"FOREVER"

MECHANICAL RENOVATION

 

We started this project by taking out the engine, a Volvo MD21, that had over 2500 hours done since installation in 2001. The engine needed a complete overhaul, which also included the gear box. There was a leak in the impeller pump, the exhaust elbow was broken and leaking water onto the engine block, the circulation pump was beyond repair, the starter motor and alternator needed to be repaired, the list was endless. the gear box was slipping which required a new sliding sleeve to rectify. Once the engine was rebuilt, it was cleaned and given a new coat of paint.  This part of the works was completed before Christmas 2013 and the engine was re-installed in early January 2014, once the engine compartment has been relined with acoustic sound proofing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Eberspacher heater had seen better days and although we got it to start after a bit of effort, it soon stopped again. This was replaced with an Eberspacher D4 Airtronic unit which we sourced on the internet from a motor factors who still provided all the marinised kit at a fraction of the price that chandleries were selling the same unit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was an old air conditioning unit on board, a legacy of the circumnavigation. This was not working and apparently when it worked, it consumed every amp in the domestic battery bank. All the ancillary gear relating to this unit was removed from the yacht, 120 kg in total!

 

The compressor unit for the refrigeration plate was stored under the aft berth. This unit had also seen better days and as the refrigerant used was no longer available, the compressor and plate were removed from the yacht. These were replaced with a Weaco compressor unit and an oval shaped plate. We also used a mains trasformer from Waeco which allows the compressor to work off the mains voltage if plugged into shore power.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The engine was replaced with four new engine mountings, a new exhaust hose and a new stern gland. The propellor had significant dezinification and after putting photographs of it on a discussion thread on the YBW forum, the consensus of opinion was to change it. We brought the propellor home on a Ryanair flight in the hand luggage! We then contacted Jim Walshe, proprietor of a wonderfully named company down in Kilmore Quay - the "onestoppropshop". Michael met him one wet Sunday morning down beside the Slaney River in Enniscorthy and he took away the prop for assessment and Measuring. He came back to us within 24 hours  to confirm than not only was the metal compromised but that the blades were bent and their pitch was incorrect. He duly ordered us a new 18 inch left handed three blade propellor and Michael collected it a few weeks later at the same spot, still raining, in Enniscorthy town.