Tag: maintenance
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RIP GPS mushroom
The GPS on Blue Opal has been failing recently, claiming that it can’t get a fix. The common answer in the forums is that the battery has died, and should be replaced – spot welding the tabs will be the hard bit, but doable. So, I took mine off the railing, and discovered that it…
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Running a new bilge pump pipe
The existing pipe for Blue Opal’s electric bilge pump is some sanitation hose that looks like it might have been installed when the boat was built. I’ve been getting odd bits of water in the bilge that can’t be explained by leaks in the stern or at the mast, so I decided to clean and…
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Pull-handle for the water tank locker
Blue Opal’s water tanks are in the bow, under the master cabin berths. The boards that cover the lockers are a pain to remove, because they’re a friction fit. However, given there are two shut-off valves in the locker, I decided to make it a bit easier to get the locker boards up. Having experienced…
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Engine maintenance – new filter
Blue Opal has been emitting white-blueish smoke at high revs, which is a new development. The oil level is about 3/4 on the dipstick, so she’s not over-full on oil. I figured it was a good time to change the fuel filter, as the last change was when I bought her. The filter came off…
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Cutless bearing – new tube glassed in
It’s been a long time since I last saw “Blue Opal”, though I’ve been able to keep up with what’s happening to her via regular calls to the yard where she’s being worked on. Today, I got a photographic status update. That’s the new stern tube glassed in, filler work has started, and they’re doing…
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Cutless bearing – open hull surgery
After a bit of a wait, the work on Blue Opal’s stern gear has started. The rudder was dropped a little while ago, and other topside work was done while things were being sorted out for the actual investigation and dismantling. Close investigation of the open hull surgery photo reveals distinct pinking of the metal;…