House-keeping procedures
Most important task for today was to finish installation of bilge pump and starting the engine after winter sleep.
Every job, however simple, which has to be done in the bilge takes double the time it should. Bilge pump is now tested and new floating switch works well. The old one went to rubbish - it hanged itself a few times, not closing the circuit as it should. These things last usually no longer than a few years, mine had 5 years lifetime.
Both batteries are now fully charged. Connected to the main rail, terminals sealed with grease, to avoid oxidation and bad contacts.
Main circuit breakers needed to be exercised a bit before the system got charge. Jim has problems with his circuit breaker, I think it might be the same effect I had - they got oxidised. In my case it was enough to exercise it a bit - before connecting batteries. This removed oxide from terminals and the breaker works fine again.
Yanmar-san needed to be woken after winter. I opened “the engine room” to check cooling fluid level before attempting ignition.
I also checked impeller in sea-water pump. I usually change them after winter as rubber becomes stiff and develops cracks. This time it was not necessary - it is still as new. I didn’t use engine much last season. Also - this year I was winterising the engine wet - filled with glykol. Apparently impeller is happier to be constantly submerged. Installed new paper sealer and the pump was closed again.
I rigged cooling water into secondary system and turned engine key.
Engine started directly, as if it was pre-warmed just before! That’s the spirit!
I run it for a while, until it drank all water from the canister. Fuel seem to be free from water - I left the tank fully filled so not much room for condensation there.
New sacrificial anode installed, old one had still much zinc left but waiting too long can make it difficult to remove.
I slowly move in with things which were kept in warm storage: madrases, kitchen utensils, ropes etc.
New sweet-water tank installed and connected. I bought two of these, the second one will be kept in fo’c’sle. This “storage area” is being filled with stuff. Much easier to organise things now, with free access all the way to the bow.
With madrases the main cabin became cozy again. Silent guy is conveniently keeping “storage room” out of sight.
Captain’s berth.
Mesa and officers’ quarters.
Pentry got new, brass cans for lose goods. This shelf is directly behind the compass so I don’t want any steel objects here.
Military coffee kettle will serve its duty in the pentry.
All leather bags and pouches onboard got their dose of leather grease. I use Lundhags grease which is mostly tallow, beeswax and tar. Protective and nutritious for leather, so far the best I used. And it smells phenomenally - tar!