In some people's opinion, Mekicevica and crew are real wimps: as soon as the temperatures drop below 15 C, we declare the season over. One day we'll move to the Adriatic and will sail most of the year, but for now Winter is a time to do boat improvements. This post lists the on-going projects and reports on their progress. As you can see, Mekicevica will be an even nicer boat next season.
The Big Project: New Mast and Boom.
This was in plan for some time. The good people of Neutmast in Middelharnis are taking over this. They are going to use the same mast foils as for the Randmeer. This is a very successful open boat designed 50 years ago by the famous Van de Stadt. Mekicevica will be proud to acquire some claim to relation with his designs.
Status: Mast and boom ordered; expected delivery date 1st of March.
New Windows
After 35 years of UV exposure and other abuse, the windows show multiple scratches and the rubber seal is falling apart and started to leak. Time for replacement.
Status: New rubber seal bought, found who will cut the acrylate to measure; will get going when we get a dry spell in early spring.
New Masthead Lights
I always fancied getting Mekicevica one of those LED masthead lights, marketed under the hyperbolic name of Supernova. Until recently I was put off by the price but recently I found this item at bargain price at Amazon, with free delivery moreover. The chance was too good o miss. The new mast will have new lights on the top. This also involved making a new switch panel.
Status: New switch panel nearly complete. Ready to be installed when the new mast is delivered.
Repainting of the Rudder
When we first got Mekicevica, I cleaned the rudder but then gave it only a quick lick with the leftovers of the paints I used for the hull and deck, which are not meant for under the waterline. Not surprisingly, after two years the paint started to peel off. Now the rudder is getting coated in POR-15, and over coated in the same two-component polyurethane paint as the hull (above the waterline) and Interantional's Primocon (below the waterline).
Status: Ready to antifoul and reassemble.
Yoyo Ma Maintenance
Our outboard moor, even if much less musically-gifted than the eponymous cellist, has been very reliable. In order to keep it so, it is getting full winter maintenance: fuel tank and carburetor drained and dried, new spark-plug, change of motor and gear-oil, thorough cleaning and re-greasing.
Status: Only needs to be greased and fueled and Yoyo Ma will be ready to resume his duty of noisily propelling Mekicevica in and out of harbours and whenever the crew gets tired of beating against he wind.
