Some Finishing Touches

Every week I think we are progressing farther along, and then boom something major needs to be done.  While hauling Dan up the mast, I noticed the winches did not sound "right".  I did not know what right was, but if I notice something that seems questionable, I will mention it to Dan.  In this case, it was a good observation.  He has noticed a similar odd sound when hauling me up the mast, but then forgot about it.  So with a gentle reminder, it triggered a positive response.  Two of the winches got an overhaul.

This was a pretty intensive job and a messy one to say the least.  It is extremely important to  NOT to loose or drop any parts of the winch into the water.  Especially since this type is not made anymore and parts would be difficult to find. Dan had read a blog post that showed a practical way to change a winch. Cut a hole the size of your winch in a box and then place the box over the winch.  Thus when the winch gets taken apart, the extra pieces will hopefully land inside the box and not into the water.  See the picture below.

Using a box to change the wench.

It was also a very sunny day, so Dan decided it was a good time to try out our new connector that links the dodger canvas with the bimidy canvas.  I suspect this will be very nice to have while we are at an anchorage in Mexico.  Of course, it is not practical under sail.

Malo with her full sun shield.  Dan is cleaning the winches.

This is what the inside of the winches look like.  Lots of gears.  It needed a good cleaning and lubrication.


And what have I been doing the past 3 days while down on the boat?  I have been cleaning the teak woodwork on our boat, and applying an oil to it.

Bev applying oil on the teak woodwork.  It really brings out the grains of the wood.

As you can see, the boat gets torn up again as I have to clear out the spaces I am working.  This seems to be a "normal" situation.  But I can see it subsiding soon, as we are on the tail end of our major overhaul projects.

A messy boat again!

And then there are the glorious sunsets under the Newport bridge. If it happens to be calm, then a wonderful reflection happens.