10/13/2009, Simons Town
Its been a while since I have updated this blog, so here is what I've been working on recently. I have been uphappy with the bilge pump exit arrangements in that the previous owner has plumbed them into a t connection underneath the sinks. These t-pieces appear to have soem form of platic welding to connect the pipes and which has sinhce gone off and basically the pipes dont work. Both of the sink outlets were either under of just on the water line, so I decided to change things. I have now dril two holes very high bup the side of the hulls just beside the galley and the heads right below the toe rail. These outlets will be plumbed directly to the electric bilge pumps and I will re plumb the sinks back to single outlets with valves as intended. That will address the potential of syphoning back into the bilges when the wind was adverse and the boat was lying low. I have also started on re carpetting the flooring which was getting on my wick. I would have preferred to use teak and Holly veneer but this will do as an interim solution.
I have also managed to buy a cheap microwave at an internal company sale, which will assist with food preparation when in the marina. i have found quite a useful spot for it although the door doesnt fully open. It is nice and secure and out of the way and yet easy to get to.
I have also been hunting around for a solution to my Genoa issue and have looked at new sail pricing and gasped....!!!. I have been looking at second hand sails and hunting high and low but havent come close to an acceptable solution. therfore I have taken the plkunge and sent in the old hank on sail and have ordered it to be modified to fit the pro furl roller reefing. No point in faffing around any longer. Bite the bullet and be done with it.
Other current projects include the fitting on a bulkhead mounted caravan type electircal connection to improve my connection to the mains. This is almost complete and looks far better than my previous arrangement.
|
Comments [0]
09/11/2009, Simon's Town
Have had to redo this blogt entry as it appears to have disappeared into the ether.
Last Saturday we participated in the season opening crusie at the False Bay Yacht Club. It is a fairly popular event as all of the local club commodares are invited to attend with local dignitaries. The weather also help up and whilst the wind was fresh, the sun was out and all was well except for a slight depression about the loss to Australia in the rugby. My gang went out with my mate Andy and his family. We went out with the main up and the donkey running. I was a bit hesitant to stick the genny up because of Andy;s youngest who hasnt found his sea legs yet. Seems to be more interested in the heads than the sailing. A great day out and easy for me as Andy took the helm for a good spell. All of the kids took turns as well and the adults enjoyed the fresh air and to be out doors.
|
08/31/2009, Simon's Town
Hi, after the incident last weekend with the temporary staysail acting as a Genoa blowing out, I set about looking for a more permanent solution for Shamrock. I found an ad on the yacht club notice board offering second hand sails one of which was aroller furling genoa from a 34 ft boat. Couldnt be too far off the mark I thought to myself.
The number on the ad ditnt work and eventually I discovered that the last two numbers inverted. Dooh Anywho I eventually tracked down the lady selling these sails and managed to get the Genny yesterday for a test fit. Unfortunatley it was gusting badly yesterday afternoon, so it the fit was delayed until I can fit it in with the work schedule. On first glance the sail in is great condition but may be a tad too small, but I may have to live with it in the interim and get it lengthened at a later stage.
Other bits and bobs completed over the weekend included drilling out of the the old rivets whoich held in the radar cable up the mast. Have to make a plan to get the radar swcanner and bracket down from the mast one of these days as this is dragging. Didnt get the new for'ad bilge pump fitted yet...
Did however fit a new multi plug adapter which will make shore power a bit easier to manage.
|
08/24/2009, Simon's Town
Managed to get the family out for a blast around False Bay yesterday afternoon. Sometimes getting out for a sail with wife is like a logistical operation. Much easier when you go out with your mates...Everybody automatically knows what to bring and all we need to do is set a time. Also whoever arrives first can start preping the boat..
Anywho, it was great to get out in the bay on a Sunday afternoon in a fresh breeze with the girls. I have put in an old stay sail into the roller furling as a trail and this has proved difficult as it is far shorter than the original sail and when I turn the roller the halliard is twisting around the forestay. I have checked the bearings etc and all is fine with the furler but the problem appears to be with the distance between the head of the sail and the block that the halliard runs through. I think that the gap is too large which allows the halliard to wrap itself around the forestay.
