Patina has had a few problems with the welds on the pushpit assembly. While in Ft. Lauderdale , at the end of January, I noticed a widening crack at a welded joint by the curved section of the aft starboard rail. I keep the grille at this location and was worried that it might fall off. Since we were leaving for the Bahamas in a day or two, I hired a local welder who repaired the crack at the dock before we left.
While transiting Northwest Channel between Bimini and Nassau yesterday, the innermost portside rail sheared off at the bottom weld by the attaching bolt and the entire assembly seemed poised to come off taking with it the GPS antenna, bimini, davits and dinghy. A crack also developed at the same location as the one at the starboard rail that we had had welded in Ft. Lauderdale . We removed the GPS antenna and rigged some lines to support the assembly temporarily as we approached Nassau . There is also a sizeable break in the gelcoat near the innermost starboardside rail near the swim platform entry.
For our trip to Staniel Cay, we have beefed up the portside rail supports with some heavy ties attached to the aft stern cleat, but decided to stay in Nassau and get it all welded.
The welder is here at the dock repairing the cracked stern railing and we hope to make Staniel Cay in time for the Superbowl .
Sure Glad John and Barb on Bambushay have Satellite System ( so they don't miss any Duke BasketBall Games) so we will get to see the Super Bowl.
Looking forward to getting under way from Nassau to Allen Cay tomorrow.
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