New tank connection now neatly installed and secure.... a real palaver to fit though.... either the floor support beam went in, or the elbow.... together... nah!
So, a little surgery required.... an 1/8 of an inch removed from the beam... its 3" across, so should be a big problem.... but would explain why the previous owner hadn't installed the elbow properly.
The filler cap was a joy compared.... the old one took a few mins to remove... it was well crusted in.... but, totally out of character, the new one slotted neatly into the existing hole.... a good dollop of Sikaflex, and it was in.... and the pipe connection below decks was even reasonably easy.... it came off the old and onto the new without too much of a fight....
Next, I drained the 3 fuel filters (yes, that's 3), and the swirl pot/separator, all of which were full of a diesel-water mess, gave them a good clean, and put them back in place....
so now all that remains is to get some fresh diesel tomorrow, pour it in my shiny new filler cap, along with some Marine16 biocide, pump it through with the manual priming pump, and we should be away again....
Will report on progress!
I also managed to get a skim coat of fairing compound on the holes left in the cockpit by removing the old instruments.... will sand them tomorrow... it's too pate now for a power sander!.... and then mount the new instruments.... they'll need removing again before I paint the cockpit, but it'll be good to get them fired up and tested... bar the wind, which needs the masthead unit installing.
So, a good days progress on Phoenix of Hamble.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Wednesday, 29 May 2013
Phoenix of Hamble spec
People keep asking me about Phoenix of Hamble's spec... so here it is...
Vessel type: LONG KEEL KETCH RIGGED YACHT
Designer: Stan Huntingford
Builder: C&L Marine
Model: Explorer 45
Year constructed: 1978
Year refitted: 2010 to 2013
Berths: 6
Cabins: 2
Heads: 2
Number of engines: 1
Engine model: Ford Lehman
Engine power: 80Hp
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel consumption: 4 Litres Per Hour
Drive type: Shaft drive
Crusing speed: 6 Knots
Maximum speed: 8 Knots
Nominal length: 45'
Length over all: 45'
Length of deck: 45'
Length at waterline: 34'
Beam: 13'
Maximum draft: 7'
Bridge clearance: 50'
Hull material: Glass Fibre
Hull type: Displacement
Keel type: Full Keel
Displacement: 17 metric tons
Fuel capacity: 445 Litres
Water capacity: 672 Litres
I believe there were 14 Explorer 45s built, and Phoenix of Hamble is the only one i'm aware of that is in Europe, the rest being in the US.
She was brought in as new, and registered (and VAT paid!) in the UK in 1978... since then she's had 5 owners including us, and has spent a bit of time cruising around Europe along the way...
The previous owner did a lot of work on the decks, and the 240v wiring, and since then i've been finishing the job.... well on the way, but plenty to still do.
Our plan is to finish her, and then when the kids are off our hands (a few years yet!), clear off and sail some blue water for a while.
Vessel type: LONG KEEL KETCH RIGGED YACHT
Designer: Stan Huntingford
Builder: C&L Marine
Model: Explorer 45
Year constructed: 1978
Year refitted: 2010 to 2013
Berths: 6
Cabins: 2
Heads: 2
Number of engines: 1
Engine model: Ford Lehman
Engine power: 80Hp
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel consumption: 4 Litres Per Hour
Drive type: Shaft drive
Crusing speed: 6 Knots
Maximum speed: 8 Knots
Nominal length: 45'
Length over all: 45'
Length of deck: 45'
Length at waterline: 34'
Beam: 13'
Maximum draft: 7'
Bridge clearance: 50'
Hull material: Glass Fibre
Hull type: Displacement
Keel type: Full Keel
Displacement: 17 metric tons
Fuel capacity: 445 Litres
Water capacity: 672 Litres
I believe there were 14 Explorer 45s built, and Phoenix of Hamble is the only one i'm aware of that is in Europe, the rest being in the US.
She was brought in as new, and registered (and VAT paid!) in the UK in 1978... since then she's had 5 owners including us, and has spent a bit of time cruising around Europe along the way...
The previous owner did a lot of work on the decks, and the 240v wiring, and since then i've been finishing the job.... well on the way, but plenty to still do.
Our plan is to finish her, and then when the kids are off our hands (a few years yet!), clear off and sail some blue water for a while.
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
fuel filling
Phoenix of Hamble is getting her new fuel filling system shortly!
I've ordered the replacement elbow and hose-tails from ASAP supplies, along with a new filler cap.... all to be fitted shortly, and then we'll no longer be filling down below, but will have a nice deck filler cap.
It also means that I can refit the fuel tank hatch (I need to fit the elbow before the cap is put back on), which means that I can stick a few litres of clean diesel in and get it through the filters and get the engine started.
