Getting the boat ready for summer

[Mariner]

Not a lot of activity here lately, so I figured I'd share.

So far I've hit most of the top sides with cleaner wax. Still need to coat it with a protective wax and polish the hull. Man, the blue hull sure seems to oxidize quickly. This year I will be using a more aggressive compound than in the past. Also, I'm considering investing in a Porter Cable polisher.

I think I have the generator issue figured out. Just need to bleed the fuel lines again. At least I hope that's it.

I have no idea why, but the Raymarine units still aren't talking to each other over the HSB2 system. That is, they do for a while, and then it craps out. Really annoying, and I have no idea what's causing it. But I gotta get that figured out.



That's about it. What is everyone else doing to prepare for boating season?

[Legacy]

Boat's in and ready for this weekend's 75 degree weather. Had a diver wash the bottom and install new zincs. The "wife approved" bedding and towels are in, the kitchen items taken home and run through the wash and all systems checked out OK. Engines, genset and batteries all fine. Port throttle in the tower is really stiff so that needs some trouble shooting and I need to replace two of the deck lights as their frames have started to disintegrate. Have to pass on awlgrip again due to budget constraints so I'll do another compound and wax as time permits.

[joreyn]

Legacy, are you referring to the courtesy lights? What make and model are they. I have to replace a broken one too.

[Dave]

Install new impeller, install new alternator, change fuel filter, install batteries, add fuel, install bilge filter, install new anodes, add more fuel, check oil, check antifreeze, clean boat from top to bottom, cross fingers, start motor, put on canvas top, wait for lobster season to end, (May 31st) do all of the things I forgot!

[special k]

splashed this morning but far too windy for a shakedown cruise. tomorrow will install radome that was removed for trailering and take care of a few details.

saturday's 80* weather should make for a good shakedown with the "admiral". perhaps wet a line looking for opening day block island fluke!

cheers!

[Veebyes2]

Mariner, you make sure that you have that boat looking its best by the time we get there. We are currently a little east of Twin Falls, ID. Might as well be on a boat with all this wind. Got snowed in for a night east of SLC a couple days ago. About 5" of 30% chance of.

[powerboater56]

When I took a diesel course at Mack Boring before I bought my Albin, they recommended the sea water pump impeller for the engine cooling system be changed every spring. My boatyard said it is not necessary every year, and not to bother this year. I had it changed last spring before I took possession of the boat.

Do you change the impeller every year?

John S.
Albin 35 CB "OTTER"

[Cape Codder]

Yanmar dealer changed my impeller last year at 500 hours. Looked nearly perfect. I've kept it as a spare.

[RicM]

Putting the boat on the truck to head North on May 24th.

[special k]

powerboater, took the course also. remember larry saying long lay ups will cause salt to dry and stick impeller to housing.

fresh water wash and winterization should avoid the catastrophic failure of the rubber impeller from that. however if it does disintegrate we're looking at tearing down the entire cooling system including intercooler.
i'll be running a second season on my impeller. come to think of it i could go multiple seasons on my large outboard.

[jleonard]

I change out the impeller every other season. I never keep the old as a spare. They get brittle and deteriorate.
I have a new one onboard as a spare that gets installed, then I buy a new one for a spare.
Keep rotating the stock.

[powerboater56]

I came up with a minor maintenance issue yesterday. I found some of the white curtains in the main cabin of my 35 CB have mildew spots. The curtains feel like a linen type fabric -- I have no idea of they were original Albin equipment.

I took the curtains off and brought them home, and I am trying to figure out what to wash them in that will take off the mildew and not harm or discolor the fabric. One person said to use white vinegar and/or baking soda. Any suggestions?

Thanks
John Schieffelin
Jamestown, RI
2005 35 CB "OTTER"

[jcollins]

My list started small this year but seems to be growing.

Hull - light compound, double wax
Topsides - double wax
Bottom - Soda blast. (hasn't be done before) Fresh bottom paint.
Removed old radar and replaced with Lowrance array to tie into my single display. Still doesn't work. I'm waiting for an hardware upgrade that's back ordered until June.
Purchased a "temporary" Avanti refrigerator until I can find the exact replacement for my old Norcold. Finally found one last week. It's on the way. The Avanti (2 months old) will be in the For Sale forum soon.
Replaced old horn with white powder coated horn from Defender.
Changed the oil at winter lay-up.
Changed impeller last year. No need to change now.

Cruise to nowhere this weekend. Beautiful weather.

[Fogg~Dogg]

Used Poly Glow preparation this year on the 2002 dark blue hull. Compounded the base, got out most of the oxidation. Used their Poly Prep, then applied 8 coats of Poly Glow. All in all, not bad. The applicator is a bit tough to deal with, especially when you get close to a perpindicular surface. Next time, I'd do the whole hull with their deoxidizer and compound. The way the stuff works is that the muultiple layers essentially block light from getting to the gelcoat. As the layers deepen, they form their own deep coat...when you look at it, you're looking into the depth of the layers. Kinda like a clear coat on a car. Nice trick! The Fogg~Dogg goes in the water on Monday, so I'll pass along the wear issues if they develop.

[balance]

I think we have the same shower curtains on our 31 Tournament Express. I'd rather buy new but can't find them anywhere. Anyone know? Searched internet, wholseale books, can't find anything that looks like them.