Projects to get Anna shipshape

Over the first winter we owned the boat we tackled two decent sized problems that came up.  First, we needed to get a "rig survey" for insurance purposes and while conducting the survey we found the 30 year old chain plates to be in need of replacement.  3 were cracked and the others were just a little rusty, but it was time to tackle this.  Cliff at Evergreen Rigging does great work and he made and installed 7 new chain plates with minimal assistance by me, which consisted of taking out the unbelievable layers of trim that cover the access areas.  The quality of the fit and workmanship for the panels and trim was amazing even if it took some time to remove and install.  The Ta Shing shipyard did a LOT of finish work on these boats.  Here are the before and after pics of the project.  I am glad the mast stayed up when we crossed the Straight of Georgia in 25 knots!

Next up, fuel tanks, because they were black iron and one of them got a leak and put 15 gallons of fuel into the bilge!!  Fortunately for everyone, especially the environmentalists, if you know a guy like Bob Ridenour (pro yacht fixer person) this fuel will not go into Lake Union, but can be lovingly pumped and fuel/water separated into jerry cans, using special pump, a Home Depot bucket, and some oil absorbent/diaper rags.  Also we used our clothes and skin to absorb the fuel, but it all came out and disaster was averted.  We got all the good fuel out of both tanks next and got ready to remove them. 

The

The real fun started as we had to disconnect the old tanks, remove the companionway steps and rails, cut a very small part of the floor up, and then hoist the tanks out using the main halyard. They weren't that heavy but had been in place for 30 years, but eventually they did come up.  This project has been done on virtually all of these boats so the collective wisdom is all there on owner groups, etc...   Just like most everyone else, we sawz-alled the tanks in half so they could fit out the companion way and had new ones made slightly shorter so they could fit back in.  The latest wisdom is to remake the tanks in aluminum and I hope they last another 30 years.  I love the new clean tanks and its reassuring to have fuel tanks that won't shift a load of gunk into the fuel filters in rough weather.  That's what you tell yourself when you spent a few $$$ on an item you didn't plan on replacing.  They are lovely tanks though.  See for yourself.  I also sterilized and bilge-coted that area so its all fresh and new.