A Correction

Yesterday’s post contained some information about embedding a link into a blog comment.  Paul subsequently left a comment mentioning the double quotation marks were missing from the html template.  Blogger appears to automatically insert the quotation marks (well it did for me) but the following is the correct template and you can see the double quotation marks at each end of the phrase the address of the link

<a href=”the address of the link”>the text you want to appear in the comment</a>

Now to more mundane boat matters.  We’ve been thinking about whether the external section of the flue on the Refleks stove is at risk of getting damaged when cruising.  Logic tells us there is a risk which appears to be confirmed by the number of moored and unoccupied boats that have the flue/chimney removed.  If the top section of the flue is removed then we obviously need to place some type of cap over it to prevent rain, wind and debris going down the exposed hole.  After asking advice we opted to fit a steel paint pot over the top and and after a trip to B&Q on Wednesday (to be eligible for the seniors 10% discount) we now own a suitable pot.

The pot needs some modification.  First the wire handle and steel brackets needed to be removed otherwise they may scratch the roof paintwork.  This was achieved using an angle grinder.  The pot fits nicely over the top of the flue however I was concerned it might be blown or knocked off.  The logical solution (to me) was to make it heavier and lower the centre of gravity.  We have 400mm of spare 8mm galvanised chain left over from the construction of the gas locker.  The original chain was used to secure the gas cylinders upright and prevent them moving around in the locker.  The ends of the 400mm length of chain have been secured to the inside base of the pot with construction adhesive (because that’s all I had).  Hopefully the chain will hang down inside the flue lowering the cap centre of gravity.  The chain will store in the base of the cap when it’s not being used.  Well that’s the theory.  I’m now looking for an offcut of plastic beading which will be used to fit it around the rim of the pot thereby protect the paint on the roof (I hope!).

The pile of black “gunk” in the base is the adhesive

If the adhesive doesn’t hold the chain I suppose it will be ‘Plan B’……. drill a hole and bolt the chain to the base.  It’s also likely I’ll have to sleeve the chain to prevent it rattling inside the flue.

After that there was an opportunity to muck around do some serious work in the garden shed engine bay.  After rearranging the consumables there was a small amount of spare room for the second left over can of paint.  The battery and coolant hydrometers fitted under the hospital silencer and I was able to winterize the shower hose on the stern by draining it down, disconnecting it and fitting the winter plug.

Tomorrow I need to familiarize myself with our new syphon hose before it gets stored in the garden shed.