Because of the issues with leaking boat, i had decide to lift up boat earlier than usually.
Boat was transported nice and safely to winter place. Here she had to be prepared for cold season. First i took all unnecessary bed clothes and other sailing stuff out and place them to storage. Then i had to drive engine with sweet water and glycol. This will clean the system from salt water and also prevent engine from icing.
Because of water leaking in to cabin and to the bilge, we have to make some openings to the keel and for the hull under small part under waterline. We wanted to be sure, that boat have not taken big damages, and this is a good way to be sure of health of the boat.
Boat is made of plywood and fiberglass, so this is very easy to maintain and repair, if something need to be repaired.
We open hull front of engine, to see, has the water and diesel make marks in to wood. This is the only way to look in to different levels, if the material have moist or is it even wet.
We find out, that in over 40 past year, bilge has been touch with all kind of liquid things. Wood did smell to the Diesel and was a little moisten. We decide to open hull more to let bottom dry well and good before next summer.
Next job was to take sails out and let them dry. After this, they went to warm place to wait for next season.
Boat needed a cover for rain and snow, so we start to build a cover over the boat. Me and my son made this in few hours. This system is made of aluminum. Light and strong, i hope
During installation, we successfully messed up the cabin.
All tools was easy to find, and easy to get in to hand when needed..
Usually there is a quite good order inside the boat, but if i am making some repairing, whole environment is messed up with tools and things. Bad habit, but looks effective.
Before winter was here, i made a small openings to rudder. Fiberglass has loose from rostfree surface and had to be fixed. Nothing serious, but must be fixed.
I also need to change propeller. Old engine used left hand and Vire is using right hand propeller, so yes.. searching for one.. 13 x 9 25mm R propeller, or close to that.
Winter
Winter was approaching soon, so boat had to be ready in time for that. No doubt, she was.
Next season will be interesting. Very much to get done. Enjoy the winter!
Sailing West wind 