Winter 2017 to 2018: Completing the Refit Part 8, Starting the reassembly

Overview

March 3, 2018--The painting of the topsides and bottom has been completed and reassembly of Calypso has started.  One of the first components to be assembled was the rudder.  Another was the reassembly of the deck hatches and installation of a new mast collar.  Finally, they have started work on upgrading the anchor system.

The Completion of the Painting

As shown in the following very short videos, the Awlgriping of the sides and transom has been completed.  

Port Side

Starboard Side

The Transom

Additionally, the yard has reinstalled or installed new fittings to complete the work on the transom.  Notice the new stainless fittings for the exhaust ports in the stern.  These are much nicer the the old cracked plastic ports (that were noted as needing replacing by the surveyor at the time I acquired the boat.

The Rudder

Larry and the crew at Milford Boat Works finally finished work on installing the new rudder.

The New Rudder

While there were many issues with the installation, revolving around the diameter of the stock, (mostly), I have thank Custom Composites Inc. for helping MBW in resolving them.

One of the problems, unforeseen by me, is that the rudder might actually float and then bind up against the hull.  Larry added washers to prevent this problem as you can see if you look at the top of the rudder.

While I have every confidence that the new rudder will be far superior to the old, I'm withholding final judgement until the builder/owner trials, hopefully in late April.

The Hatches

The hatch lids have been reassembled and they look great from both the outside and inside.  Tony and his team at Hatchmasters did a masterful job.

Hatch from above

Hatch from Below

The reason that I had the hatch lens changed was for safety.  I was hold by several sailors that crazed hatches can be shattered by large waves at the most inconvenient time.

The Mast Collar

In the fall of 2014, when I had just acquired Calypso, I found a white powder all over the table that goes around the mast.  So I cleaned it up only to find that the next day there was more powder.  

Aluminum Oxide on the Table

Shortly, I discovered, as I indicated in other posts, that the aluminum mast collar was slowly disintegrating.  

Mast Collar in the Process of Disintegration

According to Tartan, who made the boat, it was made of a substandard grade of aluminum by the Chinese.  In 2005, Tartan found out about it and changed to a stainless steel collar.

In fall of 2014, I purchased a stainless steel mast collar from Tartan hoping to have it installed in the winter of 2015-2016.  For various reasons it didn't happen.  So it sat in storage until this winter.  On it's been installed and it looks beautiful as the following pictures show.

The new Mast Collar from On Deck 

The New Mast Collar from in the Cabin

Anchor System

As mentioned in previous posts, the anchor and the anchoring system has been suspect.  In fact, in one of the early posts there are pictures showing that it was broken off.  Further, even the initial survey indicated that the anchor was little more than a lunch anchor.  I have the feeling that this was because the boat was kept at a dock when not racing, therefore minimum weight was more of a consideration than anchoring in a storm.

So Milford Boat Works personnel have been designing a much more heavy duty anchor system for Calypso.  In doing so, they have removed the current anchor and roller, as shown in the following picture.

Bow with anchor and roller removed

Shortly, Calypso will be ready for her coming out (of the paint shed) party.  So more soon.