A stable lifestyle

Well, as planned the Golden Arrow team arrived to perform the necessary surgery on our stabiliser system. It should have an overhaul every 5 years and we knew that some of the bearings / bushes were wearing - you could see some movement in the ram as it was working.

Here is what one stabiliser looks like "topless" - the bearings etc removed for replacement:

And after the new wearing parts were fitted and the top spruced up and bolted back on:

I hope they don't charge for the Golden Arrow Marine sticker that was added!


The system was also treated to some fresh hydraulic oil and a new filter. The seals and anodes will be checked after the boat is lifted out of course. It was a treat to see people working on a boat system who clearly understand the product, how it works, the likely issues and how to overcome them.

We had to spin the boat around and drop onto the opposite pontoon ready for the lift out. Easily said but the lift out pontoon runs at 90 degrees to the river (of course) and the stream is just evil at anything apart from dead high and low water. We had to move with some stream and a strong wind trying to push us away from the mooring spot, which was just long enough and had a "fat" motorcruiser immediately behind it meaning a tight turn onto the pontoon for us. Even better, this survey boat was on the other side and so we had to squeeze through:

The two nice metal brackets sticking out from the hull would have been ideal to hit or scrape.... Luckily we didn't and managed to tie up with no damage, just high blood pressure .

Ready to be lifted out:

As per last year, the team operating the hoist at Shamrock were excellent. Very careful and gentle with the boat. Of course, once chocked up in the yard, the hard work begins......