John EarwoodWhat have we been up to – my take on our MIA?
We ended up our July adventure down the ICW with several discoveries – 1) the boat’s only functioning head had a very leaky holding tank, 2) the engine was a giant question mark (although it always started, there was always an alarm coming on) 3) there was a pressurized water system leak in a locker and 4) the “fresh” water smelled like onions and generally looked green. So, we arrived at River Dunes slightly wiser and knowing that we needed to get several things accomplished on the boat that required a boat yard.
Given we draw 6’8”, there aren’t a ton of places to haul out, and I had a pretty good experience with a smaller yard over at Jarrett Bay down the ICW. We had intended to take her straight there, but were delayed famously at Belhaven – site of the great storm and fuel spraying debacle. We finally rescheduled. I got her down to the boat yard, and she was hauled in late July. The intention was to have AC put on board. What? So much for simple systems. What happened to don’t complicate things on the boat? I am fighting that battle constantly with myself. But, after much reflection on the July heat at the dock, I decided that we needed AC for those nights at the dock in the summer. I considered a standalone AC unit, but was seduced by the thoughts of AC at anchor (we got a 2006 generator that was installed in 2016 with the boat – less than 1 hour on it). Anyway, we put together the list of priorities and then it began…..the delays, the cost overruns (why bother with an estimate?), and the reality that I should have just done it myself.
At the end of the day, we had them repair the holding tank – which was cracked at the bottom (bad place for a holding tank to have a crack). This resulted in costing 2x the “worst case” scenario. But presumably it is fixed, and there is now an access hatch in the newly solid fiberglass 10 gallon holding tank. Not that I EVER want to open that access hatch. We have two heads on the boat, and one was a straight overboard discharge. We could either make it so that the head couldn’t be used or install a holding tank. One of the many things in the storage unit that came with the boat was a brand new, in the box, Electroscan. This crazy gizmo has been around for a while, but this one was one of the newer generations. The premise is that you pump into the first chamber and a series or macerators chop everything up. Then, the seawater is hit with a short burst of electricity – like 30 amps – and presto – you have chlorine and treated waste. There are 3 chambers and eventually the treated waste (safe and sound per the EPA/Coast Guard) is expelled into the water. Anyway, I was appalled by the waste of battery power and concerned about maintenance and system complication etc., but it was free and the install cost was about the same as installing a holding tank and most importantly, it fit. So, cheapest result was to use it.
There was also a galvanic isolator in the storage unit. This seemed another good piece of equipment, and it was free. So that got hooked up.
The sinks and showers all are plumbed into a grey water tank that is then pumped overboard. I got okay with the showers and bathroom sinks, but was frankly disgusted by the thought of the kitchen sink sloshing around in a tank. Seemed a bad, bad idea to me, so I had a new thru hull put in under the sink and now the sink goes directly overboard.
Also, added a new thru hull in the engine room for the seawater foot pump at the galley and the refrigerator intake. Eventually, or maybe, that would also serve as the AC intake.
And that is it. No new electrical panel – although likely should have one. No AC. Of course, at 46 feet there needs to be either 2 or a split system, and they don’t do the right size split system. The davits didn’t get added. There was no new charger nor an inverter. None of the myriad of other things that were wishes or recommended by the guys in the yard. At the end of the day, it took three times as long as expected and cost twice as much. Which, as I told Claire, is a pretty good boat yard experience all things considered.
So, we brought her home. I am now trying to embrace the KISS principle, and I am planning on doing everything I can myself. I figured out the leak in the storage locker and pulled off the thirty-five-year-old water maker. I will reinstall that at some point (need fresh water to clean off my dive gear). We cleaned out the 4 stainless tanks – all of which were green with algae. So, we scrubbed and washed and liberally applied Clorox and then drove home. Only to wake up in the middle of the night and frantically search google based on my vague recollection that stainless tanks and Clorox don’t mix (I had glassed tanks on Cuchulain). That resulted in my getting back in the car and driving 2.5 hours back to the boat on Sunday and flushing the tanks and driving 2.5 hours back. Ah the joys of boat ownership.
