Sunday, 13 September 2020

7th September 2020

Category: Hull, Deck Work

Maintenance/Repair Details:
Week 1: Boat lifted at Allington Marina for her annual service, anti-fouling and anode replacement. During the first week she was washed down, polished and rubbing band sanded and re-varnished. New coat of anti-foul applied. New magnesium anodes fitted as we intend on staying at Allington in fresh water.
Week 2: Area of the saloon roof which were chipped or worn away rubbed down and repainted, chrome work cleaned and fenders cleaned (removed old fender socks). General clean of interior and carpets.
Week 3: Boat safety inspection carried out (replace glass sediment fuel bowls with metal ones). Refurbish & reproof winter canopy ready for fitting.

Parts and/or Items Used:
Anodes, Anti-fouled Paint, Gloss Paint, Wood Preserver.

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

5th June 2020

Category: Hull

Maintenance/Repair Details:

Following 6 months without use due to winter lay-up and Covid19 lockdown we have carried out an underwater hull check on anodes and props. 
All appears O.K and in order.

Parts and/or Items Used: Nil.





Wednesday, 27 May 2020

17th May 2020

Category: Fixtures & Fittings

Maintenance/Repair Details:
Fitted the new summer canopy made for us by our mooring neighbour. Very light nylon canopy of a different design to the standard canopy, new zip position and much larger window.

Old canopy sent away to be renovated ready to be fitted during the winter months.
Parts and/or Items Used: Canopy





Saturday, 16 May 2020

15th May 2020


CategoryEngines, Electrics, Fixtures & Fittings, Stern Glans

Maintenance/Repair Details:
Not so much as a maintenance log more of a record of being able to return to the boat after almost 10 weeks away, due to CoVid19 virus and the national lockdown. The last time the boat was last started and used was way back in November 2019. That means she has laid dormant for almost 7 months.
Today we can visit her and do all necessary maintenance checks, in the last 10 weeks the marina has been out of bounds and inaccessible, although we are still not able to put to sea or on the river.
I am delighted to say that due to early mechanical servicing at the end of the last season the boat is in excellent condition, a little dusty inside but on checking the engines, stern glands, bilges, electrical and gas systems, she is in fine condition. Obviously, the batteries need a good charge, which we have started on our first visit and will continue when we return after the weekend.
Parts and/or Items Used: None


Tuesday, 5 November 2019

Date: 5 November 2019


Category: Hull

Maintenance/Repair Details: Following the recent service of both gearboxes I decided to complete the work by cleaning and painting the engine bays of both engines. The area was cleaned and degreased and a good coat of red bilge paint applied. An oil mat was placed under the gearboxes, more for appearance that necessity.

Parts and/or Items Used: Bilge Paint

Stbd gearbox area.

Port engine & gearbox with engine bay covers removed.








Thursday, 31 October 2019

30th October 2019

Caterogy: Gearboxes

Maintenance/Repair Details:
Replaced oil filters and gearbox oil on both gearboxes. Ran up engines and engaged drive whilst securely moored to test .
Removed UJ shaft on starboard gearbox and realigned joints for smooth running.

Parts and/or Items Used: Oil, Oil Filters


Thursday, 19 September 2019

19th September 2019

Caterogy: Engines

Maintenance/Repair Details:
Following our lift in and journey back to Chatham we identified a vibration on the port side propeller shaft. As such the double universal drive shaft from gearbox to plume bearing was removed cleaned and checked, as was all other bolts, fixtures & fittings on the port shaft. One thing highlighted by our resident engineer was the fact that the universal joint on each end may not have been alighted. Test cruise in the near future will answer that question.

Parts and/or Items Used:
Grease


Sunday, 15 September 2019

9th September 2019

Caterogy: Hull, Stern Glans

Maintenance/Repair Details:
Having been lifted out on Monday 9th September we carried out a few minor jobs before commencing anti-fouling today. First coat applied with the added extra on Extra Hot chilli powder. Also had the stern glans checked and tightened.
13th September - Adjusted stern glans and re-secured, restored aft cabin furniture. Refitted curtains & seat covers after having them cleaned. Reinflated fenders and replaced fender socks on damaged ones. Fitted new anodes. Polished hull. 
15th September - Second coat of anti-foul applied. Saloon curtains & covers refitted. Boat made ready for lift-in.

