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I'm replacing my staystream with a Harken MKIV Unit 2. It still works fine for me, but it's too difficult for the Admiral. Scheduled for haul out on 5/7/24.

My boat has that little recessed panel.  I moved the engine shut off pull to under the rear cockpit lid and put the START button in that hole.  The inner holes, (Start & Preheat) I installed a water temp gauge as I eliminated the Westerbeke panel altogether.  The tack was shot and the gauges were crappy looking.
Those rubber button covers are I believe a MARINCO part and are still available.  If you want I can check and let you know what they cost.
Dale

Dale, you got more info on that? My tach and hour meter are shot, and I didn't think I want to replace it. And having the controls somewhere easier to access sounds amazing

First, sorry for the delay. This particular project went unexpectedly well. I decided to pay the super skilled guy at the yard to supervise me and provide guidance. We were at a hotel about 20 minutes away. We got the call that they were ready, so we head back to the boat. We had to get gas, so it took about 30 minutes to get there. By the time I got there, dude said he got bored waiting, and just did it. He bashed out the existing transducer, installed a new sleeve, and the new transducer. I was a bit worried about the cost, but since I had everything already, they charged me for 30 minutes at the skilled labor rate of $90/hr. So yeah, $45 and I have a super clean install (and 0 leaks when put back in the water). I'll get some pictures up a bit later today or tomorrow. I want to write something else, but didn't want to leave this hanging.

I don't know what the "snurk" is. Butt shots?

Hauled out this morning in quite a rush, and finally got a chance to look closer at the existing transducer. Didn't budge, and I couldn't quite get my pipe wrench around it. During this time on the hard, I'm finally going to install my DST 800. Anyone done that? I vaguely remember reading something about it being flush mounted, but I can't find anything on this forum. Any advice you'd provide?

My partner and I purchased Sailrite's kit for making a Sunbrella stackpack/lazy jack system. It's the cheapest price you'll find, their instructions really are good, and it was a fun project to work on together. Happy to provide pics or answer questions if you're interested.
https://www.sailrite.com/Sail-Pack-Stack-Pack-Kit-for-13-Boom

I'd like to see some pics. It's not a high priority, but it is on my list down a ways.

After hearing about issues and cost to repair, I did a $350.00 modification to the original.

That's freaking brilliant.

Wow. I read these as they came in, but didn't make the time to respond. Either tonight or tomorrow, I need to provide an update. I'm at the new stringers and tuning the rig phase.

As seems to be the way of the cruiser, I will most likely miss hanging out with S/V Gallivant (known here as SVJourney). It makes me really sad, but I'm learning more about this whole "sailing to a schedule" thing. Just finished with the electrical rewire, and almost done installing the new water heater (it's the dry fit that has taken this long).

Oops. I started working backwards, from the panel, moving back towards the battery. Thought I was just about finished, just got to go back to the positive out on the isolator, right?

Can anyone guess who just pulled out the new battery and battery box in order to leave no single wire unknown? Kind of zoning today, so I might actually get it done today, but we'll see.

Damn, that's a fancy dinghy. I do think that I'm going to cough up the money for a rigid hull (not sure if aluminum or fiberglass, although I'm partial to fiberglass). I really want to sell our car, and this is a big step in that direction.

I'd think fixed, but honestly, Dale would know best I think.

I don't remember if you are sloop or ketch rigged, but I know on a ketch, I can't justify it. As far as coolant, I use the standard 50/50 mix from the auto parts store. Nothing has overheated yet.

My previous mechanic did mention issues he'd seen with internal rust and using tap water, and suggested poor coolant (in Florida, no need really for antifreeze). I've stick with 50/50 and City water (I wouldn't use well water here).

Buying a new dinghy, and would appreciate some thoughts. We don't have an outboard either, but will be getting something around 9.9 horsepower (or lower).

It needs to be durable, since we are going to be spending most of our time at anchor. I'm thinking a rigid inflatable will be best, but it's freaking hard to find them outside of west marine. I will shop defender as well. Thoughts welcomed.

For the through hulls, I stuck with plastic and trimmed the hose so there wasn't a lot of pressure on it, and used dow corning 795 (I have not had good luck with 4200 packaging) to seal it.

It's these that I got. Installed one yesterday. I like it. Also, we decided that the dinghy we have will not work (which I highly suggested, but the boss needed convincing - turns out that having her actually use it highlights the issues I had been talking about since we first got it). I'll do another post about that right now actually.