Gladstone-boat maintenance

Tues 17 - Fri 20 August 2010

Mike the Mechanic

Annie's birthday present was an engine service for Saaremaa (who says romance is dead) and then dinner out. Mike the Mechanic left the gearbox for the next day, following the old adage 'why do today what you can put off until tomorrow' cos' its a bugger of a job.

Good one         Bad one

By Wednesday afternoon the new but buggered gear box was out and on the bench alongside its old but refurbished mate (I hasten to add refurbished by Michael so lets all keep our fingers crossed). The engine alignment on the stuffed gearbox did not seem to be a problem so why it decided to die again is anyones guess. After spending all day hunched in the confines at the rear of the engine with knees and legs aching (I won't be doing this when I'm 80 as it hard enough at nearly 60) it was time for steak on the electric BBQ's. This time the gearbox did 120 hrs before pphhwwt!! The good one is on the left and the bad one on the right. Note the special use of a large chart table come workbench.

Hawaiian Ham Steaks

Thursday saw Michael refreshed and ready to install the old Hurth gearbox and align the engine. All went well and 'sea trials' were carried out tied up in the marina pen. The gearbox engaged forward & reverse gear with no problems. Another go at the electric BBQ's saw tropical ham prepared to perfection (pineapple obligatoire).
A lovely bag of Bud Naked topped off the meal.

By Friday Michael finally connects the gear cable, installs the engine rear cover and replaces all the cruising gear. Only 3 days for a 1 day job (I work slowly but hopefully thoroughly). Electric BBQ'd steak yum, yum. why waste the gas or charcoal on board?

On Saturday having no need to vote we are off finally to Cape Capricorn and then Yellow Patch. The winds look favourable and we will take the North Passage short cut to speed the journey.