All cruisers have to do boatwork!! It’s just a fact of life. We started work on the boat when we arrived in Dover in April 2017.
Here is brief list of the work that has been done. Of course, it’s an old boat so there will always be more work to be done..
Internal structure and systems
- Remove V berth, all fittings and insulation in forecabin, insulate with PE foam and refit cabin suitable for a couple, with comfy double bed, chair and side-table. .
- Improve storage lockers in forecabin and mid ships with new shelves and internal lighting.
- Install red lighting as required in saloon and heads.
- Replace toilet and re-plumb including new Tek-Tanks holding tank with correctly designed vents and plumbing.
- Improve storage in heads compartment with drawers and shelves.
- Replace the gas shutoff servo valve
- Install 15 lph Katadyn watermaker with freshwater management system.
- Re-decorate kitchen to eliminate all the old melamine. New shelves, drawers, pull-out fridge
- New foot-operated fresh water pump.
Instruments and Electrical
- Build new control panels and storage system at chart table, along with USB chargers and a new sound system.
- Install N2K backbone and NMEA interface system.
- Install 300ah Renogy LIFEPO4 batteries along with DC-DC charger.
- Install 1200W Inverter.
- Re-wire boat DC system and install new switch panels.
- Re-plumb entire grey-water system, eliminating a very foul old sump tank, and installing automatic grey-water pump out using Whale Gulper.
- Ad hoc maintenance of main steel frames where original fibreglass waterproofing began to lift in places.
- Redesign bilge water collection and pump system to include scavenging and high volume pumps, as well as backup manual pump.
Engine, Drive and Fuel
- Rewire engine, replace relays and starter. Build diverter below engine to prevent bilge water from being picked up by the flywheel and trashing the starter.
- Perform 1000 hours service on engine.
- Install fuel-polisher system.
- Re-arrange engine compartment, starter battery mounting, fuel filters, upgrade fuel polisher, install diesel day-tank, and fuel management valves and hoses.
- Fit new main shaft seal
Cockpit
- Redesign and rebuild cockpit to provide a more comfortable cruising cockpit, including..
- Replace worn out mechanical steering binnacle with hydraulic bulkhead-mounted steering and ergonomic helm control and instrument panel, including new touch-screen chart-plotter.
- Structural repair to the reinforcing inside the transom, and re-build gas locker toward USCG standards.
Rig, Hull and Sailing Gear
- Replace boom toggle and generally refurbish the boom attachment.
- Replace worn lazy-jack system.
- Install two new winches on mast. (Unused old stock. A lucky find!)
- Replace worn halyards.
- Refurbish mast-mounted deck-flood/steaming light.
- Install Neptune wind-vane self-steering.
- Install NASA LED masthead tri/anchor light combination
- Convert forward half of cockpit tent to hard roof with additional 240W solar with MPPT controllers.
- New Sarka Excel anchor. Refurbish and strengthen the anchor point for the bitter end of the anchor chain.
- Feed and waterproof the ferro hull using a special solution and West System waterproofing additive. Changed antifouling to modern International formulation. .
Coming in spring lift-out 2023:
Main job is to replace the cutless bearing; Whille the shaft is out I will replace the drive-plate and check gearbox seals etc. Second job is touch up hull waterproofing and apply a couple of coats of antifouling. I also want to address some rust spots on toe-rail.
I can’t think of what else … there has been a lot, many small things like warning lights, LED lights, shelves, hooks, veg storage nets, fender storage etc