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!

Chatham to London

Hi everyone,
Last Friday evening we trained down to Chatham.  At 0700 on Saturday we locked out from Chatham Maritime Marina for our passage towards St Katharine's Dock in London.

Here are the usual plots for the passage...

Zen Again Track

Zen Again Speed

And here are the usual statistics...

• Distances/Speeds

• Route Distance = 51nm

• GPS Distance = 53nm

• Duration = 9 hours

• Average ground speed = 5.9 kt

• Weather

• Minimum wind speed = 2 kt

• Average wind speed = 15 kt

• Maximum wind speed = 20 kt

• Apparent wind angle range = 0 to 120

• Seas up to 0.5m

• Initially sunny, then increasingly cloudy.

• Engine

• Total = 4 hours

• Driving = 4 hours

• Charging = 0 hours

Initially the weather was very pleasant with a mostly clear sky and a light southerly breeze.  We motor-sailed down the Medway in the early morning light.

Approaching the lock in Chatham Maritime Marina

Heading down the Medway River at dawn

As we approached Sheerness at the mouth of the Medway we could sail in the 10-15 knot southerly.  We sailed around the Montgomery wreck before gybing and heading west.  We had a very nice sail up the Thames Estuary.

As the river narrowed and its meanders took us directly into the veered SW wind we returned to motoring.  By then the tide was flooding and we had over 3 knots of current with us.

Approaching the M25 Dartford Bridge 

Approaching the Thames Barrier

As we approached central London the river's meanders became more frequent.  The SW wind was increasing a little and funnelling along the river when it was aligned.  We had to keep a close eye on the high-speed ferries which whizzed past.

Approaching Tower Bridge

On arrival off St Katharine's we had to wait while a group of boats locked-out.  That involved slow circles while keeping a close eye on traffic.  It was a bit weird going around in circles so close to iconic Tower Bridge.

Locking-in was fairly straight-forward.  We were allocated a berth in the Eastern Basin.  The OCC's Port Officer and his wife were there to take our lines.

Entering St Katharine's Dock

Since arriving we've been busy sorting out the gear we moved aboard from our apartment.  We're also gradually stripping off sails and deck gear in preparation for winter.  We're enjoying SKD and it's fantastic not having to commute by train every day!

Ramsgate to Chatham

Hi everyone,
Yesterday we had a fun sail from Ramsgate to Chatham.  We trained down from London on Friday evening.  During the week we remotely oversaw an engine service following our engine problems described in the preceding post.

Here are the usual plots for the passage...

Zen Again Track

Zen Again Speed

The speed shows we held the morning's flood tide well.  Then as the tide turned against us in the Medway the increased wind helped overcome it.

And here are the usual statistics...

• Distances/Speeds

• Route Distance = 45nm

• GPS Distance = 45nm

• Duration = 9 hours

• Average ground speed = 5.0 kt

• Weather

• Minimum wind speed = 2 kt

• Average wind speed = 12 kt

• Maximum wind speed = 22 kt

• Apparent wind angle range = 0 to 150

• Seas up to 1m

• Initially sunny, then foggy, then misty with rain.

• Engine

• Total = 4 hour

• Driving = 4 hours

• Charging = 0 hours

We departed Ramsgate at 0645 after an early morning engine check.  We were followed out of the harbour by HMS Puncher, an Archer class patrol vessel.

There was a very light NW wind so we motored north towards North Foreland, regularly checking the bilge!  It was a beautiful sunny morning and it was nice watching the sun rise and seeing the coast lit by the dawn light.

Just another sunrise (with HMS Puncher)

As we passed North Foreland the wind picked up a little and the visibility steadily degraded.  We motor-sailed into the gentle NW breeze as the fog reduced visibility to 200m.  We kept a sharp lookout in addition to monitoring AIS, hopping from bouy to bouy as we approached the Princes Channel.  We had our tricolour lit for the rest of the passage.

On entering the Princes Channel we "tacked" and were able to get some help from the wind.  Visibility improved to about 1nm.  The wind gradually increased and backed to NNW.  We passed several east-bound ships.  We talked with one of them on VHF to agree which side we'd pass - red to red in this case.

By the time we passed into the main channel we had killed the donk and we having a great sail.  It was a little chilly though!  Visibility had improved to 1-2nm.  A set of commercial traffic kept us busy, including a very large container vessel which had his very loud fog horn going regularly.  We had a quick chat on London VTS channel 69 with the pilot conning her.

Shivering Sand WW2 Forts

It was fun sailing past two of the WW2 forts we used to race to from the Medway when sailing with my uncle in the 1980s.

Red Sand WW2 Forts

In the main channel we had a nice 15-18 knot NNW breeze and were cracking off into the Medway approach channel.  We stayed just out of the channel, passing the famous sunken WW2 Liberty Ship Montgomery - still full of ammo!

