Monday, May 14, 2007
Launch Update
Lots and lots of updates, so little time to blog! We launched successfully two weeks ago. On the way out of Bullocks Cove, we realized that the engine was overheating. We immediately set sail and shut down the engine. (Yet another reminder that one should never leave the dock without sails ready to go.) We were able to deploy the staysail and cruise up the river at a comfortable 3 1/2 knots!
When we arrived at Edgewood, we did some investigating on the engine overheating problem. As near as we can figure out, when the yard changed the coolant pump over the winter, they didnt bleed the cooling system and an air pocket developed that prevented circulation. We ended up putting about 3/4 of a gallon of coolant in there. It appears to be keeping pressure, and the engine overheating problem has not returned -- though of course we have only run it at the dock!
The next weekend we cleaned up the boat and installed the new cockpit doors. They look great! Still a few adjustments to be made, but they are a definite improvement over those horrid washboards. A picture to follow as soon as possible.
We also refinished the captain's chair and the top of the reefer. We used a couple coats of Minwax and then a few coats of polyurethane sealer. They look pretty good! A bit of WD40 also helped the captain's chair rotate a little more freely, and we reinforced the chair (it was starting to split) with a couple of cross pieces screwed into the bottom.
When we arrived at Edgewood, we did some investigating on the engine overheating problem. As near as we can figure out, when the yard changed the coolant pump over the winter, they didnt bleed the cooling system and an air pocket developed that prevented circulation. We ended up putting about 3/4 of a gallon of coolant in there. It appears to be keeping pressure, and the engine overheating problem has not returned -- though of course we have only run it at the dock!
The next weekend we cleaned up the boat and installed the new cockpit doors. They look great! Still a few adjustments to be made, but they are a definite improvement over those horrid washboards. A picture to follow as soon as possible.
We also refinished the captain's chair and the top of the reefer. We used a couple coats of Minwax and then a few coats of polyurethane sealer. They look pretty good! A bit of WD40 also helped the captain's chair rotate a little more freely, and we reinforced the chair (it was starting to split) with a couple of cross pieces screwed into the bottom.
