Galini maintainence

[Alyosius]

Well I have accepted Galini back from the engineers after the work was finished on repairing her engine - my wallet is much lighter but she is in good mechanical condition. The photos are attached.

I now get to start on the laundry list of other defects that need to be worked on - fortunatly at this point nothing major, mostly preventative and cosmetic, however it must be done. So, here are the tasks ahead of me:

- Slipping: she is overdue for slipping and the engineer told me she will probably need her skeg nut realigned after the issues with the engine. She should probably also be soda blasted
- Galley:
1. The right hand cupboard is positioned such that I can't get to the galley through hull valve - that needs to change
2. The gas stove. I don't *think* she came with a gas compliance certificate, slight shame, but ah well. Rather than pay a plumber to bring her into cert, I'm going to install a gymballed metho stove. I've spent alot of time recently reading about the pros and cons of both, and I think the Origon series of metho stoves has less of the cons of metho and none of the cons of gas. I'm going to carry a small portable gas camping stove as well, but I think down below this will work better.
3. Water system - the water was a funny colour when the bladder was filled and used, so the bladder has been brought home for a good clean. I'll have to replace all the pipes as they are....were.... see through....you get the idea.... Also the bladder when I bought her lived on the quarter berth, I want to find it a permanent home somewhere, probably under the settee berth.
- Lines: All the lines need replacing - the biggest thing here will be the ones in the mast - I might get the mast lowered when she goes up on the slip - gives me a chance to paint the mast as well. I know I can do it with the mast installed, we shall see.
- Windows: Crazed and need replacing
- Electrics: Yep, probably want to look at this as well - also want to install red lighting for night work
- Deck: The deck is in need of some TLC. As you can see from the photo of the throttle leaver, the deck is in a pretty poor state and needs some work.

I'm sure I will learn lots as we progress forward....Galini was always intended to be a learning experience for me, originally at sea, but I will learn many things from her before we part company I have no doubt.

Anyway, I'd love peoples opinions on the best way to clean the deck. What you can see in the throttle picture is indicative of the whole cockpit - the fwd deck is a little better but still needs work. The mechanic suggested she had probably been painted, and that I should attack her with JIF. Would the assembled masses agree? Do I clean her with JIF then repaint her?

Thanks for the help in advance

[Troppo]

Hi Alyosius

Your motor is looking good!

Your 'to do' list is very similar to things I have done to Windchaser. I guess it it a typical list of stuff that needs attending to on boats sooner or later.

I found with all the work I did on Windchaser, I got to know the boat thoroughly inside and out. Certainly increased my appreciation of her.

With the metho stove, have you used one? Some people don't like them. I reckon they are fantastic. While I don't have one in Windchaser, use a camp butane exploding sort of one, I would prefer a metho one. It is way down my list of things to buy.

With deck cleaning, when I went to paint bits and pieces (done all the cockpit), I first went over with an orbital sander with about 100 grit. That got the big flat smooth areas out of the way. Then hand sanded with 100 grit on a hard foam rubber pad which flexed a bit for curves. Just the sandpaper no block for the corners. I find wet and dry worked wet was best. Did the repairs where there were chips or cracks. Sanded the repairs and used two pack paints on a small roller.

For preparing the non-slip surfaces in the cockpit and elsewhere, the orange abrasive-string wheel is what I found useful:

sanding.jpg (449.67 KiB) Viewed 3694 times

If left in one spot I found it would chew too much away but if moved back and forth and change the angle 90 degrees, it would clean up the non-slip bumps quite well although it does make them a tad flatter. But then, when new paint goes on it tends to fill the hollows a bit more than the crests so it gets flatter still. Despite that, with my surfaces it was still non slip once repainted.

Have fun with the repairs.

troppo

[Mike]

I'm a big fan of metho stoves. Simple, unbreakable and safe. I have an old original issue Maxie and I reckon she's great. Puts out plenty of heat for top hat crew size meals. In fact, I'm downing a soup I made on it as I type. I'm discovering with upgrading a boat seemingly small decisions can turn into month long research project, and still leave you undecided, so I hope I can reassure you on the metho stove decision if that's the way your going.

Michael.

[Troppo]

. . . I'm discovering with upgrading a boat seemingly small decisions can turn into month long research project, and still leave you undecided, . . ..

