LAUNCH DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED

Better late then never!
Sent from on board BIANKA
http://biankablog.blogspot.com

CLEANING: Countertop Rust Stains

Finishing up some spring cleaning in the galley. I discovered I had left my cast iron frying pan on the sliding formica countertop over the winter and had some rust embedded into the surface. I first tried my staple cleaner which is some  Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. It had limited results. I then tried some CLR Calcium, Lime and Rust Remover soaked onto a paper towel that I left over the stain overnight:

It worked better but, there was still a good sized rust stain on the counter:

I then bought out the  FSR Fiberglass Stain Remover  :

and dabbed it over the stain using a disposable paint brush:

After letting it soak in a bit and using a piece of 3M Scouring pad the rust was completely removed from the countertop:

I wiped down the counter with a damp paper towel and finished the job.

Always good to have several cleaners on board to try and I learned a lesson not to let the cast iron skillet sit on the countertop for any length of time.

ANOTHER AHA MOMENT IN THE GALLEY

After removing the Paloma hot water heater and reconnecting the pressure water hoses I began thinking. The hoses I reconnected are in a real good location right in the galley and over the sink.

Then I had the AHA moment that it would be nice to have a spray nozzle at that location to help with washing the dishes. Since the hoses were already in that location it should be a simple matter to connect a spray nozzle. So I went out and bought a kitchen SPRAY REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY; and also a 1/2 inch T adapter which I inserted

I also bought an adapter so I could connect the spray nozzle hose into the boats 1/2 inch pressure water hose.

 I took a few turns around the threads with teflon tape and inserted into a short piece of 1/2" hose:

I then took a 1/2" T connector and placed it between the former intake and hot water out hoses where the former water heater was and connected up the Spray Nozzle hose to it too:

With the hoses connected back up and the new Spray Nozzle connected:

I did a quick test and it worked perfectly. The spray nozzle will really help when cleaning dishes in the sink. Now all I have to do is add some hose clamps and secure the hoses and the job was complete:

SATURDAY NIGHT AT SEA: Mystic Sea Music Festival.

Due to a lot of land based issues and schedules BIANKA is still not in the water and won't be until after next weekend. I've only been able to spend weekends on board prepping and taken care of some projects that did not get done over the brutal winter. Today I plan an extended stay working on the boat. One that should continue into the evening hours. This is because it's the last concert night of the Mystic Sea Music Festival. It has become somewhat of a tradition to be on board the boat in the evening listening to the live broadcast of the festival concert which is broadcast on WPKN 89.5 from Bridgeport Connecticut (also streaming on line) . No matter that the boat is still in the boatyard I will enjoy the evening's music as I putter around getting things ready for launching. The concert runs from 7 pm to 10pm.

ELECTRIC BOATS ARE FUN

BIANKA is a cruising boat. I never race. But, this electric boat looks like a bit of fun:



Hat tip John Rushworth

GETTING THINGS BACK TO NORMAL:Pressurized Water System

After I removed the Paloma on demand water heater I was left with doing something with the water supply and hot water output hoses:

The sinks on board BIANKA have two ways to provide water. One is by foot pumps which is what I most often use. The other is a pressurized water system which requires an electric pump to provide the water. The Paloma water heater was hooked into this system. I thought I might be able to get away with just capping the supply hose. But, as I found out after I turned on the water pump the water back fed through the hot water outlet hose. So I would need to reconnect them now that I have removed the water heater. Two 1/2 inch elbows and a short piece of 1/2 inch hose allowed that to be easily done:

I did not like the idea of the hoses just floating there so I arranged for a little more secure mounting of them. I used a    Cable Tie Saddle Mount  and attached it to the bulkhead:

Then used a cable tie to secure it to the mount:

With the hose secure I turned on the pressurized water pump and everything work as before except I no longer was able to have hot water. But, I have come up with an alternative hot water system that I'll be showing in the near future.

RETHINKING PROPANE: The Final Piece

I've finished with the dismantling of the Hillerange stovetop and oven. I've also removed the Paloma on demand water heater. The remaining piece I need to remove from the twenty thee year old propane system resides in the propane locker. It is the gauge, regulator and solenoid assembly that connect to the propane storage tank in the propane locker to the hose that enters the cabin:

 These will be the final pieces of the old propane system that I will remove from the boat. The assembly is not that big or heavy but, it was somewhat of an energy hog when in operation. As I checked out in a previous post.   Gas flow required that the 12 volt solenoid be energized and used over one amp when in operation. The ability to cook on the Hillerange Seward stove or use the hot water heater depended on having a working 12 volt battery bank.  In the process of simplifying the propane system I have also created a more reliable system with which to cook. One not dependent on other boat systems working. That's a good thing.

UNPLANNED BENEFITS OF PROJECTS

After removing the twenty three year old Paloma water heater as part of my rethinking propane project. I opened up a lot of space for use. Looking at the cabinet area where it once resided. I saw an opportunity to move over the Brita water filter over into the water heater space.

If it would fit in the space behind the Paloma access door.

My first attempt was a no go. The cabinet door that help hide the heater would not allow the Brita water filter to fit. So I removed the door which was held on by hinges attached with square drive screws. Using one of the square drive screwdrivers I carry on board it was a quick job to remove the door.

Success! The Brita Water Filter would  fit in the space. But, first I had to add another shelf in the back of the cabinet to support the rear of the water filter:

Once this was done I was able to fit  the Brita right into the space

 and it looked like it was planned that way. But, the reality was it's just an unplanned outcome of my rethinking propane project. Another benefit of the move was the outlet water valve for the Brita is now over the sink instead of the counter. So any unplanned drips do not have to be wiped up.

TOOLS OF A SAILOR: PVC Pipe Cutter

A number of years ago when I built building a Boarding Ladder Extension for the boat. I made it out of PVC and spare dock line. I purchased a Ridgid Plastic Pipe and Tubing Cutter to help cut the PVC material.

I recently found another use for it. That is cutting various type of hoses on board. From 1/2 inch water hose to aging propane hoses. The blade cut fast and cleanly, Making it a useful tool to have on board for projects or repairs.