Search results

The next task was installing a new faucet.

My lovely wife did a job that I don’t like. She tiled the backsplash around the medicine cabinet. This is the before picture. The next picture is the rebuild. Then is the cutting and lay up of the glass tile. After it is trimmed out and the new plexiglass panels are installed it looks great.

After trying to start the diesel by myself and learning about hydro locking my friends at the marina came to my rescue. We disassembled the fuel injectors and blew out the water. Then using the right sequence the engine fired right up. A very happy day! I have a short video but I don’t know if...

Then I installed a cleaned and rebuilt water strainer. And I assembled the mess of parts for the air conditioner pump. And I’m sure you all know there’s no such thing as standard parts. It seems like everything has a unique diameter, thread or fitting.

I’ve neglected to post the progress of our work. My day job has been getting in the way of my hobby and future recreation. I finished installing the fuel water separator/ fuel filter, fuel lines and petcocks.

I also installed the rebuilt lead weight box.

Now we’ve started to assemble the fuel system components. It’s frustrating in discovering how many components need replacing or learning that they aren’t standardized. As an example the old fuel water separator used 1/4 inch intake barb to 1/4 inch npt then 1/4 inch npt out to a 5/16 barb.

After two years of home moving and remodeling delays we finally got around to unpacking the windows. The packing box was starting to show the weather from being stored outdoors.

We also added a water filter.

I continued to work on the fresh water plumbing using Pex. The last picture is the thermostatic mixing valve. Since we’ll have grandkids on board we wanted to make sure they don’t get scalded when they don’t know that the water can get too hot to turn all the way on.

Yes, those are lead ingots. They where in a box on the starboard side to counterbalance the 100 gallon diesel tank on the port side.

I started connecting the starboard and stern water tank freshwater pipes. I decided to use Pex with Sharkbite fittings. They are a bit pricey but easy to work with.

I had to replace some of the ground wires. Then when I took this picture I realized I forgot to use heat shrink. So now I need to disconnect and make it right.

During breaks in the cold weather I did some wiring. I connected the gray water pump and hoses and made the electrical connections to the water heater.

Do all the necessary repairs and replacements now when you can get easier access to the components. I’m 6’3” and I struggle to perform unwanted yoga maneuvers to gain access to certain items.

The previous owner said the prior owner had a rebuilt engine installed. It’s a 1997 engine in a 1978 boat. I guess they thought painting everything will make it appear rebuilt?

After replacing the hoses for the heat exchanger I moved to the front of the engine to replace water pump hoses. Now the after!

What to do on a snowy, rainy and cold day? Replace hoses on the engine. The hoses were painted and so hard some crumbled and cracked when I pulled them off. I originally thought I would buy new hoses and clamps as backups but after the first hose and second clamp crumbled I knew they all needed...

We’re in the process of replacing old wires and hoses and securing the fuel and water tanks. After that we’ll cut out the wall panels then install the new windows. We should be able to put it in the water this spring to do some shakedown cruises to ensure our repairs and replacements were correct.

Oh yeah, she rolled and tipped. The Redtree 4 inch foam rollers were very important as basic foam rollers from Lowe’s or Home Depot didn’t provide the finish or texture we expected.

She sanded the exterior and did minor cosmetic repairs with Total Fair Epixy Fairing Compound. She did a good solid sanding but not to the gel coat. Then she sanded to fair out any uneven surfaces. Two coats of Interlux Pre-Kote. She recommends not being afraid to thin the Pre-Kote or paint as...

Here are some more pictures of the results.

My better half has been working on the exterior while I continue to make progress on the interior. Here are the before and after pictures.

I like the confidence of strong new material.