Preparing Malo For Safe Passage

We spent the next 3 months cleaning, upgrading and making Malo a boat that could handle the ocean.  It appeared that she was lightly used and only went out for occasional day sails.  Many systems were old, neglected and often did not work.  Norm from Sail California was most generous and allowed us to keep the boat on the sales dock while we worked on her, and even slept on her.  Weather was perfect in California.  We kept very busy doing all sorts of projects.  

First we went through lockers, and bilges to clean and remove things we would not use.  We really had to prioritize what absolutely had to be done before we could sail her north to Newport Oregon.  We worked hard and long days.  When it came time to get help, it was a delight to find so many wonderfully talented and professional boat workers on Alameda Island.  Svendsen's Boat Works, Bay Propeller, Star Marine Electronics, Chucks Marine, West Marine and Pacific Crests Sails were all very helpful to us.

One of the first things we did was remove the center table in the salon.  By opening up the salon, it made working on the boat so much easier.  It was not an easy task, but Dan figured out a way to remove the table. Once we got it out, both of us really enjoyed the spaciousness within the cabin.  So it has stayed out.

Dan removing center table in salon.

This is our old binnacle and navigation.

It became very clear that we needed to upgrade to a new navigation system and plotter.  Dan was hoping to do this once we got to Oregon, but after attending a Sail Show, we had the fortune of meeting Ian Wall of  Star Marine.   He was extremely professional and helpful with figuring out what we needed - a new Raymarine Navigation plotter and more.  It was very involved and complicated, but working piece by piece, and with lots of time and patience, Dan was able to puzzle it together while using some verbal coaching from Ian.  Of course he got lots of support and assistance from me too.  

Star Marine saved us with their professional knowledge.  Thanks Ian

Wall and his staff!

Dan with some of the old wire that was removed as a new navigations system
was installed.

The auto helm was not functioning.  Are you surprised as this was part of it. 

There was a hydraulic auto helm but it was not really functioning.  Because of my short statue I can climb into the lazarets easier than Dan, so it was my job to undo and re-do a variety of things in these small spaces.  Fortunately, Dan coached me along every step of the way.  I was actually glad I could do something somewhat mechanical, as usually Dan took over those jobs.  

Bev taking apart some controls for the hydraulic auto helm.

Here is the old hydraulic auto-helm which has been replaced with a new one.

The engine needed to be serviced and the recommendation from our broker Norm, was Chuck from Chuck's Marine. He was the best.  Even though he was very busy, we were still able to get him to work on the engine a couple times.  His problem solving capabilities were greatly appreciated.  The exhaust hose was mounted upside down,  a new water pump needed to be installed, the engine vibrated a lot, the throttle needed replacement and more....Thanks Chuck!

Chuck working on our engine.




Dan knew we needed a dodger for the sail northward. This functions like a "windshield" and provides some shade, but more importantly keeps rain and waves from entering the main cabin.  While Malo had a dodger frame, she needed to have a new sunbrella cover made for it and the frame needed to be strengthened to accommodate the force of wind and water.   Pacific Crest Sails were located on Alameda Island and did a beautiful job making Malo a new dodger.

Measuring fabric for the new bimidy!

Here is the finished dodger and see how well we can see out!

Here is our old binnacle and the dysfunctional navigation system located by the helm.  So the decision was to replace the compass and nav system with a new Ray-marine chart plotter.

Dan removing the binacle.

Here I am in the galley.  

Dan takes a well deserved nap. I myself am not really a napper,
but Dan assures me that I will learn.  The ocean will teach me.  

The salon got pretty messy at times, even though I did my best to keep it
a little organized.

It was a real pleasure for me to take a break and meet my daughters Kara & Ada as well as my siblings at my nephews wedding in Austin, Texas.  Dan stayed at the boat and installed a new auto-helm system!

Beverly (Me) with my two daughters, Ada and Kara.

Beverly, Carolyn, Donald and Marjorie - my Siblings!

Meanwhile back at the boat, Dan continued to work hard on getting Malo ready for a trip north.

The floor boards get lifted to run the wires down the mast for the new Raydome and wind instruments .  And a new radar reflector got installed on the back stay.

Dan installing a new radar reflector on the back stay.

Dan climbs the mast with climbing gear and I used the winch to crank him up the mast.  It was a team effort!

We did take a few breaks from the work to enjoy the scenery and watch the sail races going on. As I mentioned previously, the weather in the San Francisco Bay area was delightful.

At the end of the day, Captain Dan logs into the book important information he
wanted to keep track of.  A Ships Log!