As we continued to work on maintenance projects, the next thing on the list was replacing the zincs in the engines, and generator. The zinc on the left, is what they are supposed to look like (when they are new). The ones on the right are examples of how ours looked. The two on the right are completely gone. No doubt...time to change them.
Most of the zincs are not hard to change, but the one on the starboard aft requires me to crawal between the engine and the fuel tank. In order to do that, I first have to get in front of the engine
Then, after working my way around the engine (above), you have to pull yourself toward the aft, and I end up "wedged" between the fuel tank (on left) and that stainless bar you see (which holds up the salon floor)
All of that to get to one zinc, mounted on the bottom of the heat exchanger. The hard part is getting out (because you can't pull your self out)
The day on Saturday started out great. We received a "care package" from our friend Dave Armstrong...a special bottle of tequila. This will be put to good use.
After getting the tequila, we jumped on the bikes and took a nice long ride around the area. Here I am, looking at a local tavern, as a possible place to stop.
This is an historic area, not far from the boat, called Fells Point.
We ended up going all the way to downtown Baltimore, and having lunch at ESPN Zone
Part of downtown Baltimore
Sunset over Anchorage Marina
Log 172
Day 480
Sunday, September 13, 2009
7:30 AM EDT
Location: Anchorage Marina, Baltimore, MD.
Weather: 67 degrees with bright sun, and crystal clear skies...heading for 81 today
The nor’easter has blown through, and the rain and cold weather has gone with it. Friday was a miserable day (outside) with strong winds and pelting rain. Saturday was better, but it only reached a high of 65, and it was misting off, and on. As I sit on the back deck this morning, it is beautiful. The winds are light, the sun is bright, and it’s going to be a great day.
The last couple of days have been about continuing on projects. With the shower sump behind me, I needed to look at putting new zincs in the engine and generator. Zincs (or sacrificial anodes, as they are called on a boat) are there to attract any stray current in the water, and attract that current rather than have it attack other parts of the engine (or boat). They should be replaced (or inspected) at least once a year...depending on what type of waters you are cruising in. I have never replaced the engine zincs myself...but I had them replaced last winter in Fort Myers. My first job was just to inspect them, to see if they needed replacing. Imagine my surprise, when I found they were completely gone (check the picture). In some cases (I have 7 engine zincs in all) there was no zinc at all on the stud. Not good. So, by the time I read all the manuals, and found the location of the zincs, and after removing the zincs, and a few trips to West Marine to make sure I got the right ones, it took me all of Thursday to get this done. Friday morning I dove into the project, and most of it was slow going, but not to tough. The bad zinc (as in very hard to get at) I saved for last, and it was a real bear. Again, the pictures tell the story of just how hard it is to get behind the engine, and get at anything (you may remember I had to get back here to install a new air cleaner). So...after grunting; cussing; scraping by back, and belly; and banging my head, I got it installed. Then came the hard part. Getting back out of there. Let’s just say, it’s one of those jobs you feel so good about...when it’s over.
Also on Friday, (because it rained most of the day) I could check into a couple of leaks we had in the aft. The good news is, the leaks we had on the port side, are almost 100% dry now, but I still needed to get at the starboard side to try to see where they are coming from. After a couple of hours of looking, and trying everything I can think of, I have it narrowed down to the water coming in from the screws in my rub rail along side of the boat. So, the next step is to take all the screws out of the rub rail (there are probably 40 or 50 on the starboard side) and caulk each one, and put it back together. Then wait for it to rain again, and see how much better it is. If that does not work, I will have eliminated that part of the boat, and I’ll caulk something else. We also have a side window in the salon, that needs to be completely re-caulked. So that’s on the list.
On Saturday, most of the rain had stopped, and it was only a very slight drizzle, at times, so Deb and I rode our bikes from the marina to downtown Baltimore. A trip of about 5 miles (round trip). As usual, we made the trip around lunch time, and planned to stop for a burger somewhere. We ended up going to ESPN Zone, which is right in the heart of downtown. While it is certainly not for everyone, we did enjoy it, and were amazed at the size of the place; the noise; and the unbelievable amount of TV’s everywhere. Also...the beer (they had Stella) was ice cold; the fries were the best we have ever had; but the cheeseburger was not good (frozen (maybe more than once) and not much flavor, or juice). On the way back, we rode around several neighborhoods, and were amazed at how many local bars there were. Just where we rode, you could go to a different place every day, for a month, and not come close to trying them all. While we don’t plan to see them all, we did get a start, and stopped by one that looked really cool (old; dark; lots of ornate carvings in the wood; and Stella on tap). It turned out to be just ok, but I’m sure we will try several more...just to have something to compare to.
Today...it’s a weekend, so no work. I’m not sure about what Deb is doing yet, but I have a big day planned. I recorded last nights NASCAR race in Richmond, VA, so I have that to watch. Also...this is the first day of football season, so there will be games to record and watch. Finally...the Chicago Bears play on Sunday evening, so I have to see that. To top it off...Deb has made some chili, so I have that to look forward to for lunch. And, a good friend of ours sent me (what looks to be) some awesome tequila, so a margarita will be in order. Will this be a great day...or what???
