The sailing vessel One Ocean is undergoing a refit at the Marine Technology Center in Anacortes in preparation for her Around-the-Americas expedition. This 1995 Westerly Yacht will be 30 years old when she departs Anacortes in May 2025, requiring a number of important upgrades for a successful journey, which includes transiting the Northwest Passage.
Like most boaters, you probably have several pages of to-do items for your boat’s regular maintenance, replacement projects, and future upgrades. Mike Beemer, chairman of Skagit Valley College’s Marine Tec. Center in Anacortes, reports that One Ocean has a maintenance list that’s 21 pages long! plus 5 more pages for electrical work.
These boat projects are being done in-house at the Tec. Center, except for the transmission which is being replaced by Harbor Marine, located in Everett. The invertor has already been removed and will also be replaced. The YANMAR marine engine was pulled for maintenance work in mid-October using the school’s forklift; thankfully, the cockpit floor lifts out which made removal of the engine relatively easy – the boat designer was thinking ahead on this one!
Before the engine could be removed, a number of tasks needed to be done, including disconnecting the starter battery, wiring, and the engine controls at the helm such as all the steering cables. Work on the engine could then begin which includes the replacement of bearings, pumps, turbos, and injectors. Thanks to Marine Tec students and the crew of One Ocean, steady progress is being made. Also on the maintenance list are the chainplates for both masts, which are to be removed and inspected. There are 12 chainplates altogether and 100 bolts to be replaced – yes, all stainless steel which are about $30 for each bolt.
As boaters, we know that all of these parts add up to many boat units, which we like to define as a $1,000 per boat unit; there will be many boat units for One Ocean before all is said and done. The Around-the-Americas Team invites corporate sponsors and individual supporters to help this noble cause; as a thank you, your name or company name will be stenciled on the vessel and be part of the journey! Watch for more about this special opportunity in our next article. Donations in any amount are always appreciated.
The Skagit Valley College Foundation (SVC) is the fiduciary IRS 501 (c) (3) nonprofit partner for Around-the-Americas. Please contact foundation@skagit.edu to provide your contributions.
** Our series of Waggoner articles on the Around-the-Americas will Count Down the days until Project Launch and start of the year-long adventure. To learn more about the Around-the-Americas Project, see our two earlier articles, titled Around the Americas from Anacortes, and Around the Americas Haulout and Transport.
Photos: Mike Beemer
Lorena Landon
