There’s a popular song on the radio these days that tells us it’s not about reaching the goal, it’s about working out the challenges to get there – the climb – that keeps us going. If we didn’t enjoy working on Orion, we certainly wouldn’t have enjoyed the past couple of weeks at all. And the work, despite our complaints about it all, does keep us going.
Fixing the Spreader
When we pulled into the boatyard, Dave asked to take advantage of the free rigging inspection from the boatyard’s rigging company, Southern Bay Rigging. We almost made it through without any concerns until Mike checked out the upper spreaders and discovered a crack in the base on the starboard side. Since this point in the rigging is under the most stress, this was a potentially serious problem.
When we pulled into the boatyard, Dave asked to take advantage of the free rigging inspection from the boatyard’s rigging company, Southern Bay Rigging. We almost made it through without any concerns until Mike checked out the upper spreaders and discovered a crack in the base on the starboard side. Since this point in the rigging is under the most stress, this was a potentially serious problem.
The crane hoisted Clifton up the mast
So, we ordered a replacement base, but were confused by discussions with the mast manufacturer about a plate that sat under the spreader base that wasn’t original to the mast. Apparently there had been a repair before we bought the boat. When Clifton went up the mast to install it, he found he had to remove the plate, which revealed the original damage.
This generated a bit of discussion between the boatyard and the mast manufacturer about whether the original repair was OK or not. The manufacturer assured us that it was, especially since it was a furling mast, which has an additional channel within it to hold the mainsail, adding another structural support element. So, Cliff went back up the mast to replace the spreader with the original plate and its new base.
The rig will still need to be tuned once we are back in the water and sails are on, and we’ll continue to keep an eye on this spreader for any new signs of wear.
This generated a bit of discussion between the boatyard and the mast manufacturer about whether the original repair was OK or not. The manufacturer assured us that it was, especially since it was a furling mast, which has an additional channel within it to hold the mainsail, adding another structural support element. So, Cliff went back up the mast to replace the spreader with the original plate and its new base.
The rig will still need to be tuned once we are back in the water and sails are on, and we’ll continue to keep an eye on this spreader for any new signs of wear.
Cliff descends from the mast after completing the repair.
Covered with protective gear, Dave finishes the bottom painting.
Bottom Painting - An Ugly Business
When Orion was hauled after less than a year in the water, her bottom paint was in very good shape. Had we not hauled this year, we would have waited until next year to paint the bottom. However, since we did haul out this year, it made sense to paint the bottom again.
When Orion was hauled after less than a year in the water, her bottom paint was in very good shape. Had we not hauled this year, we would have waited until next year to paint the bottom. However, since we did haul out this year, it made sense to paint the bottom again.
The rudder with barrier paint applied.
We used the same paint, Trinidad SR, and changed the color to blue, so we could tell when it was wearing through. With the rudder off waiting for a repair, Dave noticed some fine cracks in the surface. He was advised to strip the paint off and barrier coat these areas. So, he applied several coats of barrier paint before applying the final bottom paint coat to the rudder. Timing is critical with the final barrier coat, since it has to be a little wet as the bottom paint is applied.
The Ospho treatment turns the rust to black and makes it inert.
The other area needing preparation was the keel. Being made of cast iron, it always has some areas of rust after being in the water for so long. Dave sprayed Ospho on these to neutralize the rust before painting. As he did this, Cathy taped the waterline and the depth transducer to protect them. Then Dave rubbed the entire surface of the bottom with acetone to remove any oils before painting.
The bottom is prepped for painting.
With all the prep done, it took a few hours for Dave to roll on the paint, while Cathy painted around the thru-hulls and jack stands with a brush. The keel was finished the next day, allowing the Ospho to cure 24 hours. Bottom painting is a smelly, messy job, but we were glad to have it finally completed.
The finished job
Cathy uses Dorothy’s sewing machine on her projects.
Cathy - a Seamstress?
We had a couple of small canvas projects to do on the boat, which Cathy reluctantly decided to tackle. Without much sewing background (having come along just after the Home Economics classes were abandoned curriculum), she had little of her own training to draw on, so she relied on the expertise (and equipment) of those around her to get started.
We had a couple of small canvas projects to do on the boat, which Cathy reluctantly decided to tackle. Without much sewing background (having come along just after the Home Economics classes were abandoned curriculum), she had little of her own training to draw on, so she relied on the expertise (and equipment) of those around her to get started.
Helm colver afters modifications
The first project was a re-design of our helm cover. With the addition of the new nav pod, there was no longer any way to s-t-r-e-t-c-h the existing one to fit. With some Sunbrella scraps obtained from the local canvas shop and a rough idea of what we wanted it to look like, she opened up some seams and pinned and stapled in a new piece of fabric to get the desired shape – something she jokingly refers to as a “hunchback” look.
