More "Get Ready for Cruising" Projects

   

We are roughly 9 months out from our planned Great Loop start. The boat really is as ready as she will ever be but there are still a few items I would like to get done.

    I was never too fond of the 15 kg (33#) Bruce style anchor on Pau Hana. It sometimes didn't set well.

Old 33# Bruce Type Anchor

    I had heard a lot of great things about Mantus Anchors from Mantus Marine. In fact one of the Loopers we met passing through Crystal River also had a 31 Camano Sweet Day They commented that "the Mantus never failed us once". I put off ordering the anchor and as the price started to increase I lamented that I didn't do it earlier. Looking through the AGLCA Forum, someone commented about the spring "Promo Code". I jumped on it and it saved me $82!

Ready for Assembly

The anchor comes disassembled but a snap to put together with a couple 3/4" wrenches. 

New Mantus 35# Anchor

    Still on "Anchor Detail" I found 2 Tow Bridles a friend made for me when I was a TowBoat US Captain. I figured they would make an excellent anchor bridle. 

Tow Bridle

    A few dollars in parts, thimble, some paracord, a shackle and a 3/8 chain hook...Done

Anchor Bridle/Snubber

     Now for some needed maintenance. I have replaced most all of the above the waterline thru hulls as they were plastic/Marlon and after 22 years they were tired.

Inside the Lazarette - Port Side

Port Side

I'll say it again, what I love about the Camano is that everything is accessible. The 4 thru hulls on the port side are easily accessible thru the lazzarette hatch. The size and order I have may not be what is on other Camanos. 

What I thought were the right connectors

Of course, as with any project it can't always be smooth. I ordered 3 of the 90's @ 3/4", when I only needed 1. The other 2 were 5/8". So after getting half way through the project, I had to track down the other 2 - 90's. I was able to find them, they were "freakin' expensive". 

    Once they arrived I finished up and was able to have the AC pumping again. In spite of that, the repair was pretty straight forward as each of the thru hulls came right out. I used some clear silicone for each one on the inside & outside and snugged them up.

Storage

A small project to create some more needed storage was a platform over the shaft behind the engine and in front of the generator.

It took a few trial & errors to get all the little "niches" cut so that nothing hits. This creates a platform to stand on as well and can easily be removed to access the shaft area. The piece of white starboard keeps the storage boxes from sliding forward and interfering with the shifter.

I have seen a few folks with additional seating on the flybridge. I ordered some pontoon seating from Pontoon Stuff made by DeckMate. The units come disassembled for shipping. 

Not only does this give us some additional seating & lounging area, it gives us more storage space. Since the seats are not watertight, I installed some Dri-Dek interlocking tiles so any water that pools in the bottom won't soak our items.

    A few more items done...Let's get this trip started!