So, this weekend we decided to bring Michael to the boat to help with tapping the holes for the new sender unit. After the added complication of the stainless steel and still a few different options, I just wasn't comfortable doing it myself so I asked if he would do one and then let me do the others.
After he got to look at it - he decided it made more sense to just go up a size and drill out the holes in the sender unit. So, off to the hardware store we went - got some new screws, and new drill and tap, and headed back to the boat.
Unfortunately, as is bound to happen on this boat, it still did not go smoothly. Michael was able to retap the holes to the bigger size, drill out the unit, and then started trying to install it - only to realize that the holes were ever so slightly off - something I had failed to notice. I thought I had lined up the gasket such that everything would fit, but I was mistaken, they were just a tiny bit off - which was enough to mess up the project. Also, he noticed that the bottom side - where it 'fits' into the tank, was ever so slightly larger. Being a newbie, I hadn't even thought to check that...
So, several amazon orders later, we will reconvene later this week or this weekend to try again. He will ream out the hole to fit, and has ordered some special screws that he thinks will work. Fingers crossed, let's hope we win this time!
In other news - after discussing with Michael the fuel feed line - I decided to order online to remove some failure points - no separate reducers and such - and I went with stainless steel since the price wasn't much different. That should all be arriving this Wednesday so I can do some dry fitting and make sure it all looks good.
Today, I decided to start as an admin day. After packing in the morning, running errands, and then unpacking on the boat, I had some admin items to tackle so I did those first (wrapping up taxes, scheduling dentists - you know, fun stuff!). Now it is nearly 4 pm and I am wrapping up for the day.
Once that was done I started to deconstruct the head to determine where the fuel vent can/will run exactly. I'll have to replace the window trim, that did not survive my crowbar... oops... but I did reach the hull and have a rough idea of how it will work. I'll need to take out another wall covering to get the final understanding between lazarette and head, but I think I have a good idea. I did discover that I will need the 90 degree vent instead of the straight vent though... so one more trip out to see Claude at Land and Sea this week!
Slowly, but surely, we are getting things done. It was nice to show Michael the things we have done since he last saw the boat, he enjoyed seeing the
progress, which lifted our spirits :-)
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