Murphy's Marine Laws

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Badsanta

When I first started working on my boat I could not fix whatever without having to remove 2 other things to fix the first one.
Now that I have more skills and became more knowledgeable I now have to only remove or loosen 5 other items to fix the first.

Sent from my SM-G860P using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Of course ... But instead of having to "reassemble" the removed parts early in our learning curve....

We neglect to tighten 2 of the 5 items we "loosened"....

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by carstenb

There is no such thing as a easy fix on a boat. taking something apart to fix ivariably will lead to finding 5 or 6 other things that need to be fixed first.

Which we all know will take at least 5 additional separate trips to the tool bin along the way...

Even more true if we are talking about the accurate and well documented bilge/lazarette repair locations previously posted...

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by carstenb

There is no such thing as a easy fix on a boat. taking something apart to fix ivariably will lead to finding 5 or 6 other things that need to be fixed first.

Or in the process of removing something that is working perfectly to reach another part you need to repair, you will break the working part in the removal process.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Or in the process of removing something that is working perfectly to reach another part you need to repair, you will break the working part in the removal process.

Naaaa..... this couldn't POSSIBLY happen - could it?????

And if it did - would you admit it to that someone whose name and relationship to you, you will not reveal

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by carstenb

And if it did - would you admit it to that someone whose name and relationship to you, you will not reveal

This is a rhetorical question, right?

[Sandero]

Although you can see the bolt(s) you need to remove to effect a repair... there is no tool in your kit which you can get onto the bolts or can turn if you can get it on the bolt.

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by skipmac

This is a rhetorical question, right?

Hej I've been married a long time - descretion is the better form of valor. What she doesn't know doesn't hurt her

[carstenb]

Originally Posted by Sandero

Although you can see the bolt(s) you need to remove to effect a repair... there is no tool in your kit which you can get onto the bolts or can turn if you can get it on the bolt.

corollary - if you do mange somehow to get a rachet on that bolt and get it out - there will be no way to get the bolt back in- because the rachet/bolt combination will be too long for the space

corollary 2- if you somehow manage to get the bolt in, then try to slip the rachet less its handle over the bolt, the rachet will slip from your fingers and will hear it bouncing all the way down into some inaccesible part of the bilge.

corollary 3 - that will be the only 13mm rachet you have(sigh)

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by carstenb

There is no such thing as a easy fix on a boat. taking something apart to fix ivariably will lead to finding 5 or 6 other things that need to be fixed first.

The important things are always simple; the simple are always hard.

There is always a way, and it usually doesn't work.

When you can't discover the cause of a breakdown, all of the free advice you get, will be for things you've already checked.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Or in the process of removing something that is working perfectly to reach another part you need to repair, you will break the working part in the removal process.

I didn't feel the need to mention the obvious!

Originally Posted by carstenb

corollary - if you do mange somehow to get a rachet on that bolt and get it out - there will be no way to get the bolt back in- because the rachet/bolt combination will be too long for the space

corollary 2- if you somehow manage to get the bolt in, then try to slip the rachet less its handle over the bolt, the rachet will slip from your fingers and will hear it bouncing all the way down into some inaccesible part of the bilge.

corollary 3 - that will be the only 13mm rachet you have(sigh)

And don't forget the old...

Backing the fastener that is too long as to be unable to remove it and the ratchet... Going back in... (if you are lucky enough to be able to operate the reversing lever on the ratchet)... getting enough clearance to remove the ratchet combo, and having to 1/16th turn a fine thread bolt with a spanner, flipping every other turn... for a couple inches...

The above scenario does not apply to fasteners the turn freely...

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by GordMay

........
When you can't discover the cause of a breakdown, all of the free advice you get, will be for things you've already checked.

We either need to get smarter friends... Or start charging each other for advice!

[GordMay]

Trouble strikes in series of threes, but when working around the boat, the next job after a series of three is not the fourth job ... it's the start of a brand new series of three.

After things have gone from bad to worse, the cycle will repeat itself.

[bobnlesley]

...someone will come by and help out by dumping all the parts into a cup...

Been there, suffered that and still have a screw-topped jar containing the internals of a very nice, albeit somewhat complex fishing reel to prove it

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

And don't forget the old...

Backing the fastener that is too long as to be unable to remove it and the ratchet... Going back in... (if you are lucky enough to be able to operate the reversing lever on the ratchet)... getting enough clearance to remove the ratchet combo, and having to 1/16th turn a fine thread bolt with a spanner, flipping every other turn... for a couple inches...

Certainly one of the most annoying things on the planet.

Also, have you noticed that the 2" fine thread bolt you have to remove 1/16 of a turn at a time, is supporting a small, unstressed bracket holding a lightweight, non critical part that could be held on easily by a bolt 1/2" long.

[Canibul]

The best way to get something stuck tight to immediately come loose is to tell yourself "WhatEVER you do...don't drop this over the side.."