Launch Day

We informed the Yard folks that we were ready to launch and were scheduled to be first up this morning for a launch (0900).  We always worry about anything scheduled here.  This morning we arrived at the yard at 0800 and our worst fears seemed to be materializing.  There was an IP420 hanging in the slings from the Travellift at the lift well.  I parked the rental car and went up to the 420 and knocked on the hull.  The owner came out and we chatted for a moment.  The boat is a 2001 and was purchased by the current owner in 2007.

After talking awhile the owner indicated that when he launched late yesterday afternoon that the packing gland was leaking heavily and that the yard people were going to install a Dripless seal - that he was told it would only take AN HOUR!  I spoke to the Owner of the yard, I spoke to the Office Manager, I spoke to anyone who would listen - apparently it helped as about 8:45 the Travellift picked the boat up and moved it right next to us where it was put back on the hard on jack stands.

We went over and spoke with the owner again and I explained to him that the repair was not going to take AN HOUR but perhaps several days.  Looked at the prop shaft and prop and asked him if he had checked the cutlass bearing recently and got an unusual look.  Went over and moved the shaft - probably 1/2" side to side and told him that the bearing was shot and that it should also be replaced.

Long story short - we launched and moved the boat on over to LePhare Bleu and started doing some of our recommissioning.  Late this afternoon we hitched a ride back to the yard to pick up our rental car.  We arrived back at the yard around 4:30 and I walked over to see how the work was progressing on the 420.  The Dripless seal had been installed and they were working with a hydraulic press to remove the old cutlass bearing.  The stern tube was on the ground and the yard guys were working to get everything apart and back together.

Expect that there will be yet another full day in the yard after the bearing is replaced, stern tube reattached, engine alignment rechecked/set, bedding compound cures partially etc.

Our comments to each other - The owner indicated that the packing gland had been leaking for over a year and no attempt was made to repack or resolve the issue earlier.  Not until the boat was in the lift well and was leaking profusely did the owner see a need for maintenance.  We really like to fix things before they break or at least make an effort to resolve a problem ahead of a scheduled launch.

Anyway, we are situated now while we continue prepping the boat for another season in the Caribbean and this afternoon our AC raw water pump failed!  Overheating - new pump being held for us in town at Budget Marine, will pick it up first thing in the morning.

Cruising (or is that cursing) - repairing a boat in exotic places while paying exorbitant prices for parts if you can find them!  Gotta love this life - thank god we own an IP!