Good news!


Good news – both engines are back in the engine room (along with new tanks)! The port engine is all hooked up and ready to run for the first time in over three months. The starboard engine is resting on the stringers, but not yet fastened in place with the engine mounts. That will be accomplished today, along with reattaching all of the hoses, lines and cables. With a little luck, the generator will be placed in the engine room today.

After reconnecting the electrical system, starting the engines, and making sure that everything is operating properly, the only thing left to do is to haul Sanderling for a short while (keeping her in the slings) to clean the bottom and replace any corroded zincs. Then we’ll be out of the boat yard and back in our marina.

Still in the boat yard


Sanderling is still undergoing repairs at Banana River Marine on Merritt Island, Florida. Earlier this spring her generator, two diesel engines, and fuel tanks were removed in order to replace the fuel tanks with new ones. In the process, the entire engine room and bilge was cleaned and painted, and all hoses and impellers on the engines replaced.

Work has proceeded slowly, as the yard is short-handed and has been repairing other boats while Sanderling’s work took a back seat. On June 9th work started again after a month of inactivity. As of today (June 14th) the 900 pound engines are being lifted into place. In a few days they should be connected and running again.

Following completion of the yard work, we will take Sanderling back to her marina at Patrick Air Force Base and begin the task of getting her ready for the cruise north.