Always fun reading what others are doing...
I am not yet launched this year; although I am getting close... Other
than a quick splash last fall to motor across lake Michigan (WI to MI )
to bring Rhapsody home after I moved; she has not been in in the water
for 4 years. My job and new house/moving etc. got in the way. But this
year I am going sailing!
So I though I'd share my launch list this year (some done, some not yet
done)... Rhapsody is a 75 model year (built late '74) C&C 27 Mk 3. She
still has the original Universal Atomic 4; normally runs like a sewing
machine. She has been a great boat for me, I've sailed all over Lake
Michigan. And she sails to her rating, I've done OK in the distance
races I've entered. But boats don't take setting for a few years in
storage very well...
* I had fixed some soft core before storing a few years ago. Still
needed to apply nonskid (KiwiGrip is great stuff, and the gray looks
great against the white decks) and reinstall the starboard chainplates
* I needed to repaint the entire hull blue again. I had repaired some
damage caused by a bow anchor that got loose and the primer was
already done. Needed to finish sand everything, paint topsides,
boot stripe, and bottom. Install new graphics for "Rhapsody" and
registration numbers.
* The shift linkage for the Atomic 4 was very stiff; almost unusable
last fall. I tried to oil it, but it did not help. Replacing the
teleflex "cable"; what fun. The binnacle end was not too bad, but I
hate working stuffed in the very small cockpit lockers. I don't fit
very well (at 6'3" and 260lb); other than the access it is not that
bad.
* Replaced the cooling water impeller (again, no fun in the locker).
* Repaired the autopilot. The old AutoHelm 3000 wheel pilot has
always worked well, but failed during my trip last fall. It would
only turn to port, not starboard. Diagnosed and replaced the output
Darlington transistors based on comments on this list and it works fine
* Clean gas tank, carburetor and fuel filters. When I motored across
the lake last fall I had to keep the choke out to keep the engine
running, so 4 year old gas (even with stabilizer) is not good...
* Change oil and put the water lines back on for launch
* Change spark plugs; check points, distributor cap etc
* etc... etc...
You get the idea... I just thought that others might like to see the
type of effort maintaining a good old boat takes. I also read with
interest the notes from the C&C rescue committee earlier this week; I am
just trying to just save my own.
Bob Wooden
"Rhapsody" C&C 27 mk 3
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