Hanse 531 Refit

Our current lovely boat was built in 2005 and lowered into the water for the first time in 2006. Now, although age is just a number (or so I keep telling myself), there are a few items we would want to update. This blog page is a summary of what we have thought of so far.

The “Before” List

To see a list of all the items we have in mind, head over to this Google Sheets address: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cNfcmO6tfRjqlDa9a5-oSC2LAd0BCCencXPVuoxVXoM/edit?usp=sharing

Below, short summaries for each category.

Sails

• During our summer sail, two mainsail battens broke through their luff pockets, so the sail needs to be removed and fixed.
• On the wishlist: a code zero!

Running Rigging

• The jib sheet is old and incredibly stiff. The friction is so bad that it’s impossible to roll out the jib without a winch.
• The jib tack block (a Harken 75) is badly damaged.
• The boom vang tensioning system is (critically) undersized.
• The furlerboom endless control line (rolling the mainsail in/out) is almost broken.

Deck/Exterior Equipment

• We’d like more modern wheels (Carbonautics, like on the modern-day Hanses!).
• There’s an oil leak (or there was at some time) on the winch motor of the Harken 53 starboard primary winch.
• Some of the Spinlock clutches are too worn out and the lines are slipping.

Navigation Lights

• We already fixed the anchor and steaming lights, but the connectors to the other lights need to be checked and replaced.

Engine / Motors / Propulsion

• There is some kind of connection problem between the Yanmar engine and its control panel (the RPMs jump erratically although the engine sounds just fine).
• The diesel generator is leaking diesel so that needs to be fixed and all the diesel-soaked insulation material needs to be replaced (or maybe the whole generator).
• The MaxPower bow thruster relay is clogged and needs to be replaced.

Entertainment

• No working 12/24V system for music in the cockpit or saloon.
• Too many 1980s display screens inside.

Navigation

• Basically, upgrade the old Raymarine/Seatalk system to a modern B&G NMEA2000 system.
• Keep at least the new Raymarine autopilot.

Electrical System

• Quite a few old batteries in three battery banks (starter, service, alternator/thruster/winches).
• Would be nice to upgrade the service bank to lithium and the thruster bank to something more suitable for thrusters.
• Neither the inverter nor the generator provides pure sine wave AC, so it would be good to upgrade at least the inverter (likely also the generator, but let’s see).
• Solar panels needed.
• Battery monitors needed.

Interior

• Upgrade the upholstery.

Other Stuff

• The teak deck. I’m a bit unsure about what to do with it but cosmetically, I don’t really like it. It’s quite thick still, however, so not in any immediate need of repairs.
• A lot of small gelcoat fixes needed.
• Change all the toilet hoses (they smell!)
• Cockpit cushions!

The “After” List

The other Google Sheets, documenting our progress, is over here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1w_iEtK0C033rPuXQN8jlHNC-sXcuF-6Kt4if-SVecoQ/edit?usp=sharing

So, ahoy to all, and on to do the actual work. Thank you for being a part of our journey! 😊