It was great fun sailing back into the Medway and passing so many landmarks I remember from the "old days".  We had a great sail up the river, gradually shedding sail as the wind increased and it started to rain.  And rain.  And rain.

As we sailed further up the river we passed through several racing fleets.  Reminded me of sailing home to Fremantle Sailing Club after a weekend at Rottnest Island.  Except for the opaque water, muddy shore, poor visibility, rain and cold!!  Very cold.

We arrived at Chatham Maritime Marina at 1545.  We were lifted about 4 metres in the lock and they're not shy about pouring the water in!  The floating dock with many cleats and wood battens makes it a simple operation.

In the lock at Chatham Maritime Marina

In the pen

After drying off and tidying up we explored the surrounding area before in the rain.  The development around the marina has lots of apartments, shops and eateries.  We had dinner at the Ship and Trade pub/hotel/restaurant.

This morning dawned with clear sunny skies.  We spent the morning drying out our gear.  We then headed into Chatham and walked to Rochester to explore the area where I spent much of my childhood.  The Medway towns certainly seem a brighter and cleaner place than I recall - great to see.

Rochester

Rochester Cathedral

Rochester Castle

We had lunch at the Ye Arrow pub.  Their beer garden has a great view - see above photo!

The Pub

From there we walked down to the Medway river and across the bridge.  The bridge was reconstructed in 1914.  It is ornately decorated.

Rochester Bridge

We're now looking forward to the last leg to St Katharine's Dock in London.

Ramsgate to - err - Ramsgate!

Hi everyone,
Yesterday morning we departed Ramsgate in light winds under cloudy skies.  We motor-sailed due to the light winds.  As we were approaching North Foreland the gas alarm went off.

I went below to investigate.  No gas smell.  Knowing that one of the gas sensors is in the bilge I lifted the floorboard where it is located and found the space was full of water.  Not good!

The water was warm so was obviously coming from the engine.  We shut down the engine and I got to work pumping out the water using our small hand pump.  There was only about 20 litres - enough to fill the engine bilges and the small volume into which they overflow.

We decided to return to Ramsgate to fix the problem, so tacked and slowly sailed south again.  While doing so I finished bailing out and noticed that a jubilee clip (hose clamp) had failed on the hose between mixing elbow and wet box.  We have two hose clamps at each end of every hose, and this incident shows why!

I replaced the hose clamp with a spare and we started the engine which ran fine.  There was still a slow leak from the hose so I suspected the hose itself was also failing.  It is four years and 1000 hours old and works in the harshest environment - immediately after the mixing of very hot exhaust gas and warmed raw water.

We then motored gently back into Ramsgate marina and secured the boat.  We kept Ramsgate Port Control advised throughout while making clear there was no emergency.

It didn't take long to find a local mechanic (via Marlec Marine) who came down within an hour.  He agreed with our diagnosis and we agreed a schedule of work.

Lessons Learned:

1. Never use hose clamps with holes (vice indentations) - I'm amazed there was one aboard, and it failed
2. Install an engine bilge water alarm (gas sensors are expensive alternatives!)
3. Replace all "hot" hoses every 2-3 years or 500 or so hours running.  Visual checking is clearly inadequate.
4. Keep fighting complacency!

It's interesting to note that several diesel mechanics have given us "if it ain't broke don't fix it" advice recently.  We do all the regular maintenance but I always wondered if expert eyes might detect emerging problems I don't.

That afternoon the rain started.  It continued all night and by this morning was quite heavy.  Yesterday evening we were quite glad to be ashore in a cosy pub instead of motoring through it.

Trust all's well where you are!

Cowes to Ramsgate

Hi everyone,
On Wednesday evening we finally departed Cowes.  We were stuck there due to poor weather.  But there are many worse places to get stuck!  We enjoyed our 3 day stay which included several memorable pub lunches.  We also enjoyed watching the many sail training yachts come and go, plus the Clipper Venture yachts which are presumably training crews for their next round the world event.

We departed Cowes at 1800.  Here are the usual plots for the passage...

Zen Again Track

Zen Again Speed

And here are the usual statistics...

• Distances/Speeds
• Route Distance = 135nm
• GPS Distance = 130nm
• Duration = 21 hours
• Average ground speed = 6.2 kt
• Weather
• Minimum wind speed = 15 kt
• Average wind speed = 20 kt
• Maximum wind speed = 28 kt
• Apparent wind angle range = 120 to 180
• Seas up to 2m
• Mostly broken cloud with sunny intervals.  Occasional rain showers.
• Engine
• Total = 1 hour
• Driving = 1 hour (in & out of marinas)
• Charging = 0 hours

Our ground speed average is one of our best ever.  That's due to our catching two tides - one flowing up the channel and the other flowing from the channel into the North Sea.  We had the tide with us from Selsey Bill all the way to Dover.  The speed plot shows just how constantly the tide was in our favour.

