Thanks Artful
Dodger... I have a few items on my mind right now ... I don't mean to steal the thread but you are replying and I could use help as well.
1. Let's start with your name. We want to get a
dodger or some sort of windshield on the front of the boat. We bought her with an off-the-shelf
bimini installed that was 6+ ft from
cockpit floor to top. That was in the way of the boom, so the prior owner put the topping
lift up a ways to clear the top of the
bimini and actually wrapped the sail around the rear of the boom to make it all
work. The sail shape was lousy and we simply could not bear to see such an non-elegant solution. We have cut the bimini down now to gain clearance but its still close. I am now annoyed with the 5 ft 8 in floor to bimini height (I am 5 ft 11 in tall). My
mechanic wants to weld on a new hinge and move the gooseneck up. I am trying to keep costs in line. Did you deal with this is some way? If so, what was your solution?
The estimates for a new bimini and
wind shield is coming in at about $4000 - does that seem reasonable?
2. Stern rail seats - do you have them? How did you install?
3. Shaft slippage. We took the boat out for a motor only
cruise to use up the old
fuel. I had it going full
power and could not get it above 2600
rpm or so. Clearly the prop is oversized for the
engine (Perkins 4-108 50 hp). In any case, we made it home fine but next time I went to use the boat, the engine would not engage ... I check below and found the shaft had slipped off the coupling. My
mechanic helped get it back on but he said he had never seen 4 set screws used to hold a shaft, so he is betting that it has happened before. Have you experienced this? If so, what was your solution? I am thinking of just drilling deep holes for the set screw to penetrate... maybe even threading the holes.
4.
Davits. We are thinking about it ... did you get them? If so, what have you learned or recommend?
5.
Galley Maid
Stove. I was amazed that 2 out the 3 burners worked first time out the gate. The third one is not getting any ethanol. I need to clean it out ... any
advice where to look for a blockage first?
6. What did you do to get her to sail much better? I am new to sailing large boats (I have a ton of experience on small boats like Sunfish) and it took some time to have success at coming about during a tack - and I still have difficulty at times. Its a bit embarrassing - but Tampa Bay is big enough to make such
mistakes. Right now, I turn the
helm slowly (but not too slow) and let her backwind to get it over. Works about 80% of the time. Its harder going from port to starboard tack. My theory is windage cause by poor boat balance (see next item).
7. Boat balance. It seems to be low in the
water in the stern (all that engine weight) and also when I fill the
water tanks it does seem to have a slight starboard list ( the aft water tank is on the starboard) ... do you notice this as well?
Sorry for all the questions, but you offered
Thanks
John