I don't know how long the steering cables have been in place, but I can only assume they have been there for 20 years or so and they clearly need to be replaced. I also need to redo the cockpit sole and that will require removing the pedestal, so with the exception of the quadrant and the sheaves, I will be basically installing the whole thing from scratch and given the tight quarters underneath the cockpit and my 6'5" frame, I don't anticipate it will be all that fun.I haven't really gotten too deep into it yet, but I did remove the compass and steering guard from the pedestal and found a huge mouse nest that must have been there for years. It reeked of urine and I was so revolted by the whole thing that I donned my respirator and latex gloves to clean out the mess. I forgot to take a photo, but it wouldn't do it justice anyway. Finding that pretty much took the fight out of me and I tabled the whole project and moved onto more priming.
Over the next 2 days I managed to get the 3rd and final coat of primer on the decks and 2 coats of primer in the cockpit, so I haven't come to a complete standstill. Over the next week or so, I'll be doing a light sand (220 grit) paper on the areas that will receive the Interlux Perfection topcoat (the other areas will be hidden underneath KiwiGrip, so no sanding there). Also, I'll probably get one more coat of primer in the cockpit before I commence tearing up the teak and figuring out the best replacement material and method (it will be wood, but not neccesarily teak because of the cost).
I prefer the tiller, but can appreciate a wheel. I wear glasses and having that compass right at the end of my nose in awful weather has made holding a steady course possible:) The reason the compass was critical is that at the time the GPS update rate was too slow, maybe the newest ones can keep up.
ReplyDeleteMy decision my have changed since I wrote this post. After pulling out the steering cable and assessing the shape of some of the other equipment related to steering mechanism, I may still go with a tiller. I won't get to it until summer though, so I may change my mind again.
ReplyDeleteCheers
-matt
I did in fact, change my mind and ended up going with a tiller in the end.
ReplyDeleteTo do effective planned you first need to be willing to study. There is no way anyone can come online and expect to be successful without training and gradeonfire review. Without learning basic techniques anyone cannot be successful online unless outsource it.
ReplyDeleteGood job, man! I don't visit here often, sorry about that but I saw your starting point. That's a huge progress! Are you doing everything by your own? I mean, where are all the Best Research Paper friends who spend most of the time talking and drinking your beer but still help sometimes:)
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