Preparation 3 - The Boat Prep

First Post By Steve (he's been busy!):

In the past two years these are the things we have done to the boat to get it ready to go and it's not finished yet:

Sails and Rigging:

Replace Running Rigging (Halyards and Sheets)
Replace Lazyjacks
Fit Reefing Points and Lines to Main Sail
Make good and repair sails
Service winches
New sail, winch, instrument and windlass covers

Engine and Transmission:

Strip and clean heat exchanger and oil cooler
Replace Thermostat and Raw Water Pump and coolant
Replace various oil and water pipes
Oil, Oil Filter and Fuel Filter replace
Polish Fuel
Replace propshaft and cutless bearing
Replace belts
New injectors, injector pump, fuel pump, oil seals

Electrics:

Two new house batteries
Overhaul high output alternator
Replace circuit breaker
Replace various bulbs including anchor and steaming lights

Communications & Navigation:

Fit chart plotter
Re-wire some of the HF Installation
Fit Pactor modem
Fix log
Fit Wi-Fi antennae

Refrigeration:

Replace the compressor and various pipes flush and replenish the system

Ground Tackle:

Replace both anchor rodes (chain and rope)

Fresh Water System:

Replace water pump
Overhaul water pump to make spare
Drain and flush tanks

Toilets and Washing Facilities:

Replace both holding tanks
Overhaul both heads
Replace forward masurator, fit new masurator in rear and overhaul old one to create a spare
Replace rear shower pump
Refit front shower fitting

Safety Equipment:

Overhaul liferaft
Re-register the EPIRB
Replenish grab bag
Replace lifelines

Cooking:

Learn to cook well on a boat (no beans and toast!)
Figure out how to provision / store for 3-6 months
Install spice rack

Hull and Deck:

Haul and anti-foul hull
Replace zincs
Compound and polish the topsides
Compound and polish deck
Re-paint antiskid
Varnish Brightwork
Replace some opening ports

Dingy and Outboard:

Modify outboard mount
Replace davit lines
Fit lifting eyes to Dingy
Dingy cover
Outboard cover

Other 'Stuff':

Fit shelves
Cut back shelf in rear cabin
Install step (for short people)
New cushions internally and in the cockpit
New stereo
Fit storage boxes
Oil Lamp
Galley Strap
Fender Boards
Jerry Can mounts

By Katherine:

Until we totalled it all up, we didn't realise what a huge piece of work this has been. Now this isn't to say we did every bit of it. Some of this involved giving money to others (in some cases far too much!) so they could do it. But a great deal has been done by Steve himself - talented electrician, plumber, engineer, painter, carpenter, 'systems' whiz that he is.

After looking at the list, perhaps we should have gone with a newer boat which didn't need so much done to it. But having chartered two and looked at many different models of the newer boats at the boat shows, we certainly wouldn't find one as nice for the money. The materials used in the newer boats are of a much (much, much!) lower quality than ours. Snowbird was built in 1983 and has solid wood throughout. Both the Jeanneau and the Benateau we chartered had pressboard throughout - looks nice initially, but quickly buckles under the strain of sailing (both Steve and Matt were falling through the floorboards of the last charter boat which was quite new). Until you get into the really expensive boats, the Amels or Tayannas, the quality materials are just not there - so I think we're very happy with what we have!

Also wondering how all this got done with all the work projects on in the past 2 years!