Have not been able to read much on the forum, have been busy...
So here goes. We are planning another trip into the Bahamas and further south to Long Island and Crooked Island. So a few mods to Java was in order. First, I felt we needed a SSB radio for long distance communication. So I purchased an ICOM 802, a KISS-SSB [http://www.kiss-ssb.com] counterpoise and a rope antenna [http://ropeantenna.com]. Rope antenna is for those sailboats without a backstay. Will let you know how well this works by the middle of July..not delivered yet. Also got my ham license, just Tech for now but will probably get the General in June. One of my major concerns was where to install the transceiver and at-140 antenna tuner. The AT-140 got installed under the bed, starboard side. The transceiver was installed under the port settee. The running of the cable between the two was a pain..
Second, I decided we needed some more battery power added to the house bank. So off to Sam's Club and picked up two more GC2's which brings my house bank up to 630Ahrs
Third, After our last trip to the Bahamas and while in the Dismal Swamp we hit a couple of submerged tree limbs which damaged the prop. So this year before leaving I felt the need to change the cutlass bearing, which turned into one of those "will only take a couple hours into a week".. Had to chisel the old bearing out. Got the new bearing in, put the shaft in - "OH DAMN" The shaft doesn't even hit the shaft log.. Started checking the strut and found it has twist and bend - "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SH%%%%% ME".
Contacted our WONDERFUL SailboatOwners and they shipped a new strut (Thanks to All - you know who you are). When I got the new strut I thought that it was the wrong one but was assured by Hunter tech support (Al) that it was a difference in the supplier, different manufacturer. It was OK. So now I have to remove the old strut which was embedded in 3M 5200?????? Al, told me to cut into the seams and keep digging out as much as the 5200 I could. Using a large flat screw driver try prying the strut off. It worked but took gel-coat and exposed some fiberglass. So now I have to repair and fixed this. WILL THIS EVER END. Got the strut installed and lined up as best as I could. The shaft is about a 1/4" from center to the bottom of the shaft log opening but expect this will adjust to more center after getting into the water. Flange measurements is .001 to starboard and .004 to port. I'm not going to attempt to align it until I'm back in the water for a couple of weeks.
Fourth, Bottom painting, Sanded the entire bottom down into my tracer color of red and in some spots more. Took about three days to do a complete good job. This year I've decided to change bottom paints, going to use Ameron ABC #3 [http://ppgamercoatus.ppgpmc.com/marketsserved/docs/ABC3QA.pdf]. I have applied three coats with a fourth coat to leading edges and water line down two feet. This is a commercial product and not widely known in our size boats. Couple of SBO's have used it and reported good results. I don't expect to repaint for a couple of years. BTW it was $125/gal.
Last thing to do will be buff and wax the hull, but will have to wait until I get back around June 10th from Pensacola. My Mother passed away in April and my Sister need help with the estate and moving.
So sometime in mid June I expect to be back in the WATER...
So here goes. We are planning another trip into the Bahamas and further south to Long Island and Crooked Island. So a few mods to Java was in order. First, I felt we needed a SSB radio for long distance communication. So I purchased an ICOM 802, a KISS-SSB [http://www.kiss-ssb.com] counterpoise and a rope antenna [http://ropeantenna.com]. Rope antenna is for those sailboats without a backstay. Will let you know how well this works by the middle of July..not delivered yet. Also got my ham license, just Tech for now but will probably get the General in June. One of my major concerns was where to install the transceiver and at-140 antenna tuner. The AT-140 got installed under the bed, starboard side. The transceiver was installed under the port settee. The running of the cable between the two was a pain..
Second, I decided we needed some more battery power added to the house bank. So off to Sam's Club and picked up two more GC2's which brings my house bank up to 630Ahrs
Third, After our last trip to the Bahamas and while in the Dismal Swamp we hit a couple of submerged tree limbs which damaged the prop. So this year before leaving I felt the need to change the cutlass bearing, which turned into one of those "will only take a couple hours into a week".. Had to chisel the old bearing out. Got the new bearing in, put the shaft in - "OH DAMN" The shaft doesn't even hit the shaft log.. Started checking the strut and found it has twist and bend - "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE SH%%%%% ME".
Contacted our WONDERFUL SailboatOwners and they shipped a new strut (Thanks to All - you know who you are). When I got the new strut I thought that it was the wrong one but was assured by Hunter tech support (Al) that it was a difference in the supplier, different manufacturer. It was OK. So now I have to remove the old strut which was embedded in 3M 5200?????? Al, told me to cut into the seams and keep digging out as much as the 5200 I could. Using a large flat screw driver try prying the strut off. It worked but took gel-coat and exposed some fiberglass. So now I have to repair and fixed this. WILL THIS EVER END. Got the strut installed and lined up as best as I could. The shaft is about a 1/4" from center to the bottom of the shaft log opening but expect this will adjust to more center after getting into the water. Flange measurements is .001 to starboard and .004 to port. I'm not going to attempt to align it until I'm back in the water for a couple of weeks.
Fourth, Bottom painting, Sanded the entire bottom down into my tracer color of red and in some spots more. Took about three days to do a complete good job. This year I've decided to change bottom paints, going to use Ameron ABC #3 [http://ppgamercoatus.ppgpmc.com/marketsserved/docs/ABC3QA.pdf]. I have applied three coats with a fourth coat to leading edges and water line down two feet. This is a commercial product and not widely known in our size boats. Couple of SBO's have used it and reported good results. I don't expect to repaint for a couple of years. BTW it was $125/gal.
Last thing to do will be buff and wax the hull, but will have to wait until I get back around June 10th from Pensacola. My Mother passed away in April and my Sister need help with the estate and moving.
So sometime in mid June I expect to be back in the WATER...
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