Despite the lack of updates to this blog, there has actually been a lot of work being completed on Sanderling since the last post in April 2012. We’ve been making a few changes, adding some new equipment and generally getting ready for our 2013 cruise to Canada (and the “loop”).

I’ll try to highlight the big changes with a few pictures, where available, to bring things up to date.
May 4, 2012 – Installed TAGO LED Deck Light with SS mounting brackets from Anchor Express F38-3500WHA-1 with an illuminated toggle switch from Radio Shack mounted in the overhead electronics cabinet in the saloon. This will be used to illuminate the foredeck when we need to get to the anchor windless in the dark, as well as provide extra boat illumination at night when anchored in any area with boat traffic. Since it’s an LED, it only draws 1/4 amp.

May 2012– Refinished three big interior deck plates as follows:

• 1-Sand to bare wood with 60 and 150 grit paper then 2 coats of CPES and dry
• 2-Sand with 220, then CPES – 1 coat until tacky, then 1 coat Captains Varnish
• 3-Captains – 1 coat
• 4-Captains – 1 coat
• 5-Sand with 220 – Captains – 1 coat
• 6-Captains – 1 coat
• 7 poured Captains into still-open seams and brushed across seams in attempt to fill (not successfully)
• Still needs sanding and more Captains but put back on boat to add more when we finish the entire interior boat deck.

June 9, 2012 – Replaced former Cal a/c pump forward a/c with new Teel pump from Mermaid @ $115.00. Had to remove Cal bracket and remount Teel against bulkhead. Old bracket, screws and circle clamps placed in bilge near pump for re-use if called for.

Fuel solenoid shutoff from American Diesel

August 1, 2012 – Completed install of new fuel stop shutoff relay from American Diesel – part #510-0512 (with 30 amp inline fuse). Ran new #12 line (red) from starter motor to positive post on relay with fuse at starter. New fittings on original lines to fit posts. Made bracket to fit across bolt holes on engine from 1”-1 1/2” right angle pre-drilled slotted steel. With the new solenoid the engine shuts down every time (no more climbing into the engine room to manually pull the shutoff lever). Yes!

August 19, 20, 21, 2012 – Replaced old power/data cable on GPSMAP 546S with unit’s power/data/sounder cable. Working to get NMEA data connected and working. Had to recheck wiring and make changes. Radar and auto-pilot on output-2 circuit; feed to laptop and lower helm station is on output-1 circuit so it can be switched between NMEA and GARMIN output – Garmin when necessary for uploading/downloading GPS/route/track data to/from laptop.

New power/data cable for GPSMAP 546S provided at no cost by Garmin to replace non-working cable that came with the unit. All trouble-shooting with Garmin assistance indicated cable to blame. Now all NMEA circuits are working. Garmin has been told that original cable was bad and offered to send it to them, but they declined.

The 12 volt NMEA wiring now is very close to what is shown in this diagram:

Sept 22-24, 2012 – Installed PUCK AIRMAR P79 thru-the-hull sounder for CPSMAP 546S. Filled with mineral oil.

Oct 1-9, 2012 – Added two coats of Cetol gloss to all exterior brightwork, including hand and cap rails, eyebrow trim, windows and doors frame.

Oct 12&13, 2012 – Mark Richter installed a new Magnum S2312 Inverter/charger and associated wiring and monitor. We left the Xantrex Freedom 2000 in place to provide additional amperage when charging; the combined charging capability of both operating together is 230 amps. I have now fabricated a lexan shield between the batteries shown and the tow chargers/inverter to vent hydrogen and heat away from the units. They work well together certainly shorten the time necessary to recharge our house bank of batteries when running the generator.

Oct 20, 2012 – Fabricated and installed a heat/hydrogen shield above battery bank #1

Oct 18 & 19, 2012 – Cleaned and refastened all battery posts with green/red felt and checked water all cells.

Nov 2, 2012 – Removed 110 volt AC unit and reinstalled refinished teak doors in aft companionway.

Nov 9, 2012 – Replaced group 29 (820CCAs) genset start battery with Group 24 deep cycle 800 CCAs battery.

Dec 7, 2012 – Installed new LED flourescent light fixtures in aft end engine room from LEDLIGHTSWORLD.com, 4 watt T5 LED tube light, 12 volt frosted, natural white 4000-4500K, part HK-T5-0303-X

Dec 15, 2012 – Sanded saloon deck to bare wood then 2 coats CPES plus 1 coat Captains varnish 1^st day. One coat varnish each day until total 5 coats of Captains gloss; sanded after 2^nd coat. Followed by Interlux Goldspar satin. Total: 6 coats Captains and 2 coats Interlux Goldspar after CPES.

Jan 15, 2013 – Installed Ubiquiti WiFi radio from Island Times with our old Linksys WG router flashed with dd-wrt operating system.

Feb 1, 2013 – Installed Hi/Lo LED dome light 6 1/2” warm white fixture in saloon over table. Added 2 Dual USB charger sockets 12 VDC at stereo radio and topside near VHF. Specs: 5V/2.1A from STARMARINEDEPOT.com.

Feb 10, 2013 – Rebuilt anchor chain stopper pedestal with 3 internal SS bolts from bottom and longer SS bolts from top. Fastened to deck and stopper with  3M 4200.

Along the line, the bimini top has been resewn in a few places where the thread in seams was tearing and several zippers were replaced.

Yet to come: AIS transponder with dedicated antenna, engine hot water alarm