Feb 27 2015 - Getting ready for the sailing season!

Well, it has been a long time since my last sail. Just laying around my berth for the last 4 months!!!

Mind you, Hank has stopped and checked up on me at least once every two weeks and before and after each storm. All in all, I came through this winter fairly well.

For the last few days, Hank has been over re-installing all my running rigging, replaced all my stay covers, hoisted my newly repair jib (UV strip was torn off), gave me a great washing down... removing all the green slime off my decks, etc. Now just need a good waxing!

In addition, Hank had to remove the lifeline netting from my bow. After 4 years of service, the netting lost its stopping power... just rotted away.

Today Hank serviced my engine...

•  replaced primary and secondary diesel filters. There was slime in the glass bowl in the primary filter housing; about 1.5 inches. 
•  



you can see the slime in the bottom of the glass bowl

• This has to be the worst job to do... getting to the filters is difficult, but the worst is bleeding the air out of the system. Needless to say, Hank usually never gets all the air out on his first try! My engine started by died soon after. Bleeding the system is messy... lots of diesel everywhere... but done!! :)
• Because there was a lot of slime in the glass filter bowl, Hank decided to "dip" my diesel tank to see if there was any slime / water at the bottom of the tank. Hank found very little slime. :)
• Next was my oil and filter change. Hank had to borrow a oil remove pump for Murray as the pump that was on my engine failed. Everything worked out fine.
• Next was my raw water cooling system. 
• Cleaned the raw water filter and housing
• Replaced the zinc in the heat exchanger.

My heater exchanger berfore cleaning, note the old zinc at the bottom

Inside of the cap; you can see the old zincs at the bottom

Starting to rod out the heat exchanger tubes.

•  fan belt checked ok
• Battery water level checked ok
• Added spare diesel filters, spare fuses, and spare fan belt in engine compartment

• Checked emergency kit... all good but need to replace 6 outdated flares.

Hank mentioned that I will be pulled out of the water to have my bottom cleaned mid March... ready for the up and coming "Southern Straits Race"

Now resting (still) with a serviced engine, clean decks and fully rigged ready to sail!  :))

Tarka out!