To New Owner
There is a check list of security details I go through when leaving the boat that worry me if not all done.
- Chafe gear and bridle condition on each bow?
- Anchor chain is slack between windlass and bridle attachment?
- Anchor chain windlass secured with swing key in slot? Important!
- All hatches closed with some deck hatches secured in the slightly open position.
- There is an anchor light on the port side with a cord running through a slightly open hatch and plugged into the nav station. I had to replace it once because it got pinched or damaged somehow.
- Rudder tiller bar fastened in middle. Motor up.
- Rigging all secure?
- Both hulls locked.
Anchoring
- The bridle is a pair of heavy nylon braided lines attached by shackles to a slotted piece of stainless steel. It goes between the bow cleats and below the anchor chain, with the chain draped over the slot. It depends on the slack weight of some chain behind and below the slot, directing the tension of the anchor chain to the bridle lines and acting as backup if a bridle line breaks. This must be checked in all conditions, from strong winds to calm in shallow water. When anchoring in 13' or less, the bridle lines can touch bottom and should be shackled to the chain.
- There is 60' of 3/8" chain that can be left behind with the 55 lb. Rocna anchor as a mooring, with a line tied between the chain and a float ball. Works best when anchored in shallow water, like summer in Hanalei, or parts of Nawiliwili.
- There is a special procedure to hoist the last ~50' of 3/8" chain, which doesn't fit the windlass. Requires use of two chain hooks (on board) and a line to a deck winch through a snatch block positioned as a fair lead. ~10' at a time.
- The 55 lb. Rocna anchor doesn't fit the bow roller. It can be lifted over the forward beam and seagull striker using a halyard, if necessary, and secured in the net.
- All anchor shackle connections are secured with stainless wire.
- The 35 lb. Bruce anchor fits the bow roller as a cruising anchor, on the 5/16" chain.
Notes
- The bottom needs to be cleaned. I use a 10" stainless drywall tool to scrape what I can reach with snorkel and fins, usually two sessions of about ninety minutes each. Hire a diver to reach the daggerboards (lowered) and the deepest parts of the hulls.
- The nearest proper boatyard is 120 miles to windward on Oahu. The way to do a haul out on Kauai is to borrow or rent or hire a large trailer (and truck to pull it) and haul out briefly at the launch ramp in Nawiliwili.
If you can't find a way to do that, and you want to sail to Oahu (keehimarine.com), the weather windows are narrow in the winter. Will have to keep a close eye out on wind and swell in the channel.
- As to bottom paint, I don't know what is common around here but several boats use the same epoxy compound found on Malihini. The theory is that if kept clean enough to sand occasionally with fine grit wet paper, the copper is refreshed and more effective. I found it difficult to maintain, especially because I couldn't reach the deepest parts effectively, without SCUBA.
- Mid September (2013), I finally removed all remaining canned goods from the boat, on the galley side. Half a dozen cans had rusted through and leaked (in only 18 months!); shows how little time I spent on the boat. The cans are all gone, still need to clean up their mess.
Malihini as 360 degree camera platform
