ST21 'Skinnydip' build, and boating adventures, Noosa, Australia

[Jaysen]

Probably too much of an American attitude, but keep a couple 12lb anchors and some 1/4" rhode handy for anyone that comments "that ain't varnish on that trim". No one will miss them.

[TomW1]

Probably too much of an American attitude, but keep a couple 12lb anchors and some 1/4" rhode handy for anyone that comments "that ain't varnish on that trim". No one will miss them.

You might need a bigger anchor depending on the size of the person. Tom

[glossieblack]

Thanks for the laughs Jaysen and Tom.

Too hot and windy to work on deck on Great Sandy today, so I started on her annual diesel engine maintenance today.

Pumped out her engine oil and replaced oil filter. Replaced two diesel fuel filters. Replaced raw water impellor. Checked coolant. Checked and re-tensioned alternator belt. Will purchase new engine oil and refill her tomorrow, and she'll be good to go for another season's cruising.

[cape man]

Engine maintenance is so satisfying compared to engine repair.

[OrangeQuest]

Engine maintenance is so satisfying compared to engine repair.

I know when I did both for a living it was more profitable to do services. But I specialized in diagnoses and engine performance more than engine repair.

Too hot and windy to work on deck on Great Sandy today, so I started on her annual diesel engine maintenance today.

Pumped out her engine oil and replaced oil filter. Replaced two diesel fuel filters. Replaced raw water impellor. Checked coolant. Checked and re-tensioned alternator belt. Will purchase new engine oil and refill her tomorrow, and she'll be good to go for another season's cruising.

Hope you guys have a great and safe adventure with very few issues.

[glossieblack]

Thanks cape man and OQ.

Engine maintenance is so satisfying compared to engine repair.

Agreed! Great Sandy's annual engine maintenance now completed.

Have spent the past couple of days dispassionately coming to terms with continuing long range blue water coastal cruising in Great Sandy as I approach my eighties (currently 76+ years).

The truth is that over the past few years, at times judicial hoisting and/or reefing the mainsail has been delayed or avoided, at times increasing risk. It's time to get assistance.

To this end I'm recruiting the assistance of an electrical winch handle. I've ordered a cordless Makita 40V brushless right angle drill with 130Nm of torque, and a Harken winch bit.

I'm confident it will outperform the state-of-the-art eWincher electric winch handle, for a quarter of the price.

The winch bit arrived today - pic attached. The Makita should arrive in a few days time - will post pic.

[Jaysen]

Leash the Mikita to something “not a glossie”. Once in the water they are useless devices.

I agree that the angle wrench is smarter than the purpose built stuff. Never understood why folks thought otherwise. In both cases I’d be concerned with startup torque causing drops (hence the leash). I’m eager to see how you like it.

[cape man]

[Have spent the past couple of days dispassionately coming to terms with continuing long range blue water coastal cruising in Great Sandy as I approach my eighties (currently 76+ years).]

It's just a number.

[BarraMan]

It's just a number.

I’ll second that!

At 72+ I probably fitter, healthier and just as active as I was at 62 or even 52, yet society says that I am elderly and therefore irrelevant!

[TomW1]

It's just a number.

I’ll second that!

At 72+ I probably fitter, healthier and just as active as I was at 62 or even 52, yet society says that I am elderly and therefore irrelevant!

I am now in my 70's also but am no longer as frisky as I was 20 years ago, too many surgeries have knocked the wind out of my sails. Going to PT twice a week and working out on my own to try. to get some movement back in my joints. Keep from having joint replacements and don't gain a lot of weight. I am 50lbs over my college weight and just lost 20lbs.

I hope you all stay healthy, wealthy and wise.

Tom