Engine Water Pump (Jun 2005))

Replaced the original Oberdorfer pump with a new one in March 1991.  This was the old style pump with a grease cup that required  turning the cap a quarter turn each time that we set sail. Shaft and seals of this "new" pump were replaced in June 2001.

In 2005, Moyer Marine introduced an improved water pump (Model MMI 502) which did not

require a grease fitting for lubrication. This new pump, installed on 25 May 2005, mounts in the same location as the original. There is no grease cup and the rear cover is easily removed by rotating thumb screws. Cover removal allows easy access to the impeller and drains the pump for winter storage.

Sorry to say, this pump (#1), began to leak engine oil from the seal area on 12 Jun 2005. We put the old pump in its place and contacted Moyer Marine and they provided a replacement (#2) which was installed on 17 Jun 2005. This second, new, pump, which, according to Moyer, had a secondary oil seal, began to leak engine oil, in the same place, early in April, 2006. We again contacted Moyer Marine. They shipped us pump #3 which was installed around 22 Apr 2006. This pump #3 has performed well and the new features make it a pleasure to own. Moyer asked that pump #2 be returned to them so that they could do an investigation. This was done and they provided a report which stated that pump #2 was, mistakenly, the same version as Pump #1. We seemed to have helped Moyer Marine Inc. to overcome the teething problems with this new pump.

{Lesson learned:

Always take the time, cost and effort involved to keep the water pump operating well. The engine is totally dependent on it's operation.}

Solar Panel (March 2006)

We installed a 500 milliamp solar panel to the port side, on and aft of the stern rail. This panel is operated whenever we sail and usually keeps up with our electrical demands at the time. Since it was installed. we seldom need to use our shore power battery charger. The solar panel output lead goes into a small, plastic, sealed electrical box that holds the milliamp meter and push-on, push-off switch. The output leads are fed through a sealed entry in the coaming to the interior electrical panel. The ground wire is connected to the ground bus. The positive wire is attached to a small circuit board which contains two, one amp diodes. Both of the diode anodes are connected to the solar panel positive lead. Each of the cathodes are wired to the positive terminal of one of the batteries This isolates the batteries and allows each battery to accept charging current.

{Lesson learned:

Small investments pay dividends in reducing energy consumption and time spent on operating charging equipment.}

Mast Support for Winter Storage (Nov 2005)

We did not neglect to make improvements in the winter storage systems. This support, for the aft end of the mast, is light weight, easy to install and does not take up any space in the cockpit. See left hand photo, below. It does not require the use of any tool for installation or removal. The attachments to the stern rail consist of four hand rail clamps. The right hand photo is a close up of one of the clamps.

These are called SeaStow rail clamps and are available from Amazon and Defender. There are four clamps. Two on the upper rail beam. Two on the lower beam. The upper rail attachment beam is attached to the support with bolts, washers and wing nuts. There is play in the bolt holes to accommodate misalignment. The bolt end threads are distorted to prevent the wing nuts from being removed.

Lesson Learned

We always attempt to design things so that there are no loose parts involved and do not require the use of tools for assembly or removal. This item is a good example of that philosophy. Pieces and tools all have a habit of allying in the water!

Cockpit Weather Cloths (April 2003)

We had read about the benefits of cockpit weather cloths in British magazines. Sailors indicated that the cloths provided quite a bit of protection from the wind. The cloths seemed to be easy to construct and install. We made a pair and laced them between the upper lifelines and the toe rail. They ended up being rather attractive.

Since we do some early spring and fall sailing, when the weather is quite cool, we have found that these cloths provide benefits that far exceed the effort to make them. It is nice to hide behind them and reduce the wind chill factor by a lot.

{Lesson learned:

Sometimes a little effort pays big rewards.}

Settee Overhead Access Panels (June 2002)

These over head panels do not get much attention because we seldom look at them as they are usually below eye level. These panels are removable for access to the wiring harnesses and deck fittings. Removal is usually a rare event. The panels are 3/8 th inch plywood and were originally covered with foam-backed, vinyl fabric. Being 23 years old, they looked their age. We chose to remove the old fabric and laminate light weight, vertical grade Formica to the plywood panels. These photos, taken looking aft, show the results on the starboard and port sides, respectively.

