We have NOT been sailing, enjoying different anchorages, basking in 25 – 30 degree sunshine, swimming off the back of the boat or exploring different towns and villages.
What we have been doing is all sorts of fix-it jobs on the boat while we have been here in Sant Carles Marina in La Rapita, Spain. Feels like we have undertaken a mini refit (mainly cosmetic) but here are some of the more interesting jobs:
Holding Tank Hose Replacements
Took the holding tank out for a major cleanup, shitty job but had to be done. Changed all the hoses, and put in a new deck fitting for the waste removal, this online order held us up nearly 6 weeks until we finally ordered the correct size fitting.
Salt Water Anchor Wash
Installed a salt water anchor wash, main reason for this was when bringing up the anchor chain and anchor any mud, debris we bring up tends to run down the starboard side of the gunnels creating a not so great looking streak (that stains the gelcoat). In order to install we took the salt water input from the front head toilet intake valve. Still would like to get a water stop hose connecter that allows the removal of the wash hose without turning off the pump. The pump is connected to the winch relay. That means it is always on unless we turn off the windlass main breaker.
Re-Paint Window Trim and Gel-Coat Fixes
Sanded, primed and painted all the window frames and the air vent covers, as well as replaced the blue stripe decal lines on the cabin side of the boat. Again an expert job from Jac’s.
Replaced a couple of hatch seals that were leaking, Re caulked some other leaky areas and did a major re-sikaflex of the windows in the salon area. Jacqui has become an expert in this field.
Filled some holes with gelcoat. Required a lot of sanding with fine grit sandpaper that is wetted for a really fine sanding which makes it come up nice and smooth.
StarLink
Ordered Starlink and installed on the back davits with a fishing rod holder. This has become a real plus for getting internet. We no longer have to rely on sharing a sim card from our phones. Also got access to all channels through IPTV and with Starlink the streaming has been excellent. We installed the Starlink cables like the professionals through the davits which required cutting the cord and reconnecting it after it came through. This took me back to the IT days of making ethernet cables.
Compass Cleanup
Took the compasses off and cleaned them up. Haven’t figured out how to fill the fluid in the compass yet.
Water Leak
Had the hot water pipe burst which caused major water to end up in the bilge. Appears that the temperature gauge on the hot water heater was faulty causing the water to continue to heat until it burst the connection on the hose. This wasn’t the only water ingress issue. We have been trying to diagnose a small leak that has been nagging at us ever since we arrived here. Thinking that it was the water pressure from the connection at the dock we got a regulator and attached that but it turned out that it was a flow regulator and not a pressure regulator. Sent it back.
Discovered the small leak in the stern attachments where the town water comes into the boat. Replaced all the fittings and transom shower fittings. Finally disconnected from the town water and using the tanks the pesky drip leak stopped. So we are now staying on tank water at least for awhile or install a pressure regulator (future if we need too).
Shower Drain Pump
Shower drain pump in the port side head failed. Over time there has been a small leak because of a hole in the diaphragm in the pump which rusted the spindle causing it to seize. Took it out and with Jeff’s help got the pump turning again but needs a new diaphragm. Installed the new diaphragm and got the pump primed now it works like new. (of course ordered two diaphragms in preparation for when the front head shower pump encounters the same issue, this was another 5 week wait on parts).
Cockpit Table
We had re-sanded the cockpit table in Leros, Greece last year and it never looked good because of all the gouges from trying to get the old varnish off. So we have taken it off again and sanded all the old varnish off and tried to fill the holes as best we could. Took the first layer of veneer off the center section and plan on filling this with epoxy and some fancy design. Lots of sanding.
Watermaker
Currently waiting on a new watermaker to be delivered. We have already done some prep work in running the hoses to the 3 water tanks to be hooked up to a manifold so that we can fill each tank individually. Once we receive the watermaker then we will drill another hole in the boat in order to discharge the brine and mount it and the pump and hook up all the hoses and presto! water on the go!
Transom Platform, Teak Toe Rails, Cockpit Teak, Top Deck Polish
Took all the old grout out of the transom step so that the teak could be sanded down. Sand and re-grout the transom. Applied the Teak Cleaner, Sealer and Brightener. Did the same for the cockpit teak flooring and the toe rail clean and brighten. Really brings out the quality of the teak.
Top deck has been polished along with the stainless stanchions and rails. This will be done again as the weather gets better and it is closer to when we leave here.
Engine Oil / Transmission oil change
Changed the engine oil and oil filters. Cleaned out the air filter and purchased some Turbo Cleaner that we will spray into the filter to clean the turbo. Also changed the transmission fluid. Used a hand pump to remove the old oil.
Added some strip lighting to the engine room compartment.
Fuel Tank Gasket and Throttle
Replace the fuel tank gasket on the top of the tank. This has a small leak and requires a gasket replacement. Have it ordered. Replace the throttle at the helm station. This has also been ordered and these two items will have to be done when we return to the boat in April.
Miscellaneous
- Spinnaker pole with track. This is on order and coming mid -Feb. While the rigger is installing the track and pole we will get him to tune the rig at the same time.
- Fixed the squeaky boom with a stainless steel washer.
- Gas hose replacement with new regulator for the propane tank.
- Hooked up Echo Dot to work as a 12 volt device. Now we use Alexa for adding things to the shopping list, and as the speaker for the TV. And got an Amazon Fire Stick which enables us to use it for apps for the tv that were not available on the Smart TV.
- Hooked up the tv in the forward cabin to work as a 12 volt tv, also with a Fire Stick.
- Added some strip LED lighting in the front cabin. Using a device called Shelly RGBW so that it will work through an app and is hooked up to Alexa. Now we can just tell Alexa to put the bedroom lights on.
- Companion way stair fix. (creaky noise driving us nuts). Using a glue that no mater how hard you try it will not come off. Used the same glue to also affix the anchor wash pump to a board under the forward cabin.
- Remarked out anchor chain
We still need to secure the batteries in the engine bay. Looks like they were not secured properly when they were replaced in Leros, Greece ages ago.
Small hydraulic fluid leak coming from the autopilot arm. Need an expert to try to remove the unit and to fix the leak. Right now we are living with it as it is not severe just need to keep our eye on it.
Joys of boat living there is literally something to fix everyday, good job we have the time and this has kept us busy but nicely on no deadline to complete all our projects, yeah!
Time to Explore
La Rapita is a small Spanish town with no tourists at this time of year and all the shopping that we have been doing we rely on Google Translate a lot. It has helped us to get the right fittings needed for the different jobs and to get the right ingredients for cooking etc.
There is a hike up the local mountains that we have done a couple of times. Good workout takes a about 2 hours.
We have had great company here with Jeff and Jamie from Belvedere and Mike Cox came to fit out his new to him boat (Lennie stayed home to man the fort) Mike and Lenny sailed with us last year for 4 months and great friends. We all took turns cooking and entertaining including Christmas dinner together. Lots of laughs, people to visit, trips into town on our bikes and newly acquired scooter. Two birthdays Noel and Jamie. Trips to Tarragona for shopping expeditions and just like that 4 months flies by………
So much work, you are both so boat smart! Enjoy Spain and happy sailing.