Winches, ceiling, engine waking-up
Closing my checklist of jobs needed for launching.
I started with waking up Yanmar-san, after it’s winter sleep. It didn’t like it but after some hesitation it started and kept running until 25 litres of water went through cooling system, removing glycol from secondary cooling circuit.
That reminds me that using engine’s sea-water pump as emergency bilge pump is on my TO-DO list. The only thing needed is a piece of pipe and T-joint with valve. In case one needs to remove the Ocean from inside the boat the valve is switched into second position and engine is sucking water from the bilge, instead of taking it from outside. It took just a few minutes for my small engine to suck-out 25 litres of water!
While being on the engine I replaced sacrificial anode from propeller axle. It costs no money so I do it every year.
Mechanical log’s propeller, after painting with antifouling paint, is installed back on place. Cable greasing did not help much - log rotates with substantial and uneven resistance. I will have to replace the whole cable, including it’s housing.
Examining the hull from bottom revealed few opened seams - dry spring and the result of waiting too long with launching affected the wood. I could see light from inside the boat.
I need to fix that, to avoid drama during launching.
Next came winch mounting. After careful measurements I drilled holes for thick, silicon-bronze screws which shall hold winches on their new shelves.
Taking Börje’s advice I doped screws in linseed oil and secured holes with Ettan.
Treated with Selden’s grease the winches were assembled back and look as if the boat was born with them.
Last job on deck was to seal and secure chimney of POD heater. As much as I don’t like Sika I had to use it here - Ettan will melt instantly once the chimney gets hot.
The last job for tonight was to mount renovated ceiling in fo’c’s’le. That was a real puzzle: to match planks with existing screw holes. It took me a while but finally it is done.
Remaining tasks for the next visit:
antifouling
Farm 100 onto opened seams
… and we are launching!