Modifications to Wine Down

[gcmarshall]

I had the boat hauled for a month for some much needed maintenance. I bought it in Florida a year ago and shipped it to Barbados where it fishes commercially. It is a 2005 flush deck edition with a yanmar 315 6LPA-STP engine. I bought it with 800 hours, and it now has on 2500 hours.

I have posted all engine related maintenance and upgrades over at www.sbmar.com under the title - New Diesel Engine Owner (sorry, it's a yanmar) in the General Discussion area. So anyone interest can read about my maintenanace, upgrade of fuel filters, changes to stainless steel exhaust, etc...

Here I will just note some of the other changes I have made to the boat. I am new to this, so feel free to comment or suggest improvements, or alternatives as you see fit.

Blisters
The boat developed several hundred blisters all around the waterline. I sanded/grinded off the gelcoat, let them air dry for 2 weeks and filled with epoxy resin and Qsil powder (not sure how you spell that). I then raised the bottom paint line which needed raising so most of the work is now covered with bottom paint.

[gcmarshall]

Vetus Bowthruster

The solenoid switch was only working in one direction, and when I picked it down one of the plungers was very stiff. I used a lot of corrosion block and moving it back and forth. It still isn't as free as the other one, but it is working now!

[gcmarshall]

I installed a Simrad autopilot.

I put the pump on a bracket in the starboard "locker" along with the compass and computer.

I put the rudder feedback, mounted on top some pvc board, attached to the rudder.

I removed some unused instruments and cig lighter to install the control unit on the dash. It can also be controlled by my simrad plotter.

[gcmarshall]

Also installed an airmar B265-LM transducer.

[gcmarshall]

Most recently, the swim platform got touched by another boat, and 2 of the bolts ripped through the lip on the swim platform bolting it to the boat. I had 3 stainless steel brackets made, and so the platform is now very well attached.

I appreciate not everyone might like the "look", but it was the quickest, easiest thing I could think to do without hauling the boat.

The original bolt/nuts in the corners are a challenge to get to!

[Nancy]

Ouch on the swim platform. I understand about a make-do repair, and maybe you've already done this, but I'd want the damaged holes filled with epoxy. Maybe the transom construction is different in a 2005, but ours is wood-cored, and it's essential to keep it dry. Uh, voice of experience here.

The brackets don't look bad. I'm sure you'll keep an eye on whether they're doing the job.

[Sisu22]

Not a bad look and good solution for the time being. I'm worried about my platform because I know the core is all rotten. Will likely take it off at some point and replace the core like I did with the aft deck.

[Norseman]

Also installed an airmar B265-LM transducer.

How do you like the transducer?
That model seems to be the most expensive on the market, must be good?
How was the install? Solid glass in the area, or did you have to reinforce and remove coring to get ready for the transducer?
(I got a sternmounted transducer but considering a quality through-mounted unit at the next haulout)

[RobS]

Not a bad look and good solution for the time being. I'm worried about my platform because I know the core is all rotten. Will likely take it off at some point and replace the core like I did with the aft deck.

Swim platforms mounted to cored transoms are quite problematic. At rest - drifting, sitting on the hook, etc etc, the boat goes up and down and the water smacks the underside of the platform, again and again and again, and every time it does so it puts stress on the fasteners eventually creating non-watertight connections and then water intrusion and rot is inevitable and worsens exponentially. Removing and reinstalling/rebedding the platform should be considered a PM item.

The platform on the 28TE is especially prone to this as it has this lip around the underside that catches and traps the water rather then letting it push out when the water contacts the underside.

[Sisu22]

Those underwater platform support bolts - does anyone know if they are thru core or did they make that part solid FRP?

[Nancy]

Those underwater platform support bolts - does anyone know if they are thru core or did they make that part solid FRP?

Our transom is entirely wood-cored. There may be variation across the years.

[cdaroca]

Can you post or re-post your repairs to the aft deck. Mine is soft between the rear of the engine box and the transom.

[Sisu22]

Is it in the removable hatch part, or the fixed part?

[Sisu22]

Here are some images from that repair