Alajuela 38
I know this may seem trivial … but the tiller was installed this morning. It has been six months since the tiller/rudder was complete. Somehow, this seems momentous. I am very pleased with the esthetics of the rudder rebuild … so much better than the ugly stainless cap that was about to be put on by the previous owner.
The instrument panels were installed in the cockpit today. Enough room was left to the left to install the Standard Horizon SSM-70H 2.5″ Wired Remote Access Microphone (RAM4).
All of the instruments in the cockpit have been replaced except for the Westerbeke Diesel engine instrument panel. The panel looked pretty weathers. However, it was possible to buy spare parts for the panel, including the bezel, Plexiglass window, and rubber covers for the buttons. The challenge was to move the instruments to the new bezel. There were perhaps 50 wire connections. A label-maker was used to label all of the terminals and the wires.
The final result was a new-looking panel.
Note a new Westerbeke Admiral Instrument Panel costs $750, but the cost for replacing the bezel, window, button covers and a new ignition with was about $100.
I replaced the rusty vinyl-coated steel cable lifelines today with 1/4″ Dyneema using Johnson Marine fittings:
Taper the tail:
Bury the tail:
Two different Brummel splices are used. Fittings that are too large to fit through lock-splice are put on first using Brummel lock splice where both ends free. For the smaller fitting that can pass through the rope, a Brummel lock place is used for one end attached. The additional step in the later splice re-inverts the rope after passing the fitting through the tail.
In prepping the mast for painting,
I discovered a tang for one of the upper spreader stays has partially pulled out and was bent.
There is come corrosion of the aluminum, so a significant repair/reenforcement is called for. I have designed a stainless steel cap and Rafael is manufacturing it for me.