When we purchased Ananda in 2006 we were fortunate to also obtain a lot of manuals and detailed records from the previous owner. These have been invaluable reference material to me over the years. While the documents were quite well organized I have always wanted to make further improvements to enable accessing the information they contained even easier. Some of the improvements I have made over the past few months include:

• scanning all documents to PDF
• processing all scanned documents through OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software so they can be searched with the Adobe PDF Reader search engine
• printing out duplicate copies of all documents
• setting up two sets of documents: one set (originals) to keep at home for safe keeping and for reference when I am not on the boat; and the second set (copies) to keep on the boat for handy reference
• loaded all text-searchable PDF files onto directories in the boat’s laptop and on my iPad

This was pretty time consuming and tedious work but it was also very satisfying–especially since I had the experience of spending a lot of time combing through various manuals last summer while trying to resolve various maintenance issues and having a more efficient system could have saved me a lot of time.

I was so happy with the end result of my efforts that I did the same thing for my good buddy Chris for his Northern 37. He will repay me with Scotch and cigars 🙂

The Short Story

When we purchased Ananda in 2006 she still had the heads (toilets) that were installed by the builder. They worked OK but were a bit complicated to operate–especially for non-boaters. Whenever they were used they were typically overpumped which resulted in the holding tank being filled a lot sooner than it needed to be. Additionally, the forward head was plumbed to pump directly overboard (because it had no holding tank).

That arrangement was no good for me because once I started my cruise (in 2010) I would be in fresh water for several months and pumping overboard is not at all acceptable. Prior to leaving on my cruise I had decommissioned the forward head and was using the space as a storage closet but I wanted to be able to use it during my trip because I was expecting a lot of company and having only one head available would have been inconvenient – especially during the night, because the aft head was located in the aft cabin.

I was not very long into my cruise when I realized something had to be done… so I bit the bullet & went ahead and installed 2 new Raritan electric flush toilets. It was a bit of an ordeal but I am very happy with the results.

You can read “the Long Story” for this project by following this link to the page on my website where it is posted (please click here).

I had intended to make several improvements to the propeller shaft system prior to leaving on my cruise in 2010 but I ran out of time and money before these projects could be done.

I have read several times that a sailor is never totally ready to leave on a cruise and if you wait until you are then you will probably never leave the dock! So, late in June 2010, with a number of items still on my “to do” list, I cast off the dock lines and hoped for the best!

Well, I made the trip without any major incidents and in the spring of 2012 I finally got these improvement projects completed.

PSS Shaft Seal – this system replaced the original packing gland and grease injector system. It works perfectly and keeps the bilge clean and dry as a bone. Note: this image was copied from the PSS Shaft Seal website because I am unable to take a very good photo of my own installation. (http://www.shaftseal.com)

Drivesaver – this system actually serves two purposes: 1) it protects the transmission and engine if the propeller strikes and immovable object or if the propeller gets a line wrapped around it that is strong enough to stop the propeller from turning and, 2) because the system is plastic it isolates the propeller shaft from the transmission and engine thereby reducing the potential for electrolysis. (http://www.globecomposite.com/Marine_Products_Drivesaver)

Spurs Line Cutter – this system will cut fishing lines and buoy float lines that could prevent the propeller from turning. It also protects the cutlass bearing from fishing lines. The cost of this system is less than one haul out so it is a very worthwhile investment. (http://www.spursmarine.com)

(Note: I have included a few links to the websites for the companies mentioned in this posting. I receive no compensation for doing this. My sole motivation is as a satisfied customer – Wally MacKinnon.)

You can read “The Long Story” by going to the page on my website where it is posted (please click here).

Ananda is the first boat we have owned that has a diesel engine. The two sailboats we had previously owned had outboard motors so there was a dramatic difference and a steep learning curve for me. Fortunately, we are in a marina with many seasoned sailors who own sailboats with diesel engines – lots of good experience and advice available at a small cost (a cold beer or a glass of rum is common currency in our marina:) ). Plus, I found a great marine mechanic who lives in the area and knows diesels.

In 2010 I replaced the original mechanical fuel pump and primary fuel filter systems to resolve some maintenance and reliability problems.

This new primary filter and electric fuel pump system works incredibly well. I have been in all kinds of rough water conditions and it has never let me down. The new Racor 1000MA fuel filter housing and filter cartridge cost about $370 (replacement filter cartridge costs about $9 – the “old” filter cartridge cost about $8). The new electric fuel pump cost about $90 (designed for diesel truck and marine engines and is available at most auto parts stores).

Lots of other details about this improvement project are posted on the website (please click here to go to the page.)