Whangarei Update
Spindrift
David Hersey
Sun 29 Nov 2009 02:08
We’ve been in Whangarei a couple of weeks and gotten a jump on the ever growing snagging list.
The hydraulic leak in my head has been fixed, we have new navigation lights, a new Cockpit VHF handset, various computer/nav wiring resolved yet again, two toilet vacuum pumps have been serviced and a new complete toilet for my cabin will arrive shortly, as will a replacement anchor windlass and a spare autopilot drive motor. The original aft toilet developed a leak leading to many unpleasantries. The entire toilet compartment sole is also being replaced with “fresh” new timber.
The engine alternator failed on the way here and has gone to alternator hospital for a transplant. We have new engine mounts for the DC generator but its almost impossible to install them. Steve has had a gantry arm made up which fits above the unit and will hopefully allow him to lift the genset a few inches, enough to fit the replacement mounts.
The other generator has been demanding an equal amount of attention.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that when we get back to Europe we will have to have a major engine room overhaul. This will entail removing the cockpit sole (supposedly designed to come out) and removing/renewing and/or replacing the generator system. As the main its DC unit approaches 4000 hours hours it will be on its last legs without continual service. I will try to find a slower running more reliable generator. The ones we have are attractive because they are quiet. They run at 3000 rpm in soundproof capsules and while they are quiet they are prone to overheating and the various fail safes are so complex that they often go wrong for no reason. The only way to service them fully is to remove them and they won’t fit through the engine room door.
The mainsail has gone back to the manufacturers to fit omitted spreader patches to protect the sail when going downwind. The three instrument panels have been removed, repainted and re fitted. The original finish was starting to bubble. Another yacht next to us in Papeete managed to damage our new paint job with his overhanging dinghy motor and this has been made good. Various bits of canvas work have been repaired and I have ordered a new set of cockpit cushions made from a very expensive foam which doesn’t hold water.
Demetri and I took a “scenic’ train from Auckland to Wellington. We expected a modern flash train with upper level observation cars, but what we got was more like the tube. We could have flown from London to LA in the time the train took and still had a half an hour left over. The day was very overcast and the views suffered accordingly, but we did like Wellington a lot, after all it is the cultural centre and capitol of the country.
Tomorrow, Monday I will celebrate my 70th by hauling the boat out in a commercial boatyard. It’s a few miles down stream and we have to be there at 7:30 AM because of tidal considerations. Our cutlass bearing in the propellor shaft “P” bracket has migrated outwards and needs to be corrected/replaced before any serious damage is done. While the boat is out we will also wet and dry the Copper Coat to expose fresh copper. We will also remove and make good a very lumpy transducer from a forward looking echo sounder which never worked properly and has been consigned to the deep six.
In the afternoon Demetri and I will move off the boat into a hotel and stay until Thursday afternoon when we will go to Auckland for a few days prior to flying home on the 8th.
I will attach a few pictures of the Wellington sojourn. They will come in two lots.
