Last week, down at the marina, I was taking measurements for fender boards. The fender boards are going to be eight or ten feet long, and hinged in the center. I plan on using a second set of hinges and drop-in hinge pins to lock each fender board into the open position. The fender boards should be easy to store under the foredeck or under the cockpit.
I was also discussing another new project for the boat with my friend Dave. I decided that the boat needed a bit more storage, and am planning on making a portable storage locker for the cockpit. The locker is going to be designed to fit into several locations on the boat, depending on what type of sailing we’re doing that day. He’s going to do some drawings in AutoCAD, so we can make it up from some foam and fiberglass.
Another project I have for the boat are two new sets of drop boards. The stock set consists of three panels. I am looking to make a two-panel set, with ventilation screens or louvers built into them, as well as a much heavier two-panel set for heavy weather. I think I will make these out of Plexiglas, instead of polycarbonate, as I have the solvent and tools for working with Plexiglas.
I also have to come up with some way to lock the sliding hatch and drop boards from both inside and outside the boat. Will, from PCI, has suggested a simple way to lock the hatch and drop boards externally, but I’d rather have a system that works for both inside and outside. I’ve also got to design and install a sea hood for the sliding hatch at some point.
The last of the new projects is installing the padeyes for the jacklines. I’m planning on installing a double padeye near the anchor locker hatch, and single padeyes on the cockpit coaming. Then I will install the 3/8″ Spec-set lifelines, cased in tubular webbing and attached using 1/2″ stainless steel bow shackles. I’ve already made up the Spec-set jacklines, but I’ll probably have to shorten them a bit to fit properly.
The original projects include installing the ground tackle system, upgrading the electrical system, and some small items.
The ground tackle system includes the anchor windlass, mooring bitt, chain pipe, anchor roller, and chain tensioner. I also have to setup or install a grate or basket in the anchor locker, to protect the fiberglass from the chain part of the rode. I have a heavy plastic tray, normally used for two liter soda bottles, that should work pretty well. This is probably the most complicated and difficult of the projects I have planned for the boat..
Upgrading the electrical system consists of installing the two solar panels wiring them in. I am also adding two charge controllers and a battery combiner. This should make the electrical system a bit more simple to use and charge the batteries more efficiently. As for the solar panels, I am currently planning on mounting them on the stern rails, but this is likely to change.
The small stuff includes installing the two solar-powered ventilation fans, mounting the radar reflector and setting up two spreader halyards.
I think I may cheat on the ventilation fans and install them in the hatches. Since they’re mainly going to be used when the boat is closed up, so there really isn’t much of a loss installing them in the hatches, and the install is far simpler. The radar reflector is probably going to be mast mounted. I haven’t figured out to mount the Echomaster to the mast, but that shouldn’t be too difficult.
The starboard spreader halyard will be used for courtesy flags, while the port one will be used for hoisting the anchor/motoring day shapes. I’ve already got the line, blocks and shroud cleats for the halyards. I also need to get a flag staff to mount the ensign on. This will mount on the stern pulpit.