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Let me take a stab at this.  The tach runs off the alternator.  Are the alternator working and voltage regulator functioning properly?  I would check the connections on both of these.  The assembly at the factories is less than ideal.  I have had issues with these that are repaired by proper stripping and crimping.  If everything checks out I would pull the panel in the cockpit and check those connections.  Not sure how to check if the tach is functional, but someone will.  My bet is that with all of the filter/fluid changes something was bumped or pulled and is making a poor connection,

The helmsman of the boat I race on has a "starting app".  It allows you to enter the position of the pin and the committee boat when you sail by them prior to the start.  You then run it when the start sequence begins.  It tells you how long until the start and how log it will take you to get to the line at your current speed.  It helps, but you still have to think about what you are doing and your position to other boats.

Sorry I don't know the name of it.

Be sure the air vent is open.

If you are handy with a sewing machine, SailRite has a kit for less than $200.

How about having someone weld up the hole until you can get a new tank?  I know it mean doing the install twice, but the sailing season is short up here.  It could even make it until the end of the season and you could do it on the hard.

FWIW-one of my friends has been using Polyglow for several years.  This year he was out.  WM was closed and ACE HW said, "Polywhat?"  He had acrylic floor wax at home and applied it.  So far it looks the same.  He said it smells and looks the same. 

Remove the "eyebrow" teak, fill the holes with thickened epoxy, repair the gel coat.

Stu

I agree that the larger winches are the way to go up the mast.  As I am not the first owner, just trying to figure it out.  The engineer in me has to know.  I tend to try to fix everything, when sometimes it probably makes more sense to replace it. 

Clay,

Thanks for the offer, but I just got done machining the shaft and I think I will be fine.  It is true, as I was wondering if it was bent.  Still a mystery.  I don't think that hauling someone up the mast would do this. I don't believe that I have the strength to deform these teeth.

I am stripping my winches, cleaning and greasing and reassembling.  I had a great deal of difficulty removing the port side spindle.  When it finally came out I discovered that the splines were deformed/galled.  I do not know how this could have happened.  Looking at the size of the teeth it appears that it would take an excessive amount of force to do this.  I believe I can salvage the winch by machining the deformed material off.  I did score the bearing surface when removing the shaft so I will have to hone it to at least take the edges off.  Has anyone else has this happen?  Could not find anything on a search.

I used two applications of MinWax Natural stain before applying semi-gloss finish.  It darkened the wood slightly, but I am happy with the result.

I know the boat is new to you, but when I replaced my sails it was like getting a new boat!

Mine had the 90* elbow also but the barbs had been cut off, probably to deal with the wall that is in the way.  Until now I could not figure out why this had been done.  The single clamp was barely holding on.  I does make it easier to remove the drain hose, but I did not think that the minuscule benefit outweighed the huge risk.  I replaced it with a straight fitting.

I also close my through hulls when I leave the boat.

Maybe I should move north to warmer weather.  Yesterday morning it was 60* warmer in my refrigerator than it was outside  


Boat club opens in 10 weeks

Stu,

Thanks for the links.  They are making for entertaining reading whilst riding my stationary bike to nowhere.  At least I can dream that I am riding in the Caribbean.   Right now I am jealous of those of you in warmer places although skiing has been quite good.   Boat club opening is only 3 months away.  

So, to cruise endlessly all I need is a bottomless bucket of money and time.  I could do a lot of stuff it it weren't for work