My spring 2017 projects

[Jeremyvmd]

Well the weather and work and such has kept me from working on the Albin until now, but hasn't kept me from buying parts and planning projects. So this year before commissioning (aside from the regular yearly stuff)
- wait for the new shaft to be installed and the prop to be tuned
- install central vacuum system
- install new nac-2 autopilot
- install racor crankcase vent filter

Little stuff this year but all to make the boat more usable. Trying to make the boat more ours!

[Nancy]

Central vac?! What kind of unit and where are you going to stuff it? Is this something I can't live without? I'm having trouble figuring out why I need more than a handheld vacuum cleaner for a 6 sq. ft. cabin. LOL!

[Jeremyvmd]

Yea it's a dirt devil unit. Gets great reviews. Had a coupon via active captain and couldn't resist. Unit is small about 7x8x14" and has lots of vacuum pressure. Plan is to stick it under the v berth as it should fit. We currently have a little shop vac and it suck and actually bigger than this one. Other really good thing is that it has a 35 foot hose which allows us to do the whole boat if we wanted to!

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?pat ... id=3257371

[RobS]

Come on Nancy, the cabin isn't that small, it's at least 7 sq ft! Now if that central vac had the ability to go DC when you were off the grid (like the fridge does) it would be much more enticing. I know you have a genset so you can use it when you're out and about and with a 35ft hose you'll make new friends at raft-ups!

[MadMoney]

Very curious to see how the central vac project turns out... please keep us posted!

[Jeremyvmd]

Will do for sure. I figure it will be useful for keeping the cushions clean as well as vacuuming up the floors. Dog hair is hard to get off the fabric Albin used!

[Pitou]

Come on Rob, I know you want that central vac for that big ole' Chris Craft RV of yours!

Here's the link with the coupon code and you better use it quick as it expires this week!

http://www.defender.com/activecaptain.jsp

I first saw that Dirt Devil in action 2 seasons ago on a 46 ft. Wesmac cruiser. Jeremy - you'll like it!

[RobS]

Well I'll put my "RV" up against your "TE" - we'll race for USCG Certificates of Documentation!

That vac system must really "suck" - it's drawing twice as much current than both of my oil pan heaters put together..

[Pitou]

Well I'll put my "RV" up against your "TE" - we'll race for USCG Certificates of Documentation!

That vac system must really "suck" - it's drawing twice as much current than both of my oil pan heaters put together..

USCG Certificates of Documentation!

Yikes!!! To stand a chance and to get a head start, I had better get my throttle down now before your shrinkwrap comes off!!!

[Nancy]

Come on Nancy, the cabin isn't that small, it's at least 7 sq ft! Now if that central vac had the ability to go DC when you were off the grid (like the fridge does) it would be much more enticing. I know you have a genset so you can use it when you're out and about and with a 35ft hose you'll make new friends at raft-ups!

Ha ha, you're determined to suck me into this, Rob, aren't you? (semi-unintentional pun) OK, it's snowing and cabin fever is finally hitting, so:

1. I only have a portable genset, and don't always have it aboard.

2. My dog doesn't shed.

molly-08.19.16-1600.JPG

3. No idea where I'd install the durn thing. Forward compartment under v-berth is filled w/ the AC unit. Port compartment has a handy dandy retrofitted shelf at the bottom and holds important stuff like paper towels and food. Starboard compartment is filled with AC duct.

4. I have a handheld Dirt Devil in a closet at home. On board, I have a much better handheld unit, the brand of which escapes me at the moment. But it has - wait for it - a 20' cord!!!!! So it reaches to the stern! Ta da!

[RobS]

2. My dog doesn't shed.

Same here, and I do believe that is the major factor as to determining one's vacuuming needs...

[Jeremyvmd]

Unfortunately mine does;) and she's not the cleanest water either...can't really blame her, those boxer genes mean her teeth don't meet up like they should. Lol

You also have to remember I boat in nj...not the most polite boaters in the world. Had a real gem of a boater almost swamp us last year. Everything in the cabin went flying including the food that was on the table (I was trolling and my wife was down below). That cruddy shop vac took forever to clean it up. I agree it's overkill no question, but it was a good deal and it's one less thing bouncing around down there.

[DougSea]

Just thought I'd chime in here...

I've been seriously considering a central vac system, especially now that Hank and his older brother "Bowie-I shed a lot", are on board more often. I have a small shop vac but it's a bit of a pain to store. With that Active Captain price I may just go for it. I checked the Dirt Devil website and it's relatively easy to remote mount these - so the unit could go aft under the cockpit sole where I have plenty of space and access.

In the meantime I'll probably get a second handheld Ryobi like the one I keep in the garage. This thing is awesome. WAY more power than your typical handheld.

RyobiEverchargeVac.jpg

https://www.ryobitools.com/products/det ... and-vacuum

They even have a 12v vehicle charger if you're on a generator-free vessel.

https://www.ryobitools.com/power-tools/ ... le-charger

I'll have to come back and post the "Spring Projects" list too...

[Nancy]

Now that's pretty funny, Rob - white version of my dog. Does he/she go in that compartment voluntarily? We've downsized dogs as well as boats, and no shedding was a big requirement this time.

As for vacuum cleaners, we have a Eureka similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Eureka-EasyClean ... um+cleaner. I like it because it cleans the carpet and also has a hose with crevice tool.

[gfuller]

I've got this Dyson (D6?) I've used recently with the rug beater and it works awesome. Cordless.