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Topics - tvorgitch

#1
Main Message Board / Lewmar low profile hinge removal
January 02, 2024, 08:03:44 AM
I want to replace the seal on my Lewmar low profile hatch. I removed the covers on the hinge pins and I understand each aluminum pin should slide to the center to release the hinge, but there's a bit of plastic in the center that keeps this from happening. I don't see how I can open the plastic. What am I missing?

Thanks in advance for you assistance.
#2
Main Message Board / Is this too much vibration?
April 07, 2023, 08:24:47 AM
I had a new SS shaft installed with a Lasdrop dripless seal, a split coupler and new cutless bearing. During the pre-purchase survey in 2021, the surveyor noted significant vibration and the cutless bearing was loose, so he suspected the bronze shaft was worn as a new cutless bearing had been recently installed. He recommended replacing the bronze shaft with a SS shaft, which I did early this year.

I was in the yard when the shaft was removed and I could not feel any wear, but the cutless bearing was clearly worn. When the new shaft was installed, I was told that the engine was way out of alignment and they were just able to get it aligned with the existing mounts. I expressed a concern that the alignment was done on the hard and they said it's not an issue.

Once back in the water the vibration appeared to be about the same to me. Due to storms, harbor dredging and a limited crew, I was not able to observe the shaft while underway until yesterday. The yard owner had observed the shaft while motoring at about 5 knots in the harbor and he said he did not see any vibration.

Here is a video of the shaft while motoring at about 2500 RPM and moving about 6.5 knots: https://youtu.be/c3m3mkFhMlY

The first few seconds are at normal speed and then it's in slow motion where the vibration is much more apparent.

For reference, I have a MaxProp propeller.

My suspicion is that the original shaft was not worn but simply way out of alignment which is what caused the rapid wear on the cutless bearing and resulting vibration. Note that this work was done at a different yard.

I'm still happy I upgraded the shaft and seal, but I suspect the alignment is still not correct and I may need new mounts in order to get it properly aligned.
I called Lasdrop and they said they would not recommend disconnecting the coupler in the water, but it was clear that standard disclaimer.

Before I present this video to the yard, I would like some feedback from those of you with more experience. Is this too much vibration and should I insist they re-align the shaft in the water?

Thank you for your help.
#3
I'm having a new SS shaft installed early next year and the yard has suggested I take a look at the Lasdrop EliteSeal shaft seal.

Apparently, it's a new design and I can't find much information on it. https://lasdrop.com/index.php/eliteseal/
#4
Main Message Board / Broken heat exchanger zinc
October 25, 2022, 08:02:45 AM
I went to inspect the heat exchanger zinc on my M35 and it snapped off. I thought maybe the whole thing had been eaten away as I had not inspected it since I purchased the boat in August 2021 (I know!). No water came out when I removed the nut and I was unable to insert a new zinc. Using my phone, I could see the hole was plugged by what looks like the rest of the zinc. I put the nut back and did not observe any leaks.

The PO had a receipt for work done in October 2020 that included "inspect heat exchanger" but give the shoddy work the yard did on the cutless bearing I'm not sure this means much. I figure my options are:

  • Replace the HX hopefully at a lower price than the $1,800 listed on Catalina Direct. I did some searching for 302419 in the sources listed in the 101 topic but didn't find anything. I'll probably need to call around if I go the replacement route.
  • Remove and repair the existing HX. Sounds like removal and inspection is something I should do every 2-3 years anyway and I doubt it would be difficult to drill out the zinc.
  • The PO's yard installed the wrong size cutless bearing and at some point I want to upgrade to a SS propeller shaft, so I could just leave things "as is" until I have the boat hauled out for that.
Can anyone tell if this is the original heat exchanger?

Is it possible to guess if this EX is even worth repairing? I really want to limit the amount of time I'm not able to use the boat, but I don't want to damage the HX if it's repairable.

Thanks in advance for all your help!
#5
I have a 1993 Catalina 34 with a M35 engine. My oil pressure switch does not work and may be leaking. I've tried a deep socket and a crows foot, but can't get access to the switch. Do I need to remove the exhaust manifold or is there some secret to removing the switch. Thanks.