Moving along with "The Big Move"

[braol]

So my move from Okinawa, Japan to the Great Lakes Naval Station is moving into high-gear. My boat, which has been stored on the hard in Annapolis for the last several years, will be meeting up with me sometime mid-June in Waukegan, IL. I've arranged both the pick-up and drop-off, with all associated cranes, lifts, mast un-stepping, packaging for transport, etc... all via late night telephone calls (on my end).

After these few years of storage I am a bit nervous to see what time has done to the boat. I did a new bottom paint just before I left and the boat has been out of the water the whole time, so I hope at least the bottomkote is good. I loosened the rigging before I left to Japan but a full survey of the standing rigging will be high on the list. The engine was fully winterized (along with the fresh water system and head) so it should be intact. Sails stored inside the marina building in dry conditions.

I'll be looking for leaks, getting the engine running, and replacing batteries before too long. Running rigging, firing up the electronics, lubing the steering, new zincs, new impellor, LED nav light bulbs, wax the hull.... Again, nervous but excited to be on the water again. Hopefully my sailing hours-to-maintenance hours works out in my favor this summer.

See you on the Lake!

 

[ggrizzard]

Braol, Is "bottomkote" a brand of paint that holds effective protection even if left out of water for weeks or years?

 

[Chief RA]

You will probably like your Great Lakes tour. I spent time there attending ET school and another tour teaching electronics for comm. branch ET school. ET1, Night Supervisor for comm. branch before taking Warrant with the US Army. Loved my military career!
My best, Chief (CW3, ret)

 

[braol]

Braol, Is "bottomkote" a brand of paint that holds effective protection even if left out of water for weeks or years?

I sort of used bottomkots as a generic reference...I know Bilgekote is a brand of paint...not sure about Bottomkote. I think I used Interlux 33 last time??? I don't remember. I hope it held up through the rain, last painted 2011 and not put into the water after.....

 

[ggrizzard]

I would check with a yard that knows/does bottom paint. I think most 'hard' paints for fiberglass boats lose their punch if left in the air for more than a couple of weeks.

 

[braol]

OK! Today my boat arrives at Larsen's in Waukegan. Keep your fingers crossed that everything goes without a hitch.

 

[TradioShow]

So, how did this go?

 

[braol]

So, things have been busy around here with moving-in, being new at work, visiting friends and family that I have not seen for a few years while living in Japan...

But you all want to hear about the BOAT:
So the boat was about a week late in arriving at its new location. The transport driver's truck broke down somewhere in Ohio! I felt bad for the guy. Great guy to work with, etc...
Well, the place the boat was stored was, how do I say, substandard. My extra sails were stored in a back room at the facility and they lost my spinnaker and two additional headsails (100% and 75%). I'll be paying them a personal visit sometime this year to have a look myself and talk to the owner...I get nowhere on the phone.
That was really the worst part of the affair....the long-term storage while I was away. But the boat is for the most part ok. Larsen Marine in Waukegan, IL has been outstanding and they have many parts for sale at prices competitive to what is found on-line.
The bottom paint is good and I got a green light on the cutless bearing. The mast and boom have some pitting and need to be painted and the hardware looked at but the standing rigging passed its survey! The engine exhaust manifold is plugged where the water circulates and the alternator needs to be checked for output. The interior is dirty and all the cushions I just threw away (after making templates of the originals). Portlights need new seals and screens and are hazy. Fuel tank is DIRTY inside. Hull above the waterline needs a repaint. Teak is gray. By-and-large the usual things.
I am most worried about the engine. Engine trouble is always a pain but it can get REALLY expensive and at the end of the day all you have is a repaired 30+ year old that can break unexpectedly again. If things are terminal I will go with 4-stroke outboard power in the short-term. A repower would cost more than the boat is worth. If it was a 33 or a 37c I might go for the repower now, as that is the boat I see myself going to in the future. But we'll see...
There are, of course, a million other things/upgrades to do. I have a new stainless mast baseplate from Garhauer that I am installing. I am going to epoxy fill all the existing holes where the mast step is and reinstall the whole thing with the proper hardware and sealers. The new plate will allow me to route all my halyards back to the cockpit, both for convenience and to make single-handing safer.
I'd like new portlights as the current ones are all hazy. I'm still researching how I might clear up the existing ones before i get new glass. I will replace the gaskets and screens however. i have no leaks so there is no need for completly new ones. Again, if I were refurbishing my dream 33 or 37c I might go stainless.
My raw water and galley sink drain through-hulls all were seated on wet, soft plywood mounting pads. Both are now out and will be reseated properly. I might upgrade to a 3/4" raw water intake and strainer, up from 1/2".
Upgrading to all-LED lighting. I am replacing the nav light bulbs only but need all new interior lights as the existing lamps are nasty and all have broken lenses.
My wind vane needs a rewire.

I could go on, but that is the gist of how things are. With a new house and two little children my time is valuable. One task at a time!

 

[TradioShow]

For the hazy window hatches, use automotive rubbing compound on the plastic. If really bad, hit it with 1500 grit before that.

 

[braol]

Update:
Well, the mast step mounting holes are all epoxy filled and awaiting proper drilling and countersinking. I installed my new portlight screens and weather-stripping. New Rule bilge-pumps are ready to be wired and all new bilge hose is run and double-clamped.