Michael.

So true.

troppo

[Phillip]

I'm going to install a gymballed metho stove.
I have one installed, but usually have the stove chocked so it will not move, so if you want you can forget the gymballing especially if you are only doing coastal cruising.

I'm going to carry a small portable gas camping stove as well, but I think down below this will work better."
Not necessary, just extra junk and you will be forever chasing gas cylinders!

With your windows get the lightest tint.

I also installed red lights inside but never use them, seems to be a waste now.

Enjoy your re-fit!

[Alyosius]

With the metho stove, have you used one? Some people don't like them. I reckon they are fantastic. While I don't have one in Windchaser, use a camp butane exploding sort of one, I would prefer a metho one. It is way down my list of things to buy.

Never in sailing however I've used and seen others use them in Scouting and Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Yeah they arn't nearly as fast a gas stoves, but in most other respects didn't seem to be too much different (some advantages too - like not having to hike back with an empty gas cylinder....surprising large weight penalty...anyway off topic)

I have one installed, but usually have the stove chocked so it will not move, so if you want you can forget the gymballing especially if you are only doing coastal cruising.

I'm curious as to why you don't normally gymbal it. While I can understand leaving it locked while you were at anchor/in a bay etc. I would have thought that while doing any sort of coastal cruising where you could be listing a little over most meal periods the gymballing would be very nice to have if not required.

I also installed red lights inside but never use them, seems to be a waste now.

Would I be correct in assuming that this is partly due to conducting a lot of single handed sailing and electronic charting?
I drive substantially larger ships than Galini for work and just having the idea of turning white light on after dark is enough to get someone thrown off the bridge....if not overboard [/tongue in cheek]

With deck cleaning, when I went to paint bits and pieces (done all the cockpit), I first went over with an orbital sander with about 100 grit. That got the big flat smooth areas out of the way. Then hand sanded with 100 grit on a hard foam rubber pad which flexed a bit for curves. Just the sandpaper no block for the corners. I find wet and dry worked wet was best. Did the repairs where there were chips or cracks. Sanded the repairs and used two pack paints on a small roller.

Thanks for the advice Troppo. Did you just paint the deck or is there a gloss/epoxy/something to put over the paint to protect it and keep it clean(ish)? And I suppose another question I should ask, what paint did you use?

Thanks all

[Troppo]

I used two pack Aquacote as that is what I was using inside the cabin and had it on hand. http://boatcraft.com.au/Shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_38.

Aquacote is water based epoxy, seems thinner than another two pack paint I once used so a few coats is good. Dries quickly, have to be careful not to use it on hot dry days. As with other two pack paints, over two weeks the paint hardens up considerable.

I used Aquacote inside the cabin as low fumes, I found it easy to mix and apply. Easy to mix a small amount to do repairs. I don't know how it compares with other paints as far as stain resistance goes, noticed it has got stains in various places inside the cabin.

There's an undercoat/primer same sort of thing which is a bit thicker. Good for giving a solid light colour for a base for the top coats as then need less top coat to given an even colour. Don't have to use the undercoat/primer, Aquacote top coat goes straight over prepared fibreglass and epoxy repairs. I just used it straight onto the prepared non-slip surfaces as it defeats the purpose of non-slip to put high-build primer over the grippy surface. Fills up the indentations.

Nothing goes on top of the Aquacote. The finish is not a full gloss. Some people use various polishing stuff to rub it up to a full gloss. I never have.

troppo

[Phillip]

Alyosius,

I'm curious as to why you don't normally gimbal it. While I can understand leaving it locked while you were at anchor/in a bay etc. I would have thought that while doing any sort of coastal cruising where you could be listing a little over most meal periods the gimballing would be very nice to have if not required.

I found that the movement of Seaka keep the gimballed stove moving all the time and this caused wear and tear as well as noise.
I used the pot holders to keep the kettle and any pots in place if I have to cook [rare] or make a cuppa.

Would I be correct in assuming that this is partly due to conducting a lot of single handed sailing and electronic charting?

Yes, but I did use only the light from the chart plotter, turned into cabin so I could see it, unless I wanted to see detail on a chart and then I turned a white light on.
Remember this is out to sea where things happen really slowly to start with.
Coming into confined areas I only have the chartplotter going with about 15% backlight.