The years appear to have taken a toll on the original plumbing, so we resolved to re-plumb the boat. The original water hoses were grey and gummy. Additionally, several hoses and connections leaked. I have decided on Sea Tech quick connect fittings and ½ inch pex. I am going to add some serious filters which should alleviate the need to have bottled water. I am cautiously optimistic. This is step one for 2018. The connections are pricey, but they are easy, flexible and there are no hose clamps needed. I have changed out the sink faucet and started pulling line from the tanks to the manifold (which I guess I am going to keep under the sink) and bought a new pump which doesn’t require an accumulator. I have also resolved to use a dual filter system. I think I have all the parts and now it is a matter of putting it back together. We are trying to keep the faucets as they still work well. I had resolved to have this done by the end of February, but am not hopeful that I will be finished by August. Delays and lack of time on the boat. More on this ongoing saga to come.
The one thing that was of grave concern – the 1982 82hp, 6-cylinder VW Pathfinder engine – marinized as the Piranha, is apparently ok. It was only done for a few years and parts are likely an issue; however, I think Volvo Penta works for most of it. I spent a day with the diesel mechanic replacing belts and fluids. The “review” is that the engine is in decent shape. Need to correct a couple of crazy wiring issues and replace the timing belt (which is going to be a pain given it requires “specialized” equipment). Anyway, fingers crossed on that one.
Also on the 2018 list:
• New batteries. I think I am going to continue with lead acid. They are in a horrible place for adding distilled water, but those are the cheapest and with a generator which needs to be run, I am not sure it makes sense to invest in AMT at this time. Also, I still think battery technology will change significantly before we “go”. I want a dedicated starter battery too, so need to find a spot for that as well.
• New charger. I think I might swap out for a new one. The one on there is a 30-amp charger and while it still works, there have been significant tech upgrades. However, I have decided no inverter. One more thing to go wrong, and we don’t need it. We have a generator, and we use a French press for coffee.
• Replace the cockpit teak with foam. This is going to be a bugger. Need to pull off the existing ancient teak. Seal all the screw holes. And then use this new product called sea dek which is closed cell foam. Benefit is it is easier on the feet and non-skid. We have started on this, and it will be the first foray into fiberglass repair. Fortunately, it will end up being covered up! And this is almost finished. We did have a hard time getting the teak off. several spots had 5200 instead of the foul smelling black tar like substance. But, we have scraped and sanded and drilled and epoxied and we are now ready for the template and then install of the SeaDek.
• New running rigging.
• Replace the wind gauge. I have the original 1980’s Data Marine instruments – which work but for the wind gauge which is no longer on the mast head. Hopefully, it is a matter of replacing that and sending the gauges in for service. This will be the first time up the mast, and we will need to get all the bulbs figured out for LED replacement and tape spreaders, etc.
• Service all winches – wow there are a TON of them.
• Rebed all deck hardware and ports. We have a bunch of leaks as I discovered one weekend – it had been raining for like a week straight at that point. A better question might be what isn’t leaking. Expected, but still not my favorite thing to do. I think, based on a bunch of research, I am going with butyl tape.
• Strip the teak and oil it. We started on this one with the heat gun, and it is progressing.
• Consider fixing the rub rail that was demolished in the storm
• Add the davits. Sadly, the feet and the blocks disappeared from the storage area.
• Replace the propane tubing and connections.
Seems a bit ambitious, but a fella must have goals. The good news is much of it can be done while we are sailing the boat. Which as an aside, she sails great. Really a flyer. Did a double reefed main and jib in 15 knots (dogs’ first sail) and we were doing 6.8.
And I bought a standalone AC unit. WAY too big for the boat, but I figure it might pay off given I will be working on the water system all summer….
