We got quite a bit done with the weather so pleasant. It took an hour and a half, but we got the water tanks filled. They were down to about a third of a tank. They hold 265 gallons so it took quite a while to get the job done. Couldn't run the hose at full pressure as it caused the water to bubble out the top of the pipes on deck. We had been having problems with the pressurized water system on board. A pump aboard pumps the water to a pressure of 40lbs and shuts off. It fills a tank and keeps it under pressure so that when you turn on the water, you get a nice steady stream of water. For some strange reason, when the tanks are at half or less, the pump runs all the time and never pressurizes the tanks--accumulator or heater tank. It just keeps on going. If the water tanks are filled, it works just fine. Don't know why but I have put the question to a "sailors forum" website I look at. We will see what they think in wrong.
Next, we flushed the bilge tank. It smelled bad--quite sulphury. Not a pleasant odor to have in a boat. We put our water hose down there with a nozzle to add some power and added lots of water and then pumped it out--over and over again. After about 5 times, we figure most of the offensive stuff was gone. We then poured so vinegar down there to kill anything that might be living there. Plan on pumping it out again tomorrow. Not really sure where the water is coming from--probably from around the propeller since it hasn't been started since we got here. Time will tell. I'll find the leak.
Tracy vacuumed the boat to get all the cat stuff up. Looks much better. When you have little to no carpet, everything shows.
Next--off to Lincoln City to try and find a LED TV for the boat. It quickly became apparent to us that we really were in small town America. The few stores we found that actually had tvs had at best 5 to choose from and nothing with the size we need. Oh well, off to Albany, Corvallis or Salem tomorrow. The hunt goes on.
I spoke with a metal fabricator today about making a plate to go under the foredeck to brace the inner forestay. When we hoist the jib on Zephyr--that's the inner sail on the bow of the boat--not the big genoa at the front of the boat--the metal fastener that holds the wire to the deck has no backing under it. With enough pressure from the wind, it could rip right out of the deck taking a lot of fiberglass with it(bad). It's been recommended by other Liberty owners to get a stainless plate made to be attached to the inner forestay. This will then spread out the stress on the front deck and stop the possibility of ripping out the front deck(good). I'll measure it tomorrow and get it made on Monday.
The equipment I needed to get me up the mast came today. Now, I can get up there and get things fixed and installed. It works just like mountain climbing equipment except it's for boater. Much easier to use. It attaches to the line that is used to hoist the main sail and I slowly lift myself up with the straps and stand up. Then I pull up with my legs and do it all over again. Up and up to the top. When I get up there, I'll take my camera and try and get the pictures loaded so you can see them.
Neither the mechanic nor the electrician showed up this week. Oh well, there is always next week. Patience patience patience!!!! Did make arrangements to have the bottom of the boat inspected and cleaned if necessary some time next week. It's a bit hairy down there. Zephyr will sail better with a clean bottom.
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