Generator box with its new cover
The second project was a cover for our generator box, which was quickly disintegrating from too much UV exposure. It was on this project that she realized that it was a wise idea to talk to the actual user (Dave) carefully before proceeding. Cathy had envisioned a big cover to go over the whole box. But Dave didn’t want to remove it every time he opened the box. So she decided to make 2 pieces – one for the top and one for the sides-- each permanently attached to the box with Velcro. We ordered sew-on Velcro for the fabric and the stick-on version for the box. With every thing stapled in place, after several fittings, Cathy was able to make sure the cover would fit snugly.
Thanks to Dorothy on Dot’s Way, Cathy was then able to sew the finished product, since Dorothy graciously gave her access to her sewing machine and advice on the sticky problems of sewing it all together.
With her confidence built from these 2 projects completed, Cathy also sewed some new fabric into one of our anchor bags, giving us a spare when the next one wears out. None of the canvasmakers among our readers need worry about any competition coming from Cathy in the near future. Your clients are safe. However, she did feel good to be able to accomplish these small projects mostly on her own.
Thanks to Dorothy on Dot’s Way, Cathy was then able to sew the finished product, since Dorothy graciously gave her access to her sewing machine and advice on the sticky problems of sewing it all together.
With her confidence built from these 2 projects completed, Cathy also sewed some new fabric into one of our anchor bags, giving us a spare when the next one wears out. None of the canvasmakers among our readers need worry about any competition coming from Cathy in the near future. Your clients are safe. However, she did feel good to be able to accomplish these small projects mostly on her own.
Chain, Chain, Chain
For years, Dave has been trying to hook up with another cruiser (or two) who might be interested in splitting a barrel of anchor chain. This would allow a lower cost per foot for both parties, and it would allow us to increase our chain on board from 130 to over 200 feet. He finally got his chance when he happened to engage in a conversation with Roger, another boater who was looking for 250 feet of chain. With that fortuitous encounter, a deal was struck. Since we were at a boatyard, the barrel could be delivered by a freight carrier without problem, and the price, including shipping, for a 550ft chain barrel of ACCO 5/16” G4 was the best they could find.
For years, Dave has been trying to hook up with another cruiser (or two) who might be interested in splitting a barrel of anchor chain. This would allow a lower cost per foot for both parties, and it would allow us to increase our chain on board from 130 to over 200 feet. He finally got his chance when he happened to engage in a conversation with Roger, another boater who was looking for 250 feet of chain. With that fortuitous encounter, a deal was struck. Since we were at a boatyard, the barrel could be delivered by a freight carrier without problem, and the price, including shipping, for a 550ft chain barrel of ACCO 5/16” G4 was the best they could find.
We painted one link red every 10 feet. This wears off eventually, but it gives Dave a guess at how many feet are being deployed as it feeds out.
Dave hauls the last of the new chain on board.
The order arrived in less than a week and was delivered right to Roger’s boat. Within a couple of days, it had been divided into 300 ft for Roger and 250 ft for us. We marked ours with red paint every 10 feet and then with different colored cable ties to delineate the specific distances. Then Dave spliced 55’ of new 1/2” line to the end. This replaced the 164 ft of 5/8” line that we had used before. With the larger amount of chain on board, we felt that we were unlikely to anchor on the rope part of the rode. This would be primarily used to attach the chain to the boat. With the new chain then attached to our anchor, Dave hauled it back on board. The original chain is now stowed out of the way on board until we find an interested buyer. (Could that be you?)
Our new (to us) Xantrex Truecharge40 battery charger will allow the batteries to be equalized more effectively.
Charging On
Orion’s battery charging system consists of a 20amp Xantrex charger for shore power, a 55-amp Iota charger for use with the generator, some flexible solar panels, and, of course the alternator when the engine is running. However, none of these devices seemed to do a good job of equalizing the batteries (i.e., increasing the voltage for a period time to dissolve the accumulated sulfur(?) on the plates inside the batteries). So Dave was pleased to discover a Xantrex 40-amp charger on the free shelf at the marina. He was able to successfully install this and was pleased that it now seems to do a good job of equalizing the batteries, sending 15+ volts to a fully charged bank. Its only flaw is that is missing the lights on its display, but our Xantrex 20 Battery Monitor compensates by telling us what it is doing.
Maybe this winter we’ll have less worries about battery power. On second thought, that’s not possible.
Orion’s battery charging system consists of a 20amp Xantrex charger for shore power, a 55-amp Iota charger for use with the generator, some flexible solar panels, and, of course the alternator when the engine is running. However, none of these devices seemed to do a good job of equalizing the batteries (i.e., increasing the voltage for a period time to dissolve the accumulated sulfur(?) on the plates inside the batteries). So Dave was pleased to discover a Xantrex 40-amp charger on the free shelf at the marina. He was able to successfully install this and was pleased that it now seems to do a good job of equalizing the batteries, sending 15+ volts to a fully charged bank. Its only flaw is that is missing the lights on its display, but our Xantrex 20 Battery Monitor compensates by telling us what it is doing.
