Winter Boat Projects

[30yearslater]

It seems some additional work is in order. Noticed a crack along a lifeline stantion base and upon removal found there had been a poor repair attempt made to repair the deck. How I missed that during the restoration is a mystery but glad I found it. Have reglassed the area and adding some super duper 3/16ths thick baker plates made from biaxials to all the bases.

[Mike OReilly]

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I’m a long way from my boat during this winter. So this means I can’t actually work on the boat. My projects are limited to researching and buying stuff.

• Research and purchase a new MPPT controller.
• Work on my splicing skills.
• Research our route out the St. Lawrence and find a new temporary home in Newfoundland.
• Learn celestial navigation.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by 30yearslater

It seems some additional work is in order. Noticed a crack along a lifeline stantion base .

I too had some spider cracking along a station base. I ground out the cracks with a dremel only to find that the crack was only in the gelcoat. Argh.

[mottseng]

[QUOTE=Mike OReilly;2247764]Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I’m a long way from my boat during this winter. So this means I can’t actually work on the boat. My projects are limited to researching and buying stuff.

[*]Learn celestial navigation.


Learning celestial navigation would be a great winter project.

After my boat came out of the water and during the hull pressure washing, parts of the blue stripe came off. will have to source out a supplier for a new stripe.

[John_Trusty]

[QUOTE=mottseng;2248987]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) I’m a long way from my boat during this winter. So this means I can’t actually work on the boat. My projects are limited to researching and buying stuff.

[*]Learn celestial navigation.


Learning celestial navigation would be a great winter project.

I did this last winter because I always wanted to know - not that I'm concerned about GPS, aliens, revolution, etc. I tried studying on my own, and it just did not work for me. I kept getting lost in the details and missing the big picture. Finally, I swallowed my pride, got out my checkbook, and bought an on-line course that was really good.

I used Maryland School of Sailing taught by Tom Tursi. We met on a video chat for three weeks, and in the end I felt I could effectively do site reductions and plot LOP's. After playing around for years trying to read books, I'm finally competent. Don't think I'll ever actually use it on the Great Lakes.

[mottseng]

Don't think I would ever seriously use it on the great lakes but when guests are on board it would make for great conversation.

[John_Trusty]

This is my first year with a new-to-me boat, so my Winter Projects list is long.
- Open, Dremel, and dry-out two wet deck areas, re-bed
- New feathering prop, prop shaft, and dripless stuffing box (bought work)
- New Genoa (again, bought)
- Replace all halyards (Sampson XLS?)
- Compound and polish hull (a learning experience!)
- New LED anchor light
- Relocate waste holding tank vent
- Add cabin fans
- Various bits and pieces of interior refinishing and repair

That should keep me busy for the 190 (!) days until launch.

[Sandero]

interesting OP.

I will remove and replace the teak rub rail... obviously when the weather turns warmer in the Spring

1. replace some old copper wire to pumps installed with the boat 31 yrs ago with tinned wire

2. clean and paint main bilge in salon

3. clean, service / lubricate Whitlock steering system

4. lubricate winches and windlass

5. sand oodles of teak for re finishing in Spring

6. fix loose wire on engine pressure gauge

7. repair gelcoat damage courtesy of Britannia Yachting Center (Spring)

8. replace broken hinge in cockpit table

MAYBEs

1. install wash down pump and bow outlet for chain and anchor cleaning

2. install permanent pump for dink to get rid of rain water

3. remove Standard Horizon CP170 and replace with Vesper AIS

4. change 4 bulkhead lighting fixtures in salon

5. inventory and organize my spares YIKESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

6. replace name on transom

[fallingeggs]

I'm only out for five months... but here is the list in some order of importance.

- Bottom paint. Will also sand down the keel as re-do the fairing.
- Install new Airmar d/w/t. Hopefully just knocking out the old Datamarine instrument and bedding the new one place a new backing plate.
- New battens in mainsail (mine flew out ).
- New leech cord in jib; patch UV cover; take in the top of the leech a little.
- Service diesel injectors to try and get rid of the white smoke.
- Replace exhaust hose.
- Fix dodger frame that ripped out of the deck
- New batteries!
- New charger and, maybe, inverter!
- Replace all original water lines with PEX and SeaTech fittings.

