2021-2022 Winter Refit Part 3

It was not a very nice day at Norwalk East Cove Marina. The sun was shining, but the wind was howling and everyone’s halyards were banging and clanging uncontrollably. It was so loud even down inside our engine compartment. So I spent some time walking around the boat on the outside thinking about all of the projects we (I) have started and all of the details that must be kept in order.

Bauer Jr II Dive Compressor

The refit of the dive compressor and Honda engine is still in progress. The Honda received a new carburetor, new oil, new spark plug, new air filter, new throttle return spring, blown out gas tank and inline fuel filter. The engine is still hunting for idle at full throttle, so I dropped it off with Andy at AB Small Engine Repair in Denville. He will check the valve lash and fix the hunting.

The compressor itself was leaking a lot of oil all over the garage. I have been baffled by this until I realized that when I removed it from the frame, I have to take off the face plate. I never put the face plate back together, and everytime that I accidentally rotated the pistons over by hand, oil would pour out. That is an easy fix! I proceeded to replace corroded bolts, replace the inlet air filter, and clean up various parts. I have been very impressed working with Nicole at Air & Gas Technologies, our local Bauer distributor.

Thruhull mapping

The steering and drive train work in the engine compartment has opened up a whole new project to refresh the jumbled mess of hoses and parts in the engine compartment. This is a major project that we figure we will tackle now and get it done while we have improved access with the steering and drive train equipment temporarily removed. As part of this, we want to replace some thruhulls and inlet strainers. Before we do that, we took an inventory of all thruhulls on the boat.

The goal is to replace all remaining thruhulls and strainers in the engine compartment. Ray replaced the two large ones (03 and 06) in June 2021, and they are 100% leak free, so now that I’ve learned from the ‘master’, I now must demonstrate.

It is an ambitious objective, but once completed, we will have re-routed all lines in the aft end of the engine compartment, a new painted floor. The whole area has been a sore spot for us, and with this work, we can check off a big item on our refit. Now I have to get all of the parts on order.

Aquadrive system update

I cannot say enough about Scott over at Authority Marine Propulsion in South Amboy, NJ. His work is excellent and fast. Just take a look at the Aquadrive thrust bearing. I can’t wait to install this and the new CV joint from Aquadrive.

Scott’s place looks like he is in the middle of open heart surgery on a lot of different projects. It might be a little overwhelming for those neat freaks among us, but these guys get the job done. Let’s compare my garage (embarassing) to the Authority Marine Propulsion shop.

Steering System Update

I purchased a brand new bevelhead for $650 from Mauripro. They sent me a version of BH10 that I do not have. Remember when I mentioned how important it is to know what you are working on? We are going back and forth via email to solve this dilemma – returning the one they sent to me and getting me the right one. I’m also talking in parallel with Ludvig at HR Parts; he thinks he can source this for me. As a third option, I am trying to convince Mauripro to just sell me a new input shaft and bearing assembly. I wish I could take apart the one that I have and press in a new bearing, but I think that would require a special jig.

Until we solve this problem, I have decided to clean up and paint the unit that I have including the Mamba autopilot which had seen quite a lot of corrosion on the control head.

Mainsail

Sometimes you just have to outsource. I took a drive down to Annapolis and dropped off our mainsail to the Quantum Sails loft. When you work with a loft, they can clean it, store it and repair it. So that is what we will have them do. It was a great drive on a vacation day, and I got to have lunch with Ray. Great to catch up with him and hear how Paul the Pirate’s project is coming along.

While in Annapolis, I took the time to check out the “famous” Fawcett marine supply store and a West Marine. I wasn’t that impressed with Fawcett, but I guess my expectations were set high as I am told they have high prices. I found the West Marine in Edgeport had every bit as much as Fawcett, and it was cleaner and better staffed. West Marine had a huge selection of ropes which caught my eye.

Other Items

I picked up a new Genoa control sheet at 5/8″ DIA (StaSet). We want to try a single sheet and use a small knot on the clew of the genoa to see if we can tack a little easier than with traditional bowlines. We also finally received our new bimini from HR Parts! The old one was not original, and it was torn to shreds in a couple of 50-60 MPH wind storms this summer.

Good news, I have finally located someone to provide us new propane tanks. They are based in New Zealand and the lead time is 12 months! Unbelievable but this is the reality that we all live in with supply chains being stretched thin. Our original tanks have pitting corrosion on them, and I don’t want to be on an offshore passage and have one of them release or worse…explode.