"Smoke on the water"
I am actually happy it's raining this morning. I have things to do on "Adagio".
For some reason the early part of every summer season revolves around boat "chores". Until we leave on our long voyage in July, it seems every Saturday morning you can find me on my hands and knees trying to fix, improve, clean or polish something on our boat. In fact, I purchased special knee pads because every job seems to require more than a little genuflection.
At home, except for taking out the garbage and kitty litter, I try to avoid as many nasty maintenance issues as possible. But on the boat, I find that I don't think twice about cleaning or repairing anything.
If the head (toilet) on a boat needs work, I have no qualms about twisting my body into circus like contortions and then squeezing my six foot frame into the very small space that requires attention. One little known boating law of physics mandates that the more delicate the repair, the smaller the available space one has to complete said task.
Later today I will also be doing electrical work adding an automatic charging relay (ACR) device to the boat's battery system. The ACR is used in marine electrical systems when there are two batteries and only one source of charging current.
Of course, I have absolutely no experience or education in doing this kind of job. That won't stop me from trying. Oh no!!
Over the years I attempted plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fiberglass repairs on my boats armed with not much more than anecdotal information, company supplied warning labels, and a sense of humor. I haven't suffered any permanent injury nor have I done any real harm to the boat. Ok, there have been more than a few tense moments and my language does tend to get a bit crusty as things don't go according to plan.
Self sufficiency is a real virtue for sailors. When things break on the ship far from home port it is important to figure a way to "fix" the problem without outside expert intervention. It's good to know how things work by getting your hands dirty before the emergency pops up. That's the rationale I use for almost every job onboard my boat.
Unfortunately, the learning curve is oddly shaped for me. I am one of those liberal arts guys with no shop or mechanical experience. A power drill is truly a dangerous implement in my hands. Not so much for physical harm, but more because I like to eyeball things and then fire away. "Measure twice and cut once", they say on the television home repair show. Ha. Not me. And I have the oddly spaced proof (now covered with slightly larger faceplates) to show for my efforts.
Rest assured that I will try to make sure every possible power source is turned off as I begin my electrical surgery later today. As Dirty Harry Callahan said, "a man's got to know his limitations". Some frazzled guy with electrical burns also said, "nothing ventured - nothing gained".
Few things are as sweet as that feeling of accomplishment after finishing a complicated task that you are totally unqualified to undertake. Of course, it's even sweeter after the smoke clears.
-Capt. Michael O'
s/v "Adagio"
For some reason the early part of every summer season revolves around boat "chores". Until we leave on our long voyage in July, it seems every Saturday morning you can find me on my hands and knees trying to fix, improve, clean or polish something on our boat. In fact, I purchased special knee pads because every job seems to require more than a little genuflection.
At home, except for taking out the garbage and kitty litter, I try to avoid as many nasty maintenance issues as possible. But on the boat, I find that I don't think twice about cleaning or repairing anything.
If the head (toilet) on a boat needs work, I have no qualms about twisting my body into circus like contortions and then squeezing my six foot frame into the very small space that requires attention. One little known boating law of physics mandates that the more delicate the repair, the smaller the available space one has to complete said task.
Later today I will also be doing electrical work adding an automatic charging relay (ACR) device to the boat's battery system. The ACR is used in marine electrical systems when there are two batteries and only one source of charging current.
Of course, I have absolutely no experience or education in doing this kind of job. That won't stop me from trying. Oh no!!
Over the years I attempted plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and fiberglass repairs on my boats armed with not much more than anecdotal information, company supplied warning labels, and a sense of humor. I haven't suffered any permanent injury nor have I done any real harm to the boat. Ok, there have been more than a few tense moments and my language does tend to get a bit crusty as things don't go according to plan.
Self sufficiency is a real virtue for sailors. When things break on the ship far from home port it is important to figure a way to "fix" the problem without outside expert intervention. It's good to know how things work by getting your hands dirty before the emergency pops up. That's the rationale I use for almost every job onboard my boat.
Unfortunately, the learning curve is oddly shaped for me. I am one of those liberal arts guys with no shop or mechanical experience. A power drill is truly a dangerous implement in my hands. Not so much for physical harm, but more because I like to eyeball things and then fire away. "Measure twice and cut once", they say on the television home repair show. Ha. Not me. And I have the oddly spaced proof (now covered with slightly larger faceplates) to show for my efforts.
Rest assured that I will try to make sure every possible power source is turned off as I begin my electrical surgery later today. As Dirty Harry Callahan said, "a man's got to know his limitations". Some frazzled guy with electrical burns also said, "nothing ventured - nothing gained".
Few things are as sweet as that feeling of accomplishment after finishing a complicated task that you are totally unqualified to undertake. Of course, it's even sweeter after the smoke clears.
-Capt. Michael O'
s/v "Adagio"
(Update - with assistance of fellow 423 sailor Rick Knapp all went well. No trauma, no flame, no blood and everything seems to be working)
Labels: Knot Lines
posted by Capt. Michael O' at
7:59 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home