Fishing - or I could call it testing

Last weekend I managed to get half the hatch drain plumbed in, but I will have to remove the batteries to get at the other side and involves removing an unnecessarily large battery retainer just to get them out. This weekend's weather was too good to miss so that job can wait. I took Rebel Runner out fishing and here is proof that there is fish slime on that deck:

Some observations on recent additions: the new through-hull transducer was excellent, it held a strong bottom signal at all speeds. Or it did after I realised I had set it to a max depth of 10 feet and forgot to reset it to Auto, resulting in a long period of blank screen. The Garmin 551 Downvu works well, although the Flag Theofano wreck is still a lump. I will have to find something more interesting to look at. Finally, the outdrive leg trim sensor is now all wired up so I played with the trim. Unlike my previous deep vee hull, the higher the trim the worse the performance. Trimmed to midway, it wouldn't go faster than 13.6 knots. Trimmed nose down it immediately flew to 20 knots which is dramatic. I have been looking at Bennet trim tabs to help adjust the list to port at full throttle. They may also help fine-tune the bow attitude. I think I will fit those next lift-out.

Night job...

And the job I couldn't do earlier - the extra long skin fitting turned up from ASAP Supplies dead on time. I had to buy a costly bronze one but it was a perfect fit. Launch was booked for Friday so my only window was Thursday night. It took three goes to get the hole cutter through 65mm of transom but it went through, then a lot of grunting and wriggling to get the securing nut done up, as it was behind the engine and exhaust. After that it was a simple matter to screw on the scupper fitting over it. I had made a spacer to clear the skin fitting by cutting up a chopping board. My wife keeps wondering where the boards are going. I fitted the hose on the inside and looped it up to keep the water out until I can get under the hatch to connect the other end. All this with a head torch as the work lamp was blinding me!

Annual antifouling lift-out (already???)

It's been a year! About this time last year Rebel Runner came over from Cowes in her "raw" state, for an engine service, survey and antifouling. A year later she needs antifouling again so she has been lifted for the annual work. This was the weekend of hard graft, trying to cram in all the jobs that can only be done out of the water. Firstly, antifouling. I thought that would be simple but I noticed the scum lines on each side were different. Worrying about a list, I measured them and found the port waterline a good two inches lower amidships. That meant I had to measure up, mark, rub, prime and only then start antifouling again. As a ruler I used a length of plastic conduit as the cheapest long straight bendy thing in B&Q (79p). In between coats of boot topping I installed the transducer for the Garmin 551dv:

Problem #1: Unfortunately the cable was too short so I have to order an extension. At least that won't stop anything else.
Next job was to install the Airmar through-hull transducer. This involved drilling a 60mm hole (scary) and a tile drill was perfect. Problem #2: the transducer nut is three inches across and nothing I had was big enough, and nothing in B&Q either. Problem solved the following morning by using a G-clamp as a spanner.

Then a polish, I used Farecla Hull Restorer which includes a wax. Shiny or what?

The next job was the fit the transom drain outlet for Garry's hatch. Problem #3: the transom is 65mm thick!!! My skin fitting was standard (30mm) so a quick order to ASAP Supplies for a longer one is required. Fingers crossed they do their usual amazing service and I'll receive it in time for an evening job.
Final job was a filler really, I installed a mount for my iPad. I had spent a long time wondering where to put it, and this is the result. I cut part of the mount off and screwed it through the wheelhouse front. There is a dome nut outside but you can barely see it.

The iPad mount clamps on the cog and is still fully adjustable.

Just as I was clearing up on Sunday evening there was a knock on the hull and a tired looking Steve was there with a gift of two bass! What a nice pontoon neighbour. He had been fishing since Friday hence the look, hauling bass for three days can do that to a man. Let's hope everything comes together by Friday so I can get out to them too. Thanks again Steve!