Gosport HaulOut Week 2

Hi everyone,

Work continued on Zen Again this week.  Not finished yet but getting there.

Coppercoating, with Hugo Boss passing by

The week started with new skin fittings.  These matched the originals except for the new engine raw water inlet fitting having an integral strainer.

While the skin fittings went in we replaced our engine exhaust outlet on the transom.  It has always been a concern having an open outlet without a valve.  We fitted a Vetus fitting which has a flat plate which is driven open by exhaust water and closed by any external water pressure.

New Exhaust Outlet with Valve

The new exhaust fitting required repositioning the wet box in the lazarette.  In turn that required cutting a larger opening through the "floor board".  And that required painting to seal the plywood panel.

Relocated lazarette wetbox

Recut and repainted lazarette floorboard

By the time we'd finished the above work the new sea cocks had been fitted.  The engine raw water inlet proved challenging due to the lack of headroom.  We ended up with an improved arrangement with an elbow between the skin fitting and the sea cock.

Rearranged engine raw water inlet (engine sump above)

In the head compartment we now have 3/4" skin fitting, sea cock and hose tail through to 3/4" inlet to the Blakes Lavac loo.  And 1.5" all the way from the Lavac to the skin fitting.  Exactly what we ought to have but didn't since we previously had an electric loo with a narrower outlet.

The third skin fitting is the head sink outlet.  Since this sink is only used for washing we opted for a 1/2" hose tail.

Head compartment 3/4" skin fittings and sea cocks

Head compartment 1.5" skin fitting and sea cock

In the galley we have one 3/4" and one 1.5" skin fittings.  The smaller one now has a 1/2" hose tail to match the inlet to the sea water foot pump.  And the larger one provides the outlet for the galley sink and a bilge pump.  Very glad to have a mains-powered heat gun to assist hose fitting!

Galley skin fittings and sea cocks

Our coppercoat arrived on Tuesday and we had a false start when a sudden rain shower disrupted its application, thankfully after only a single coat.  The spoiled antifoul then had to be allowed to cure for two days before sanding it back to start again.

Coppercoat

Coppercoat start #2

When originally planning work for the haul out we decided to tidy up the topsides.  Back in 2014 we had an argument with an unlit fish farm.  Since then we've collected a few other scratches and gouges.  Desty Marine took on this tricky job for a reasonable price.  Precision Shipwrights who painted Zen Again in 2013 identified the paint code.  We knew we wouldn't get an exact match due the the 7 years of aging.

Topsides sanded prior to repainting

Topsides reading for painting

Repainted and polished topsides

We're very pleased with the result.  No more ugly scratches all around the boat.  Hopefully the larger repair will 'age in'.  Desty also polished the topsides overall.

Coppercoated and Polished

This week we hope to complete our haul out work.  That includes coppercoating the skeg s/s shoe and behind the props (the type which hold up the boat), and fitting the new cutlass bearing and propellor.

Trust all's well where you are!