Back on Biscuit this afternoon, I worked to push installations forward and to completion. To that end, I made my way into the cabin to complete the installation of the fiddles - needing to source a couple #10-24 machine screws for one of the fiddle. I had the machine screws, which were phillips head, and so I pivoted to install all phillips (wood screws and machine screws). A few minutes later, I had the screws changed out and all fiddles secured. From here I transitioned to the cockpit drain to seacock hose installations. I grabbed my hose cutter, transitions and hose clamps. Taking measurements as I progressed, I marked locations on the hose to cut, installed clamps and then secured them to their respective hose and drain barbs. I tightened the hose clamps down with a small ratchet tool, completing the installation of the cockpit drain hoses.

From here, my instinct was to move to the bilge discharge hose installation, but having a bit more access through the aft cockpit bulkhead hatch hole influenced my decision to prep for the installation of the new aft cockpit access plate - a Beckson plate. I applied a layer of protective tape over the painted bulkhead and marked the location of the new cut line - a larger diameter by roughly 1/8". With the larger diameter circle in Sharpie over the protect tape, I used a spiral saw to open up the access to accommodate the new Beckson plate. I set the new hatch plate to the side and pivoted to the installation of the bilge discharge hose.

From the cabin, I pushed the bilge drain hose aft and between the cockpit sole structure until reaching the aft of Biscuit. From the aft cockpit access hole, I found the bilge hose and threaded a couple hose clamps onto the hose itself. I pushed the end of the hose onto the recently installed thru hull fitting and then secured the double clamps - a one handed job from a tight opening...hard!!

Moving back to the Beckson plate, I placed the frame into position to mark and drill the fasteners holes. The freshly drilled holes were tapped for #8-32 machine screws. After applying a generous amount of SitkaFlex, I placed the plate's frame into position and secured it to the bulkhead with the #8-32 machine screws, backed with washers and nuts. I cleaned up the squeeze out to complete the installation.

I finished with a coat of varnish on the companionway trim and the taff rail.

Total Hrs: 4