I reviewed the tasks I wanted to accomplish today, install the re-sealed forward hatch with new Nicro vent installed, study the hot prop packing issue, change oil in Main Engine, Generator engine, transmission oil, and the secondary filter on the main engine, and begin the installation of the stern rail reinforcing braces. That's a FULL day..
Unfortunately it was all down hill from there.
I started with installing the forward hatch. I peeled off the plastic and duct tape used to seal the hole and cleaned up all the nasty duct tape adhesive. Then stopped till I could get a hand to position and screw it into place.
I went below and started on the prop shaft packing problem. I strung a floodlight in the engine compartment then looked for a small crescent wrench -- no where to be found. I spent 20 minutes looking. Aaack! I disassembled the packing nut and looked at the packing gland -- leaking better than before but still not much. I stopped the leak for awhile and moved on to another project.
I then removed the ceiling panels in preparation to install the stern pulpit reinforcements. That went okay. I then unwrapped the custom made stern pulpit reinforcements and ogled them. Beautiful job of stainless steel welding and forming. Almost like jewels. I took the port side one over and trial fit it. Holy Crap!! It wasn't even close!! How could they get is so wrong!! I grabbed a steel tape and measured that stanchion. Hmmm pretty close to the 33 1/2 inch I told them to make it. I measured for the floor to the stern pulpit --- whaaaaat 30 1/2 inch!! I double checked it. Yep 30 1/2 inch. How could I get it so wrong!? Last week I measured it using a borrowed yard stick. It was not pretty but looked okay. I borrowed it back and measured it against the steel tape. The 33 1/2 in mark on the yard stick measured 30 1/2 inch on the tape. Ohhh Great!!! This definitely took some wind out of my sails. What are you going to do -- just a one in a million incident. I've never had a yard stick that wasn't a full yard.
A closer examination of the stick showed at the low number end it was badly discolored and the numbers difficult to read. It became obvious that for some reason some one sawed off the first 3 inches!!! Well I put that project away for now. I'll revisit it Monday when I call Kato MArine o see if they can possible shorten these things. Ohhh I felt bad.
I was finally able to get Karen to help me and we installed the forward hatch -- that went okay and looks good. The Nicro vent works very well. A quick test with the hose and no leak. Now for a rain test.
I never did find that small crescent wrench so I borrowed one from Jim but first I assisted in charging his refrigeration unit. That went a bit puzzling at first but then finally took the charge and worked very well. Well that is 2 success to one failure today.
I then disassemble the prop shaft hub from the transmission hub. I rotated each to see why the shaft is so hard to rotate when all is assembled -- ahh the resistance is in the transmission. I guess that is okay because it is a large transmission. When the shaft end free I got Jim over and we examined the flex and ease of rotation and all looked fine. I checked the alignment of the 2 hubs and that was fine. No problem found. I reassembled all and ran it in the slip. It's okay but heated up to about 101 degrees at just idle. We will just have to see.
With the engine hot I then ran the generator and heated up that engine. Then I broke for lurch.
After lunch I used the built in oil change pump to suck the oil from the main engine. I collected it in an empty gallon oil container. Wow it works slick. That oil came out like gang busters. Hmmm about 3/4 full I notice black oil on the floor under the gallon. Eeeck it's leaking!! I cap it and throw into the wastebasket and get it off the boat. What a mess now!! I cleaned up and removed the rest of the oil. Changed the filter and refilled and ran. That finally looked okay.
I then removed the oil from the generators engine and that went better. Changed that filter and refilled. It looked good too but I got a little messy refilling it and had that to clean up.
Then on top the transmission. That was just messy since I had to use a portable electric pump but I got it done tooo. That dip stick it uses is very difficult to read. I ran everything then all was fine .. Ahh more successes but a bit messy.
I rested a bit then tackled the secondary diesel filter on the main engine. I had never done it so I was concerned about getting air in the system. I even filled the filter before installing.
The engine fired up, ran 30 seconds then died. Aaaack air in the system. This pump usually self bleeding so I tried it again. still died. Aaack. Went to visit the Thompson's awhile. Then came back and started the engine 2 more times and then it was fine. I let it run 20 minutes -- all okay now.
It was time to call it a day.
We fixed Cajun Bleu cheese burgers on the grill and had the Thompsons over for dinner. It was a nice dinner and great conversation into the wee hours -- about 9:15pm. That's cruisers midnight.
Boy I was going to sleep well this evening.
