LEAK LICKED

As with any boat there is always ongoing maintenance. One that came with Lady Cate was the water heater - calorifier as many call it. It is a fresh water heater that is heated both from the engine cooling water and a standard 240V 750W immersion heater. The problem was that the immersion heater plate was leaking. 240V and water don't mix! The leak had been bunged up with both black and white goos of various kinds and the power disconnected. A sensible temporary measure that needed putting right.

Tony managed to extract the offending part from the water heater, which is handily tucked away in a very uncomfortable place. I cleaned off the goos. It was obvious the plate had been slightly buckled and a welding repair had left so much sputter around that the seals around the immersion heater mounts were not snugging tight. Mick cleaned up the sputter and reformed the welds; then put new O rings on and tightened up. I managed to put the heater and plate back in place and - hooray! - no leaks - cross fingers - touch wood.

Tony refitted the electrics and now, LO! Hot and cold running water. Luxury indeed.