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I am in the process of adding a Raytheon autopilot to my D36 “Aequanimitas” and painting the interior. I also have a couple of very small pockets of rot to take care of at the intersection of the cockpit coaming and cabin side. This will be the first time I have had an autopilot and am looking forward to putting it in service. I am also tired of winter as it had made painting difficult and I am anxious to get it finished.
What model of autopilot are you going to install? I have an older 4000+ (wheel mount) and it does not hold a course worth a hoot. I’ve been looking at their newest model, but have not decided to buy it yet….steve
I bought the ST6000. This unit was discontinued in December to make way for their newest unit that came out this month. I bought last years model because it has a rudder sensor that the new one reportedly wouldn’t have. My electronics expert advised me against the one without the sensor. I uderstand now that Raytheon ended up having to add the sensor in order to make the new units operate properly. I guess I’ll find out in the spring how well things work. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
Bob S
Hi Guys,
Repairing Crew Rest’s autopilot was last winter’s project—and well worth the effort (if not the money–ouch). I ended up replacing a faulty under deck linear drive (Nexus). But the difference between an autopilot and no autopilot was night and day. Since the Nexus (aka Simrad aka ComNav) was a Swedish product–we named the autopilot “Hans”—Swedish/Germanic–close enough. Hans is a wonderful companion and always there when we need him. And even though I had to train as a contortionist to get it installed, I really like the under deck mounting. Can be an emergency tiller should the Edison steering chain fail.
So current projects? None worthy of mention—just stripping any teak I can bring home to await warmer temperatures.
Still need to re-bed chain plates. Snoodle Time done that yet?
I did do the one that was leaking and got that sealed up. I am impressed with how Dickerson did the slot through the deck and the detail in the cover plate on top of the deck. I really can’t do much else until spring when the weather turns nicer. I bought a nice buffer to get down to business and make that hull glisten. Of course lots of teak touchups and I need to figure out how to rebuild my hatch board. It is loose and could fall apart at sometime. It’s tough when you don’t have good tools and no workspace.
I currently have the two sea boards out of the companionway and home where I’ve taken them down to bare wood (looks like a hair dryer—but it’s really a heat gun). The top one (with the screen) split vertically (with the grain) two years ago. I got a 1” wide teak strip and used that as a brace down the split and all the way around to make a square on the inside while gluing it back together. Probably stronger now than it was before. I made a one piece hatch out of plywood I had and that’s what is on board at the moment. Think I’ll keep that around as a spare.
Appreciate the encouragement on the chain plates. Guess I’ll try to do all of them next nice day.
Supposed to be almost 60 tomorrow (in the pelting rain).
I need to build a temp hatch board too so I can work on mine before it totally falls apart and is not repairable. The chain plate was surprisingly easy. On my Hans Christian I had the slot through the deck was so big, nothing I put in there really sealed the chain plate for long because it could flex so much while under sail. The Dickerson slot looked like a nice, tight fit, so cleaning out the old caulk took some time and then filled it in and put the cap on was the easy part. I’ve never seen a bevel in the cap like this one has before either. I thought that was a good idea as it would allow some build up of caulk to seal it with. I’m debating between a below deck AP and the new Raymarine wheel pilot. Not sure if I want to spend so much money on the really nice AP.
HOW ABOUT JOINING DOA AND/OR HELPING TO IMPROVE OUR ACTIVITIES
One of the new projects Barry Creighton, John Freal and I are working on is to get new Dickerson Owner Association Members. We have an e mail list of some 75 Dickerson Owners and a list that Barry has put together of over 100 boats and their owners.
As said in our latest communication the cost of membership is only $35/yr–$ 25 for Associate–special now if you join by March–your membership will go to June 2010. This cost is less than what one of us spends on sand paper.
So when all is said and done we only have about 35 members and Associate Members.
This site which is provided through the genorisity of former Dickerson boat builder Alan Willoughby has all the necessary membership forms, newsletters etc.
Also our Membership Committee of John, Barry and I could use help. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have a Membership Coordinator for each Region of the Country. What would they do? They would get Captains in their area invoved, help put together local Round Ups like Randy Bruns has done on Chesapeake Bay, contribute to newsletter etc. ANY VOLUNTEERS
We need your help.
So if you can help let me know Let us have your comments.
Joe Slavin Irish Mist jws2827@aol.com
Tired of winter??? Gee here in New Hampshire winter is ’till about June it seems!! Joe has a great idea – Folks ought to join the Dickerson Owners Association. Lots of boats out there, not too many members. Gee, $30 is a tank of gas in the car or a very cheap evening out for 2 – maybe a movie and popcorn for 2.
New projects in planning mode are the wiring/installation of the new Lewmar vertical windlass I recently had delivered. Ought to keep me busy for a bit as I decide where to position it, wire it and generally figure out the installation. Beats sitting around watching TV!….. Also going to re-paint the insides my bronze dorade cowl vents (thought I’d use red for a little “fun”) and do a little varnish work on cabinet doors, ect in the main cabin since they can be removed and finished in the basement – even thought he basement might be a bit cool in the artic north. Oh, I had John Carey send me a 3 stanchion bases, so now I can replace the 2 broken ones, strip all the paint off the remaining ones & still have a spare! Love it.
A Fun FYI story…..A buddy of mine spent the last 5 years restoring his 1932 Alden designed sloop (PAVITI TERN) , that was built in Fairhaven Ma. It has been his “retirement” project – This fall he sailed it singlehanded from Wetport Ma to Key West. Arrived last week. Pretty good trip for a 66 year old guy in a 77 year old boat!! Now I think he is off to the Bahamas – I think he said the beer was better there, so it’s worth the trip! Great inspiration for spring!
I’m not sure of my membership status. I did send a check in last year, and after about 6 months and the rendezvous, it was cashed. It seems like I should be current, but don’t really know.
You can bet if the check was cashed you are a member. You do bring up a good point. We should look at giving members a small plaque or something to hang on the wall and then when membership is renewed just send out a date change that can be pasted on.
Big problem I think is very small budget because of small membership.
We do plan to send out a 2008 Directory in March and you should be listed.
Joe, Irish Mist
Started oiling the interior teak. Anna and I got the main salon done before our eyes could not take the vapors any longer. I guess that is one of those jobs to do when it is warmer, but it needed it. Took a few days to dry, but what a difference it makes. Wow!!!
First day of Cetoling…
Mark this day as a good one… first day of Cetoling outside, in the sun, in the warmth and in the spring time!!!!
YES!!!!
Have gotten all of the surfaces on the interior sanded, primed and the first coat of finish paint on. Most of the trim and areas to be finished natural have been sanded. Now comes the major clean up so the finish paint can be done and the trim varnished. Really starting to look good. New Raymarine wheel pilot is installed and ready for all the wires to be connected and tested. Really looking forward to more warm days in order to finish painting and getting back in the water.
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