Lots of little boaty jobs in the last few weeks getting ready for the new season. I finally finished the new slats for the dinghy – three pieces of 5 mm exterior plywood each coated with three layers of epoxy to waterproof it, then a couple of coats of grey exterior paint to protect the epoxy from degradation by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. They look pretty good, even if I do say so myself! Hopefully they will do the job for several years to come.
Crack in the engine cowling mended and awaiting painting.
Next was the crack in the engine cowling – it had it when we bought it, and was a bargaining point, but it was time to see if I could fix it so that it wouldn’t get worse. I used a Dremel to widen the crack into a V-shape, cleaned it all out, then filled it with epoxy mixed with microfibers to give it strength. I left it for a week or so to cure, then hand-sanded it with wet-and dry sand-paper so that it was flush with the surrounding area. The next stage is to paint it with metallic silver paint to match the rest of the cowling and to protect the epoxy from the sun.
USB charger socket with switch fitted.
A bit of electrical work next. As mentioned in a previous post, last year we had had reception problems with the VHF radio, missing several weather forecasts, and a lot of static even when we could get something. I am fairly sure that it was RF interference from either the 12V/5V converter in the USB charging socket, or the solar panel regulator, both of which I installed last year. I fitted ferrite cores to the cables in and out of both of these to suppress the high frequency noise from them, and also put in a switch to the USB charger socket, so that we could cut the power to it when it wasn’t in use. Fingers crossed that we will be able to get our reception back again this year!
Removing the old sealant from the windows.
In what is almost an annual ritual, I also replaced the sealant in the starboard set of windows with neoprene tape, as I had done with the other windows in previous years. The old sealant had already begun to crack, so it was only a matter of time before it started to leak. The neoprene tape in the other windows has performed well with not a leak, and is also much neater, cleaner and easier to work with. Now all the windows will be the same.
The moorings installed for 2016.
Last but not least, I installed our moorings down in the harbour a few weeks ago. We have been allocated a spot a bit further around nearer the Old Pier, which in theory should give us a bit more shelter from easterly swells. However, I have seen storms washing over the pier as if it weren’t there, so it is questionable as to whether it will make much difference in a really big blow!
Swannanoa 