Saturday, December 13, 2014

Outboard Problem Solved??????

After having the outboards gone through by the marine mechanic, and re-installing them, I was still having issues.  I finally decided to scrap fuel tank and hoses.  Today I replaced the 24 gallon tank with a 6 gallon tank and new hoses.


This is what I found when I started draining the 10 micron fuel filter.  It didn't look like this when the filter was full.  I don't know if this is fuel water separation of phase separation.  You can also see some "crud" in the lower right corner. I would have thought that the 10 micron filter coupled with the outboard filter would "catch" all of the solids.  When I would open my carb, I usually found a congealed substance.  I think the fuel has been my issue all along.  Time will tell!




Friday, November 28, 2014

Line Bags and Radar

I finally got around to installing my radar and finished my last canvas project.  Outboards are still an issue :(  I think it has to do with the fuel.  I pulled both carbs today and found some emulsified gas at the bottom of both.  I did get out for a sail last weekend, but had to sail back into the slip since both outboards quit on me.




Here is the pattern for my line bags. I used every last bit of sunbrella I had left from the stak pak project!















I used this material for the back of the bags.  It is more of a vinyl material that should repel water.


















I bought this "ribbon" from Joanne Fabrics to use for the bottom to let water drain from the bag.





















Here is the finished bag showing the bottom.


















I used snaps to hold it in place.  The port side only has 2 lines to hold, so I am using the smaller pocket to hold the winch handle.




















Here is the starboard side.  I have a lot more line here, but it all fits, but I need to reduce the amount of main sheet line.





















I located my radar/chartplotter so I can swing it out to the opened window when under way.















Here is a shot of the radar scanner on the arch.  BTW, the stak pak works pretty good.  I need to work on the slug gate.  Some of the slugs are getting hung up when I raise and lower the main sail.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Canvas Projects Continued

I finally got around to finishing several canvas projects and installing them.  I also got my outboards back and installed, so hope to get some time on the water now!



This is the bimini.  Shown is the "bolt rope" and the awning trim it will go through.





















On the other end, I created a pocket to accept a piece of shock cord pole I had laying around.  This side will get strapped to the radar arch.






















The shock cord pole comes apart at two locations so I can fold and stow away the bimini when not in use.






















Like so!



















Here is the awning trim attached to the cabin roof, afixed with SS screws.

















The aft end is secured with 4 adjustable straps.














Here is the helm station cover.  My next canvas project is to make bags for all of those lines hanging on the winches!




















On to the stak pak.  The stak pak is 11 feet long.  I used PVC pipe for the battens, but it comes in 10' lengths.  I used a pop up irrigation extender as a coupling to add an additional 1 foot to the pipe.












Here is the finished stak pak with the lazy jacks.  I need to do a test run before I make the final adjustments.  the back of the stak pak is being held up by tying a piece of line around the topping lift.














I secured the bottom of the stak pak to the boom with these twisty thingys!  I opted to rivet them in place.













One non related item was the purchase of these stanchion cleats for my side board and furler line.














Sunday, September 28, 2014

Stak Pak and other Covers

I have just about completed some of my sunbrella cover projects. Still waiting for my outboards to get fixed, but I have a few projects at home that I need to finish anyway.






The stak pak is pretty much done.  I just need to buy some 1/2" pvc to put in the pockets.















On Saturday, I attached these foot blocks to the mast for the lazy jack system.  I am going to rig the lazy jack so I can pull it to the mast when I raise the main.  The blocks are located about 4 feet above the shrouds.  It was a comfortable spot for me to work on this.




















I also fashioned these eye splices instead of blocks for the other lazy jack lines to pass through.  I will have 3 attachment points as well as fore and aft of the stack pak.






















This is the "bimini" that will go between the cabin roof and the radar arch.  You can see the curve that will match the cabin roof.  I purchased a bolt track and bolt fabric to attach this to the roof.  I will use straps to attach it to the radar arch.











This is the pieces for the helm station cover.  I actually finished sewing it tonight, but I need to attach the piece that will cover the outboard controls.










Thats it for now!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Lifelines and Stak Pak

I finally got fed up with my outboards and removed them from the boat and took them to an outboard repair shop.  Hope to hear back from them in the next few days.  In the mean time, I decided to tackle a couple of projects.





I decided to install the lifelines.  I used dyneema line with pelican hooks.  Had to learn how to tie a brummel eye.















I used turnbucles at the forward connection, to allow for tightening the line.




















A full shot from the other side. Takes away from the lines of the boat, but safety first!

One more project to check off the list.










I also started on my Stak Pak.  I am using the free video on Sail Rite web site as a guide.





















Here are the two pieces cut and ready for hemming.























Here is my set up.  Using the pool table to lay out the material.  I am using an older Singer model 237. Learned how to sew on Youtube!











My stitch looks decent on one side, but not so good on the other.





















This is the other side. I can't get the tension right, so it will have to do!


















I had a visit from an Iroquois brother today.  Chris Cutou from Massachusetts was in So Cal and got to show him around Got Twins!  I just wish we could have gone out for a sail.  Next time!

Monday, August 25, 2014

Auto Helm Install

I installed my autohelm this past Saturday.  Still fiddling with my outboards.  I am this close to pulling them out and bringing them to an outboard mechanic to go through them and get them to be reliable.



I had to order the bulkhead mount kit, since most of these are installed on pedestal mount wheels.





















