winter projects - what have you?

[joe_db]

Anyone got anything interesting going for the winter?
My list so far:
DEFINITE:
1. Fix vacuum gauge. The Isspro hose barb is not tight on the hose and it leaks sometimes. Get a bigger barb or a tiny clamp or something.
2. Put big alternator on. I have a 120 amp that I wired for an external regulator and put the Moyer extended arm on. Just got to get the right belt and hook it up.
3. Get round to putting a siphon break on.
MAYBE:
4. Switch out plastic Vetus water lift for metal Onan water lift. I got one just like what was original on my boat. The thing is huge and NEVER once flooded the engine even in some bad storms offshore.
5. Look into electronic ignition. Not that anything is wrong with the points, but I like the idea of it. I would really love to get dual MSD ignitions and the spark combiner if I had the $$$.
6. Finish my dual fuel pump dual filter scheme. I love the idea of throwing a switch or a valve to solve issues and being able to carry on.
7. Think about alternatives to the Racor. I really am finding more and more things not to like. They seem amazingly rust-prone for being the "expensive" brand. Draining the metal bowl without getting gas all over is a PITA at best. Getting the bowl off if you ever have to change elements seems to need superhuman strength. I swear those ancient Perkos might have some good points. They are bronze and thus cannot rust, it is easy to put a drain valve on the bottom, the elements are cheap, they change from the top, and you can clean them if you don't have more.
8. The holy grail is FWC and cabin heat. Not sure if I have the $$$ for it.

[toddster]

I'd rather not call my shots. Whatever goes in the pocket, you may assume, was intended all along :roll eyes:


(Working on windlass and bow roller right now. Making some cushions would be nice. Curtains couldn't possibly take more than a couple of hours, right? Need a sea hood to match the abominable hatch I made last winter... but don't hold me to any of that. It might be a nice day go go sailing instead.)

[joe_db]

I was sticking to A4 stuff.
Other projects are numerous.
I have a ton of teak oil or varnish work to do, got to finish putting down the teak-and-holley floor, got to get a bigger inverter installed, got to install some 120 volt outlets, my wife wants filters for the fresh water so it doesn't taste/smell like boat water, got to find a nice swim ladder, and a few more things.

[Mo]

I want to do some interior paint, cupboards etc. Might get around to putting in the new gauges and panel that has been sitting in my garage for 4 or 5 years now. The dodger is getting in rough shape and needs to be sent out...spring comes quick here. Soon it will be too cold to do very much at all on the boat itself. Then when it warms up enough I tend to do the basics and put the boat in and go sailing. I haven't stepped on my boat in 5 days and could have had something done each of those days.


Brought my dodger and jib over to my friend "the sail-maker" for a going over last week. Tonight as I checked my No 2 and main I noticed I need to send them out as well for some preventive maintenance. Shouldn't cost me much at all ... my friend runs the busiest sail shop around here and we take care of each other. Tomorrow I will be towing his daughter's boat home for him. Checked and lubricated thru hulls yesterday...they worked easily anyway but worth doing as she's sitting on the hard.

It cooled off quicker this year but no snow yet...lots of wind and rain. Last night we had 50kts of wind and last week we had 73kt gusts. This weekend there are several people that need to cover their boats ...again! Two boats down there with broken stanchions as the wind broke them as it blew on covers. Mine is not covered and she did just fine...all rain, no snow yet.

[joe_db]

I tend to be out of synch with the weather.
If the boat is taken apart, it will be warm and sunny in January and February.
If the boat is ready to sail, it will rain and snow

I usually leave the heat on and set to 50 for general stuff and I'll turn it up to 70 for paint/varnish work. If I go down there and the cabin is freezing I get demoralized and don't work on anything.

[hanleyclifford]

Joe - That big alternator would prefer dual belts. If the wife hits the toaster oven switch it's gonna sound like a squirrel in the engine room.

[joe_db]

At A4 RPMs it will be lucky to get 60 amps. I really need to belt it off the crank somehow.

Joe - That big alternator would prefer dual belts. If the wife hits the toaster oven switch it's gonna sound like a squirrel in the engine room.

[hanleyclifford]

At A4 RPMs it will be lucky to get 60 amps. I really need to belt it off the crank somehow.

Exactly. This was my first shot at 3:1. Really put a strain on the engine just after start up because I didn't have any delay circuit for the field. I went to 2:1 and it's fine. McMaster has all the components except the belts.

[Whippet]

I need a database...

Ah gee...the list is so long i had to hire IBM to build a database to keep it all straight. A partial list all related to A4 or input/output:

1) More tests to isolate water in oil issue
2) new fuel lines, Racor filter, maybe new Moeller tank/gauge
3) repack stuffing box, maybe hose while at it
4) replace old thru-hull ball valves with new levers
5) remove and clean carb for first time
6) Replace points/condenser w EI and new coil while at it
7) Replace a number of old hoses including raw water intake, fuel vent
7) Complete auto-bilge pump install
8) Reinstall broken throttle lever
9) Wire new ignition switch
10) Install buss to re-route the 5 wires that go to coil + terminal
11) more...
12) and fix whatever i break by accident doing the above

I have a goal to get the ratio of work hours to sailing hours under 10 to 1. That's getting further away. The recent posts on selling the boat has a lot of appeal .. but just takes one great sail to make the bad memories disappear

[hanleyclifford]

The trick is to get your life organized around the boat.

[mikeysail]

>>>The trick is to get your life organized around the boat.

My wife thinks my life is already way too organized around the boat...

[Bingy]

instruments

Looking to replace speed and depth sounders on two boats.
Trying to find used ones ,display and transducers.
Any out there?
Both A4"s runnimg great

[seapadrik]

Good list. I have the following planned:

A4 specific:
- remove the OPSS off engine to nearby bulkhead
- check/retorque head nuts to spec
- order and install the alternator tension bracket from Moyer
- add T valve upstream of waterpump to make fresh water flushing possible.

DC wiring:
- add masthead light
- replace stern light fixture
- add all around anchor light

AC wiring:
- install ELCI main circuit breaker
- install GFCI receptacles ( there are currently none on the boat )

Sails:
- replace main sail

If time allows, maybe remove boat cushions to have upholstery redone but that is not a priority at all.

[ILikeRust]

Get my exhaust and new waterlift muffler hooked up and squared away.

A bunch of interior work.

Sell the boat.

[sastanley]

ILR, Sorry to hear in the other thread that you are selling the boat..we all do what is necessary in life to keep living it. - You are welcome up here on the Patuxent River for a sail anytime you are in town.

I need to change the oil (I winterized this weekend worrying about the current cold snap), but the beauty of FWC is it is only about 3 quarts of pink antifreeze on the raw water side to re-winterize! I still need to fill the tank with non-ethanol fuel from my local source for winter.. Other A-4 projects include installing my new vacuum gauge with a copper line per Dave Neptune's recommendations to reduce vibrations.

Non-A4 related are to start building some new interior cushions for the boat.