Parts and/or Items Used:
Anti-fouled Paint, Other


Tuesday, 27 August 2019

21st August 2019


Category: Deck Work, Fixtures & Fittings

Maintenance/Repair Details:
Started work today on recoating the deck paint only this time we are using a plastic coating in a lighter grey, hopefully this will avoid the issue of the rubber grip showing through and making the deck look constantly dirty.

Also removed the stern dodger and using fabric paint re-painted the name panel which had worn away over the years.






Day 2 - Re-coated the port side & stern deck.
Day 3 - Re-coated the starboard side.
Day 4 - Commenced repainting deck edging & hatch covers.
Day 5 - Completed the repaint of starboard side deck edging.
Day 6 - Finally completed deck work and snagging.

Footnote: temperature rising each day so by Day 6 air temperature around 32°.

Parts and/or Items Used:
Deck Paint, Other















Sunday, 9 June 2019

9th June 2019


Category: Deck Work, Fixtures & Fittings
Maintenance/Repair Details:
Finally got round to installing 149mm midships mooring cleats on port & stbd sides. Secured with M8 x 100mm SS bolts on hard wood under deck blocks. This will greatly ease the job of mooring in windy conditions, especially in the lock.
Parts and/or Items Used: 
146mm Cleats, Other




Monday, 13 May 2019

12th May 2019


Category: Fixtures & Fittings

Maintenance/Repair Details: Continuation of wood restoration in the forward cabin, spent two days stripping off old varnish on the gallery side then re-stained and applied new coat of varnish. Just a small area to do around the forward V berth area.

Parts and/or Items Used: 
Other, Yacht Varnish




Tuesday, 7 May 2019

4th May 2019

Category: Engines, Electrics

Maintenance/Repair Details: Starboard engine failed to turn over today prior to leaving for a weekend away. Investigated and found that the starter solenoid had failed (later informed that probably due to worn starter motor brushes). Located a replacement and fitted, test started O.K. Need to source starter motor refurbishment dealer in the near future.

Parts and/or Items Used:
Starter Solenoid


Thursday, 18 April 2019

18th April 2019


Category: Fixtures & Fittings

Maintenance/Repair Details: Started restoration of interior woodwork, rubbed down and restained the heads door and side wall. Applied Ronseal yacht varnish to finish off.

Parts and/or Items Used:
Other, Wood Preserver




Saturday, 16 February 2019

15th February 2019


Category: Fuel, Engines, Cooling System

Maintenance/Repair Details: Continued with annual service on starboard engine. 

  • Changed engine oil 
  • Replaced fuel filters 
  • Installed new raw water impeller
  • Run up and tested both engines.
Noted small fuel leak on port engine filter, removed filter and disassembled replacing all seals again. Reassembled and primed with no leak. Due to the strip down the fuel system had to be completely reprimed leading to cracking all six injectors.
Parts and/or Items Used:
Fuel Filters, Oil, Replacement Parts


Thursday, 14 February 2019

13th February 2019


Category: Fuel, Engines

Maintenance/Repair Details: Annual service on port engine, 

  • Changed engine oil & checked gearbox oil level. 
  • Fitted new fuel filters  
  • Renewed impeller on raw water pump. 
  • Run up and tested engine.
  • When reassembling the engine panels and framework took the opportunity of fitting steel brackets to the joints for future added strength, being that the woodwork is now 50 years old.

Starboard engine service to follow.

Parts and/or Items Used:
Fuel Filters, Grease, Oil, Replacement Parts

11th February 2019



Category: Fixtures & Fittings

Maintenance/Repair Details: Installed 2 new sleeping berth mattresses.

Parts and/or Items Used: Furniture