Inching Closer to the Finish Line

Well a lot has happened in the last few months.
Bonnie Lou is just about finished. The most recent project was to install the new propeller, inspect and repack the stuffing box, inspect the rudder for water and other damage and get the bottom painted. I contacted Captain Randy Pruitt to do the work. He had done the initial work on the boat when I bought her in 2010.

With the installation of the new motor last February the propeller was now in need of replacement. The old Volvo MD7A rotated counter clockwise and at a much lower speed than the new Yanmar 2GM20 that rotates clockwise at almost twice the RPMs.
I contacted Bauman Propellers here in Houston and answered their questions and had a new propeller a couple of days later. The engine installer had (unbeknownst to me) reversed the transmission link so when the shift handle was in the forward position, the boat moved forward while actually operating in reverse. A tip of the hat to the installer for a quick remedy but not a situation I want to live with.

This Will Do Nicely

So, all is well on the mechanical propulsion front. Everything, from the deck fill to the cotter pin on the propeller has either been replaced with new or refurbished professionally.
Now when I put the boat in gear she really moves.
The rudder checked out fine except for some minor fiberglass repair at the top near the post. A bit of glass, resin and some paint and back on the boat it went. The play in the tiller was gone and my fear of the whole thing dropping to the bottom of the bay has gone away.
The stuffing box was a non-event too (am I living right, or what?). Just an inspection and repack. The shaft and bearings looked good.
There were a few blisters to attend to and then two coats of bottom paint.
Earlier in her life, little Bonnie Lou got up against the piling and scuffed the hull up a bit. I’d guess it was during hurricane Ike. I had the rough spot repaired by a friend in the marina. The Randy agreed to compound and buff the hull and paint the repair. That bit of work took an extra day in the yard but I’m certainly not complaining. The boat looks great!


Before



After

Now I’m in the envious position of living on a refurbished 35-year-old boat that’s paid for.