The sail was good with little traffic to contend with.  We were under double-reefed (trisail side) main and well-furled yankee all Wednesday night, then under well-furled yankee alone on Thursday.  The regular Gale Warnings on the VHF made us a little nervous!  Storm force 10 winds were forecast for Thursday night further north, and gale force 9 for our area.  We thought about stopping at Dover at one stage when rain showers were dampening our spirits but the sun came out and we pressed on.

We arrived at Ramsgate at 1445 on Thursday afternoon.  The weather was partly cloudy and blowing 20-25 knots.  As the photo below shows, the finger jetty at our berth is very short so we spent some time preparing for the oncoming gale.  We then staggered into town for a pub meal, having met the main objective of our holiday - reaching Ramsgate.

The overnight gale kept us up minding our lines during the small hours of the morning.  Some pretty good bullets came through.

Zen Again in sparsely populated Ramsgate Marina

Today (Friday) we had another walk around town and lunch at the Royal Temple Yacht Club.  A great lunch in very nice surroundings.

Royal Temple Yacht Club overlooks the harbour

Excellent Ploughman's at the RTYC

Tomorrow we plan to sail towards the Medway.  The winds are forecast to be light westerlies so we may stop overnight at Queensborough before heading up the Medway River to Chatham on Sunday morning.  That will be a homecoming since I was born in Chatham and sailed there while back in the UK in the 1980s.

Plymouth to Cowes

Hi everyone,
We are now soaking up the atmosphere at the capital of UK yachting - Cowes on the Isle of Wight.  We had a great overnight passage from Plymouth, completing the 120nm in under 24 hours.

Here are the usual plots for the passage.  The effect of tidal currents on our speed over the ground is clear.  The dip near the end is between the Needles and Hirst Castle.

Zen Again Track

Zen Again Speed

And here are the usual statistics...

• Distances/Speeds
• Route Distance = 121nm
• GPS Distance = 123nm
• Duration = 23 hours
• Average ground speed = 5.3 kt
• Weather
• Minimum wind speed = calm
• Average wind speed = 12 kt
• Maximum wind speed = 18 kt
• Apparent wind angle range = 60 to 150
• Seas up to 1.5m
• Mostly sunny with occasional high cloud
• Engine
• Total = 4 hours
• Driving = 4 hours
• Charging = 0 hours

On Friday evening we took the train from Paddington to Plymouth.  It was packed, including along all aisles.  Thankfully we had reserved seats.  A quick taxi ride got us to Queen Anne's Battery and aboard Zen Again.

The weather forecast for the weekend was variable (light) winds becoming 10-15 S later.   Before departure we discovered the engine start battery was dead.  We can start the engine using the house battery so decided to replace the dead battery in Cowes.

On Saturday morning we departed QAB at 1000 under sunny skies, motoring out of the harbour in near-calm conditions.  Within an hour we were motor sailing, and a couple of hours later we were sailing.  We sailed all the way from there - a very nice change from recent passages!

Sizzling Wake

One thing one notices here in the UK is you're never alone.  There's always a jet plane in sight.  The sky is permanently littered with contrails.

Contrails Galore

The sail along the coast was very pleasant.  It was nice to see the coast in clear weather.  Overnight the sky was occasionally clear so we could see the stars and watch the jets strobing their way across the sky.

We were under full sail all Saturday.  Overnight we put a furls in the headsail and then a reef in the main as the wind got up above 15 knots.

We had expected to arrive at the Needles - the western entrance to the Solent - at low tide.  We had such a good sail we arrived in the middle of the ebb - despite the reef and furls!  Thankfully the wind was about 15 knots by then and with the headsail unfurled we could make 2 knots over the ground against the neap tide current of 3+ knots.  We entered the channel at 0500 when it was still very dark - quite interesting with wind over tide!

Entering the Medina River

Breakwater

Zen Again hasn't visited Cowes previously.  I did Cowes week here in the early 1990s and it now has a substantial breakwater across the river mouth and several new marinas.  We are moored at Cowes Yacht Haven which was there back then.  I remember helping to manoeuvre 10-boat rafts out in the tide when inner yachts departed.  It was a whole new world for a young Aussie sailor!

The Solent is well known for its Red Funnel Line ferries.  They pass us by regularly here and woe betide any yacht which gets in their way.  Five short blasts on the horn.

Red Funnel Ferry - Don't Mess With Them

Since arriving we have cleaned up the boat, had lunch at the nearby Anchor Inn, extracted the dead engine-start battery and arranged for it to be exchanged tomorrow morning.  We expect to spend two nights here.

Alongside Cowes Yacht Haven Visitor Jetty

 Trust all's well where you are!