Sunday 26 January 2020

For some incomprehensible reason Fischer Panda generator continues to run and charge batteries. Therefore, feeling particularly benign toward it, changed its oil at only eighty five hours and cleaned its cover. It does have a wee drip from raw water cooling pump and there is a brand new spare ready to install, but the good feelings don't quite encompass that much exertion.

Additional maintenance issue that begs attention is replacement of seals on all hatches and portlights. Have the material and even perhaps a glue that will stick it to stainless steel, but continuing periodic rain provides an excellent excuse not to begin.

There is one project, however, that may be tackled: replacement of AC cooling pump that has devolved into a lump of flaking rust. Motor, oddly, still turns, but no water is moved. Would have found a sufficient pretext to avoid this project as well, but Jan dug to bottom of forward bunk mountain-o-crap just to find the spare and has expectations.

Monday

Discovered old AC pump may be as good as an electric ball of rust can be due plumbing totally blocked with oxidates and other gunk. So, does one put old pump back on to squeeze every moment of utility out of it and hope it doesn't imminently die, catch fire and burn the boat to the waterline or perform extra work to re-plumb and remount with different sized new unit - a quandary. Purchased plastic plumbing parts replacing rusted stainless crap to allow mounting either pump so need new excuse to delay work. Suggestions gratefully accepted... don't hurry, I can wait.

Tuesday

Body of maintenance crew possessed by evil spirits that made him reinstall old pump. Although screw holes already made, took all yesterday afternoon as location is impossible to get to. "The difficult we do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer". Waiting for AC test until placing boat in marina this afternoon (storing for Mexico trip) to give thread sealer time to cure. Also bought "Tiptoe" foot pump that obtains sea water for galley sink from same thru-hull. Old pump rotted out and is also impossible to access. Suspect this one will take a little longer than a little longer.

OCD Jan packed Monday for flight to Atlanta Thursday afternoon. Neither obsessive nor compulsive, remainder of crew may begin Wednesday night after gaining inspiration from a sundowner or two... may wait until Thursday morning after gaining inspiration from an aspirin or two. Everyone needs a method that works for him.

Jack & Jan