Maybe this winter we’ll have less worries about battery power. On second thought, that’s not possible.
The Garmin radome is put in place
Seeing In The Dark
The final pieces were put in place to complete the radar installation, when Clifton went up the mast to install the Garmin radome. We then routed the wires through the deck at the base of the mast and connected them in the cabin to the power and Ethernet connections to the chartplotter. Then, the moment of truth. Would the radar display on the chartplotter? Sure enough, we saw that we were surrounded by boats as the orange images displayed on the screen. It worked!
The final pieces were put in place to complete the radar installation, when Clifton went up the mast to install the Garmin radome. We then routed the wires through the deck at the base of the mast and connected them in the cabin to the power and Ethernet connections to the chartplotter. Then, the moment of truth. Would the radar display on the chartplotter? Sure enough, we saw that we were surrounded by boats as the orange images displayed on the screen. It worked!
The new LED cabin light makes a huge difference.
Other Boat Projects
Dave stumbled across a battery-powered fluorescent light at Wal-mart that he felt would hold our new LED light strip. He wired it into our 12-volt Main Saloon lights so that it is controlled by the same switch. Plus there is a switch on the light itself. Once installed, it worked like a charm and now is sits permanently over the table in the Main Saloon. We can actually read by this light. We like it so much, we’ve already ordered a second to install on the other side of the table.
In her spare time, Cathy re-applied Cetol to the cockpit, but limited it to one coat, since it was in good shape, and we want to eventually switch to the Natural Teak version. We also used the Collinite wax to wax the upper deck surfaces.
And what about FUN?
Yes, we had some time for relaxation. We are surrounded by other boaters, all of whom seem to be scrambling to get done and head back into the water for points south. Dorothy and Glenn on Dot’s Way, who had been our neighbors for several weeks, finally launched on Columbus Day and headed out shortly after. We had a pizza party, with homemade grilled pizzas in the screen room the night before they left. Rick and Carla on Euphoria organized it. They had returned from their summer up north and were hauled to a spot right next to us. They also introduced us to Martin and Kathy on Morning Glory, who joined us to celebrate Rick’s birthday. John and Sue on The Suzanne, who are not cruising this year, came to winterize their boat, sitting just in front of us. They took us on a road trip for breakfast and shopping at Wal-mart in Gloucester. Big times! There are of course, many more, but you get the idea.
So, are you in the water yet?
Sigh! We are still not in the water. And it’s getting COLD! We can only hope to be launched the week of the 19th, but time will tell. We’ll keep you up-to-date.
Dave stumbled across a battery-powered fluorescent light at Wal-mart that he felt would hold our new LED light strip. He wired it into our 12-volt Main Saloon lights so that it is controlled by the same switch. Plus there is a switch on the light itself. Once installed, it worked like a charm and now is sits permanently over the table in the Main Saloon. We can actually read by this light. We like it so much, we’ve already ordered a second to install on the other side of the table.
In her spare time, Cathy re-applied Cetol to the cockpit, but limited it to one coat, since it was in good shape, and we want to eventually switch to the Natural Teak version. We also used the Collinite wax to wax the upper deck surfaces.
And what about FUN?
Yes, we had some time for relaxation. We are surrounded by other boaters, all of whom seem to be scrambling to get done and head back into the water for points south. Dorothy and Glenn on Dot’s Way, who had been our neighbors for several weeks, finally launched on Columbus Day and headed out shortly after. We had a pizza party, with homemade grilled pizzas in the screen room the night before they left. Rick and Carla on Euphoria organized it. They had returned from their summer up north and were hauled to a spot right next to us. They also introduced us to Martin and Kathy on Morning Glory, who joined us to celebrate Rick’s birthday. John and Sue on The Suzanne, who are not cruising this year, came to winterize their boat, sitting just in front of us. They took us on a road trip for breakfast and shopping at Wal-mart in Gloucester. Big times! There are of course, many more, but you get the idea.
So, are you in the water yet?
Sigh! We are still not in the water. And it’s getting COLD! We can only hope to be launched the week of the 19th, but time will tell. We’ll keep you up-to-date.
The order arrived in less than a week and was delivered right to Roger’s boat. Within a couple of days, it had been divided into 300 ft for Roger and 250 ft for us. We marked ours with red paint every 10 feet and then with different colored cable ties to delineate the specific distances. Then Dave spliced 55’ of new 1/2” line to the end. This replaced the 164 ft of 5/8” line that we had used before. With the larger amount of chain on board, we felt that we were unlikely to anchor on the rope part of the rode. This would be primarily used to attach the chain to the boat. With the new chain then attached to our anchor, Dave hauled it back on board. The original chain is now stowed out of the way on board until we find an interested buyer. (Could that be you?)
