Maintenance
Projects
Engines
Ep44 - Real time update! How much longer will this take?
We hauled out of the water in June 2024 and it’s now April 2025. So how’s it going? In this episode, we provide a real-time update. We’ll detail some of the steps we’ve finished, explain the projects that are mid-flight, and give you a peak into
Lithium Batteries
EP42 - Prepping the battery compartment to receive 55wh battery bank
Before we can install our new 55 watt hour LiFePo battery bank, the space needs some serious work. From ensuring a dry space, to sanding, fiberglass, and paint, this space has been transformed into a perfect home for our LiFePo batteries.
Refit
EP41 - Tearing apart our Yanmar 4JH4-TE engines. Major Maintenance Series, Part 2
Welcome to part two of our Major Engine Maintenance Series. It’s time to tear apart our engines! In this episode Shawn removes every hose, hose clamp, and every component. In the process, he discovers completely clogged hoses, significant corrosion, and rusted parts that must be replaced.
Projects
EP40 - DIY major maintenance on two YANMAR 4JH4-TE 75hp's - Part 1
We have two Yanmar 4JH4-TE 75hp engines. With regular maintenance, these engines should comfortably last 10,000hrs and ours have 5,000. Engine maintenance is difficult on a boat. Space is tight, temperatures are often unbearable, and unless you have confidence and experience working on engines, it’s not uncommon
Refit
EP39 - Winter Preparation - climate controlled storage and shop lights.
We weren't planning to be here this long. The seasons are changing quickly and with it comes cold temperatures and short days. Everything we own is in two storage containers that are little more than metal boxes. These will certainly have plenty of condensation during the cold months
Projects
Ep38 - It took four months to replace two hatches!
Since day one back in July of 2022, we have had several hatches that leaked. While in Guatemala, we re-bedded two of the three hatches in the salon and galley, but that's as far as we got. We mitigated the problem by keeping a bucket or bowl under
Refit
EP37 DIY lithium batteries can save you thousands! Part 1
One of the biggest and costliest project in many yacht refits is new batteries. These days, most battery changes are by people moving from standard AGMs to Lithium, or making the change to a higher native voltage from 12v to 24v or 48v. We are making the change to a
Refit
Ep36 Racing the change of season to prep the mast for paint.
We removed every piece of hardware from the mast and boom and discovered a lot of peeled and bubbling paint. That can only mean one thing...corrosion. We wanted a better look at the aluminum, so we decided to completely strip and repaint both mast and boom. Weeks of sanding
Projects
EP35 - Badly aged caulk is causing leaks!
Months after hauling our 54' catamaran out of the water to begin the refit, we finally did something that will stay on the boat. Many projects are in process, but that's been the name of the game for a long time. We were both itching to move
Refit
Ep33 The engine rooms get prepared for a makeover
We are finally moving forward on our refit. This is the first time we're doing work that actually moves the project forward, rather than tearing stuff apart. The engine rooms are going to get a face lift, but before we can proceed they need to be cleaned, sanded,
Refit
Ep31 - Removing waste hoses = instant regret!
No one enjoys the truly dirty jobs. In this episode we remove our waste hoses. This was a job we'd considering hiring out to the yard crew, but decided our budget would thank us if we just did it ourselves. Also, we didn't want the yard