Winter Maintenance in London #3

Hi everyone,
Since the New Year we've had several spare days in which to concentrate on maintenance.

Jobs Done (HF/SSB at left)

Here's the list we attacked...

• Refurbish instrument panel facia
• New HF/SSB
• Autopilots Networking/Location

Instrument Panel

When we originally bought Zen Again (Zen at that time) instrument panel was small with a book case aft.  The nav table top was in two halves with instruments taking up a lot of space...

NavStation 2010

Over the next year we transformed it into this...

NavStation 2011

Since then various instruments have come and gone.  The original polycarbonate panel was modified to accommodate the changes.  Empty cut-outs were covered with laminex patches which eventually created an ugly patchwork.

The first step of the refurbishment was removing the backup autopilot controller and the solar panel regulator from the panel.  The former was to move to the cockpit and the latter moved below the panel to a spot previously occupied by a speaker.  We now use bluetooth speakers aboard.

Relocated Solar Panels Regulator

The next step of this job was removing the laminex patches, exposing the ugliness beneath...

Initially stripped instrument panel

We then made a template for the new instrument panel facia.  Happily we had enough laminex aboard to make it up in two pieces.  Cutting them to shape used a drill, three different saws and our marvellous Dremel.  The latter is fantastic - every boat needs one!

With the laminex fitted over the polycarbonate the panel was looking a little sparse!  So we attached a couple of pictures.  For future passages we'll probably attach relevant reference material.  By the way, the two boats shown are (left) Critical Path, a Viking 30, and (right) Degrees of Freedom, our lovely one-off Runnalls 38.  Over the years Zen Again has become Degrees-like in so many respects.

Refurbished instrument panel

While working on the NavStation we also updated the labels documenting the travels of Shirahae / Zen / Zen Again...

Updated Zen Again Story

HF/SSB

When we initially fitted-out Zen Again for Bluewater cruising we fitted an Icom M802 marine HF/SSB.  This replaced an Icom IC-7000 amateur radio which we'd had prior to buying Zen.  The M802 proved to be a great radio as shown on this blog at various times...

• Darwin-Dili Race 2012
• St Helena DSC Reception 2016
• North Atlantic to Australia

Over the years we've also blogged on general HF topics...

• HF Tech Topics

A little background is worthwhile here.  The M802 is a marine radio primarily designed for the "rest of world" market.  The EU mandates more exacting standards, and Australia even more exacting.  So Icom produces the M801E for Europe and a special variant of the M801E only sold in Australia.

On arrival in the UK in 2016 we decided to sell various items.  We sold the M802 since it commanded a good price on eBay and we knew we wouldn't be Bluewater cruising for several years.  So deciding to buy a new HF radio is an exciting step - we're thinking about returning to Bluewater again!

We've been researching options for some time.  We decided to fit an Amateur radio since they are generally much cheaper but also offer much greater control.  Many more buttons to play with!  We decided on an Icom IC-7300. 

Happy New Year to Zen Again!

Unpacked!

Installation was straight-forward.  We had left the antenna feed and antenna tuner control cables in place, running from the NavStation aft to the lazarette.  A few weeks ago I reconnected the antenna tuner output via the thru-deck to the backstay - it had been disconnected since the standing rigging renewal last winter.

Happily our Icom AT-140 antenna tuner (which we kept) is compatible with the IC-7300, only needing rewiring to a larger connector.

Up,  Running & Tuned for the Shipping Forecast

Last night we tried out the radio's reception.  On the 40m/7MHz amateur band stations were booming in from all over Europe including Austria and Spain.  Very nice.  I tried tuning up the radio but didn't try to join the party.  Transmitting out of St Katherine Dock will be challenging (like any marina) since we're surrounded by masts and also high apartment buildings.

Some of you may have noticed from the top photo above that the radio isn't readily controlled manually from the NavStation.  That's OK since Icom provide software to control the radio from a computer.  That's how we plan to drive it at sea.  In harbour I can play with the radio while sitting in the saloon - perfect!

AutoPilots

We have two entirely redundant Raymarine SPx5 autopilots.  These have previously been connected into our NMEA0183 network.  The latter is rapidly disappearing as we migrate to NMEA2000.

Although the SPx5 supports NMEA2000 it does not use a standard connector.  Instead it provides bare-wire connection.  Initial testing shows it works just fine.  The only trick was that the power/ground pair must be connected as well as the data pair.  The chartplotter can now see the autopilots.

With the networking accomplished we fitted the backup autopilot ST-6002 controller in the cockpit.  It replaced the VHF speaker previously installed there.  We want both autopilot controllers in the cockpit so we can "even up" their use.  There's a switch in the NavStation which selects which drives the ram.  A stock of rams completes our autopilot redundancy.

SPx5 autopilot in NMEA2000 device list

Twas great to get so much work done.  We're not cruising again yet, but we are doing "boat maintenance in an exotic location".

Trust all's well where you are!

Winter Maintenance in London #2

Hi everyone,
Season's Greetings!  Hope everyone's having fun.  Here aboard Zen Again in St Katharine Docks we're keeping warm - just!  It's 3C outside and raining.  Below it is a cosy 17C.

