Homework

The weather over the weekend was ideal for getting a coat or two of paint on the engine gave it a good wash down with No Nonsense heavy duty de-greaser from Screwfix I find this stuff to be effective and a reasonable price. I used it to clean out the well under the engine when replacing the engine on the Bowman it was a real mess down there old grease from the stern tube, old engine oil amongst other things put on neat with a brush then rinse off with water. Found dark green spray can of smooth Hammerite in the workshop so that settled the colour choice I needed another to finish the job the engine had previously been painted in Hammerite yes I know the air filter needs painting its just there to prevent anything falling in for the moment.

Resplendent in dark green with new flexible mounts 

The ancillary bits and pieces, starter, alternator, coolers etc, still have to be fitted but the plan is to do this after the engine has been lined up with the propeller shaft it leaves a bit more space and reduces the weight considerably. Tomorrow I will see if I can organise the yard crane to lift the engine in.

Today I turned my attention to the Simpson Lawrence anchor windlass the chain gipsy was very tight on its shaft probably too tight to allow the anchoer to drop under its own weight. I had tried pumping grease in to no avail. I had previously had a half hearted attempt to remove it but the bolt holding the chain stripper was seized in the aluminium casting and sheared off when I tried to remove it and the stainless steel stripper was also seized so it was time to bite the bullet and hacksaw through the stripper I shall make a new one later its only half inch stainless bar. To remove the gipsy required a hammer and wedges  and once off the reason for the stiffness was obvious the grease was not getting to the shaft the grease outlet was solid with congealed grease which required drilling out. I removed the cover to inspect gears and everything appears to be in good order with plenty of grease so after a bit of fettling and painting the windlass will be fit for further service. 

Windlass shaft after removing the gipsy 

The rest of the week will probably be spent on sanding and varnishing the internal locker lids there are rather a lot about 20 I think