[Rhodes22-list] More boat tinkering (was: Lift range of 7:1 outboard mount)

[John Lock]

At 08:41 PM 4/14/2007 -0400, Arthur H. Czerwonky wrote:
>John,
>Think of it this way - most folks have difficulty finding a good 
>motor for 1 big one.  You got that plus an awesome boat and a 
>galvenized trailer, and a boatload of kooky friends and colleagues 
>for the same amount...

Indeed, it was the bargain of the century and I'm not 
complaining.  Just can't resist the urge to tinker and improve :-)

Already had the battery out and put some order into the wire nest in 
the battery box.  Considering whether there is room for a second 
Group 24 in there.

Took out the 12v fridge to install an on/off switch.  It makes a 
significant buzz when running (already took that apart).  So, I 
needed a convenient way to turn it off when desired (like when 
sleeping).  May end up using it like a cooler instead... but it is 
nice to have cold ones at the dock without ice!

I added a 4-plug receptacle for 12v power in the galley.  Don't have 
anything to plug in there yet, but I know a coffee maker is high on 
the list.  And, temporarily, the GPS plugs in there.

I installed mounts for my handheld GPS and an old Humminbird fish 
finder on the starboard bulkhead.  The Humminbird helped me thru a 
narrow channel on Friday evening.  The transducer is still hanging 
off a length of PVC strapped to the boarding ladder for testing 
(thanks Mary Lou!)  May or may not get around to making something 
more permanent.

FYI - the spreader lights DO work, contrary to my previous 
posting.  I think something was loose or disconnected in the battery 
box.  After straightening all that out, they worked fine.

The main halyard block, at the base of the mast, has expired.  The 
plastic sheaves disintegrated from age and UV exposure.  A new one is 
on order and should make raising the main easier.  Likewise, the clam 
cleat for the jib furler.  It had very few "teeth" left.  That's why 
it popped out on me the other day.  The plastic ridges were worn 
smooth from use.

Installed a tiller lock for the hiking stick, so I can let go of the 
tiller briefly to tend to other items.  It's just a socket that sets 
into the coaming and captures the ball-end of the hiking stick to 
hold the tiller in place.  I think I'll like that better than the 
"tiller tamer" type, which have lines running across the cockpit to 
either side.

Now I'm considering whether to convert my single backstay, with its 
Y-split end, to full twin backstays.  Currently, the traveler sits 
pretty low in the cockpit,  about the same height as the stern 
rail.  It always seems to be in the way when I have to do anything 
with the motor or rudder.  Also, I can't lift the tiller up out of 
the way.  It's trapped between the traveler and backstays, which is 
annoying when I set up the table in the cockpit.

Oh yeah, and I'm still considering replacement of the motor mount and 
re-installing the original front ports or something to aid 
ventilation.  I'm liking the idea of a Nicor solar fan mounted on the 
cabin top.  Wondering how good their rain exclusion is...

Whew!

John Lock
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s/v Pandion - '79 Rhodes 22
Lake Sinclair, GA
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