Nellie is scheduled to launch on 10 December.
It took two days, a quart of blood, and some superglue stitches (don't
push your leg into a hose clamp) to get the transmission's shaft coupler off.
All things being equal a conventional packing gland is less prone to
mishap than a PSS. However, if it's hard to perform the routine
maintenance a conventional packing gland requires, then the maintenance
free PSS is the safer alternative. I decided to stay with a PSS shaft seal
after my bloody forearms revealed how tight the area around the packing
gland is. Naturally this realization didn't occur until after the
conventional packing gland was successfully remounted. Yea, I'm slow on
the uptake, but sure it's the right decision. The $138 PSS rebuild kit
should be here this week.
The refrigerator wasn't cooling. A $133 service call later it's working.
There's a pinhole leak in the top of the icebox. Epoxy is currently
playing the part of the little Dutch boy. It appears to be working.
We'll know shortly if a new Adler Barbour is in Nellie's future.
The paints ($600 bottom, $40 bootstripe, and $70 barrier coat) are on
order and will be applied this weekend.
The dinghy's new $99 replacement depth sounder is installed. It's got a
color screen now. I guess they were having trouble sourcing black and
white ones :-). I'll start the dink's engine today to make sure the ethanol
laden fuel hasn't gummed up the works. The old fuel tank is leaking. It's
time for a $50 new one. The dinghy's hypalon cleaned up nicely and is in
good shape.
Well, that's the update from our treehouse perch in the yard. Reports to
follow as progress continues.
