Well we've retrieved Dixie from Wells and towed it home. She now
sits beside the garage on her trailer and work has already started on
those
things which we have decided need to be done, mainly concerning the
inboard
engine, but with lots of cosmetic and maintenace tasks thrown in.
First job of course is to unload everything that is not bolted down, so all the warps and lines, the sails, fenders, cushions and loose equipment is off and stored in the garage. Battery goes on charge and the gas cylinder is removed, followed by the gas stove, which needs a good clean up and checkover anyway. Then the petrol tank is drained ready for removal, together with the engine. It has to come out, so that it can either be completely serviced and replaced, or scrapped altogether. The option to replace it with a small diesel still exists, although that would have to be a second hand one, as Dixie's value is not that high. Removing the engine permanently would also entail removing the propshaft, which will leave a hole in the hull, raising the possibility of building an outboard well forward of the rudder.
With everything loose out of the way the engine ancillaries are removed. The exhaust manifold/silencer joint crumbles before it can be removed, since the combination of steel,alloy,seawater and hot exhaust gas has completely eaten through the alloy bit. Disconnecting the propshaft from the gearbox is another problem, the bolts having rusted solid in the confined, damp space they inhabit. Judicious use of a small hacksaw saves the day. Then with the engine mounting bolts removed it is a simple case of lifting the engine block and gearbox out. Except it is heavy. It actually weighs more than most small diesels with twice the power, has nothing on it to get hold of and is tucked away under the cockpit floor. Much heaving and grunting finally lifts it up into the cockpit, which currently stands seven feet above the ground. A crane improvised from ladders allows the use of a block and tackle to ease it over the coamings and down to the ground. With everything out, including the exhaust and controls, all is ready for a full service, or at least an examination.
Once the lump is out the propshaft needs removal. Rudder comes out first to allow the propeller puller room. With the prop off the shaft comes out through the cabin, leaving the stern tube in the hull. Then noticed that there is a second stern tube hiding down there as well, or at least the inboard end of one. Odd.
Next task is the interior. For what is effectively a day boat, the
small
water tank in the forepeak is a waste of space. It's a pain to fill up,
what water it holds stays there long enough to taste odd, and it's
usually
easier to carry a large bottle of water for brews anyway. So out it
comes
as well. Held in place with polystyrene lumps and expanding
polyurethane
foam. No bolts or clamps in sight. Entire water system is now out. On
the
other side is a genuine sea toilet. Since this is a direct discharge
affair
it can't be used within three miles of shore and it's seacocks are
currently
wired shut. It's probably worth removing that as well and installing a
chemical loo in its place, since it has never been used in the last
four
years. All this extra stuff probably accounts for the waterline being
well
up the boot topping. All the loose timber hatches and floorboards are
next
out, providing an opportunity for everything to dry out.
Backend of 2004
Apologies to anyone waiting for an update, but there isn't much.
Everything is still out and the stern tube is half out of the hull.
Well it would be if there weren't two of them and they weren't in one
of the most inaccessable parts of the hull. Removing it turned out to
be a bigger job than originally envisaged, but only once removal had
progressed to the stage where it can't be undone. We've had to do some
major surgery on the hull and interior but we still have quite a lot
more to do. We've also taken the opportunity to reorganise the running
rigging, making single handed work possible. Unfortunately the weather
has been appalling and we have builders in for an extension so not
enough boatwork has happened this summer. Hopefully more can be done
over winter and spring but we don't see the boat going back in the
water till mid 2005. We've kept up the mooring and insurance though.