To get around this problem I removed the halliard from the head of the sail and left it in the slot.
This arrangement works for a while but I noticed that the sail slipped down in the furling slot and started to take on bag out at the bottom especially, when it was windy.
Then the UV strip peeled off and started flying out at 90 degrees to the boat. It was time to furl up the Genny and head for home. We had a rough ride back to Simon's Town from Muizenburg under the main alone and had some large 6 foot rollers getting around the headland, so I decided to start the donkey to expedite the trip home. This improved the morale of the crew who had not experienced such large swells before and we headed back to the marina. Got home quickly and tied up. The crew disappeared and left the skipper to do the tidying up (something wrong there) but they all agreed that they enjoyed the day's sailing.
I now need to make a proper arrangement for a genoa and carry on with my to-do list. Currently it has the following activities on it;
a) Mast Compression post antirust
b) Interior fresh water pump repleacement
c)Strip and repaint the deck and cockpit
d) Either sand and revarnish the floor or cover with teak and holly laminate flooring
e) Remove old radar fitting off the mast
f)Install a new forward bilge pump
g) Replace the old perspex in the portholes
Im sure there is more but that is the current list.
|
07/24/2009, Simon's Town
During my leave my roller furler was fitted by the local rigging specialists as well as some general attention to the rigging. Backing plates were replaced. Last Saturday I intended to refit the old staysail which came with the secondhand roller reefing in place of a genoa. The theory behind it is it is a lot smaller sail than the original genny with a higher cut so, will fit into the reefing slot, will also have a higher cut more like a yankee which will improve visibility. It proved to be a mission to fit the sail into the slot and get it raised. It nesessitated two up the mast trips and an hour of heaving and hauling on the halliard. Turns out the swivel at the top of the sail was twisting and making it difficult to move. I was convinced that it was the sail having difficulty in the slot but that wasnt the case. Thanks to my neighbour Marius, who was first up the mast for correctly identifying the problem. Eventually the sail was in place but there are a few residual issues. When I haul in on the roller furler the halliard is twisting around the forestay. I also need to fit the roll up line along the side of the boat through some blocks and eyes, which I hope to complete this Sunday.
The last of my current projects is the problem with my engine cut off. I initially though the problem was switch related but after consulting with Gerry the electrician it appears that there is a small electromechanical switch with a plunger fitted into the fuel injection pump which appears to be faulty. This switch was checked in place and wasnt working and we thought that the plunger may have been seized. After removing the switch the plunger seems to be free (a little too free in my opinion) and I have left it to be checked by the experts. Hopefully it wont require replacement but if so it shouldnt be too bad. Also might need to put a new switch in.
|
07/17/2009, Dublin
Hi Guys, back on line again after a two week trip to Europe partially on business and partially on a holiday. I took my 8 year old daughter with me and left her with my Mum in Ireland while I went to Belgium to attend a customer review. During the week in Belgium our customer a major international shippling company, took us for dinner at a lovely yacht club in Antwerp. The setting was incredible, riverside and the marina chock full of boats mostly yachts although Antwerp is about 30 Kms from the sea. Great company in a wonderful setting with great food in a yacht vlub, what more could you ask for.
After the work element of the trip ended I went to Dublin and spend soem time mooching around various coastal towns close to Dublin and throughly enjoyed myself immersing myself in my past.
I did drag my daughter along to Dun Laoghire south Co. Dublin to attend the Volvo east coast regatta (see pic) and was delighted to see so many boats of all shapes and sizes competing there. Sailing is becoming more and more popular in Ireland these days.
Well is back to Cape Town, which isnt a hardship and was delighted to find my roller furling fitted. Have to sort out the sail and rope work tomrrow and give it a test spin.
The weather is also excellent here for the weekend and the beer is cheap again after Europes inflated prices, so roll on Friday afternoon.
|