Saloon with new cushions and Christmas decorations

Our latest winter maintenance has involved replacing our upholstery.  We now have new forepeak and saloon settee cushions which are marvellous.  We chose Shipshape Bedding to make them after talking with them at the 2017 Southampton Boat Show.

We're unsure how old the previous cushions were - we suspect at least 15 years.  The forepeak cushions were disposed of in 2013 when we were in SE Asia.  The quarter berth cushions went last year.  The former weren't being used and the mould was becoming hard to control back then in the humid heat.  The latter are unnecessary since the quarter berth is now a stowage area not a berth.

The project started in the autumn when we began measuring up for new forepeak cushions.  We knew we were soon going to be moving back aboard.  Sleeping in the two saloon settee berths was fine at sea but not when living aboard in a marina.

Template for the two forepeak cushions
(on a double-bed)

The forepeak has two fold-down, canvas-covered aluminium-frame pilot berths.  We wanted to bridge the gap between them to make a queen-size berth.  Shipshape Bedding suggested various ideas.  We decided to fit a triangular marine plywood board inside the main cushion, with the foam rebated for the board.

We had the board cut to size when in Cowes this year.  The two forepeak cushions were ordered in October and delivered on time in November.  It was great to have a nice comfy bed again!

Forepeak cushions
(note board location on underside)

In November we did templates for the saloon settee cushions.  We added details for the seat backs but are holding off having them made - cushions might be sufficient.  Each template was sent to Shipshape, checked by them, bill paid and then they started work.

Settee template in-situ

Saloon settee cushion - perfect fit

Last Wednesday evening we attended the Cruising Association's Christmas Dinner.  It started with mince pies and mulled wine at the club in Limehouse.  Next we walked to nearby St Anne's church for a Carol Service.  Finally back at the club we had a very nice Christmas meal.  All in very good company.

Zen Again sporting a Christmas Wreath

Trust all's well where you are!

Winter Maintenance in London #1

Hi everyone,
We've have now settled in at St Katharine Docks Marina in London.  Loving being back aboard Zen Again.  Also loving being in the centre of London - in the shadow of Tower Bridge.

Zen Again in the shadow of Tower Bridge

We have a lengthy list of maintenance work for this winter.  At the top was upgrading our AC mains and gas systems to meet local regulations.

Previously we attached an AC mains extension cord from the marina berth outlet to a power board which gave us several socket points and powered the battery charger.  Now we're spending so much time aboard - in winter - we need a "proper" AC mains system.  Early this year we had the boat surveyed.  One of the shortcomings noted was the lack of mains RCD and circuit breakers.  That's now fixed.

External mains power is now plugged-in just inside the companionway.  From there power is fed directly through a bulkhead into the back of the RCD/Breaker box.  The box provides one 16A and one 6A circuit.  We decided not to mount the connection outside since we wanted the box close to the inlet.

RCD and Circuit Breaker Box in companionway locker

Ready for Action

From the RCD/Breaker box the 16A circuit is fed back through the bulkhead to the galley.  The outlets there are specifically for high-current loads - kettle, hair drier and fan heater.

Mains Socket and 16A Circuit Outlets

The 6A circuit runs around the boat to all regular loads.  We have one dual outlet in the quarter berth and two at the pedestal (saloon table).  Also on this circuit are six permanently mounted and connected tube heaters. Each heater has a thermostat allowing it to be turned of locally.

The quarter berth outlet powers the dehumidifier which is on more-or-less 24/7 in winter.  Excellent in keeping the damp away.  Amazing how much water it produces!

Quarterberth Outlets

The pedestal outlets are used for various purposes including running the computer we brought aboard from our flat.  The top power board shown below has been held-over from the previous arrangement.

Pedestal (Saloon Table) 6A Outlets

The tube heaters keep the boat from getting too cold while we're not aboard.  We have two in the forepeak, two in the saloon and two in the engine bay.  The latter help ensure the engine doesn't freeze.

One of the 100W Tube Heaters in Saloon

Two 40W Tube Heaters in Forepeak

One of Two 40W Tube Heaters in Engine Bay

Another item on the to-do list was our gas system.  Our regulator was severely corroded and the solenoid valve was failing.  We've been battling US POL versus UK POL fitting issues ever since we arrived in the UK.  US hoses connect to UK bottles, but the reverse is not true.  Getting any type of gas bottle filled in the UK is difficult since everyone swaps them.

For the last 18 months we've been using local Calor Gas 3.9kg bottles.  Soon after arriving at SKD we decided to change to a much larger bottle.  We now have a 13kg bottle which should last at least a month given likely use of our Dickinson gas heater.  It fits in the bracket designed for our Australian 9kg bottles.

13kg Gas Bottle in pushpit bracket

UK Regulator

Sadly the UK gas fitter was unable to fit our spare solenoid.  So now our gas detector is only that - it used to control gas flow too.

Upcoming tasks on the to-do list include new upholstery, adding laminex panelling in various locations (including the instrument panel), relocating instruments and much, much more.  May need to be a long, cold winter to get it all done!