It is that time of the year again. I don't mean the silly music in the shops and all that, I mean time for boat maintenance. Here are the projects for Winter 2013-2014:
New Mainsail
The old one was getting a bit baggy and somehow the cut of the clew seemed wrong, especially on the new mast and boom. Sometime during the Winter, the good people of Van der Werf will take measurements and make a new sail. No frills, not even sail logo, just a well shaped sail at a very good price.
Chainplate Replacement
I could see this one coming. After tackling the keel and beefing-up the rigging, the obvious weak-link is in the chainplates. Spidering cracks where the chainplates attach to the deck are an ominous sign that I either take care of this or risk having the expensive new mast topling over. I am planning to have the plates attached to the hull, rather than to the deck as they are now.
Winches
They are still doing well but because of the way they are installed they leak into the cabin. I'll keep the winches but will change the idiotic way they are installed. Also a new, small winch for the genoa furling is coming. This is a request of First-Mate who is usually in charge of furling the genoa. Also the cam cleats for the headsail sheets could do with replacement.
Headsail Cars and Rail
I am surprised the cars for the head sail sheets haven't ripped yet. They look really tattered. Also the screws that fix the rail are leaking. Have we been pushing them a bit too hard, maybe? Budget allowing, we will even have a set-up to trim the position of the cars.
Foredeck Cleats
Having just one big cleat in the middle of the foredeck does not work very well. I am planning to replace that with two smaller cleats close to the toerail. I'll use the opportunity to remove screws on the foredeck whose function has been lost in the darkness of ages.
Stern Locker
The space under the tiller is just wasted. I am planning to construct a locker there. This can be used to store the petrol jerry can (better than the current bucket in the port-side locker which has the vent hole close to the upper edge !!!) and a stern anchor which is a must both in the Med and in the Baltic. And if sailing in hairy conditions it can be filled with flotation, therefore reducing the volume of the cockpit.
Window Replacement
This one is a left-over from last Winter's plans. We had such a good Summer I forgot about it. The new rubber seals are still in the garage and the variable speed saw to cut acrylate is being used for other jobs. It has to be done this Winter, especially if we decide to take Mekicevica to the Baltic.
