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Topics - pbyrne

Pages: [1] 2 3
1
Main Message Board / Oil change pump suggestions
« on: September 14, 2023, 10:16:07 AM »
It's getting close to that time of year again and I promised myself only the best way to change the oil.

I'm thinking a pump is the way to go but don't have a foggiest idea which one is a good one.

Just want to make my life easier so open to all solutions.

I guess it makes sense to reuse it for the transmission as well. 

2
Main Message Board / Creaking noise from rudder
« on: July 26, 2023, 09:16:24 PM »
Had the boat out for a nice sail.  Reefed head sail and main, about 2-3 feet waves, 10-12 knots, and occasionally there was an odd creaking sound from the cockpit floor, around the emergency rudder hatch, and I could feel the vibration in my feet from the creaking. 

I'm not sure why it's creaking or whether or not its dangerous to keep sailing the boat.  Videos attached.  One is under sail, and the other is my wife moving up and down between the helm and the emergency hatch, in the slip. Basically standing behind the helm.

What's going on, is this normal? Never heard this sound before this sail, and the sole seems to be flexing.

I read this thread and wasn't encouraged..
https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,10663.msg82863.html#msg82863

https://youtube.com/shorts/gqMB4Ci4SEA?feature=share
https://youtube.com/shorts/HPpn4NsM92c?feature=share
https://youtube.com/shorts/psdAQWWWVno?feature=share

3
Main Message Board / Correct engine RPM range
« on: July 18, 2023, 05:22:44 AM »
Had the boat out on a nice day, but unfortunately had to motor as there was no wind. 

Engine ran fine, sounded fine, but it wouldn't rev past 1600 RPM, and the throttle was on the stop.  Everything seemed tight and correct in the throttle, and changing RPMs was smooth.

1600 seems too low to me, but the boat was doing 6.1 - 6.5Kts...

Something seems off to me, but I'm not sure what!

4
Main Message Board / Good boat hook
« on: July 08, 2023, 12:13:21 PM »
In need of a new boat hook, preferably one that floats.  I'm asking for a friend.

5
Main Message Board / Outboard engine harness to lift with
« on: July 05, 2023, 11:50:55 AM »
Just installed the Garhauer engine lift, and now looking for a good outboard harness to lift with.

I've noticed that the Davis one has a metal 'bar' handle and not a place to connect the lift to as an attachment point.  This type of harness seems to be good for manually moving the engine but not for a lift.

Any suggestions on a good sturdy harness for the outboard for the new lift?

6
My lovely wife and I were out in the Kingston area and anchored overnight in one of the recommended bays for first timers like us.

We thought we had a good location, about 15 ft, plenty of room, good leeway for dragging, and perfectly calm weather overnight growing to 10 kts mid morning.

All went well until we tried to retrieve the anchor.  The wind didn't help, but we're a good team, and she drove the boat well while I tried to hand retrieve the anchor.

We brought up a small bush of weeds; so much I couldn't get the anchor fully onto the bow roller before cleating it off.

It was a very close thing, as I almost wasn't able to get the chain, anchor, and probably 15lbs of weeds on board. For this area I'm being told there are a LOT of weeds. 

I did what I could to pause, cleat the rode/chain off and clear the weeds as I brought it in but the sheer weight of it all and fighting the winds meant this was the absolute worst experience anchoring the boat we've ever had, and I think it's a safety issue.

The drum windlass that came with the boat, won't work for us.  IMHO, it's a ridiculously unsafe system for a boat this size, to handle any conditions.  If you don't have weeds, like we didn't in the past its workable I guess.  We also have a 35lbs Mantus, 5/16 chain which I acknowledge adds weight.

I've been reading over the threads https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,9609.30.html and https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,11188.msg88997.html#msg88997.

I have a few questions:

1 - is it the VW10-8 or RC that is a better choice?
2 - Is this a direct replacement wiring wise.  I noted some people up rated the wiring. (I'm trying to keep this simple)
3 - It looks like a spacer is needed as per Noah https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,11188.msg88997.html#msg88997.  Any suggestion on how to make one or deal with the offset differently?  I could probably get something 3D printed locally if I knew the spec.
4 - Up/Down functionality.  I would prefer a hand held wired in the locker as a Primary, wireless as a secondary.  Any suggestions on what would work for a wired, and wireless setup?
5 -Breaker changes?

Bottom line is I need the machinery to retrieve the anchor and I manage it.  It's physically demanding, and IMHO unsafe so this is something I need to address.

7
Main Message Board / Fuel gauge always reads full
« on: July 04, 2023, 10:24:02 PM »
The fuel gauge always reads full, but drops to empty when power is switched off.  After 3 hours of motoring it didn't budge, and when I fueled up the boat took 42L (11 Gallons). 

I have no idea where to start looking to fix this.  Suggestions?

8
Main Message Board / Water tank shut off replacement - Leaking
« on: June 21, 2023, 07:22:16 AM »
Does anyone know what the part is and where to get the below?  I can't make out the make on the shut off...

It's leaking, and both are stiffer than I would like.  It takes a fair amount of effort to move it, to the point that I'm concerned that the 'flange' knob bit is going to break off one day.

