April 12, 2026
Today is Home Free’s (nee Minky) 19th Birthday! Nothing special planned for the boat, but it did get a lot of work done in Largs over the winter, and many thanks to 360 Boat Services for their hard work. Thank you David for selling your boat to me almost nine years ago. I am trying to maintain it to your standards.
I have moved the boat from Largs to Portavadie and now to Tarbert, enroute to Oban where I will base myself for about a few weeks or a month of discovery of the wonders of Scotland.
I have been to Tarbert before and love this little port, with lots of scenery and some hiking opportunities. There is a requisite castle to be explored as well.
Before the boat left Largs some of the work accomplished included:
- Duplicate navigation systems (Raymarine Axiom, Radar and autopilot, depth, speed & temp sensor). Kept old system in place as well so I have increased redundancy
- Pulled day tank repaired leaks in tank and replaced some fuel hoses and fuel manifold.
- Replaced seals on port side fuel tank level gauge
- Replaced HVAC distribution manifold in engine room
- Replaced main engine alternator (40A) and drive belts
- Replaced a leaking fuel injector
- Replaced stern thruster batteries and charge relay
- Checked house batteries (very good condition)
- Replaced main shaft packing (air locked at splash, I think I have it dripping now)
- New bottom paint
- Polish the hull/topsides
- Repair damage to port side mid-ship cleat caused by shipping last summer
- Repair damage to salon floorboard (caused during summer work)
- Replace freshwater pump (again!). Variable pressure pumps fail due to overheating!
- Replace port side reading lamp in master cabin, with low power LED version
- Replace the zincs on main prop and bow thruster
In the end, it all looks the same . . . but it will be ready for many more years of good cruising.
Nice update Don. Glad to hear the boat is well and it seems you are too. Enjoy Scotland!
Happy birthday to your ship “Home Free” lots of work you are doing and have done.