We had compiled a long list of updates for the Gyrfalcon. Several of these are in anticipation of longer cruising in the future; others just are part of the usual maintenance after more than 5000 miles of cruising in the last 8 years. We headed over to Lake Union Boat Repair in late January. We were docked in a great location–parallel to the banks of the ship canal.

The biggest project: a watermaker!!!

We had been researching watermakers for a few years. We finally decided to buy one from US Watermakers in Oregon. They make both commercial and recreational-sized watermakers, and were patient and thorough in answering our questions. Peter and I drove to their shop in the Dalles to pick up the watermaker. We originally thought we would put the unit in the Prius, but, the more we considered the size, we decided we needed to rent an SUV. We headed down on an afternoon, and returned the next morning.

We had pulled out a decrepit watermaker a few years earlier, and the new one went in the same location. Of course, nothing is easy in a boat, so frames had to be built to accommodate various pieces and parts. In addition, the hydraulic techs had to come and replace some of the lines to fit around the watermaker.

Note–we have a lot of photos, so we’re using gallery/slide show views that you can click on to scroll through.

LUBR also built a soundproofing case around the port generator. The generator is for commercial boats, not yachts, and was too loud to use comfortably. Having the case will allow us to use it as more than just a backup. Earlier this year, we had found a used case, and all we had to do was put it over the generator. Again, nothing is easy on a boat. Putting the cover on necessitated reconfiguring the workbench that the drill press sits on and moving the hydraulic unit. In addition many of the hoses and the exhaust manifold had to be moved to accommodate the cover. As part of the general upgrade on that side of the engine room, we plugged holes in the hull planks where previous equipment had been attached and painted. Here’s a series of images on the generator case and the repairs to the hull.

The engines received some much needed maintenance. The heat exchangers were removed, cleaned, and replaced, and zincs were also replaced. Generator fluids were changed; coolant was changed for the mains, thermostat caps were replaced, and batteries were replaced. Other engine maintenance tasks included new oil, oil filters, impellers, thermostats and thermostat covers

Winch projects: The winch traveler had been bulky. Markey came out; it turns out it just needs to be used more frequently. A link to connect the cable to the chain was ground down–it had been replaced a few years ago and tended to catch when it went through the traveler. Kim also tightened the bolts fastening the winch to the boat, just in case there was any loosening since the winch was removed, renovated, and replaced several years ago.

Stay tuned for the rest of the projects…