- Install new Zeus2 and Triton2s, wind instrument, wifi-1.
- Figure out what to do about my CNG oven/stove as I'm going to be leaving the US in 2017. Will probably have a post on this soon.
- Install raw water filters on head and galley intakes.
- Replace cabin bulbs with LEDs.
- Make new foam mattress.
- Make some changes to the layout of my clutches, including installing a few on the mast.
- Run new jib and main halyards, and some other running rigging adjustments.
- Buy new anchor and chain/rode.

[Mike OReilly]

Thanks mottseng/John_Trusty, celestial nav is just one of those things I’ve been meaning to get to, but always find excuses to avoid. But I’ve always been drawn to the stars, and am OK with math, so it just seems like a fun thing to do.

And thanks for the course link John. I’ll look into it. I’ve got some books, and there are other online resources (including some great people here), but I may follow in your footsteps if I find the old brain struggling with the new concepts.

[mottseng]

I have noticed that quite a few of us are wanting to replace the regular cabin bulbs with LED bulbs. On a trial basis I replaced two bulbs with LED. One was cabin dome light and the other was a bulkhead mounted directional reading light. I used soft white LED bulbs. I really liked the light and there was much less heat generated. The cost of the two bulbs were in excess of $60 CDN. Since one of my winter projects is to replace all (12) bulbs has anyone been able to source out less expensive bulbs? I was going to wait until the Toronto Boat show in January to get my bulbs.

Also, for sure I am going to play with celestial navigation this winter. I think it would make for great conversation when guests are on board next summer.

Thanks

[fallingeggs]

Originally Posted by mottseng

I have noticed that quite a few of us are wanting to replace the regular cabin bulbs with LED bulbs. On a trial basis I replaced two bulbs with LED. One was cabin dome light and the other was a bulkhead mounted directional reading light. I used soft white LED bulbs. I really liked the light and there was much less heat generated. The cost of the two bulbs were in excess of $60 CDN. Since one of my winter projects is to replace all (12) bulbs has anyone been able to source out less expensive bulbs? I was going to wait until the Toronto Boat show in January to get my bulbs.

Have you checked our MarineBeam? They are known for quality parts and their bulbs are start around $15. Would need to know the light output / wattage / light color from the ones you installed to compare apples-to-apples.

[Siberianhusky]

No winter jobs but come spring I'll be painting and doing non skid on the decks, below the waterline was stripped and epoxied two years ago, topsides last year.
A few spider cracks in the deck gelcoat to grind and fill, nothing major.
New main sail this winter but that's a purchase not a project.

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by fallingeggs

Have you checked our MarineBeam? They are known for quality parts and their bulbs are start around $15. Would need to know the light output / wattage / light color from the ones you installed to compare apples-to-apples.

Great contact. Just looked them up and will call them.

Thanks

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by mottseng

This is directed to all of us who haul and winterize our boats for 6 months. What are your winter boat projects and what is on your list of items to purchase at the upcoming boat shows ??

Here is my list of items to purchase over the winter:

New VHF Radio with DSC and GPS - DONE
New Handheld VHF Radio - DONE
New Main Halyard - DONE
Wind Instrument
LED light bulbs - DONE
Swim ladder steps (over the 1" round SS) - DONE
New winch handles
Dishes

Winter projects:

Refinish the boats sole - DONE
Get the sails inspected and cleaned - DONE
Clean cushions and canopy

- DONE

So most of the to do and to purchase items have been done. Now that the boat is out of the water and put to bed for the winter here is my updated list for this winter.

- New autohelm (leaning towards the Raymarine EV-100
- New Lewmar winch handles
- Garmin wireless wind instrument
- New three bladed prop
- New boat stripes
- New cutlass bearing in the spring

What is on your winter list?