THE LEAST GLAMOROUS JOB ON A BOAT - FIXING THE HEAD

Re-sealing the pump

Me broken after finding a whole pump assembly

Flash brand new, newly installed pump

A well deserved sunset beer, while painting my nails

I keep getting told that sailboats are good for character building and I think the head  aka toilet, was the first thing on the boat to help build character.

The head has been an issue for me since the start. Originally the boat had a compost head. Emptying it involved carrying the 'jug' of urine or bag of compost out past the galley (kitchen) to throw overboard. Safe to say the compost head was made redundant on my boat almost immediately. 

Now the new standard pump head wasn't working properly and was leaking. As with any component, it seemed a $90 seal kit/service was in order. 

In all fairness Hendo offered to do it, but with my weak stomach and average mechanical aptitude, I figured if I could do this, then I could actually do anything.

WORST JOB EVER!!! The grossest thing I have done to date. Once it was all back together, the toilet was now working, but it was still leaking out of the cover. Turns out there was a crack in the plastic. At this point I was shitty - no pun intended! 

I had to go back to the Chandlery and find a cover which of course they didn't have. To make sure we were talking about the same cover the shop assitant pulled out a complete pump unit. I asked the price very half-assed thinking a whole unit wouldn't even be an option when he told me it was $125.

At this point I was broken! 

I spent 4 hours of my life, covered in poo, to save $35! 15 mins (minus the 30 mins I spent telling everyone about my outrage) and an extra $125 later toilet was fixed, there were no leaks and I had learnt a very valuable lesson.

When it comes to anything on a boat that has to do with human excrement, don't repair it, replace it!

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BOAT UPDATE # 4 - PAINT THE TOWN RED... ONLY AFTER YOU HAVE SANDED, PRIMED AND PAINTED IT BLACK'

Tri-coloured Hull with stand marks

 

Before pic - Haul out last year

 

After Pic - Sexiest Hull in La Paz

 

According to Hendo, the last few coats went on a treat, with several tiny conundrums along the way, but nothing too unexpected and difficult to solve.

One thing that was established and explained to me is that putting the last coat of paint on now and then leaving the boat sit on the hard for a couple of months will cause the copper to oxidise and the paint will lose it's barnacle killing ability. Therefore there is one last coat to go on just before she goes back in the water... And more than likely I will finally be there to help with it. 

It seems boat paint is copper based and has big warnings about being carcinogenic. Who knew that it would take both Hendo and Eddie to use a drill to mix the paint and spill most of it on themselves before coming up with this ingenious 'hole in paint lid idea'.

 

*For the record (it's in the blog so it's a legal disclaimer), no compo will b paid for work carried out on this boat...

 

The two troopers moved stands back and forth, sanded, painted, and spent time strategically placing and sikaflexing zincs so that water cant get behind them, yet also ensuring that the zincs have good contact for electrical current.

 

Looking at the obvious difference from the haul out until now you can appreciate the amazing amount of effort and work gone into it. I am so stoked, who knew a mechanic could be such a craftsman with a hull.

 

 

*I will be sure to update with a picture of Hendo and Eddie with a finished Hull.

 

 

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BOAT UPDATE # 3 - A SEXY PRIMED HULL



Almost a fully primed white hull, minus the teak run off from the rain
 

My mate Hayley giving Hendo a hand

 

No words necessary

 

Just kidding when I said pack up the tools... There's heaps more work to b done....

The original plan was to have the boat (I really need a name for her) back in the water on June 27th, but now looks like it will b staying on the hard for a couple more months.

Due to a few storms and really high humidity, work on the hull was slightly delayed. Luckily now the weather is just back to dry and hot the work has continued.

The yard took the generator away so Hendo and Eddie had to do the last hull pre-paint prep sanding by hand.

The painting/mixing process as explained to me by Hendo

"3 parts big tin, 1 part small tin, 20-25% of the mix green tin (that makes no sense I know....). Stir the shit out of it, pour into paint tray and roll on hull while copping paint all over yourself and in your beard"

Unfortunately I am not there to observe this intricate process but am kept well informed by email. She looks a beauty all white.

 

I have been told, 'Only one coat of primer, one coat of black, two coats of red and four sands in between and her hull will be done...'

 

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BOAT UPDATE # 2 - THE IMPORTANCE OF THE VENT (SUNBAKE AREA)

A beautifully flushed vent

 

View of the vent from the head

              

Me imagining myself laying out (needs a towel and beer though)

                   

More exciting times on the boat fixing front. For me, possibly one of the most exciting achievements to date (after the removal of the compost head of course)

The installation of the skylight/flushed air vent.

Part of the compost toilet was a vent that was setup on top of the raised deck right in the prime 'layout' location.

Being a girl that takes a lot of time and bases great importance on her tan, this saddened me greatly. It was possible to lay on, but was not flush so there was a discomfort factor but More importantly than that was the stench of the compost through the vent. Safe to say, I found different, less well functioning tanning spots. 

Whether Hendo knew it or not (but I'm sure he did) the importance of the vent decision was a 'make or break' moment. 

As you can see from the picture it was a pure success. The new skylight is unable to be seen through, due to the Perspex and sun reflection, will have no permanent stench and provides adequate and comfortable tanning space! 

Pack up the tools.... Boat complete!

 

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BOAT UPDATE NO 1

Sanding the hull still in his work shirt

Half Goo-ed

Jesus

  

The boat is still safe and sound in Mexico on the hard. From the photos and regular updates I get she is looking good. I'm pretty sure Jesus might be working on it so its going to be a pretty well done job!

Poor Hendo, while looking like Jesus and drinking copious amounts of Tequila - but as I have been told, not before knockoff (mine site spec) has been smashing out tons of work on the boat. To date he has replaced the engine mounts, replaced the compost head to a standard marine toilet (anyone that wants to hear about my hate for compost heads - I will make a whole post about it one day), serviced the engine, has had the boomkin stays fabricated and replaced AND the biggest job of all, fixing the blisters on the hull. Along with every other day to day failure that happens with boating life like unexpected dinghy problems while a km out in the harbour, generators exploding and the struggle for supplies in a non-English speaking country.

Still not sure why he's doing it, I'm going with love of the community, the lifestyle and tequila. He now has a mate named Eddie working for him so the work is getting done doubly as fast at the moment. The amount of work involved with the hull is insane, I could fill the next 15 posts with it.

In super brief, It is currently at the point of goo-ing aka epoxy-ing. After the hull was sanded back and all the blisters popped and gauged, the hull then gets goo-ed and sanded again. There are plans for painting soon and dropping her back in the water.

Bit worried I might never see either the boat or Hendo again once she's back in the water. Tracking device might be a good investment!

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