Menu

Show posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Show posts Menu

Messages - mregan

#46
Main Message Board / Re: Holding tank leak
July 24, 2020, 12:45:52 PM
I have my vent like Francois's but mine doesn't dip down and it runs up to a fitting in the hull just below the rub rail.  When I bought the boat the vent stanchion had been leaking for years so I eliminated it. 
I still get terrible odors if we let any waste stay in there more than a week so I don't think just getting the dip out of your vent line is going to help. 
I thought I read in Peggy's book you wanted 2 vents to create a cross breeze so the anerobic odors couldn't form.  I may have been mistaken.
When I replaced my tank a couple of years ago, I had 2 openings installed in the top.  Bought a Ronco tank.
I couldn't find a place to route a 2nd vent so I added a fish tank bubbler with a 1/4" hose through a hole in the capped fitting on the 2nd vent. hole.  Thinking if I was pumping air in, it would pressurize the tank and keep the anerobic odors out.  Hasn't worked that way.  I had dropped the 1/4" hose to the bottom of the tank.  I'm wondering now if I'm bubbling up the odors from the water/waste.  I might cut the hose short so it's only sticks into the tank 2-3" and fills the air space above the water/waste with fresh air.
One thing when you order the Ronco tank,  any fitting you put in the top of the tank, put it towards the stern side of the tank.  I have one of my vent holes almost in the center of the tank and it hits the wood panel covering the tank.  Their seems to be more height towards the  stern side of the tank.
#47
Main Message Board / Re: Galley Counter Top
June 08, 2020, 05:24:23 PM
I like it.  Send pics when its finished.
#48
Main Message Board / Re: Outboard gas/oil leak
June 08, 2020, 05:22:59 PM
Going to the boat tomorrow to look through the manual but searching around on the internet that is something I saw.  Although from what I've read, it tends to cause hydraulic lock of the motor because the cylinders are full of oil.  I'm not having that problem, although maybe because the outboard was on the wrong side for only a half day while it was in the car.

I was also thinking maybe is was a leaking lower seal but it doesn't leak when the engine is off, only when running.  I think, sitting on the wrong side might be the problem.  I wonder if I let it run long enough it will clean itself out?
#49
Main Message Board / Outboard gas/oil leak
June 07, 2020, 05:09:27 PM
I have a 3 yr old Taihatsu outboard, 4 stroke.  Tried to start it up on the dighy last week, seems to be leaking oil or gas, there is a sheen on water after trying to start it.  Pulled the cord a few times and noticed the sheen.  Tilted the outboard up out of the water and saw some brownish water leaking out of the drain holes above the prop.  Needs some more gas to start.

Went down today with some new gas.  Filled the tank and 3-4 pulls it started.  Getting a gas/oil sheen on the water again.  Let it run for 5 minutes and seems to be a constant sheen on the water.  Turned off and tilted out of the water.  Water coming out of the drain holes was clean.  Thought maybe the discharge from the week before was from taking it out of storage, putting in car then into cart to the boat.  Guess not.

No visible leaks from above the waterline so must be leaking below.  Any thoughts.
#50
I got a Doyle Stack Pack last year.  Had it made mid summer, for some reason.  Loft had to take the main for 2-3 weeks.  Kids were in sports so were only able to get out for some afternoon sails with the jib so wasn't a big issue for us.  It is sewn into the bottom of the main.  Haven't noticed any issues with the draining, at least not yet.

One thing I did notice this year installing the main, I did need a second hand getting the bolt rope installed.  In the past I've been able to wrangle it myself.  You'll also need a second person to attach the lazy jacks to the pack.  I found I had to hold the pack up and my daughter would have to clip it in.  In the past I was able to get everything installed by myself.  It was too heavy and cumbersome to do it myself. 

