Messages

I bought two inflatable kayaks from West Marine for my three month trip up the inside passage. They worked out well. When not in use they were deflated and stored on the front deck. They were easier to get in and out from the boat then our hard kayaks. On long passages or heavy sailing they were put back into their storage bags and taken below. 

I had to convert my system to propane as natural gas was not available on my three month trip up the Inside Passage up to Alaska. Sure Marine helped with all the needed hardware and advise. I do have a regulator that attached to the bottle if someone needs one.

Ed
Yes is is. One of my crew log over 200 pictures of water fall. I sat in hot springs with no other boat around. We caught and eat crab and salmon until we were tired of it. We watch salmon jumping at water falls. We saw whales, dolphin, porpoise and bears. It truly was spectacular. WIth full canvas we were able to enjoy the view in all weathers.

I felt compelled to thank Ron, Stu and all the others who contribute to this great website as I have just completed a 3-month 2,100 nm trip up the British Columbia Inside Passage in my 1986 hull #162 without a single problem. With all the information on this site I knew what issues needed to be addressed to properly prepare the boat. I upgraded wiring, changed out all hoses, removed/cleaned out fuel tank, added antifreeze overflow tank, replaced exhaust system, starter and alternator rebuilt, replaced engine water pump, installed 3 bladed prop, replaced cutlass bearing, and the list goes on. Sailed some but put 440 hours on the engine. I bragged to people we met along the way about how lucky we are to have such a great website that helps solve problems or prevents us from ignoring things that will soon be a problem. I bought this boat two years ago as a real "fixer upper." This site provided me with all I needed to get the boat ready. This trip was a "bucket list" fulfillment and I just need to say thanks.

I have had leak in this area. It turn out to be the the bolts that hold the traveler. There has been several write up on this. It will require you to remove the traveler and rebed. If your boat does not have the traveler bolted through the cabin top you should do this as part of this project. I have several of the 9 inch bolt available  if you need them.

Ron
I have only owned the boat for two years so not sure if the mounts have ever been replaced. They are the same as what I had on my 30. So I would assume they may be original.  I looked up on the Vetus web site to see if the 50 or 70 was available with a taller shaft but it did not look like it.  The front lag screws are loose so I may have to raise the motor to work on them so if I could find new taller mounts this would be a good time to change them out. But I'm still not quite sure why things are (or appear to be ) so far out of normal range.

The boat went back into the water on Monday so I will pull apart the coupling tomorrow night and remeasure everything and see if things have changed. Any idea who may have taller motor mounts?

Craig
I considered that and rechecked after back in the water. I was able to check the shaft location in the tube by feel after disconnect from the transmission. It was still in the middle in all directions. The engine is so high on the front mounts I can not put the second locknut on the shaft.

As I prepare my 86 for a four month 2'500 mile trip up to Alaska next month I pulled the boat and installed a new cutless bearing. I also replaced the shaft coupling hose. With the hose off I noticed that the shaft had been rubbing the lower portion of the fiberglass tube. I raised the back end of the engine to center the shaft in the tube. To re-align the engine I had to raise the front of the engine to almost the top of the motor mounts. This did not seem right so I had the mechanic from the yard take a look. He looked at the shaft coming up into the boat and said it was centered properly. He said the back motor mounts were set correctly. He said the front motor mounts may need to have blocks placed under them to raise them up. What could have changed that would have caused the motor to need this much of an adjustment?

I pushed in plastic Sheetrock anchors and screwed the same screws back in. This has also worked on cabinet screws that the fiberglass has stripped out.

Les
I have a 86 and have had some water spots and added some new cabinets that I built. I have used 
Minwax red oak and found it to a good match.

Update:
I obtained a 15-10 3 blade and had it repitched to 9. This took my boat speed from 5.5 to 6 at 2200 RPM. If I was to do this again I would have left it at 10. The 3 blade was a great improvement over the 2 blade.

Jim I went on the D & R web site and found a side bracket from Edson. When I called Ruddy they had several at only $36.00. So I ordered two so they will match. He also said he has Edson boxes so I maybe able to match the other one I have. What a great find!!!!!!! Thanks for the post. Like everyone says this site is great, thanks everyone.

I just purchased the new Raymarine E7 plotter, and am looking for a bracket that will match the bracket I now have for my radar (see pics).  The bracket is an Edson, the numbers I can read on it are _G 831 or B-533.  Anyone out there have something I can use?

My 87 does not have a coolant tank and I would like to add one. Would like to hear from M-1 as to where their tank are mounted. My wall inside the head has the fuel pump and large fuel filter so this area is used. I mounted my regulator for the alternator on the back wall under the sink in a Plexiglas box I made. So not much room left under the sink.

Thanks everyone for your tips. Last question would you go for the 25 or 35? I plan on using 100 of 5/16 chain and 300 feet of 5/8 line. Have to be prepared for deep anchorages up the Inside Passage and Alaska. I have a manual windless.