proud and green

[trevor (Charleston, SC)]

hello, Trevor Cangelosi here, the proud new owner of a Newport Mk III 1985 sailboat that I've been restoring the last 3 weeks. I'll be living on it this summer in Charleston SC and had a few questions for you experts out there.

1) My prop was just stolen (remarkable considering the very poor condition it was in) and I've replaced it (it WAS a 13 RH 11 that was then re pitched to a 13 rh 9)...I've replaced it with a 12 RH 12 that I got on ebay for cheap...just bought the prop actually, will it work ok do you think?

2) I've overheated enough motors in my time to develop a profound hate for thermostats. my boat will be in pretty warm water in Charleston, can I just take it out and run it without one or will this damage my Universal M 18 motor?

3) does anyone have or recommend a wind generator for charging batteries?

4) where can I find new sails for my boat?

thanks so much, my boat is named "Into The Mystic", a Van Morrison reference.....

[Boracay]

If you know exactly what you want and can measure accuratly then Rolly Tasker in Thailand has a nice loft.

I visited them a few years ago and it looked like a good setup.

[swagman]

Welcome Trevor,
Trust you enjoy using the site and good luck with the new yacht
JOHN

[Sunspot Baby]

If the prop was a good deal, it's certainly worth a try. It may not be exactly right, but I'll bet it gets you around the harbor easily enough.

Diesels run best when up to temperature so a thermostat is a good idea. I consider removing it an emergency measure only. One thing to consider is whether the engine is raw water cooled or has a heat exchanger (fresh water cooled). The thermostats are different. You don’t want sea water to run as warm as you do on fresh. Speeds corrosion.

Check a couple of the cruising magazines and internet. There are some used sail dealers out there. If you are doing this renovation on a tight budget, you may be able to get decent sails with a few years life in them at a comparatively low cost.

George

[hellosailor]

Trevor, you might check CraigsList for your prop (or similar size boats in the yard). Police in NY just busted some genius who stole a MOORING and then put it up on the local CraigsList for sale.

But as to thermostats? If engines didn't need them, they wouldn't come with them. Yeah, you can run without one, but you cannot run well or properly without one. If the cooling system is working properly, the whole engine gets optimum performance and economy. If any part of it is removed...you're either going to throw away fuel or hurt the engine, one way or the other. Pull the thermostat and you'll probably just be throwing away fuel, and if you're rich enough to do that, you can make lots of great new friends by just stacking it on the dock next to your boat.<G>

A thermostat can last an easy ten years. They are simple and robust machines--and only one part of a proper cooling system and healthy engine.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Trevor,
Welcome aboard!! Good to have you here. If you do a few searches on this forum for sails you'll find a whole list of places that offer new and used sails.
The thermostat is good to have. A diesel doesn't do well running too cool.
Your eBay prop might be overpitched a bit and if it is then it will make your engine run hot at lower RPM. Check our threads on proper propeller size.
Hope you enjoy the forum.
Is your boat the 30 foot model?
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[GordMay]

For good used Sails Goto Bacon & Associates
Bacon Sails

[Pura Vida]

Trevor, depending on how much battery you have you may want to go solar. I use a 6 watt seimans on two group 27s and it always keeps them topped up.