Overall I'm very happy with it.  So much easier to drop the main now.
#51
Main Message Board / Re: New head
May 21, 2020, 12:49:23 PM
Looks great
#52
I'm 5'11" and my dodger comes up to maybe my nose.  If I'm standing at the wheel, I can see over it.  So maybe it's 5'5".   When I had it made the canvasmaker said that was the height I wanted so I listened to him. I think typically they are made so you can see over it when standing and sailing.  6' high might work but it might look really awkward on the boat.
#53
Main Message Board / Re: U stack installed
May 20, 2020, 01:18:31 PM
Like the U stack.  Had a Doyle Stack Pack (same thing) made last year.  So much easier dropping the sail since I'm usually doing everything myself why my wife and teenager daughters watch in amusement.
#54
Main Message Board / Re: Documentation Reminder
May 13, 2020, 12:58:44 PM
Good timing.  I just received my annual letter from them last month.  About 2 weeks later I received my renewal from the Coast Guard.  You are correct $26 vs $75
#55
Main Message Board / Re: Marinas closed in Md.
May 08, 2020, 12:25:46 PM
Up in RI marinas are open.  Our marina sent out a letter saying everyone needs to wear a mask on the docks but on your boat you don't need to wear one.  They did mention the governor said no transient boats allowed this summer.  Although I was looking at the Newport, RI website and they mentioned transient boats had to self quarantine on their boats for 2 weeks so not sure if the rules got changed.  If that says in affect all summer, going to be a quiet Newport.
#56
Main Message Board / Re: Protest in Annapolis
April 22, 2020, 06:10:01 AM
Just received a notice from out marina in RI.  The governor considers marinas to be essential businesses because boating is go ingrained into our society/economy in RI so our marinas will be open this season.  But they have banned all transient boats for the summer.  Or at least for now. 
With all the kids sports cancelled this summer, we may actually get to spend a good amount of time on the boat
#57
Hopefully that doesn't spread East.  Getting out on the boat is the only thing I've been looking forward too.
#58
Main Message Board / Re: Solar Arch
March 10, 2020, 08:54:02 AM
I put 2-100w flexible panels that rest on top of the bimini.  Sewed in some tabs on the bimini to hold in the panels. We are seldom away from our slip for more than 3-4 days but when at anchor for that time, the batteries are always fully charged. 
#59
Main Message Board / Hit and Run
August 13, 2019, 08:42:45 AM
Was sleeping at anchor yesterday morning.  Had just come out of a deep sleep.  Hear a loud bang.  Wake up thinking the v-berth hatch had slammed shut.   It was open, looking out through it I can seen an anchor and mast off our port side. 
Now I'm thinking we dragged and hit another boat or had run aground.  Run into the cockpit, look around.  Still in the same spot we were in when we went to bed.  Look off the port side and there's a 40+ sailboat motoring away from us.  Run up near the bow and look over the lifelines, doesn't look to be any damage.  Look back over to the boat, still motoring away.  Notice a bare boat chartering co. name along the boom.
I couldn't believe the guy didn't motor back over and say sorry or, any damage.  My wife thought maybe he didn't realize he hit us.  I said even if he didn't think he hit us,  wouldn't he think it was odd that just as he came close to hitting us I happen to pop on deck at 5:30am.  And maybe he would stop and say that was close or sorry almost hit you.  Not turn around and motor away.
Plan on calling the charter company today just to give them a heads up.
#60
Main Message Board / Re: Holding Tank Vent Question
August 06, 2019, 01:16:14 PM
I replaced the stanchion vent with a thru hull vent located below the rub rail on the port side.  Went across the top of the tank, up behind the port cushion, into the small locker above the elec. panel and out the side of the hull there.  Went with 1" hose. 
When we bought the boat the smell was horrible.  Replaced the tank and all of the hoses.  Had a 2nd opening installed in the tank top.  Put a plug in the 2nd opening with a 1/4" hose through it and dropped into the bottom of the tank.  Other end of the hose I connected to a fish tank bubbler.  Read Peggie's book.  Figured the air being introduced into the tank from the bubbler would provide airflow and the aerobic action to eliminate the smells.  Hasn't worked as well as I wanted, although we aren't as diligent as we should be with pumping out.