Relaunch and back in the water

Finally Luce Di Mare was relaunched at Chatham marina after spending nearly 3 months in the boat yard, during which time and as a reminder, she has the sail sail drive (Gear box) replaced, an engine service including a new rubber hull seal (this is the large rubber hull seal that stops water entering the boat from the sail drive that projects out of the bottom of the boat and drives the propeller). New Alpha 7 navigation instruments and other work mentioned below. (all the above are mentioned in previous blogs).

It was good to get her back in the water and to see there were no leaks from the sail drive. It was also good to see the engine fire up first time as she always does and to see the new Alpha 7 instruments in action, so to speak.

Whilst in the yard I had some GRP (fibreglass) repairs undertaken by Crowhurst GRP including a hull gel coat crack and heating exhaust outlet which had caused GRP cracks due to over heating when I took a friend out the year before last and he positioned a ball fender over the exhaust outlet when we docked. I did not realise and I should have checked. This caused the exhaust from the diesel heater to burn a hole in the ball fender and allowed the heat to build up between the fender and side of the boat, causing the GRP to crack and yellow. I had it repaired last year, but it cracked again. So this year I had the GRP cut right back and repaired. I now always double check before starting the heating or generator.

Last year I had the antifouling undertaken by a contractor, but I do not think it was done properly as when we craned the boat out into the yard in October, I noticed excessive antifoul peeling in isolated areas. I also think the incorrect antifouling of the sail drive caused galvanic corrosion, leading to the new sail drive covered in previous blogs. So this year, I thought I’d give it a try myself. The work included sanding the entire hull to give it a good key and then applying the antifoul paint in 2 coats, 3 coats at the waterline. It took me about 4 days and was hard and messy work, with blue paint dust everywhere. I was covered and was glad to have brought proper protective hooded paper overalls, rubber gloves and a decent dust mask, but still ended up with a blue face and blue dust everywhere. It was quite rewarding to see the finished job. I am not sure I’d want to do it myself again !

I also serviced the 3 bladed Gori propeller. I do this every year, stripping it right back to its individual components, then cleaning and rebuilding it replacing any worn parts which, usually comprise of the rubber stops. This year I noticed the main rubber bush was worn so replaced that too. I also, for the first time, gave all parts metal 2 coats of a clear antifoul paint recommended by the manufacturers UK agent and replaced the anodes, which I also do every year. I did the same to the rope cutter. (this helps prevent rouge fishing nets and ropes getting tangled around the propeller when at sea).

I also refitted the transducer, (the is an instrument mounted at the bottom of the boat and connected to the navigation equipment giving boat speed through the water, depth and sea water temperature) having removed it for the GRP hull repair. Rob at Crowhurst GRP gave really helpful advice and assisted me in refitting the through hull fitting and I was glad to see that was also free of any leaks.

Finally, after spending nearly 3 months in a boat yard she is covered in grime and dust, so now she is back in the water, Ill spend the next few days cleaning and getting her back into tip top shape.

Photos show GRP repairs being undertaken, transducer removal, new hull antifoul and the propeller before, during and after servicing.