Bosun’s bits: updates from Elfida and Carina

The latest maintenance reports and feedback from skippers have flagged a few key items that need sharing. These notes are here to help crews understand the boats better, avoid common issues, and keep everything shipshape for the next person aboard.

Elfida: water, windlass, and furling tips

Water was recently noticed under and around the engine cranking battery, which was salty to taste. The leak was traced to the engine cooling sea water pump (which has been replaced). From questions at the AGM, it’s apparent that some skippers are not aware that the hull stiffening ribs (under the floorboards) prevent water from draining into the saloon sump until the water is deep enough to cover the floorboards. Both the electric and the manual bilge pumps only draw water from the saloon sump.

However, there is a portable handheld bilge pump under the forward bunk, which will suck water from under the engine cranking battery area. Feed the bilge pump inlet tube down the ½ inch white plastic tube (located to the starboard side of the battery) to get to the lowest spot.

A new windlass curly wire remote controller was fitted recently – so now the anchor can be lowered using either gravity or electricity. The original had badly corroded contacts where the curly wire controller was plugged into the connector in the anchor well. After disconnecting, please ensure the blanking plug is fitted correctly, to prevent sea water from corroding the contacts again.

The jib reefing gear has been snagged for being stiff again. Just before the AGM, we were able to unfurl and furl the jib in a soft breeze relatively easily. In order to trace what might be causing the problem, please don’t over-tension the jib halyard. If you want to tension the rig, use the backstay. Tensioning the jib halyard won’t flatten the luff any further because it’s held in the foil groove. Over-tensioning the jib halyard merely puts flat spots on the nylon ball bearings in the Facnor furling gear. The balls then won’t roll around the race – they will have to slide, which causes a huge increase in furling resistance.

If furling proves too difficult by hand (say in F5 or more) and you need to “sweat it in,” use the reefing line between the winch and the deck pulley. These are designed to take big loads. “Sweating” between the stanchion guides may break them. If you are still struggling, then use the winch – and please tell the bosuns (good or bad news).

Carina: dry bilges, new power line, and vibration fixes

Carina is in fine fettle. Much work has been done, as already mentioned. Many thanks to all those that helped at the maintenance weekend. Anthea & Malcolm B-D were real stalwarts on Carina. Also, thanks to Andrew Riley who supplied us with new shore power lines of “Arctic cable,” which remains flexible in low temperatures.

Engine mounts have been replaced, the stern gland packing has been replaced, and a new flexible coupling installed. More water has been noticed in the bilge of late. The current thinking is that the excess vibration and movement allowed by the deteriorating mounts had caused the stern gland to leak.

Shore power line: The new Arctic cable supplied by Andrew coils very neatly. It has its own Velcro strap to keep the coils in check. There is an adapter consisting of a short section of black cable, with a yellow-collared connector to go to the boat socket, and a transparent “caravan-type” connector to go to the new shore power line. This is a relatively short line, ideal for Carina’s usual berthing arrangement. Another longer line (currently in the port cockpit locker) can be added to extend the reach if needed.

Stirrup bilge pumps: These are stowed in the port cockpit locker. Both pumps were completely blocked when last checked, but they are now serviceable. They are effective at getting the last of the water out from the bilge via the aft saloon floor hatch – pump into a bucket. Please try to keep the boat as dry as possible and check this area at the end of your trip so that it’s dry for the next crew.

Chart plotter Uni Controller: A new 3D-printed controller has been installed. It is quite robust but NOT waterproof. Please avoid getting it wet when making selections on the plotter.

Reporting issues

Please let the bosuns know about any issues you find on the yacht – whether you’ve fixed it or not. A status report after your voyage is always helpful, and we are happy to give advice over the phone. Please also write it up in the tech log so others are aware. Your input really does help us help you.