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Mar 25

Written by:
3/25/2009 2:55 PM 

This is a photo of a fitting and hose that lies in the bottom of the bilge with the holes angled down. The other end is attached to a Whale Gusher foot pump located next to the floor under the companion way steps. It lifts water from the bottom of the bilge and pumps it out into the cockpit just above the stbd. scupper. Then overboard via the scupper hoses. I was impressed as to how dry it got the bilge. Only a trace of water was left when this pump ran dry. But if the bilge is dirty, (which it was when I used it) it will make your cockpit dirty too. The best part of this little system is that it is redundant to the main bilge pump that is operated fom the cockpit. And it is a way to pump out the bilge from inside the cabin.

The Yanmar engine makes it to the bench.

I did not overhaul the engine. I was told it ran good when the boat was last used. (nearly two years ago now) It rotates smoothly and has good compression. I replaced the raw water impeller and hoses, the thermostat, the anode, the fuel filter etc. The raw water system was 100% blocked inside the engine block where the "T" fitting screws into the block. It was a calcium buildup that is not uncommon on Great Salt Lake. I had the alternator rebuilt. I cleaned and painted the engine with a self-etching primer and enamel top coat. The paints were a custom mix straight from the paint shop delivered to me in two rattle cans. It went on nicely. Time will tell how good it really is.

Here it is ready for re-installation.

I have got a lot more done than I have photos for. My camera is having problems. I will get more photos when I am able. The engine is back on board and all hooked up. New fuel lines. USCG A-1 in the engine room and USCG B-2 for the pick-up and return. The fuel tank has been cleaned and pressure tested by the pro's and re-installed with new filler and vent hoses. New exhaust hose. I fabricated a new bracket for the raw water strainer and all those hoses are new and installed, along with the scupper hoses. I also replaced the hose between the hull and prop shaft packing gland. I could not afford a pss shaft seal but I did use the "dripless" packing material. I'll report on this later in the year as to how well it works. On the prop shaft itself, where the packing gland rode, there were grooves worn into the shaft. I have heard of this but never saw it first hand before. I understand that can be caused from the packing gland being too tight. I used a longer piece of coupling hose to locate the packing gland in a "fresh" part of the shaft.  My wife, Kim, and I have started preping some of the woodwork. I am looking foreward to sending more photo's since she is starting to come together little by little. Of course, I will not have her fully restored this year. My plan is to get her in good enough shape to put her in the water in a couple of months and enjoy sailing her for the season.    Happy sailing, Paul