The 7-ton crane preparing to hoist the two masts on Esper

Esper Refit 2 – removing the mizzen and main masts

Week Two of Esper’s refit has progressed nicely. The pace has been maintained and this week we concentrated on the removal of both the mizzen and the main masts. We also had the electrician, the mechanic and the plumber on board to discuss a number of projects.

Liz removes the cotter pins from the turn buckles on the mizzen shrouds
Liz removes the cotter pins from the turn buckles on the mizzen shrouds

Mast Removal

The biggest event this week was the removal of the two masts. We had to pre-book the crane so it was paramount that we disconnected all electrical cables from the base of the masts. The mizzen is deck-stepped (as in it stops at the deck) but the main is through-hull, so getting to those cables involved pulling up floor boards and rummaging through dirty bilges.

The 7-ton crane hoists Lek who is tasked with removing the triatic (the cable that connects the main to the mizzen)
The 7-ton crane hoists Lek who is tasked with removing the triatic (the cable that connects the main to the mizzen)

Un, our project manager, coordinated the removal. He used the two carpenters, Ton and Tui, and Lek, the Burmese lad who has been grinding our hull.

The first task was to send Lek up the mizzen to undo the triatic, which is the cable that connects the main to the mizzen. Fortunately Lek is a young whippersnapper so winching him was quite easy! After this the crane was then able to hoist him up again to put a slip around the mizzen, connected to large hooks at the end of the crane.

The mizzen was fairly straightforward and easy to drop into a horizontal position on two oil drums.

Lowering the mizzen mast and positioning it onto oil drums
Lowering the mizzen mast and positioning it Lowering the mizzen mast and positioning it onto oil drums onto oil drums

The main was a little more problematic, but only because two rubber wedges, used to hold the mast in position when upright, had to be removed. I don’t think they’d moved for twenty years so getting them out took about 15 minutes.

Removing the rubber wedges in the main mast
Removing the rubber wedges in the main mast

Once removed the crane hoisted the main whilst Ton stayed down below to ensure the cables came out ok.

The two masts were then masterfully positioned at the back of the yard by a crane operator who deserves some recognition for his deftness behind the joystick. Moving a 20m metal stick in between parked boats was no mean feat.

Mast Removal In Glorious High Def!

For those who have never seen this kind of operation before, we’ve put together a short clip complete with commentary. It includes clips of both the main and the mizzen but put together in a logic order so you get a feel for the complexity of the task.

[youtube id=”I4uvDiYxHlA” width=”700″ height=”400″]

Mizzen Mast Fittings Removal

Moo removes the mizzen fittings in the sweltering sub-tropical heat at PSS Boatyard
Moo removes the mizzen fittings in the sweltering sub-tropical heat at PSS Boatyard

In the sweltering heat, Un’s brother, Moo, was tasked with assisting in the removal of the fittings to the mizzen mast.

I was hoping we’d complete this in a day but many of the bolts, stainless steel into aluminium, had corroded somewhat and had to be drilled out.

I’ll be honest, I did the easy bit and left Moo to struggle with the obstinate ones. He did a great job though, and had removed all fittings by Saturday afternoon, leaving next week to concentrate on the main.

Taking the furlong roller out the mast was quite interesting, since we didn’t have a guide on how to do this.

In the end it was quite straightforward, requiring a drop-catch to be lifted up in order to rotate the furler and unscrew it from the base.

The shroud mounts successfully removed
The shroud mounts successfully removed

Rewiring Plans

Initial discussions were had with Sambat, the electrician who has been working on the large motor-boat, Thea. He speaks good English and seemed unphased by our discussions on rewiring the boat. Fortunately this is an area I’m familiar with so it should be quite satisfying working with Sambat on this project. The aim is to:

  • rebuild the distribution board
  • add in new breakers
  • update existing breakers
  • rewire the batteries and Sterling AB charger
  • rewire the solar panels
  • install new navigation equipment

All of this is dependent upon the chart table relocation.

Tui removes more deck fittings from above the chart table
Tui removes more deck fittings from above the chart table

Chart Table Relocation Plans

The chart table will be chopped in half and a seat added to face forward. The distribution panel area will be widened by the removal of the chart table portlight. Liz and I have made the decision to glass-fibre this in and lose the window altogether. This will free up a lot of space in the chart table area and make the rewiring much easier.

Stripping of Engine

The engine is getting an over-haul so we’ve employed a local mechanic to strip the engine, including the flexible coupling, transmission and heat exchanger. We’ll then employ someone to clean the engine before it is repainted.

The mechanic, lit up by the engine room's blue LED lights
The mechanic, lit up by the engine room’s blue LED lights

Deck Fittings Removal

Ton and Tui continued to remove the deck fittings. Esper is an over-rigged ketch cutter, so the amount of fittings are rather more than your average 43ft boat.

Tui and Ton on a naked-looking deck
Tui and Ton on a naked-looking deck

Interior Design

Choosing our interior
Choosing our interior

With the pace of work moving quickly it will soon be time to order the materials for our interior, so now Liz and I are pouring over Formica and veneer catalogues. We have a few ideas and don’t really want to go back to an all-ash interior. We want to freshen it up a bit and give it a modern make-over. This has included discussions on losing the curved trim around the cupboard doors, which is a significant rebuilding job. No decisions have been made just yet.

Stripping of Gelcoat

With much of the osmosis points ground out the gelcoat is now being taken back to reveal all osmosis points. This is flushed down every day with fresh water.

Ton hovers above our stripped gelcoat
Ton hovers above our stripped gelcoat
Esper's bare deck
Esper’s bare deck

 

Week Two Video Summary

Here’s a brief over-view of week two’s progress, presented by a Mexican bandit.

[youtube id=”sOurIAvc-qM” width=”700″ height=”400″]

What’s Next?

The two carpenters will continue to remove the deck fittings and hopefully start removing the deck itself. Moo will continue to remove the fittings from the main mast. The electrician should start his project and we have the plumber in too, who is undertaking the nasty job of removing and cleaning the holding tank. Rather him than us!

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10 thoughts on “Esper Refit 2 – removing the mizzen and main masts”

    1. Hi Dave. The veneer is simply stripped off using a chisel or scraper. The carpenters are careful enough that they don’t destroy the surface underneath. Also bear in mind we are removing and replacing the veneer because it has come away in places, so the glue used originally has lost much of its stick. We notice in places the glue was only used sporadically, and not completely covered. This makes it easier to strip.

  1. I am really impressed by this information. These people are so skilled at what they do, making an overwhelming task seem like a walk in the park. Keep those videos coming but do let me know when the machetes and kung fu action starts.

  2. Darrell Fraser-Holland

    Massive undertaking but at least it looks as though you can rely on the weather! The Osmosis issue looks quite severe, has the hull had previous major treatment? Are the yard and labour costs high?
    Wishing you the best of luck will follow your progress. 

    1. No, this is the first treatment, Darrell. Fingers crossed its the lady too. Labour is certainly cheaper than Europe, but that’s because we’re in the south. Phuket is more expensive.

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