Tomorrow...we plan to leave the slip about 1:30 pm and go a mile or two to Tidewater Marina, and have the boat pulled. Every since we had the props “tuned up” in July, the port engine has been using about 5% more fuel than the starboard engine, so I think they messed up the props somehow, and I have been working with the guys who did them, to get them back to them and check them out. So, they will pull the boat, pull off the props, and put us back in the water, and, using their tow boat, take us back to a slip. We will then wait for them to fix the props, and reverse the process. Hopefully, we will be back to Anchorage Marina by Wednesday or Thursday.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
Day 480
Sunday, September 13, 2009
7:30 AM EDT
Location: Anchorage Marina, Baltimore, MD.
Weather: 67 degrees with bright sun, and crystal clear skies...heading for 81 today
The nor’easter has blown through, and the rain and cold weather has gone with it. Friday was a miserable day (outside) with strong winds and pelting rain. Saturday was better, but it only reached a high of 65, and it was misting off, and on. As I sit on the back deck this morning, it is beautiful. The winds are light, the sun is bright, and it’s going to be a great day.
The last couple of days have been about continuing on projects. With the shower sump behind me, I needed to look at putting new zincs in the engine and generator. Zincs (or sacrificial anodes, as they are called on a boat) are there to attract any stray current in the water, and attract that current rather than have it attack other parts of the engine (or boat). They should be replaced (or inspected) at least once a year...depending on what type of waters you are cruising in. I have never replaced the engine zincs myself...but I had them replaced last winter in Fort Myers. My first job was just to inspect them, to see if they needed replacing. Imagine my surprise, when I found they were completely gone (check the picture). In some cases (I have 7 engine zincs in all) there was no zinc at all on the stud. Not good. So, by the time I read all the manuals, and found the location of the zincs, and after removing the zincs, and a few trips to West Marine to make sure I got the right ones, it took me all of Thursday to get this done. Friday morning I dove into the project, and most of it was slow going, but not to tough. The bad zinc (as in very hard to get at) I saved for last, and it was a real bear. Again, the pictures tell the story of just how hard it is to get behind the engine, and get at anything (you may remember I had to get back here to install a new air cleaner). So...after grunting; cussing; scraping by back, and belly; and banging my head, I got it installed. Then came the hard part. Getting back out of there. Let’s just say, it’s one of those jobs you feel so good about...when it’s over.
Also on Friday, (because it rained most of the day) I could check into a couple of leaks we had in the aft. The good news is, the leaks we had on the port side, are almost 100% dry now, but I still needed to get at the starboard side to try to see where they are coming from. After a couple of hours of looking, and trying everything I can think of, I have it narrowed down to the water coming in from the screws in my rub rail along side of the boat. So, the next step is to take all the screws out of the rub rail (there are probably 40 or 50 on the starboard side) and caulk each one, and put it back together. Then wait for it to rain again, and see how much better it is. If that does not work, I will have eliminated that part of the boat, and I’ll caulk something else. We also have a side window in the salon, that needs to be completely re-caulked. So that’s on the list.
On Saturday, most of the rain had stopped, and it was only a very slight drizzle, at times, so Deb and I rode our bikes from the marina to downtown Baltimore. A trip of about 5 miles (round trip). As usual, we made the trip around lunch time, and planned to stop for a burger somewhere. We ended up going to ESPN Zone, which is right in the heart of downtown. While it is certainly not for everyone, we did enjoy it, and were amazed at the size of the place; the noise; and the unbelievable amount of TV’s everywhere. Also...the beer (they had Stella) was ice cold; the fries were the best we have ever had; but the cheeseburger was not good (frozen (maybe more than once) and not much flavor, or juice). On the way back, we rode around several neighborhoods, and were amazed at how many local bars there were. Just where we rode, you could go to a different place every day, for a month, and not come close to trying them all. While we don’t plan to see them all, we did get a start, and stopped by one that looked really cool (old; dark; lots of ornate carvings in the wood; and Stella on tap). It turned out to be just ok, but I’m sure we will try several more...just to have something to compare to.
Today...it’s a weekend, so no work. I’m not sure about what Deb is doing yet, but I have a big day planned. I recorded last nights NASCAR race in Richmond, VA, so I have that to watch. Also...this is the first day of football season, so there will be games to record and watch. Finally...the Chicago Bears play on Sunday evening, so I have to see that. To top it off...Deb has made some chili, so I have that to look forward to for lunch. And, a good friend of ours sent me (what looks to be) some awesome tequila, so a margarita will be in order. Will this be a great day...or what???
Tomorrow...we plan to leave the slip about 1:30 pm and go a mile or two to Tidewater Marina, and have the boat pulled. Every since we had the props “tuned up” in July, the port engine has been using about 5% more fuel than the starboard engine, so I think they messed up the props somehow, and I have been working with the guys who did them, to get them back to them and check them out. So, they will pull the boat, pull off the props, and put us back in the water, and, using their tow boat, take us back to a slip. We will then wait for them to fix the props, and reverse the process. Hopefully, we will be back to Anchorage Marina by Wednesday or Thursday.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
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