - not good.
The other project underway is to replace the companionway slides. I guess the sun and freezing temperatures crack the slides along the mounting screws. I have cut out the old slides and am shaping the replacement slides.
I cut off the old slides, at 45 degree angle, with a vibrator cutting tool. The new slides will scarf right into the angled cut. Will have photos of the finished, new slides tomorrow.
Still more tasks to go, but making steady progress. Still have the wind generator to mount and sails and new furling lines to install, and refrigerator to address. And finally to compound down the deck and cabin sides and treat with "Woody Wax". The boat will sparkle then.
With the teak work almost done, its time to turn to other tasks on the list. Replacing the radar will be a major task. I bought a new digital chartplotter before heading to Brussels in 2016, and subsequently learned that I have to install a digital radar to be compatible with the new chartplotter. The new radar requires its own power source, so I have to install a new breaker and wiring. I also have to continue troubleshooting why I am getting electrical interference with the chartplotter. I installed a voltage stabilizer but that did not resolve the issue. Running a new power line for the chartplotter and radar may be the answer. Meanwhile, I got the old radar dome off and at same time replaced the horn and cleaned up the foghorn PA speaker.
A quick fix was repairing the WiFi antenna. The fiberglass antenna housing had broken off the mount. Some 5200 polyurethane and a clamp fixed it right up.
On the mainsail furler, I needed to replace the rubber washers that support the furling mechanism. Once I found the one single provider that sells the replacement washers and bought a set (for 22$ plus 14$ shipping), the replacement was fairly straight forward. Or, would have been if I had kept the furler lined up correctly. Took an extra 30mins to get it back lined up with the screw holes, but the whole task took less than 1hr.
A much more exasperating task was replacing the propane locker latch. Should have taken 15mins, but took couple hours and couple trips to the garage to grind down parts to fit and cannibalize some parts from the old latch to make it work. The new latch is designed differently than the old one (16yrs old), so had to make some modifications. Here's the old latch - all corroded and doesnt turn.
The other project underway is to replace the companionway slides. I guess the sun and freezing temperatures crack the slides along the mounting screws. I have cut out the old slides and am shaping the replacement slides.
Still more tasks to go, but making steady progress. Still have the wind generator to mount and sails and new furling lines to install, and refrigerator to address. And finally to compound down the deck and cabin sides and treat with "Woody Wax". The boat will sparkle then.
