Greasing, Leaking & Cat Housing

 Category: Engines, Deck work & Cat

Maintenance/Repair Details: Finally got round to greasing all the grease points on both shaft universal joints, the main shaft bearings and the rudder stocks and joints. 

Also dealt with a large water leak which originated in the centre of the windscreen, travelled along the bottom of the screen on the starboard side, entered the wheelhouse in the front corner then ran along the stbd side dash top dropping smartly on to the onshore power box (!) before running down the wheelhouse side and disappearing into the stbd engine bay. Have now completely renewed the water seal along the total lower edge of the screen.

Lastly, having had a display case especially made to protect our boat mascot who's been with us since  2007. 'Vann', our fake Turkish swimming cat, is safely covered to prolong his 'good looks'. He may be getting on but there's no way he's jumping ship using the age card.

New Season Preparation

Category: Woodwork, Hull Work

Maintenance/Repair Details: Now into the New Year and some 6 weeks to lift-in for the 2024 season work has begun on prepping the boat in readiness for lift-in.

22 January 2024: First thing was to remove the old anodes, clean the area where they were fitted and wire brush all the nuts and bolts. The new anodes won't be fitted until the hull has been anti-fouled,

26 January 2024: Next the hull has been washed down, marks and abrasions removed and then given a light polish to protect it from the elements until the final wax and polish just before re-launch.

28 January 2024: We have decided to remove all vanish  from the wooden rubbing band as by the old of a year its flaking and looking shabby. The rubbing band has been sanded down to bear wood, given a water proof treatment and any chips; knocks and dents duly treated.

31st January 2024: Using cutting paste and polisher the starboard side of the hull was completely cut back, then a coat of Teflon polish was applied and buffed off.

2nd February 2024: Fitted lost 22mm pegs in rubbing band, prepped port side hull ready to cut back, removed 'Chatham' stern location named (from our time moored in Chatham Marina 2016 to 2020) and replaced with 'Medway' plate and cleaned and rubbed out toe rail on the deck.

3rd February 2024: Cut back and polished hull and scrubbed all fenders.

10th Feb 2024: Recoated all deck with a new coat of Plasti Dip paint & scrubbed off faux teak aft deck and hatches.

3rd March 2024: Commenced anti-fouling the hull with first coat of paint.

9th March 2024: Completed anti-fouling of hull by applying third and final coat. Checked all systems onboard & around the boat in readiness for lift-in on 11th March. Preparations Complete. 

Parts and/or Items Used: Boat Wash, Wax, Wood Filler, Cutting Compound, Teflon polish, Anti-foul paint.

Boating Fun

Back In The Water!