This is the back side showing the motor coming through the bulkhead and the computer.  It is starting to get crowded in there, but doing my best to keep the wires neat.














This is the compass.  It needs to be in an area away from metal objects and the other compass.  Hopefully this location will be okay.

Unfortunately the autohelm kit did not come with wiring for the DC power/ground, so I was not able to test it.  I will take care of that next week.


















Just a photo of the single berth on the port side.  My girls and I actually slept on the boat a couple of weekends ago.  It was fairly comfortable.



















I found a spot for the ships clock that came with the boat.




















Thats all for now!















Sunday, August 10, 2014

I Got My WIFI

A couple of weeks ago, I got my Bullet antenna working and was able to get internet signals from the surrounding area (although most are encrypted) using an ethernet connection.  I am getting the signal from another boater (with his permission), so it is free.  I wanted to be able to share the signal with my girls, so I installed a wireless router.





Success!!!

Unfortunately the documentation that comes with both the Ubuquity Bullet and Pico Station was pretty horrible. However, I was able to find the information and settings I needed, using Google!





























This is an over view of the hardware, neatly tucked away in the corner of my "electrical closet".

























Here is a close up. Both the antenna and router receive Power Over Ethernet (POE). The blue enthernet cable, on the right, both sends power to the Bullet antennae, as well as, transmits data to the POE on the right. The data from the antenna is then routed via the white ethernet cable either to a stand alone laptop or to the POE (as shown) on the left. The data along with power is sent via the blue ethernet cable, on the left, to the Pico Station Router in the middle.  The router sends the WIFI signal via the white antenna.














Both POE's need a 120V power source, so I added the "power bar" shown, which also has two built in USB power ports.  I am using one for my iPhone.  That still leaves me with an available 120V socket.

























Still working on fine tuning my outboards.  Today I also flushed them with potable water.  Its not something I intend on doing after every use, since I have to use the water muffs.


Sunday, August 3, 2014

Got Twins 8-2-14



Got my furling genoa in this past week.  Still battling with my outboards.  Its been back and forth with the outboards.  Fix one and then the other acts up.  Oh well the life of a boat owner!

Took the boat yesterday for a sail with the new genoa.  Hit  8 knots in minimal wind.  My wind indicator is not working, so can't say for sure what the wind speed was.  Anyway, here is a short video.

I need to work on my audio skills!







Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Video Update

10,700 page views of this blog.  Amazing!

Still tweaking the rigging.  I had the furler installed last week and ordered a Genoa furling head sail. Going on vacation for a week, so hope to start doing some sailing soon!


Here is a photo of the skateboard bushings I used to protect the deck from getting damaged when the boards are raised.















This is the ProFurl furler I bought from a sailor on Cruiser's Forum about a year ago.

I hired a rigger to install it and tune the rest of the standing rigging.  I paid about $400, which was well worth it!

















Thankfully the kit came with extensions that were necessary to raise the drum above the pulpit.  I installed stanchion blocks and fair leads to lead the line back to the helm.
























Here is a short video of the inside of the cabin.














Sunday, May 18, 2014

Outboards Now Working (Keep Fingers Crossed)

Last week, I removed the carb from the port outboard and cleaned it again.  This time I was able to do a better job with the jet that was hidden below the plastic cap.  Outboard started right up.  On Friday, I took the boat out around the marina and filled up with gasoline.  Both outboards ran effortlessly so now I am feeling more confident.  I practiced getting in an out of the slip and even performing pirouettes by putting one throttle in forward and the other in reverse.

Still adjusting the hoses in the head.  I have a very small leak that I need to solve.

Meeting lots of nice people in the marina, without fail, everyone who has passed by the boat has complimented "Got Twins?".  Makes it worth the 2-year project!


On Saturday, I went up the mast to release my spinnaker halyard that was stuck since the day the mast was stepped.  I also put the Davis wind indicator back, that was removed when the mast was stepped.

The trip up the mast was done solo using my Top Climber.  I used a tether to wrap around the mast as some sort of safety feature.






Here is the view of the marina from the top of the mast.















On Saturday I also flew 3 of the jibs that came with the boat.  The first is a No. 1 jib that only reaches 75% of the way up the forestay.  The other 2 are genoas, one perhaps original and the other is made of mylar, which is not very friendly when trying to stow.  In the near future I will be installing a Pro Furler and I don't think any of the 3 will be useable.  Still trying to tweak the self tacking jib rigging.


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Rigging Tweaking

Spent most of yesterday, trying to get my port outboard to run properly.  I cleaned the carb, which gave some positive results, but I am still not happy with its performance.  I will continue to fiddle around with it before I call in a professional.  Took care of a few rigging matters as well.


I installed 2 stanchion fairleads (left side of picture) to keep the side board line tidy and off the deck.

















Playing around with the main sheet purchase and leading it forward.
















Here is the forward boom location showing the main sheet and other rigging.  The topping lift (black) and the main halyard (blue flakes) need to be switched at the exit plates.  It works okay so it is a low priority project.  I just don't care for the criss cross.


















The main sail is about 6" too long. So I took it home and cut the top off.  I then sandwiched the sail between 2 pieces of poly carbonate and temporarily glued it with some gorilla glue.  I will place some aluminum rivets around the perimeter and then drill a hole for the halyard and another for the sail slug.









I decided to document the water line location.  The storage locker has a couple of things in it, but not too heavy.  Right now both the rudder box and raised rudder are submerged just under an inch.