"Mariposa" Little Harbor 46 - Ketch - Winter 2010

The owners of Mariposa settled down in the quaint, seaside village of Noank several years ago and then set their search for their next prize: a heavy weather cruiser with all the comforts of home. They set their eyes on an older Little Harbor 46 and thus began another voyage. The owners approach to addressing the older systems has been one of consistency. So far, Noank Village Boatyard has repowered her, repaired/upgraded various systems, upgraded electronics, addressed all standing and running rigging, as well as much more.

This past winter, she is moved inside for continued improvements including:
• New Sidepower Bow thruster - 24 volt.
• Domestic, gray water, and sewage plumbing stripped out and replaced - including seacocks, thru-hulls, strainers, valves, vented loops, and all hard/soft wall plumbing.
• Various electrical upgrades.
• New propane stove installed.
• Rigging serviced.
• Bright work maintained.

One of the biggest challenges was coming up with a way to install the bow thruster in the best location – which was right in the middle of the forward water tank. This tank was 120 gallons of water that could not be sacrificed, nor located elsewhere. Thus, came the challenge of installing the tunnel and motor assembly inside the middle of the tank. Upon cutting open the tank, we found a "failed" epoxy liner that would need to be redone.

Boat was leveled and tunnel location was precisely picked and cut. Appropriate structural build-up was performed.

Tunnel exterior fairing applied for maximum performance.

The vessels 4 water tanks totaled less than 200 gallons, thus sacrificing the forward tank was not, in our eyes, an option. To create a watertight structure for which the thruster motor would live, we fabricated a custom mold that was glassed into the tank, thus becoming an integral part of the water tank. Interior baffles were constructed, the interior was lined with special gel coat (one that preserves the pure taste of water) and the exterior finished off in a bilge-matching white gel coat.

The bilges of Mariposa are packed with systems and the various plumbing that relates to them. Starting where we left off last year, this portion of the systems was definitely time to be addressed.

Noank Village Boatyard technicians hard at work replacing the systems. Interior was carefully protected as repair was performed.

Good photo showing years of scale build up. One can only imagine the constriction it was exerting on the system's performance.

The finished repairs including easier service locations, proper labeling, and grounding to ABYC standards. All bronze fixtures were clear-coated to retard corrosion.

Numerous siphon breaks were replaced – all artfully located in the back-side of a hanging closet. A false back hid these from view. Forward and aft holding tanks were re-plumbed including new custom fittings replaced.

• Project One "Calabrone" back for routine maintenance Winter 2010
• Project Two Hinckley-Bermuda 40 - Yawl Winter 2010
• Project Three "Mainstay" Duffy 42 - Engine Repairs Winter 2010
• Project Four "Mariposa" Little Harbor 46 - Ketch Winter 2010
• Project Five "Morning Star" Catalina 380 - Repower Winter 2010
• Project Six "Scarlet Begonias" Finngulf 44 - Repairs Winter 2010
• Project Seven "Weather Helm" Repower Winter 2010
• Project Eight "Strike Off" - Electrical Upgrades Winter 2010
• Project Nine "Prometheus" Cheoy Lee 40 - Repairs Winter 2010
• Project Ten Jarvis Newman 30 Repower Winter 2011
• Project Eleven Prometheus Storm Repairs Winter 2011
• Project Twelve Tayana 52 Repower Winter 2011
• Project Thirteen Sea Biscuit Fuel Tank Replacement Winter 2011
• Project Forteen "Dazzler" Eastbay 38 - Repairs Winter 2010
• Project Fifteen Haul & Launch Winter 2010
• Project Sixteen Detailed Spring Prep 2010 Season