Test run break down!

 I have a Glendinning mechanical computer that allows you to move one throttle and both engines stay synced. I never use it. When not in use, the throttle cable on the port engine runs to it and a second carries the message to the engine. Seems like a perfect set up for a failure and that is just what happened. The second cable failed while travelling up river in 3 knots of current. I stopped the engine and puttered along at 5 knots until I found a place to stop. I had a pretty good idea what happened so I anchored and lifted the floor board. I grabbed a few tools and unhooked the primary cable and ran it back to the engine. Pulled the failed one off and installed the other. Ten minutes and we were on our way. I think I'm going to get rid of it. KISS. Keep it simple stupid!   PS The steering was awesome! what an improvement!

AC and fireworks

 

Finished improvements to aft AC unit. I added a three inch hose to free up the constricted airflow. I made up a new plenum to permit a second hose. It exits at the base of the bed. Sat on the boat and watched the July 4 fireworks along the river. New curtains for front windows coming along. I have an issue with the water tank meter. The sender works fine but the float stopped floating. I'll have to add something to it. I tried the radar today as there was a big storm rolling through. It is original to the boat but hasn't seen much use. It really works well and I can't see replacing it. Hell, that is the second time I ever turned it on! 

Steering wheel blues

 The problem with my steering is solved, I replaced the helm pump with a new unit. The wheel needed 14 turns, lock to mushy lock. No more! 7 turns. Very happy, The Autopilot is working well. I think that headache is finally solved. Working on improvements to the aft AC unit, it doesn't get enough air on the intake side. I plan to run a 3 inch vent across the bed to draw in more air the bed to draw in more air. We are fitting custom curtains into the front glass and getting rid of that wrap around bra. I hate those things. 115 degrees here today. I had one AC unit running, Saloon unit, it was 82 downstairs. Not bad. 

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Frustrations and a few wins

 

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Well the boat is in the water and diesel is $2.75 a litre. My generator trouble continues. After all that work the centre cylinder still won't fire. I tested the compression again. 225PSI in each cylinder. they are even now but very low. The next test is to pour a small amount of oil in the cylinder which acts to seal the rings, sure enough the pressure rose to 360PSI. So.... looks like I'm going to pull the motor in the fall, I'll send the injector pump out for testing and change the rings. It sucks but I'm planning a long trip next year and it has to be 100%. The AutoPilot worked fantastic, It also proved that my helm steering pump is not working correctly. I am replacing it. I still have to finish my dingy lift...it never ends. 

Thank God for the phone robot!!!

 Never thought I'd say this but "Thank God for Chat GDP!" I hooked everything up on my new AutoPilot and got nothing. The computer blinked 5 times...that was it. I asked what that meant? (ROBOT VOICE) The backbone has no power"... I re-read the manual...in an obscure corner ....there it was, the 100 and 1150 models don't power up the backbone, you must add a spur cable and wire it to a separate 12 volt source. I have had to take a crash course in hydraulics with all the various styles of fittings, Swag-lok fittings to tap into the nylon lines that run to the rudder. I built a small manifold to permit the new AutoPilot to 'T' into the system. Then added a reservoir to keep it full. Now I needed 80 bucks to buy an additional plug board because Raymarine doesn't provide enough to actually do the job. What a trip! Anyway, it fired up and demanded to be orientated. So I'll start that on Saturday. Weather is still very cool but with this out of the way, an oil change and a few odds and ends, I'm ready to start the dingy lift base. That will require some cutting.

Install AutoPilot

 AUTOHELM time! I managed to get the hydraulic pump installed along with the computer. The compass/ roll rate sensor proved to be tricky. It has to be clear of magnetic sources etc. I found a suitable place on the boats centerline, however I need to machine up a special bracket. I made the face plate for the control panel, came out nice. They include all the cables for SeaTalk ng BUT not the cable to connect another instrument...namely my Axiom chart plotter. That tiny little cable was 60 dollars! The bigger issue is the hydraulic hook up. They really leave you hanging in that department. I am building a manifold to connect the lines up. I have a couple of 3000 psi hydraulic lines ready to go. It is a matter of finding the correct fittings. 

