Below is my lower bilge pump. Note is it attached to a stainless steel piece of angle iron welded to a flat plate. This "Laddle" type arrangement allows me to remove it for maintenance. I originally had smooth hose for this bilge line, but swapped it for this type as the other type was too stiff to remove the bilge pumps easily. Also this type of hose separates from the check valves located a few feet above these pumps. The check valves are to stop cycling where the pump stops, water flows backwards starts the pump again which pushes the water up the hose but not out of the boat, and then the level drops, water flows back, etc, etc.
The new non-floating type switch has not been installed. It will go on the plate in front of the pump and below the hose. I spent a lot of time cleaning this and the bilge, part of a never ending battle to keep the boat clean and the bilge as dry as possible.
The old capacitive water level switches did not hold up. I am hoping this new type will prove more reliable. I do not recommend this type.
I also cleaned out the bilge as much as possible and retrieved some debris and a 1/2" wrench that fell down there this week.
Most of the deck fittings areas have been repaired and the lifeline stanchions, highfield lever and spinnaker pole shoes will be reinstalled this week. The coaming around the companionway, got it's second coating of epoxy and it looking better and better. I chose to make this bright instead of a matte Cetol look so that it will hold up in the long term better. The matte Cetol doesn';t not last very long, perhaps a season or two.
Below ECHO bald of lifelines.
I purchased some new stanchion bases, and need to buy four more, or order them. Some were in bad shape and it was easier to replace them than repair them. Also, I want all of these to be stainless steel and not chromed bronze. A few others were easily banged into shape. The bow pulpit will be repaired in place this week, so I can work back to the pushpit.
I will need shade from the sun, and I'm debating building a hard Bimini and Dodge for the cockpit. I also need a small dodger for the companionway area. For now I will focus on the bow and stanchions and follow up with the pushpit and then ladders for the cockpit and companionway.
