18 days and counting until we head off for the Louisiades and we're slowly but confidently progressing through our 'top do' list. Water maker is almost installed and electrical systems all hunky dory, gleaming brightwork and new cushions underway for the expanded V berth
Then we started on the winches. All now stripped down and regreased and so shiny you can brush ya teeth in them. All that is, apart from the small Lewmar 8 on the side of the mast that handles the topping lift.
The only winch we have never really touched in the last three years so we only have ourselves to blame. Removed the barrel to discover the base cracked and reduced to a fractured mess of corrosion and decay. Fortunately the base plate welded to the aluminium mask was the only thing sporting neglect but the bolts holding the winch base plate to it were welded tight.
Now I have always been a handy kind of guy but to date, I have never used an impact screwdriver. I've heard of them and had a far idea of the principle behind them but that was about all. You basically hit the end and through some spindle arrangement, the downward force applied by a hammer is transferred to a revolving force at the screw end. Not a great deal but enough to jar a stubborn bolt.
So - a good spray of 'bolt off' - a kind of WD40 here in OZ and leave for 2 days, a pleading visit to a mate with every tool known to man in his shed, a few tap tappy tap taps and woooohoooo! Bolts out and new winch about to be installed.
Until today I had always believed the corkscrew was mankind's greatest tool legacy - I'm now revising that to include the Impact Screwdriver
Fair winds
Mico
__________________