Plugging away on my multitude of projects

I spent the morning working to fabricate supports for the new, larger holding tank that will fit in the space below the vee berth in the left of the image above.  Center in the image above is a cardboard template of the shelf that I plan to install below the vee berth on the starboard (right) side below the vee berth.  The shelf will be a much more effective use of space than the current drawer.

NCOBS work is keeping me busy and limiting my time for projects.  That said I've got to make hay while the sun is shining.

Taking it up a notch in the realm of repairs

Confession time - No project I have ever contemplated or undertaken on C'est la Vie has induced the level of intrepidation I face standing upon the starting line of modifying the rig on C'est la Vie.

Are the nebulous physics of the job creating such hesitation.  Really, how does one comprehend 35,000 pounds of pressure - the calculated maximum force placed on the mast step?  What is the best method of addressing the damage to the mast?  Replace, repair, modify?  Will our solution compromise C'est la Vie's performance or our safety?

Is the hesitation born of a sensation that I am manipulating the heart and soul of C'est la Vie.  I had not considered this notion until I removed the mast step.  Staring down at the nub of epoxy exposed by removing the step, I was overcome by a sense that C'est la Vie was now in a fragile state, like a TV scene in which a wounded hero lies motionless in a bed with the heart monitor beeping away.  Fade to heart monitor slowing down.

After collecting too many options, searching for a used mast, and pricing a new rig - ouch; we have decided to cut C'est la Vie's mast at deck level; fill the existing hole in the deck; create mast step on deck; and add a compression post below decks.

To this end I removed the mast step this morning.  I believe that our step is original to the boat and that it was removed and refurbished in the 1990's.

 Removing the step was not difficult.  I was surprised to discover it is actually two separate pieces.  The oval section that largely rests inside the mast and a baseplate that also supports the centerboard pulley.  The baseplate is on the left in the image below.  An outline of the oval section can clearly be seen on the surface.

The nub of epoxy that links the mast to the keel is to the right.  Fortunately the step components are in good condition, and we should be able to reuse the baseplate below decks as the base for the compression post.  The oval insert will be incorporated above decks as part of the new mast step step.

Due to work obligations through August 23rd.  My progress will continue to be limited.  My confession to you all at the onset of this post and my efforts today on removing the step served as the push forward necessary to build momentum  for the project.  As with all the previous, significant projects on C'est la Vie, we created a photo album to record the process... Rigging repairs and modifications - Summer 2011

fade to the heart monitor... beep, beep, beep.

starting to put some things back together

Thus far it has felt as if we have only initiated projects, found unexpected repairs, and taken things apart.  Perhaps we are now turning a corner?  Today I completed installing all the refinished parts of the starboard salon lockers.

 In conjunction with this effort I installed the new Airmar B112 depth sounder transducer that Gemeco replaced under warranty.   In the past, Gemeco's customer service and timely turnaround on orders has always impressed me.  This is the first time that I have had to work their warranty department.  I continue to be impressed with their service.  Last fall my father and I installed the B112 transducer.  Here is a link to the photo album from the project - Replace Depth Sounder 2010

The sounder and our starter battery are located under the aft section of the starboard salon seats (pictured in lower right of images above.)  Here is what  the locker looked like nearing the completion of the installation last fall...

Here is an image of the same area after painting the lockers and seats...

Once we move all the tools, spare parts, etc. from the vee-berth back into these refinished lockers.  We can then start refinishing the lockers below the vee-berth.

more than a little help from a friend

We owe a huge thanks to a local friend that returned our ready to be primed windlass today.  He who cannot be named works as a military contractor in a facility that services some of the US Navy's vessels.  I went to him for advice in disassembling the windlass.  Over time and countless soakings of salt water many of the stainless steel fasteners seized to the cast aluminum body.  Together we were unable to make progress.  So our windlass took a field trip to a military machine shop where our tax dollars provided all the fancy tools and experience to resurrect our windlass.  Below is a before image of the windlass.

Back to the lockers...

After a couple days of discouraging discoveries, it is refreshing to make progress on one of our less troublesome projects.

I completed prepping the starboard salon lockers (above) and was able to apply a coat of primer on the area (below)

Hopefully tomorrow I can return and apply the top coat.

Thanks to everyone that has replied with suggestions on the mast repairs/replacement.  We are in the process of collecting information on our options...

• Waiting for Sparcraft-US to return with a quote for a new rig
•  Using the internet and message boards to seek for an appropriate used mast

Once we have a clear picture of the options for replacing the mast, then we plan to investigate local options for repairing the mast.   Based on input from multiple sources cutting the mast at the damaged area and inserting an interior sleeve is the best option for repair. 

We are still collecting ideas and seeking information on replacement options - SV C'est la Vie

Thanks for your comments and support.

Is the glass half full or half empty?

This morning I began to remove the chain plates to facilitate painting both the internal lockers and the decks.  At first I was amazed at the amount some of the nuts had loosened over the 4 years since I last removed and re-bedded the chain plates.  I was able to loosen a couple by hand despite the presence of a lock washer.  Guess I need to add this check to a list of annual projects.

Below is an image of the damage discovered when the portside, forward chain plate was removed.

The chip of metal in my hand simply fell away when I removed the bolts.

Four years ago, I refinished the aft chain plates.  On C'est la Vie the aft plates are larger and attach to both an upper shroud and a lower shroud.  The forward, smaller plates only attach to a lower shroud.  Impressed by the craftsmanship and the cost of the repairs Lindow Marine Services provided when repairing the bobstay.   We now plan to have 4 new chainplates made up in stainless steel.

We anticipated discovering some hidden repairs when we stepped the mast, but the surprises continue to surface.    I continue to dwell on the glass half full perspective - at least we are discovering all these required repairs while on the hard rather that via a rig failure at sea.

Discovering damage to the mast... what now?

Pulling the mast was always in the plan for this summer.  Discovering wear/chafe at the point the mast passes through the deck was not in the plan.

The damage is on both the port and starboard sides of the mast. In the worst areas the erosion is at least 1/16" to 1/8" deep.  The discovery of the damage pained me. We are now exploring 3 options:  repair, replace with used mast, replace with new mast.

If anyone out there is willing to share there insights into repair options, then we are eager to hear from you.  I can provide some additional detailed images if it would be helpful.

If anyone out there knows of a used / salvaged mast for a 34 Morgan, then please contact us.

WE can be reached via this blog or via email  SV - C'est la Vie 

I have already requested a quote on a replacement mast & boom from Sparcraft.  We pulled the mast to address issues with spreader attachment; convert to internal halyards; add the hardware for a removable inner stay; and repair the main outhaul.  If we opt for a new mast, then cost of these repairs modifications will be incorporated into a new rig, but we are still afraid of the anticipated price.  Hopefully Sparcraft will pleasantly surprize us.  They are based in Charlotte, NC.  According to their website, they own and operate their own delivery truck.  Proximity may save us some $$.

install one metal pole and remove another

Today we reached a milestone in our summer 2011 projects list.  Prior to today we have simply removed pieces & parts from C'est la Vie in our attempt to complete projects.  Well today I re-installed the repaired bobstay.  

Check one repair off the list! 

For better or worse moments after installing the bobstay we removed an even larger and more complex metal pole from the boat.  This is only the second time in 6 years of owning C'est la Vie that we have stepped the mast.

We plan to add a roller furling genoa and a removable inner stay for our storm and working jibs.  Doing this will require that we modify some of the hardware at the top of the mast.  Also we believe that painting the decks will be easier without having to work around the mast and stays.

Progress?