The month in Martinique

What kinds of things do we do when we stop-over in port for a service stop? Well, after any necessary repairs, we start with changing the fluids and filters for the Onan generator, the Yanmar engine and the Hurth ZF gearbox. We also replace the coolant, and inspect the impellers for the raw-water pumps. After attending to any other items of routine periodic maintenance that are due, or nearly so, we look to upgrades and improvements.

Onan gets a makeover

Here, we see the newly installed stop-cock (red handle, bottom), on the sea-water intake for the Onan generator, with a see-through strainer (center) to catch any blades that may break off the impeller. It's important to know if the impeller is damaged, and makes it much easier the retrieve any broken bits than if they are allowed to escape downstream in the cooling circuit.

We want to try this

On Sunday we join some other cruisers for a drive up the Atlantic coast of Martinique. The trade-winds are picking up under the influence a central-Atlantic high-pressure ridge, so the kite-boarders are out in force to enjoy enjoy the brisk winds and smooth seas granted protection from the Atlantic swells by the coral atoll just offshore. 

Dave is itching for the opportunity to give it a go, but we still have a list of 'boat projects' to be done, which must take priority for the time being. It will be play time soon enough.

Rig gets a tune 

 

We're here in Martinique, in part, to get the rig tuned by the AMEL-savvy riggers here - they re-rig about a dozen boats like Perigee a year, so have the gear and know their stuff. Here, they check the tension of the side-stays using a tension-o-meter. We will finish the tune-up by going for a sail on all points-of-sail, to make sure the rig actually behaves as the measurements predict it should. Then we will return to the rigging shop for any final adjustments necessary.

Good news story

Our chartplotter, which developed a fault leaving St Maarten, was sent back to FURUNO USA a Thursday. Repaired (with software upgrade) and back on board Tuesday afternoon, including an hour or so jumping through the Custom's hoops at the airport. Total turnaround 12 days.
Better, Furuno covered the cost of the repair even though the unit is out of warrantee. So our only cost was freight TO the service center, plus the handling charge for the freight agents for the return.

This service is better than 11 out of 10 - way to go Furuno!!!!!

 

 

Whilst awaiting the return of the chartplotter, there have been various other odd-jobs underway. Like installing the new autopilot. Here we see the new control head (left, already installed on the cockpit mount), with the control unit (grey box, center), and the 'brain' (starship enterprise thingey, right), with network cabling assembled ready for installation.

Big day!

I know this doesn't look like much, but this is the ram for our autopilot, linked to the rudder quadrant (right).

Today, we removed the 'old' ram and I serviced it (under supervision). This involves disassembly of the aft cabin (remove mattresses and disassemble the bed) to access the autopilot drive unit.

Remove electrical and mechanical connections, remove the drive unit from Boat and take it to across the bay (by dinghy) to Frank's workshop. Disassemble the unit into its competent parts, dismantle electric motor and clean (get rid of the carbon dust - there was heaps). The clutch was on the way out, so go to chandlery to grab a new one. Oh, and a new drive belt, just in case (only a third of a boat unit, so got off cheap). Back to workshop, install new clutch and drive belt. Re-assemble and test. Tick. Return everything to the boat.

Install the brand spanking new ram from spares; store the now-just-serviced old unit to spares. Install a new rudder sensor unit. Move the old one, still serviceable, to spares. Test new ram and rudder sensor - needs calibration - sigh. Do this. Tick. Clean up the inevitable dust and grease, re-assemble the aft cabin from workshop mode to sleeping quarters. Seek rum.

Oh, and while this was going on, Frank removed our aft air-conditioning unit, put in a new condensate tray we'd ordered in from Italy, and re-installed the unit, which is now officially returned-to-service. Yay, and super Big tick, as we can now sleep in air-conditioned comfort whilst plugged in at the marina.