With the cold winter refit and the re-launch behind us Dorade is happy to be off the hard and sitting at the dock outside LMI. Through the re-launch and we had a couple hiccups of getting back in the water.
As we know when Dorade moves in the slings and gets back in the water she starts to swell and relax into her comfortable state. Being out of the water for this amount of time causes the inevitable drying and movement in the wood. After the first day in the water, due to the swelling, the glass pane in the starboard aft section of the main butterfly hatch cracked. After much research from Jens Lange, the decision was made to replace the glass with tempered glass and in doing this I would replace all four panes on the hatch for uniformity. With a four-day turnaround, doing the work at Baltic Boat Works, I replaced the glass and installed the hatch back onto Dorade.
We also had some engine and fuel tank troubles. With our first fuel fill we discovered a leaking fuel tank! With the Trans-Atlantic getting ever closer we really felt the stresses of having an issue like this. The combined efforts of Joe Loughborough, Joe’s team, Jens Lange, and I, confirmed the issue and set up a plan of attack to replace the tank. Removal and replacement was required. I grabbed my written plan and my tool bag and dove into the job. Seven and a half hours later I emerged from Dorade with the fuel tank removed!
The job entailed dismounting of some pump systems located underneath the corner settee, removal of the port side corner settee, and the soul in the saloon, the four soul bearers, water tank #2 and finally the fuel tank. The efficiency of the job is all due to careful detailed planning and having the aid of Myles with me. After the removal, Joe and his team installed a temporary tank in order to continue the engine service and allow Dorade to go out sailing and continue on our schedule with minimal interruption.
As the fuel tank issue was being solved we needed to solve the issue with the engine. With the long cold winter Dorade’s inboard diesel Yanmar engine did not want to start. We brought in a skilled mechanic, Carlos of NEB, to come and service the engine. With Carlos’ flexibility, working around a leaking tank, then a absent tank, and now a temporary tank, he has the engine fully serviced and running beautifully.
-Nick Bellico