9
Main Message Board / Jabsco direct replacement head swap out tips?
« on: June 20, 2023, 04:55:00 PM »
I'm going to be replacing the worn out head with a direct swap (I think) Jabsco Twist ‘n’ Lock manual marine toilet.  https://www.xylem.com/en-us/products--services/pumps-packaged-pump-systems/packaged-solutions/marine-toilets/twist-n-lock-manual-marine-toilet/

I'm not planning on changing the outlet waste hose, but will replace the transparent intake hoses.  Likely the vent line hose to the holding tanks as well.

I think it's a direct swap, but I wanted to see if there are any gotcha's or tips for a 'clean' installation?  Anything to be mindful of?

For the hoses, I was planning on using Trident XHD VAC White, because it's in stock! https://www.marineoutfitters.ca/index.cfm?category=10036|10748|10738&product=74614169&code=Hose%20Waste%2058

Also, from what I've read taking off the hoses and putting them on can be difficult.  It seems that only hot water is recommended, so I'm assuming that light use of heat gun is out of the question?

YOU WILL need:
• 4 x 8mm (5/16”) diameter stainless steel bolts of length to suit the
thickness of the mounting surface.
• 4 stainless steel nuts, preferably self-locking. If you do not use
self-locking nuts you will need some nut-locking compound.
• 8 large stainless steel washers not more than 21mm (13/16”) diameter.
• A small tube of white silicone sealant.

YOU WILL need:
1. Spiral reinforced smooth bore flexible hoses for both the 19mm
(3/4”) id inlet and the 38mm (11/2”) id outlet pipework
2. Two stainless steel worm-drive hose clips for every hose tail
connection (4, 6 or 8).



10
I really enjoy the U seating area in the cabin, but raising or lowering the table is extermely difficult to the point that I leave it down and treat the area as large 'day bed'.

Is it normal to have such difficultly with the raising and lowering mechanism?  It seems spring assisted but I need to manhandle it way more than I want to get it to work.

11
Main Message Board / Celluar antenna for Cortex AIS
« on: June 09, 2023, 02:45:29 PM »
I've installed a Vesper Cortex VHF/AIS and it has an option to have an external antenna (there's an internal one) added.

I've had to mount the Cortex in the hanging locker port side, so it's not exactly LOS with any towers. 

Vepser/Garmin lists an antenna, but I was wondering if there are any other choices that would work?  The Vesper/Garmin is a bit pricey, and it's good to have other options, as I'm not sure of availability.

The cell antenna allows the Cortex to send anchor drag/bilge alarms your phone.

12
Main Message Board / Mystery coolant leak
« on: June 06, 2023, 12:15:52 PM »
A bit of background, during the summer season I haven't normally lost any coolant and the overflow bottle level remains constant.  She goes on the hard for the winter here in Canada.  In the spring, when I get her ready for launch, I find a couple of cups of coolant in the bilge and the overflow bottle is empty.  The engine is still topped up though, and after I fill the overflow bottle and bleed the air out from the little valve on the front of the engine all is well.

However, I've spotted a wee pool of the coolant stuff port side of the engine beside the transmission, after launch and moving her into her dock.

I also spotted what looks like a 'trail' where there is a clear trace down the back of the engine underneath the heat exchanger, that lines up with the wee pool.

I've run a shop towel underneath anything I can reach and it comes back dry.

Does anyone have any idea's what might be happening in general, and where I should look?  One note is that I have replaced the coolant cap 2 years ago.

Let the guessing begin!  :D


13
Main Message Board / Navpod alternative or repair
« on: June 06, 2023, 11:57:37 AM »
During the process of installing a Vesper Marine Cortex VHF/AIS, I've removed the old RAM mic connector, and cigarette accesory plug to free up some room on the top instrument Navpod.  It looks awful with the holes and screw holes and I can't cover them up properly with the Vesper mount and hand set.

I'd like to replace the top Navpod with something that will take the instruments, and isn't frustrating to open and close.  The Navpod screws (whatever they are) are dumb, and the gasket is mind explodingly annoying to work with to put back at the same time you're trying to close things up.

I looked at Navpod for a possible replacement and the $$$ is also mind blowing for a piece of fiberglass. 

Any other companies out there, or ideas on how to seal up holes in an attractive way so it's not such an eye sore?

14
Main Message Board / Alarn Module Tone
« on: June 04, 2023, 11:27:40 PM »
I replaced the alarm buzzer for a new buzzer as the old one was faint to non existant.  I replaced each terminal wire connection one at a time to ensure they went back to the correct location.

When the key is turned to ON but the engine is not started, the alarm is TONE, PAUSE, TONE, PAUSE.

Is this correct?  According to Catalina Direct it should be a solid TONE for low oil pressure.  But I replaced the connections one at a time, and I'm not sure what it SHOULD sound like.

https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/capri-26/electrical/alarm-module-dual-tone-engine-panel/

15
Main Message Board / What's a healthy engine sound like?
« on: May 31, 2023, 01:25:37 PM »
I've been reading with interest the thread on alternator belts and engine temp, and taking a look at my engine.  At 23 years old, but low hours (less than 900), it seems like it's in good shape, but I don't know what a diesel marine engine is supposed to sound like.  I have no reference, as compared to a car, which I know what is normal.

This may sound odd, but can I get some feedback on the way the engine 'sounds'?  There are 2 vids, one idiling and another with forward engaged at idle.  She's tied up at the dock still if that matters.

How does the old girl sound? Anything to look into?  Also, a couple of pics of the back of the engine, just in case!

Idle:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bQR5bexjS8Y

Idle Forward:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xhTce5ix298

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