I'm worrying about the watery diesel sitting in the filters at present, so want to get it out and flushed through as soon as possible.
While i'm at it, i've ordered a 500ml bottle of Marine16 diesel biocide, which won 'best in test' in PBO recently for removing any bug from diesel tanks and systems.... so should all be OK before too long.
I've ordered the replacement elbow and hose-tails from ASAP supplies, along with a new filler cap.... all to be fitted shortly, and then we'll no longer be filling down below, but will have a nice deck filler cap.
It also means that I can refit the fuel tank hatch (I need to fit the elbow before the cap is put back on), which means that I can stick a few litres of clean diesel in and get it through the filters and get the engine started.
I'm worrying about the watery diesel sitting in the filters at present, so want to get it out and flushed through as soon as possible.
While i'm at it, i've ordered a 500ml bottle of Marine16 diesel biocide, which won 'best in test' in PBO recently for removing any bug from diesel tanks and systems.... so should all be OK before too long.
Monday, 27 May 2013
tanks, not masthead
Still didn't manage to get to the masthead..... just seem to have lost my head for heights.... so i'll either have to pay someone to do it, or find a vertigo immune friend!
So.... in the meantime, I started the engine again, and then it stopped!
A quick look at the fuel filter showed it full of water.... clearly the tank still had water in it, even though I thought it was clear..... so I started pumping the tank..... and pumped and pumped and pumped.... eventually, my friend Clive turned up.... and walked off.... and turned up a few minutes later with an electric fuel pump.... hoorah!
So, 160ltrs of sludgy, watery mess later, the tank was almost empty (I only put 100ltrs in, and had motored for 22hrs, so clearly a LOT of water).... it just needed the access hatch removing to finish the job..... humhhh..... sounds easy.
The hatch was easy to unbolt.... just 20 bolts holding it on (yes, 20).... but then it wouldn't lift off due to a floor beam over the top of it..... a bit of inspection showed this to be bolted on... so off with the bolts.... now its loose.... but can't be removed as it won't clear two other beams.... so off they came.... and then its was almost clear, bar a fitting into the hatch.... so off that came.... 2 hours later the hatch came off....
I then spent a pleasant hour with a sponge with my arm up the shoulder in the tank, sponging out brown sludgy diesel.... yuck!
Eventually, the tank bottom was dry and clean....
Just the filters to empty now (and maybe replace the elements), a few minutes work, some fresh diesel, a good dose of diesel bug treatment, and we'll be back in business!
Now home... will order the bits to make the filler secure once and forever, and then it can be forgotten for a while...
a dirty job, but one that needed doing.
So.... in the meantime, I started the engine again, and then it stopped!
A quick look at the fuel filter showed it full of water.... clearly the tank still had water in it, even though I thought it was clear..... so I started pumping the tank..... and pumped and pumped and pumped.... eventually, my friend Clive turned up.... and walked off.... and turned up a few minutes later with an electric fuel pump.... hoorah!
So, 160ltrs of sludgy, watery mess later, the tank was almost empty (I only put 100ltrs in, and had motored for 22hrs, so clearly a LOT of water).... it just needed the access hatch removing to finish the job..... humhhh..... sounds easy.
The hatch was easy to unbolt.... just 20 bolts holding it on (yes, 20).... but then it wouldn't lift off due to a floor beam over the top of it..... a bit of inspection showed this to be bolted on... so off with the bolts.... now its loose.... but can't be removed as it won't clear two other beams.... so off they came.... and then its was almost clear, bar a fitting into the hatch.... so off that came.... 2 hours later the hatch came off....
I then spent a pleasant hour with a sponge with my arm up the shoulder in the tank, sponging out brown sludgy diesel.... yuck!
Eventually, the tank bottom was dry and clean....
Just the filters to empty now (and maybe replace the elements), a few minutes work, some fresh diesel, a good dose of diesel bug treatment, and we'll be back in business!
Now home... will order the bits to make the filler secure once and forever, and then it can be forgotten for a while...
a dirty job, but one that needed doing.
Sunday, 26 May 2013
The perfect excuse
Another trip up the mast.... I REALLY don't like climbing the mast....
However, disorganisation saved me.... I've left my rivet gun at home!
So.... need to work out how to do this.... do I get a rivet gun from the local DIY, or do I pay someone to do the job for me! :)
However, disorganisation saved me.... I've left my rivet gun at home!
So.... need to work out how to do this.... do I get a rivet gun from the local DIY, or do I pay someone to do the job for me! :)
Saturday, 25 May 2013
moving forward
got a few more jobs done... another 8 cupboard catches fitted... the new wooden panel at the chart table stained to match everything else....
...and up the mast....
made it to within 3 feet of the top and bottled it and came down... blowing a bit too much and not happy up there!
