Getting Ready for the Season

[Godefroy]

Greetings-

I have been lurking and reading for a while, and checking the archives, but I am sadly running short on available work days. I am the proud owner of Hull #2143, Heretic, and I am getting her ready to go back into the water after 2 years on the hard. None of the stuff that I need to do seems like it should be that hard, but a goodly chunk of it intimidates me a fair bit. I've checked the archives, which has helped a bit, but I need to break down and ask for some help on a few items.

1) I have a new Radar (Garmin 18HD) that I am mounting. The mast is down, and I am installing on a non-gimbled mast-mount. Ideally, I would like to keep the wires hidden - is there a way to enter the compression post to run the wiring in there with the existing wiring, or a successful method of snaking into it?

2) The Radar was part of the package for the Garmin 740S, including a NMEA 2000 bottom sounder. The currently installed 'ducer in the V-berth, however, appears good and thoroughly stuck. It appears to be the factory original, with mounting blocks. Ideally, I should still be able to use that block - or should I consider the Analog-to-NMEA converter kit Garmin offers?

3) Since I have the mast down, should I rewire and replace my VHF antenna?

4) Other pre-splash items I am working on, but think I have a clear path on: wiring up a fuse block into the Nav Table chart locker for Nav Electronics and a seperate one for fans, replacing the steaming/working light and anchor light that were damaged during unstepping, wash/compound/polish/wax (per Maine Sail's column, except I'm still trying to figure out what to use for the Polish phase), and remount the Universal 11 mounts with K50s (using a diesel mechanic unless someone tells me it is stupendously easy and I should do it).

I am sure I'll post again once I'm in the water and the hull and mast projects are done. I had hoped to finish everything first, but... I can drive with charts and a handheld in the Chesapeake for a while.

Any suggestions or advice with the above would be most appreciated.

Jeremy
Cat30 #2143

 

[Team118]

Jeremy;

Good luck brother! Lots of work, but it's worth it.

I can't help with the radar/NMEA questions. If my mast was unstepped, I would definately run new wiring. I would also look at installing PVC conduit inside the mast to run the wires through. Lots of info on the forums about that.

If you do rewire mast, run wire for spreader, steaming, anchor and windex light and VHF cable for radio. That's 4 runs of duplex wire plus the antenea... You might be able to double up on the grounds, but that may lead to trouble down the road.

The compression post looks like it can be unscrewed by removing the teak plugs and then unscrewing the post. I'm not sure if it will come out easily if the mast is up...

Good luck!
Chris

 

[Godefroy]

Chris-

When I started, I didn't really recognize just how much work it was going to be... probably because I kept adding new things I "needed" to do before splash. Amazing how those projects are slowly falling away. I did a hard assessment and realized that most of them can be done waterborne.

Thanks for the advice on the wiring. I'm going to do one last check on the resistance in the lines, and if I end up pulling the wire, I'll definately use conduit. I also anticipate pulling the mast again in about two years to install an electronic wind sensor (I would do it now, except I just can't justify the expense) or to ship her if we move cross-country.

On a happier note, the hull is coming along nicely. Still working on the transducer problem - the fact that no one has seemingly discussed the analog to NMEA sounder adapters should probably tell me something.

Jeremy

 

[Team118]

I know what you mean about the projects. I've found that it's best to type out a list of everything that you need to do this year and all of your 'wish list' items.

It puts a priority on things that have to be done before splashing and those things that can be done once you're in the water.

I didn't do that last year and took on WAY too much. This year I triaged quite a few projects and cancelled them till next year (money willing!).

As an aside, I used 3M's buffing compound to rub out a new paint job and 3M's Finesse It to bring out the shine. We have a dedicated shop that caters to car enthusiests so they pointed me to the right pads. I didn't wax it after because I wasn't sure if I should wait till the paint really dried. I'll probably back the boat in stern first and throw a coat of wax on it...