To Pack and untie the lines to leave this dock seemed so easy for us. Unfortunately nothing is simple. With all the paper work and then medical ops for Stephen things have gotten delayed. The weather is showing no signs of being kind so we took the advantage to do more preparation and work on the boat. This post is rather technical. To remedy the problems what we have found and what is going on in the past two weeks. When will we leave? Everyday our friends keep asking the same question. I have remember this question since the last July 2013 onward. We will let you know. Real soon now! Best wishes
Mast |Continued from previous post
This piece has given me sleepless nights for months! It is a storm sail tang. it comes in 2 pieces held together with the 2 bolts. The 2 l shaped pieces with the bolt holes have to be fitted into a grove cut into the mast and then bolted
Luckily I had had had a minor operation so sitting in slings for 4 hours was not going to work.
Honestly this was a precision job. I put it off because I knew I would struggle. Ralf measured to the millimetre cut drilled and then bolted the beast in place.
Now this was not a warm day and he never complained. The mast has to be drilled blind allowing for the thickness and curvature of the mast for the 8 retaining bolts. All fitted! This was on a mast in the harbour with wind ,waves and wash moving the boat almost constantly. What a job!
More in my line. Measure re measure mark and then cut wrong. However it did relieve the pressure on the furling drum.
Wind generator taken off to be fixed
We were noticed that wind generator does not work properly. It was very loud noise when it catch the wind. We use four wind generator which is powerful to make energy for the boat.
Steve changed the bearings and put new brushes in. Allan our friend from the dock, has use the same Four Winds generator and he knows how to make it work properly. Allan drove up from Smitthers after he say good bye to us many times.
The generator is heavy and the blades and wind brake make it very award to remove and hold onto with one hand.
A quick twist made it very clear that the bearings were toast.
The tube slots over the pole which has contacts to take the power to the batteries.
This is the rear bearing it was in rough shape.
A tarp on the dock stops little bits disappearing into the Ocean.
A thing of beauty, new bearings. Twenty dollars and for once in the first store I tried.
Allan drove 4 1/2 hours to make sure I had it sealed up properly. Rain and salt is what killed the last bearings
A simple device that will produce much of our essential electrical power while we are underway.
grease to bed the bolts.
tightened
grease to fill the shaft hole
Once assembled I cleaned off all the old paint and tape.
I knew if I kept this wire brush I would find a use someday
looks good. Allan suggested covering the seams and holes with adhesive aluminium foil.
Whatching the technician do his thing
Artistic!
Taping the housing joints
Do the same on the ends
Never heard of the stuff but magic!
Then a water repellant quick dry spray paint that acts as the primary water barrier.
looks good. Just like new.
Then reassembly
check every other bolt
propellor rechecked and bolts locktighted.
Getting ready to lift
lines attached
attached to the halyard, which made it 3 times easier to remount
The last job is to slide and attach a ring that stops the generator taking off in strong winds.
Here she is as good as new. Paid $150 . $20 for bearings and 20 for new brushes. Replacement cost $300
Sometimes days end beautifully.
Winches checked | taken apart cleaned and greased.
One day Rolf came up to our boat and noticed about the winches had not been properly installed. He then volunteered to check it. This lead to him completely stripping all the winches and clean and greased them. He work very quickly and took them apart, cleaned, then attached them back together. I can compare it to like watching a cooking show.
So apparently my winches have been assembled wrong for at least 18 years!
Our 2 Swiss shipwrights pointed this out. A simple fix. Until Rolf checked the action and yip next morning appeared with his tool kit and said we would have to dismantle and clean.
Now this man works quick. A winch has many parts, a look at the manual is enough to send me to a good bottle.
he pulled apart and started cleaning at a pace that left me dizzy.
Just when I thought we had done it he lifted the next layer of bearings and gears and stripped them.
Now they did make strange noises and as you can see, the salt had turned the grease into a very sticky sludge.
perfect, cleaning
Now I cleaned as well but much more slowly and at least on bearing was rejected!!
I just hoped he remembered where all the bits went
Not a reassuring sight to a novice.
Artistic. Luksana is getting used to the sun again
tools of the trade
Good grease, lightly applied.
OK maybe they newer cleaning.
Artistic
I have no idea!
And just like that. Done
Sound so sweet. Just like a watch. Swiss of course
Then onto the next five!
I have no idea how much this would have cost in a marina.
We have been blessed with the help our friends have given us as we get ready.
More photos
“A ship is safe in harbour, but that’s not what ships are for.”
Wow! Great that you caught these before leaving. I guess they don’t have a AAA or CAA once you’re out on open water. Keep well and keep safe.
Hello Ashok, Thanks for a message and yes luckily we fixed it before. Best regards,
You’ve had the patience of a monk. I know you just want to get off and go sailing already. So glad you guys are taking all precautions. Hoping all will be set for sailing soon.
x Laura
Dear Laura, Thank you on your positive thought. Let see after this storm pass by. best wishes
Wow! Great that you caught these before leaving. I guess they don’t have a AAA or CAA once you’re out on open water. Keep well and keep safe.
Hello Ashok, Thanks for a message and yes luckily we fixed it before. Best regards,
You’ve had the patience of a monk. I know you just want to get off and go sailing already. So glad you guys are taking all precautions. Hoping all will be set for sailing soon.
x Laura
Dear Laura, Thank you on your positive thought. Let see after this storm pass by. best wishes