This morning started out with the discovery that there was no power at any of the 110v outlets anywhere in the boat. Not a big surprise since, on Kintala, they are all wired to a single circuit breaker. We also have two GFCI outlets in the system, one in the head, one in the galley. I always thought that more than one such outlet in any circuit was kind of silly. I still sort of think so. But the original marine surveyor wrote up that we needed to have two, so we have two. Inevitably when one pops its little cork, the other one does as well. This time the one in the galley had the red LED light glowing, something we haven't seen before. Best guess, almost confirmed with a bit of internet research, it that it indicates the outlet itself is bad and needs replaced. Both Deb and I are a bit touchy about electrical things, lots of water, and fire on the boat. A new one seemed like a good idea.
The deck repair has slowed a bit, mostly to let it dry. Each day it gets opened to the FL sun and heat, which is probably not as effective as one might think due to the FL humidity. Every little bit helps though, particularly since the bad core stretches a bit further than would be ideal, sneaking uncomfortably close to the port side bow cleat and reaching right to the anchor locker insert and pump out deck fitting. So cleat and fitting were removed to see what's what. The locker is fiberglassed into the bow, so it stayed.
The core under both appeared to be solid so the cleat went back on. That was not the fate of the old pump out fitting, which has been a bit of a trial since the first time Kintala went to the pump out at Boulder. It has some kind of odd-ball thread cut in it. We have never found a connection to the pump out station suction hose that would screw into the threads of the fitting on our deck. Pumping out has always meant trying to press one of the rubber nozzle things into the deck fitting with enough force to keep nasties from spewing out at the holder. Deb has spent days uncounted trying to find a clip-on connection with the proper thread, all without success. Which is saying something. When Deb can't find a part it is a pretty good bet that the part will never, ever, be found.
Ah, but we had the thing out and the boat is in Ft. Lauderdale, surrounded by marine stores, and with access to a car. We were headed out to get a new GFCI and run a few errands anyway. What say we just mosey on over to some store that has "Marine" or "Sailor" in its name, get the right thing, get the right thing to fit in the thing, and get the other right thing to get the first thing to connect to the ship's plumbing? Then put it all together and make pumping out a matter of twist, clip, flop, and flip? (Twist the connector in, clip the fitting on, flop back out of the way, flip the switch.)
So we did, and it only cost $145.
The next time I'm watching the hoses pulse, listening to the pump thump,(particularly if I'm kneeling on a rocking deck on a mooring field somewhere) and I'm not, literally, leaning over a shit hole and hoping all goes as planned, that $145 is going to be a bargain. I almost can't wait to try it ... almost.
So tonight finds us with 110 power once again, (charging this old computer as I type) a new pump out fitting, and a newly-put-to-bed cleat. Tomorrow I'm going to start stuffing glass into all the right places.
It is hard to believe that August is almost gone. There is a deck to finish, a traveler that needs a new bed, a port still waiting to go back in, a furler to install on the staysail forestay, a mod to add an auto pilot to the wind vane to figure out, acres of teak that need treated, and a Bimini that needs re-sized and a new cover. I'm helping a friend with a bit of work on other boats now and again (in exchange for boat fixing stuff) and it didn't take long for people around here to find out that Deb is a guru with a Sailright machine. So she has a couple of jobs to do as well. (Normally we don't do outside work except to lend a hand, but after our budget beating, turning down a chance to grow a little extra green or trade for some free parts, isn't in the cards.)
How time flies when your having fun.
The deck repair has slowed a bit, mostly to let it dry. Each day it gets opened to the FL sun and heat, which is probably not as effective as one might think due to the FL humidity. Every little bit helps though, particularly since the bad core stretches a bit further than would be ideal, sneaking uncomfortably close to the port side bow cleat and reaching right to the anchor locker insert and pump out deck fitting. So cleat and fitting were removed to see what's what. The locker is fiberglassed into the bow, so it stayed.
The core under both appeared to be solid so the cleat went back on. That was not the fate of the old pump out fitting, which has been a bit of a trial since the first time Kintala went to the pump out at Boulder. It has some kind of odd-ball thread cut in it. We have never found a connection to the pump out station suction hose that would screw into the threads of the fitting on our deck. Pumping out has always meant trying to press one of the rubber nozzle things into the deck fitting with enough force to keep nasties from spewing out at the holder. Deb has spent days uncounted trying to find a clip-on connection with the proper thread, all without success. Which is saying something. When Deb can't find a part it is a pretty good bet that the part will never, ever, be found.
Ah, but we had the thing out and the boat is in Ft. Lauderdale, surrounded by marine stores, and with access to a car. We were headed out to get a new GFCI and run a few errands anyway. What say we just mosey on over to some store that has "Marine" or "Sailor" in its name, get the right thing, get the right thing to fit in the thing, and get the other right thing to get the first thing to connect to the ship's plumbing? Then put it all together and make pumping out a matter of twist, clip, flop, and flip? (Twist the connector in, clip the fitting on, flop back out of the way, flip the switch.)
So we did, and it only cost $145.
The next time I'm watching the hoses pulse, listening to the pump thump,(particularly if I'm kneeling on a rocking deck on a mooring field somewhere) and I'm not, literally, leaning over a shit hole and hoping all goes as planned, that $145 is going to be a bargain. I almost can't wait to try it ... almost.
So tonight finds us with 110 power once again, (charging this old computer as I type) a new pump out fitting, and a newly-put-to-bed cleat. Tomorrow I'm going to start stuffing glass into all the right places.
It is hard to believe that August is almost gone. There is a deck to finish, a traveler that needs a new bed, a port still waiting to go back in, a furler to install on the staysail forestay, a mod to add an auto pilot to the wind vane to figure out, acres of teak that need treated, and a Bimini that needs re-sized and a new cover. I'm helping a friend with a bit of work on other boats now and again (in exchange for boat fixing stuff) and it didn't take long for people around here to find out that Deb is a guru with a Sailright machine. So she has a couple of jobs to do as well. (Normally we don't do outside work except to lend a hand, but after our budget beating, turning down a chance to grow a little extra green or trade for some free parts, isn't in the cards.)
How time flies when your having fun.
3 comments:
Sounds like you are back to normal as I head off to Soleil,for two days of fun in the sun to work on her. Hope all goes well. I agree $145 does sound like a bargain considering the cleanup of a connection gone wild on pump out. One way to test the dry out is to tape plastic like vis queen over the hole. When moisture quits appearing on the underside you will know you are dry. Any thoughts on going with no core where you are fixing and go,with solid glass layup in the area. I was always told you shouldn't mix core materials next to each other. Never knew why but figure it's the expansion contraction of different materials that was the problem. I know many mfgs. Do go solid in areas where things are attached to or thru the hull and deck. Just a thought. Stay cool which is almost impossible right now.
Those who can't swap out the pump out fitting, can try a shield made from the top of a gallon plastic jug, such as milk or water. Leaving the handle of the jug in place, cut the top off so as to closely fit the pump out hose. Cut the bottom of the jug off with a margin of the sides in place. The shield goes over the hole and the hose poked thru the opening. The spray that may slip past the connection is (for the most part) contained in the shield. This was our solution for a Catalina 30 and issues with our marina's hose issues. The technique eliminated occasionally having to change clothes and or shower off.
I've also read that mixing cores is a no-no. But I've been watching lots of repairs around here for the last few months and the hard-core glass slingers seem to use whatever they have around. I'm going with solid glass for the areas anywhere close to the cleat, pump out and anchor locker.
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