Work has resumed here at our house and boat

 After three and a half months of doing nothing while we were enjoying Florida, it’s back to work.

Mostly though, it’s Benno who is doing most of it and as an electro mechanical technician he is at his element while it is electrical, mechanical or hydraulically related. The boat, which is a work in progress, was also meant as a hobby for Benno in addition to enjoying it on the water when finally completed.

The hydraulic pump, lines, hookups etc. behind the wall

We came home with several items purchased down south that were next in line to be installed. A major item, also cost wise was the Simrad Autopilot, integrated to the GPS system. You just got to have an autopilot, otherwise you’d be hand steering the whole time you are underway. So this installation took some time. Of course the finished bathroom (head compartment) where behind the wall are all the electrical hookups and hydraulic steering lines, which we had last year replaced, got dismantled again :-( for the extended work. The Autopilot came with an electric hydraulic pump which had to be spliced into the hydraulic steering lines as well. Glad we had not primed the hydraulic with the special hydraulic oil last year, this would be a mess now.

Benno is mixing the Epoxy for the box he made

The box needed several coats of paint

The actual Display unit went onto the dashboard, but I convinced Benno to make a nice wooden box for it to match the looks of the engine panel box. Also the unit would have stuck through the ceiling of the bathroom and that solved the problem.

The Autopilot unit installed in the box and hooked up

The autopilot is ready to work

A switch to turn on the power to the autopilot

While filling the hydraulic lines with Seastar hydraulic oil that runs from the steering wheel pump to the electric auto pilot pump further on to the steering cylinder that turns the rudder from port to starboard, Benno needed my help in the aft compartment under the cockpit to help bleeding the lines while he filled the oil in and turned the steering wheel. A cramped position for sure but easy to do.

The hydraulic lines to be blead of bubbles

But I’m not crawling in all cubbyholes, there is the one where the house lithium batteries will be installed. I show you the area so you get an idea where he sticks his head and arms in to make the electrical connections that feed the main cabin and galley.

This is the cubbyhole and around to the left Benno gets to twist his limbs in :-)

Just a few days ago I cut the grass, but you wouldn’t know it as it has already grown so much again. Back into the saddle of the John Deere. The spring flowers are all starting to bloom and the weeding can begin. Just what I have been looking forward to :-)

Oh, something I found interesting, a marine item came shipped in this plastic bag. Read the descriptions!

Lots more updates to come for the boat as it is all in progress. Stay tuned.

Thanks for your visit.