More dirty fun
When I posted on our Facebook page that I was “servicing winches” some people were perhaps led to believe that there were some other, non-nautical things going on. So, just to set the record straight, the winches I was servicing are the two yet-to-be-installed Harken 16s that I mentioned.
Tools/stuff on hand:
- Degreaser and bucket (plastic garbage can actually)
- Harken Winch grease
- Oil
- Large slot screwdriver
- Needlenose pliers
- Allan key
- Knife
- Several rags (which might have included a tea towel)
- Brushes (ummm… our toothbrushes seem to have been recruited for this job 🙂 )
With the winch schematics up on my computer screen, I began the process of slowly taking them apart, and piece by piece laying the parts sequentially on the tea towel / rag. The entire process, including disassembly, degreasing, re-lubricating and finally putting them back together was a bit time consuming and messy but not at all difficult. A couple hours later and we had two good-as-new winches for our boat.
We confirmed yesterday that we will be launching on Friday and were also told that we could step the mast on the same day. Because of this we have a few things relating to the mast that we need to get accomplished in the next day or so:
- I need to install our new anchor light
- I would like to test both this and the new LED steaming light before we step the mast
- We purchased some reflective tape and we want to put a couple of strips near the top of the mast
- We need to check all of the rigging and replace the cotter pins
Unfortunately the weather is not going to be as nice this week as it was over the Easter weekend. Oh well… I think we need some practice being cold and wet.
I find winch servicing to be strangely Zen. Thanks for reminding me to add that to my spring to do list 🙂
I can see that. It reminded me of playing with Legos as a kid. Maybe Zach would like it too. 🙂
Say NO! to cold and wet. UGH! That’s why you’re headed for a tropical paradise right? I mean you can get an umbrella drink practically anywhere in any climate.
Think of it as motivation to go where it’s warm.
Fair Winds,
Mike
hehe… yeah.
Happily it didn’t rain at all while I was outside at the boat and it was over 60F.
Now I need the rain to hold off long enough this week so I can wax the topsides (sorry Drew).
Guilt! Guilt!
Actually, I’m hoping they turn on the dock water soon, so I can wash the deck and windows, and then wax the windows (not the deck).
But don’t tell anyone.
Carburetors are the “zen” thing for me. After buy a used boat and having to rebuild 3, and then buying 2 used engines and rebuilding those, I didn’t even open my eyes on the last 2. So nice when you hit the key and … purrrrrrrr.
80F and sunny yesterday (played lunchtime hookey and did some boat stuff). On the Chesapeake we start chasing 30-pound Rockfish in 10 days!
🙂
Great minds steal..um, LEARN… alike 🙂
We cut stars out of SOLAS tape – to be installed at top of mast.
I was no where near as creative. I just put two vertical stripes by the top. Your mast will no doubt be much more festive than ours.
How about a video update soon?
http://cruisingwetpaint.blogspot.com
And what exactly should we video, John? 🙂
I think we will actually video tape the launch this Friday, and the mast stepping so that we can remember how we do it.
Good idea to tape the mast stepping! I hope you also taped the unstepping last year, so that when you are going through the canals you can remember how you did it! As to the winches, funny how one little vowel can give a whole new meaning to one’s statements!
Here is the video of the unstepping of the mast last season:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAiIdmEaXfc
And yes, 1 vowel can make a huge difference 🙂