Relocate Holding Tank and Batteries (Nov-Apr 2001/2)

“A piece of cake”

We had sensed, for a long time, that the boat sailed with its bow down in the water. This was also obvious from the pictures of the boat sailing. This, we deduced, was due to the fine entry of the hull and the location of the holding tank in the v-berth area of the hull. Whenever the holding tank was empty, we could measure a better performance level.

We examined the possible spaces in the boat that could be used to relocate the holding tank to a more rearward location. We found an “under- utilized” space on the port side, aft and below the bunk board and forward of the stove compartment. This space was about half consumed by a too-large battery box. The other half was empty and used to store the hatch boards while we were underway. We carefully measured this space and found that an available holding tank would, probably, fit in this space. This tank, a Kracor, PN 2-73821S, 21 gallon capacity, seemed to be designed to fit this space.

The installation of a tank in this space is dependent upon relocating the two batteries to another location. We found a smaller space, below the stove compartment, with a door, that is large enough to slide a battery through. On the left is a view looking down into the space with the stove compartment removed. This space is adequate for the two batteries. We built a suitable floor and installed two battery trays, with hold down brackets, in his space. We also relocated the battery cables.

On the right is a view looking aft into the new battery compartment. During installation, one battery is slid inside the compartment, clamped in place and the cabling is attached. Then the second battery is slid into its mount, secured and the cabling is attached. Each positive terminal is protected by a red plastic boot. 

Having found a place for the batteries, we carefully studied the space to assure that there is enough space for the chosen holding tank and its fittings. This included making a foam core mockup of the tank, based on the dimensions given by Kracor and fitting it onto the space. With the assurance that it would fit, we ordered the tank.

The space required some modification to accept the tank and its fittings. The fore and aft centerline rib is cut down so that it supports the bottom of the tank and lateral ribs are added for further support. The ribs are bonded to the hull with 3M 5200 adhesive. The forward athwartship rib was cut down to allow insertion of the tank and to clear the fittings on the front of the tank. The inside surface is painted with Interlux Brightside Polyurethane paint.

The bunk board that covers the tank space had been supported by the fore-aft and athwartship hull ribs. To provide this support, a new frame work is built over the tank space. This frame work, constructed of oak is mounted with fasteners so that it can be fitted after the tank is installed. The picture below shows the tank and frame installation. The frame accommodates the tank vent hose, tank access port, tank inlet and drain ports. We did install a Sealand vent filter to satisfy our olfactory receptors.

The space forward of the holding tank is still used for storage. See lower picture. The inlet and drain plumbing, which runs through this space, does not interfere with its use. This space also contains the thru-hull fitting and valve for the head supply water. The inlet pipe continues through the main bulkhead and connects to the hose in the head compartment. The drain, pump out, hose continues forward, past the head compartment to the old fitting in the anchor well because we did not wish to create another hole in the deck. This tank and plumbing have performed well since it was installed. 

Once all the bunk boards are back in place there is no evidence of this major renovation.

All of this effort did cure the bow-down problem and improve performance. We did see the boat sail better to windward and through choppy seas on other points of sail. “Keep the weight out of the ends” is still good advice. Also, we said good bye to the old, stinky tank.

{Lessons learned:

1. Make sure that you have measured the space correctly and have good dimensions from the supplier.
2. Make mockup pieces. They are a lot easier to deal with. Measure again.
3. Take time to dry fit all the pieces before you apply any glue.
4. Painting the space makes it more pleasing.}

Rework Electrical Panel (July 2000)

The original electrical panel had the following installed items: the Columbia panel, a stereo radio and a basic 110 Vac panel. In addition, this panel only provided access from the aft side.

We reworked this panel and its mounting system to allow access to the wiring and components by pivoting the panel forward. We made a new plywood substrate, resurfaced with matching laminate. We revised the lengths of and rerouted several wires. We also acquired and installed a new Blue Star, 110 Vac electrical panel with circuit breakers for cabin lighting, battery charger, GFCI outlets and three spare positions. We scrapped the old car stereo installation in favor of a nice boom box. The ammeter was relocated to this panel as part of the engine controls project. Below, on the left. is the view inside the cabin and on the right, the top of the panel is pivoted forward and downward.

{Lessons Learned:

1. Study features that are shown either at boat shows or in magazines.
2. Always include features that will make any future maintenance task easier to perform.}