TEST DAY

 Modified a radiator tester in order to test this heat exchanger worth about $4500. I eventually pumped it up to 7 PSI and five hours later it is holding steady. I made the two white plugs/ stoppers on a lathe. Sure glad it isn't leaking!

Heat exchanger

 Cleaned up the heat exchanger, I used a lime buster liquid and let it sit for a few hours. Came out nice. I flushed it in hot water. There is a weird soft gasket at the ends that is 100 bucks on line! I found a similar material and will make my own. The next step is to pressure test it. I purchased a radiator pressure tester and modified it with fittings and made two soft plastic cups to imitate the rad hoses. I will pump it up to a few PSI and wait. If pressure drops, I'll do a soapy water test to find leaks. It is extremely cold here so no work n the boat this week.  

MOTOR WORK CON"T

 The centre cylinder on my 3 cylinder diesel Yanmar powered generator was not firing. I had a mechanic check it out. No joy! I pulled the head, the exhaust valve and surrounding area was thick with carbon deposits. The valve couldn't close. I recall the old guy I bought it off saying he would start it up and run it a few hours every year. (He never took the boat anywhere.) I think that is why, diesels need to work, they need a load.He wasn't running anything like the AC.  I cleaned it all up and used clover compound on the valve seat. It didn't take much. I set the head upside down and poured alcohol onto the valves of all three cylinders, an hour later the little puddles were still there. So I reassembled the motor and gave it a quick test start, it tried to run but I stopped it. The boat is on the hard, that will do till spring. I think it is good. Starter motor is back on the Cummin's 5.9 All wiring back in place, I left the heat exchanger off and I'm going to soak it in Lime remover for a time. Next up is the new Raymarine AutoPilot, That is going to be interesting. Meanwhile I'm building a dingy lift in my garage. FUN!

Engine WORK!!

Well the end of another year. I pulled the starter and cooling equipment off the starboard engine, rebuilt the starter and cleaned out the cooling equipment. I pulled the head off the Yanmar 3 cylinder generator in order to give it a valve job. Running this low compression diesel without a load fouls the exhaust. It was clogged with carbon deposits but cleaned up nice. New rug in the spring and an autopilot and AIS. Just need some warmer weather!

 

 Discovered to my surprise that there was rotten wood in the aft shower. If you are going to put wood in a boat, why not the shower! Carver had used plywood panels coated with melamine. That is fine but they left the sides exposed. I found out that this is a common problem on my boat. I pulled the thing apart and rebuilt it. Lots of work but that weird earthy smell is gone now, very happy. 

 

  

I also replaced the leaky facets as well as the shower head.

 

We decided to pull the boat early to get a jump on this years projects, a dingy lift and major work on the engines, striping the raw water circuits and pumps for a rebuild and cleaning / inspection. Also new carpet in the salon.

  

The water level is really dropping this year. 

 

 

Here is a CAD drawing of my Dingy lift layout. 

  

Going to be a busy winter but we are quickly approaching retirement. Not sure if we will be done next summer or if we will go another 18 months. That is up to the Gods in HR I guess.   We are researching the Great Loop and joined the AGLCA.

  

 

Summer 2025

 August now. I have worked on the boat steady. New injectors, Rebuilt the entire black water system, rebuilt aft shower, bow thruster works great! Took a week long trip thru the lake Erie islands, ran great, Got caught in some 6 footer, boat is stable, we took it slow and did fine. I get .85 gallons per mile at 18 knots. Much better at 10 knots. The great thing was, at the end of the week, we were still comfortable on the boat. Counting down to retirement now and thinking about doing the great loop.

HAPPY 2025

 HAPPY NEW YEAR. I am held up on the bow thruster, It is on back order. I decided to rip the entire black water system out of the boat. Four pumps and two sewage tanks along with all the connecting hose. It all has "that smell" I have already cleaned and bleached the tanks, tore down the pumps. I ordered rebuild kits. What a sh!tty job, I'll spare you the photos!