Zen and the art of sailboat maintenance

Comment

Comment by Kevin Wood on January 30, 2009 at 10:19pm

We have 2 Yanmar Saildrives on our SF 44, but I've never changed them myself. Doesn't look that tough (as long as boat is out of the water :)). I would comment that I've been advised it's a good idea to change the diaphrams annually, depending upon use...

Comment by PCarrico on January 30, 2009 at 8:40pm

In Annapolis, it's much warmer than Baltimore. Quite nice actually. Prepped a boat for sailing today wearing just a sweater as the ice was melting off the decks. The Frostbite Series starts up again this Sunday.

Comment by h on January 30, 2009 at 4:10am

On heat wave:

We just had the longest sequence of heat wave in Melbourne.

3 days in a row above 43 'C, with a max of 45.1 'C today. (110 - 113 'F).

In addition to that, we have no power for 2 of those days. No airconditioning. Definitely melting away.

Better to be in the cold,at least we can put on more layers. We can not take off any more when we are already in our birthday suit.

Comment by PCarrico on January 29, 2009 at 7:56pm

I'm getting ready to replace the diaphragms on a Yanmar sail drive on a Farr 40.
The only real hassle is removing the sail drive from the boat to replace the diaphragms on a bench, then reinstall the sail drive into the boat.
1st the propeller is removed, then a hull cover plate that makes the lower unit hole smaller, then unbolt the mountings, lift the saildrive out of the boat, remove the old seals, attach the round upper diaphragm with the special hose clamp type devices, attach the lower water seal diaghpram to the unit, then rebed the saildrive into the boat. It will be about 8 man hours and use a long reach fork lift for lifting the saildrive out & into the boat.
I'm not sure yet about the lifespan of the diaphragms, but 7 years seems to be prudent.
Do any of you have saildrives in your boat?
A little less conventional than shaft driven boats, but vibration is not an issue with saildrives, and less complicated to install on a new build. No shaft alignment or packing drip issues.

Comment by Wilson on January 28, 2009 at 10:52pm

Dear Group:
The weather here in Northern CA has been too nice with no rain, frosty mornings and up to 70s in the afternoon. Clear Lake has not even started to rise yet in the absence of rain and all are worried that drought may keep it very low.
Just finished adding a CDI furler to "Chantel Marie" our Mac 25. The 135 Genny made by Rolley Tasker cruising grade will improve morning sailing and light winds. Since I trailer-sail, I rigged the furler to lay along the mast and not dangle out front as many do. It adds to set-up time but will be fun to use.
Best Regards, Wilson and Christine, "Chantel Marie" Mac 25

Comment by h on January 27, 2009 at 11:12pm

Try 106 'F (41 'C)

Autralian Open is on, Serena Williams is loosing her 1st set. Extreem weather policy is now being applied. They are closing the roof.

Comment by Dave Skolnick on January 23, 2009 at 2:22pm

Paige just posted a video (see http://seaknots.ning.com/video/video/show?id=900123%3AVideo%3A54640 ) that shows about the simplest set up: a line run from the end of the boom to a bow cleat.

Comment by Dave Skolnick on January 23, 2009 at 2:11pm

All of which defines the terminology "favored tack" among racers and navigators. In the Bermuda example, port tack was favored. *grin*

Comment by PCarrico on January 23, 2009 at 1:54pm

Put it this way: If your speed over ground was 10 knots, but at a direction what was 90 degrees from your destination, your VMG would be zero.
If your SOG was 10 knots on a heading directly toward your destination, then your VMG would be 10 knots.
Last year we were heading toward Bermuda, in the Gulf Stream and the wind was coming directly from Bermuda's heading so either tack was as close to Bermuda not considering the current. On starboard tack with a SOG of 8 knots (6 knots boatspeed + 2 knots current in that direction) our VMG was about 4 knots toward Bermuda. On port tack, our VMG was about 7 knots toward Bermuda due to the current pushing us upwind.
VMG is the velocity made good toward your destination.
Hope that helps.
I guess we're doing navigation maintenance today...

Comment by Dave Skolnick on January 23, 2009 at 1:11pm

Oops -

"If COG is between N and ENE and the bearing to your destination (usually bearing to waypoint or BTW) "

should be

"If COG is between N and ENE and the bearing to your destination (usually bearing to waypoint or BTW) is about 55 degrees "

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