Back in the saddle again…

June 21, 2012

The Travel lift saddle that is.  Yesterday was launch day again and hopefully we’ll be in the water for a long time this time.  Chris arrived in Philadelphia on Monday, collected all of our goodies from her Mom’s in New Jersey and moved onto the boat Tuesday morning.

It’s only been 2.5 days, but the number of completed items on the list is really staggering.  Most importantly, the drive train is all back together with a new monel 22 shaft, new PSS shaft seal, and new R&D engine mounts.  We have a new Balmar 120 amp alternator and ARS 5 regulator too.  That created a small hiccup as the 70 series we ordered fit, but you couldn’t connect the wires due to case configuration and space.  We swapped it with a 60 series that had a different case and it all fit, barely. We still need to pick up a Gates grooved belt for the alternator from NAPA that will last a lot longer than the standard smooth OEM belt.  The new seacocks are in, the battery monitor is connected, the slow blow fuses on the batteries are connected, and joy of joys the iAIS is working on the iPad.

PSS Shaft seal with not yet installed vent line (note bare hose barb) and PYI shaft retention collar

 

Balmar 60 series 120 amp alternator on the right. Balmar ARS 5 regulator on the upper left, new R&D engine mounts at the bottom.

Victron battery monitor

iAIS

AIS on the iPAD running iNAVx app. Yellow triangle is Shearwater. The red labels are boats in the area with their AIS on. How cool is that?

Chris is a rockstar!

We were also happy to discover that our ports and hatches, unlike most J/120’s, were made by Gebo in the Netherlands.  All of ours are still in production and parts are readily available.  New gaskets for all of the opening ports are on their way, to be installed before we leave.

The only downside to the week that I can see, is that it is scorching hot in Annapolis right now.  Record heat across the northeast and heat advisories does not make for comfortable working on a boat without AC (or acclimatization).   Fortunately, we bought a good DC fan for inside the boat, so at least she is able to get some relief and sleep.

We are under the 2 week to go banner.  I’m trying to stay calm.

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