Will try again tomorrow.... it has been probably 8 years since I went up the mast, and I seem to have developed vertigo in the meantime!!!!
I have the wind instrument sender, the VHF aerial and the Tricolour to fit, so don't have any choice.
...and up the mast....
made it to within 3 feet of the top and bottled it and came down... blowing a bit too much and not happy up there!
Will try again tomorrow.... it has been probably 8 years since I went up the mast, and I seem to have developed vertigo in the meantime!!!!
I have the wind instrument sender, the VHF aerial and the Tricolour to fit, so don't have any choice.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Thinking out loud
I'm always accused of thinking out loud, so figured why not type out loud instead!
Here's a few things floating around in my head...
I've got the top of the fuel tank fitted with a 90 degree elbow for the filler.... the elbow has male threads on the tank, but the plastic threads on the tank itself are stripped.... however, all is not lost... the threads are in a bolted on inspection hatch.... so.... I think i'll remove the hatch and bolt a male-male connector on and then the elbow can bolt to that.... the only problem will be clearance on the floor that fits in above it.... I either need to find a very low profile elbow, or carve a little recess into the bottom of the access panel that drops in over it. First things first, I need to remember to measure the thread size... think its 1 1/2" BSP.
Secondly, its the mainsail reefing system. Currently there are three reefing points, through a small track on the exterior of the boom and 3 cars.... however, they lead back to a small winch mounted on the boom... so its out of the cockpit to reef.... I also have the main halyard on a winch on the mast' along with the topping lift on the other side of the mast.... so how do I bring all this back?
I've toyed with putting another track on the gooseneck end of the boom, but then the leads would be wrong as the boom shifted....and i'd still need to head to the mast for the halyard and reefing spectacles.... An option is to put a triple block on the gooseneck and lead lines along the boom through this block, up the tack and then down to the deck.... but not sure that the lead along the boom will be very good.... a second option is to simply bite the bullet and buy a new boom with built in reefing... but that tends to deal with the clew only.... so not sure on this one yet.
Either way, i'll need to fit something at the base of the mast for turning blocks (both mounts and the blocks themselves), some deck organisers, clutches and new winches.... also enlarge the hole through the dog house where the lines pass through.
Third thing.... what do I actually need to lead back.... I'm working on the three reefing lines, the main halyard and the topping lift.... and then staysail sheet.... but that leaves the staysail traveller lines a little stranded, so need to work out what to do with them.... added complication is that there is only room on the starboard coach roof for 2 lines due to the location of the garage cover.... but fortunately the main halyard is that side... not sure if 5 lines one side and only one the other makes sense.
Last, but not least, i'm trying to decide where to put the plotter.... latest thinking is to buy a rail mount for the wheel, and put a pod on it with the plotter... that way, it's right at the wheel, so useful for the driver.... but on the flip side only the helm can see it.... maybe that's not an issue, as the plotter i'm planning on getting (Raymarine e7) can repeat to an iPad....
Phoenix of Hamble.... there's still some money to be spent on you!
Here's a few things floating around in my head...
I've got the top of the fuel tank fitted with a 90 degree elbow for the filler.... the elbow has male threads on the tank, but the plastic threads on the tank itself are stripped.... however, all is not lost... the threads are in a bolted on inspection hatch.... so.... I think i'll remove the hatch and bolt a male-male connector on and then the elbow can bolt to that.... the only problem will be clearance on the floor that fits in above it.... I either need to find a very low profile elbow, or carve a little recess into the bottom of the access panel that drops in over it. First things first, I need to remember to measure the thread size... think its 1 1/2" BSP.
Secondly, its the mainsail reefing system. Currently there are three reefing points, through a small track on the exterior of the boom and 3 cars.... however, they lead back to a small winch mounted on the boom... so its out of the cockpit to reef.... I also have the main halyard on a winch on the mast' along with the topping lift on the other side of the mast.... so how do I bring all this back?
I've toyed with putting another track on the gooseneck end of the boom, but then the leads would be wrong as the boom shifted....and i'd still need to head to the mast for the halyard and reefing spectacles.... An option is to put a triple block on the gooseneck and lead lines along the boom through this block, up the tack and then down to the deck.... but not sure that the lead along the boom will be very good.... a second option is to simply bite the bullet and buy a new boom with built in reefing... but that tends to deal with the clew only.... so not sure on this one yet.
Either way, i'll need to fit something at the base of the mast for turning blocks (both mounts and the blocks themselves), some deck organisers, clutches and new winches.... also enlarge the hole through the dog house where the lines pass through.