One final note. The 42 foot sailboat I owned was renamed 'Today's Adventure'  They just made it all the way to the Dominican Republic.

There she blows!!

Finally finished !! What a hassle. The "dryer hose" that runs from the blowers to the outside vents was in bad shape. I sourced new ones, actually installing them was very hard. I wired everything up and it works. One weird thing, you HAVE to turn on blower 1 to trip all the solenoids, otherwise none will start up. I have 1 and 4 sucking air out and 2 and 3 blowing fresh air in. 

Moving on to Autopilot and dingy lift. Carpet will have to wait.
 

Bilge blowers and cable runs

 Carpet long gone, I want to wrap up odd jobs prior to laying the new stuff. On the right you see one of the original bilge blowers, It is fried! There are 4 and only one works. On the left, I machined up this nice replacement. Everything is mounted on the plate. Two 40 amp relays and a fuse box. The existing wiring is a mess but I figured it out. This set up should work a lot better and look more professional. I had to run a 4 wire cable from the transom to the helm, took me 3 hours to route it. Carver does not make it easy. Now I need to machine up a base to mount the Raymarine rudder indicator on, followed by the installation of the Autopilot. Then I need to cut several holes under the swim platform to slide a hidden support bracket in place for the dingy lift. Pitter patter, lets get a 'ere!

Staples, glue and aluminum

Been working on a dingy lift for the swim platform. It has a 12 volt winch to raise the arms. Not quite sure where to place the winch. The end of the dingy with the motor is far heavier than the bow. Therefore it will have to be closer to the motor in order to balance. I put a lot of adjustment into it. We actually looked at purchasing one but nothing worked with our narrow platform. Even this will be awkward.

 At the same time I go down to the boat on Saturdays and rip out carpet. I see they used a combination of staples and carpet glue. I ordered a HD stapler gun.

St.Martin and engine work

 

 

Back at 'er! Two weeks in the Caribbean, good for the soul MON. Let me see ...the starter was finished, now the exhaust manifold goes back on and the turbo is reattached. Looking good!   

 

 

 

 Then the heat exchanger goes in and all the hoses get re-installed. A few wires to hook up and refill with antifreeze. Working on the dingy lift now. Auto pilot will arrive soon. COME ON SPRING!!

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!

Bow Thruster

 Cut the hole for the bow thruster after taking the bed and it's base in the front bedroom apart.

There was fiberglass webbing and a shelf meant to support the A/C unit under the bed. All had to trimmed to clear the 7 3/4" tube. Then the big cut through the hull...GULP!

 With that done I built a halo tube at the back because I couldn't reach back there once the actual tube was inserted. This was thickly coated with an epoxy mix when the tube was inserted. The remained was thickly tabbed using a total of 2 gallons of epoxy and many yards of fiberglass!

That will do until spring, I have to replace the webbing and shelf inside and of course install the new Vetus thruster.  Boat has been winterized and the cover goes on this week. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
 

End of summer

 All A/C Units working Genny was serviced, it now works great. Just another example of what happens on boats that just sit. This fall we are pulling early in order to start the bow thruster installation. Looking for LED lighting and new carpet or hardwood, I'll let the Admiral decide. Taking boat to a cove for the long weekend.

LOtsa work!

 The boat has been neglected. It has had light use, spent most of the last 5 years on a lift.

 The Engines are 5.9 Cummins with 700 hours. The AC didn't work, it was the raw water pump that feeds all three. FIXED!  The Genny is a 10kw Kohler with
 a 3 cylinder Yanmar. The center cylinder is not firing, Went through all the normal procedures, the head may have to come off. Other than that, the new top is on and she is coming along.