An Update from Herrington Harbour North

Rosalind on the Hard
Herrington Harbour North Marina

Rosalind is still on the hard for a few more weeks. While the rudder is drying out and before we have her bottom painted, we are wrapping up some last minute projects.

We just finished refurbishing the propane system. We now have a new low pressure hose the goes through five bulkhead penetrations (to prevent chafing) and connects the galley stove to the regulator under the port stern seat. We made new teak brackets to hold the regulator as the galvanized ones were rusting away. We also got a new high pressure hose from the regulator to the propane bottle. It was a real adventure to get the high pressure hose. Cheryl had to go to many stores to find the right length and the right end fittings. As part of the refurbishment, we installed a new propane shutoff solenoid valve and wired it so that the propane can be easily shut off from the galley by a switch. Lastly, we successfully leak-tested the refurbished propane system.

Propane Solenoid Switch (bottom)

In another project, Cheryl sanded and coated the aft companionway teak rails with Cetol protective wood finish, as the rails were in real need of some TLC. She also primed and painted the diesel fuel deck standpipes with Brightside paint.

Aft Cabin Companionway Rail (Before)

Aft Cabin Companionway Rail (After)

We installed a flapper on the engine exhaust. This will prevent any following seas from entering the engine block through the stern exhaust when the engine is not running.

Exhaust Flapper

Exhaust Flapper

We also installed the hailer horn/speaker for the VHF radio on the mizzen mast; however, the wiring from the aft cabin to the radio in the main salon still needs to be strung through the engine room.

Hailer Installed on Mizzen Mast (above Anemometer)

We installed padeyes with backing plates in three locations. We have one in the cockpit to secure our tethers, which are attached to the safety harness on our life jackets. The cockpit padeye can be reached from both the main and aft cabins so we can get clipped in before getting into the cockpit. We installed two more padeyes, one on each side of the aft cabin, to secure the aft ends of the jacklines, which are lengths of webbing running bow to stern onto which we clip our tethers if we need to leave the cockpit during night watches, heavy weather, or passages. We used varnished teak pads, stainless steel backing plates, and acorn nuts to cap the protruding machine screws inside the aft cabin. The padeyes are installed far enough forward so that we cannot fall off the stern yet we can still work the mizzen.

Padeye in Cockpit - Starboard Side

Varnished Teak and Stainless Steel Backing Plates for Starboard Padeye (on left) - Aft Cabin 

Varnished Teak and Stainless Steel Backing Plates for Port Padeye (on right)

 Telltale Compass (on left) - Aft Cabin 

Starboard Padeye (forward of portlight) - Aft Cabin 

Over the next two weeks we plan on finishing the rudder work, painting the prop, doing some canvaswork and getting Rosalind ready to launch. We want to thank you for following us on our voyage.

Alex and Cheryl