San Juan 30

[Chevy1217]

Hi Guy's and Gal's

I need some Questions answered I want to repower to diesel and I have decided upon a Yanmar 3QM30 a 27 hp model. I currently have the old Volvo gas 10hp Removed. It never had enough Hp when motoring in Strong currents.

So here is a Question will it fit?
The gas fuel tank witch is Stainless will it still be able to be used?

Next is I want to install an Auto Bilge Pump where is the best Location?
I don't have one now but keep finding myself on nice days sailing away with the forward hatch open and of course a wave from another boat usually from one I don't see sneaker waves I call them. So I have been getting some water in places the reg Bilge pump doesn't get but it seams to go in places I have to suck by hand. Old sea water gets smelly fast so I make sure it it wiped clean always.

Next is I have discovered that I have a great deal of space under the cockpit. What could I turn this space into and has anyone ever made an access hatch in the floor of the cockpit.
especially in the rear I can adjust weight to balance the front so back wouldn't be so heavy.

also thinking of removing the v-berth and making benches but mainly side shelves to stow stuff I need to have but generally don't use much unless I am on a long trip.

So any help on these questions would be very useful. Has any of you tried this especially the v-berth Idea.

[Paul J. Nolan]

I'm not qualified to advise you on several of your queries, but I have a few general thoughts.

I would be very reluctant to cut into the cockpit sole. Probably nowhere else on board is so much water so likely to pool so often. You are hoping for acess, but what you are likely to get is water incursion. I believe it was Eric Hiscock who struggled with a flush jatch (on his afterdeck, a place where water is unlikely to pool) it took over a year to make it water tight, and he declared the structure an abomination. If you have a raised hatch in an area in which you and the crew constantly stand and move, broken toes are sure to follow. To have space available for storage that is accessible only with difficulty is truly vexing, but I urge you to find a different solution.

Having areas of the boat that do not drain into the bilge is bad design and construction. Mold, mildew, and many other problems can and will occur. Rod Stephens famously decreed that a man should be able to heave a bucket of water into the fo'c'sul, pivot and heave a second bucket full aft and, a few minutes later, pump precisely two buckets full out of the bilge. It is worth the time and effort to bring your boat up to this standard.

Paul