You can start boat spring in autumn

Better to start early

Ariadne was taken up at the familiar shipyard in the fall

and the decision had been made to start refurbishment for the coming season as early as the fall. Surprisingly, the decision held, and the “spring renovation” began as early as October.

The work list included:

renewal of thru-hull fittings, reduction of the number of them replacement of the bottom of the cockpit, and a hatch for it that can be opened refurbishment of the hatch doors replacement of all freshwater hoses old electric cables off new leisure batteries, one died last summer replacement of rudder control cables new propeller articulation shaft engine rubber mounts for replacement modification of the engine control panel, a couple of new gauges and indicators belt-driven seawater pump instead of electric, finally? iPad stand with skipper B&G display for skipper

Shortly after lifting, I removed the propeller. It came off ridiculously easily when a decent puller was in use. The propeller moved home waiting for a possible replacement project.

After removing the propeller, I turned towards the old bottom sensors, i.e. two sonar sensors and two Sumlog mechanical log sensors. Everything came off effortlessly - thanks to the Dremel cutting disc - and only a few 12mm holes remained to remind of the sensors.

A clear continuation after the removal of the sensors was the archaeological excavations and removal of old and extra cables. The space under the cockpit was cleaned up considerably and that was the purpose, as changing the thru-hull fittings required clear space and not a tangle of cables in the same area. When the cables were disconnected, a electric sonar from the 60s was found in the mashinraum behind the engine. Too bad its screen wasn’t spared. Few boats today would have a electric tube based sonar.