Third thing.... what do I actually need to lead back.... I'm working on the three reefing lines, the main halyard and the topping lift.... and then staysail sheet.... but that leaves the staysail traveller lines a little stranded, so need to work out what to do with them.... added complication is that there is only room on the starboard coach roof for 2 lines due to the location of the garage cover.... but fortunately the main halyard is that side... not sure if 5 lines one side and only one the other makes sense.
Last, but not least, i'm trying to decide where to put the plotter.... latest thinking is to buy a rail mount for the wheel, and put a pod on it with the plotter... that way, it's right at the wheel, so useful for the driver.... but on the flip side only the helm can see it.... maybe that's not an issue, as the plotter i'm planning on getting (Raymarine e7) can repeat to an iPad....
Phoenix of Hamble.... there's still some money to be spent on you!
Saturday, 18 May 2013
Another result
connecting a 12V source to the warning lamp on the alternator.... and it pinged into life!
So... despite a dunking, everything on the engine is working just fine!
Just got to sort out the wiring from the alternator to the warning lamp, as that is obviously the problem, and all will be fine.
Along the way, i've put the final matt coat of varnish on all down the passageway..... so that's it.... the last of the last coats in the main saloon is done!!!!!!
(actually, i've a few draw fronts to do, but pretending they don't count)
So... despite a dunking, everything on the engine is working just fine!
Just got to sort out the wiring from the alternator to the warning lamp, as that is obviously the problem, and all will be fine.
Along the way, i've put the final matt coat of varnish on all down the passageway..... so that's it.... the last of the last coats in the main saloon is done!!!!!!
(actually, i've a few draw fronts to do, but pretending they don't count)
Sunday, 12 May 2013
A good weekend all in all
So, I set myself 3 challenges, and achieved them all this weekend....
And now I need to work out what the next tasks are.....
In no particular order, I think the next challenges are to mount the VHF, the aerial, the tricolour, the wind instruments head, get the instruments in and wired up, final varnish coat on the passageway, plumb in the taps in both heads, fit new loos, fit the new lights, fit kit to take lines back to cockpit, fit new coachroof winches, rewire windlass, varnish sole boards, refit headlining...... OK OK.....
So there is loads to do still..... I think i'll concentrate on the nav lights, nav equipment, alternator, and windlass, as these are the quickest routes to getting out of the marina!
And now I need to work out what the next tasks are.....
In no particular order, I think the next challenges are to mount the VHF, the aerial, the tricolour, the wind instruments head, get the instruments in and wired up, final varnish coat on the passageway, plumb in the taps in both heads, fit new loos, fit the new lights, fit kit to take lines back to cockpit, fit new coachroof winches, rewire windlass, varnish sole boards, refit headlining...... OK OK.....
So there is loads to do still..... I think i'll concentrate on the nav lights, nav equipment, alternator, and windlass, as these are the quickest routes to getting out of the marina!
And she breathes again!
Rewiring finished.... Press the starter button..... Round and round she goes.... But not starting... OK, so the starter is good....
Half an hour bleedin the injectors... And press the button....
I sense a bit of life.... She's trying.... And then the marina disappears in a cloud of smoke!!!!!
SHE LIVES!
Running nicely... Ok in gear... Water coming out of exhaust fine.... All looking good.
Only problems.... No output from alternator... Not a surprise... So no rev counter either... Could be the excitation circuit, so not given up yet... And no water temp sender... Could be wiring too.... And anti syphon loop on cooling water has sprung a minor leak... Nothing that can't be fixed quickly...
All in all... A result!
Half an hour bleedin the injectors... And press the button....
I sense a bit of life.... She's trying.... And then the marina disappears in a cloud of smoke!!!!!
SHE LIVES!
Running nicely... Ok in gear... Water coming out of exhaust fine.... All looking good.
Only problems.... No output from alternator... Not a surprise... So no rev counter either... Could be the excitation circuit, so not given up yet... And no water temp sender... Could be wiring too.... And anti syphon loop on cooling water has sprung a minor leak... Nothing that can't be fixed quickly...
All in all... A result!
Saturday, 11 May 2013
First two nearly done
Varnishing finished (well 2nd coat anyway...) and panel at chart table made up.... Not quite finished, and not yet varnished.... But good progress!
Friday, 10 May 2013
On board... And 3 goals
1] finish the second coat of varnish in the passageway
2] start making up the final panel for the chart table
3] rewire and attempt to start the engine
I've got the bits to do all the jobs... Time is the constraining factor... Have just spent half an hour mentally working out how to fit panel at chart table... And again, avoiding the engine :)
2] start making up the final panel for the chart table
3] rewire and attempt to start the engine
I've got the bits to do all the jobs... Time is the constraining factor... Have just spent half an hour mentally working out how to fit panel at chart table... And again, avoiding the engine :)
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