steering access

Martin · Senior Member

steering access

chas · Senior Member

Hi Martin

The first thing I had to replace after I bought my boat was the steering ram.

My ram was quite easily accessible but as the previous type had been discontinued, I had to replace the mounting bracket as well. This involved cutting a hole in the deck as I needed access on the other side of the bulkhead it was attached to.

The old ram was basically a heap of dung on account of being made from aluminium and brass. Surprise surprise, the aluminium cylinder had corroded around the brass fittings and hydraulic fluid was leaking out. (The surveyor didn't pick that up either)

The new ram is commercial quality and made of brass and stainless so it should last longer.

I also had to get a section of deck up to repair a section of exhaust that was leaking so I'm for plenty of access space.

Cheers

Chas

Martin · Senior Member

Hi Chas

I see what you mean, did you replace the deck you took up with a hatch so you could get in again or did you replace the deck as it was? I was thinking of fitting another hatch, hopefully solving the problem once and for all.

Been prepping and painting now for 6 days in near perfect weather, spent most of the time alongside the pontoons in Tobermory so access is great. Almost got the outside completed, just a section of deck and some touching up it is not a ''town hall''job but it will have to do for this year. I would like to get in a shed for a week next winter and strip the coachroof of all the old gubbins, stickers, steel bolts and corroding handrails etc and replace the steel mast with a stainless radar arch and new stainless handrails.

Still got some electrical work and a couple of jobs for the coding then its off to play.

Regards

Martin

chas · Senior Member

Hi Martin

In my case, I patched the hole I made for acess to the steering ram mounting bracket for two reasons:

1. There is already an access hatch over the rudder which gives good access to the ram etc and from that existing access hatch I can easily dismount the ram from the new mounting bracket.

2. A bit later I found that all of the deck panels cound be removed but it takes a little time to dig the non-slip paint away from the screw heads.

I want to re-do the ****pit deck at sometime in the future but haven't decided exactly how yet but one thing is for certian; it will all be removable panels. - One of S0ds laws; the harder it is to get to something; the more likely it is to go wrong.

With a simple risk assessment, my wheelhouse door is only about three inches above the deck, how quickly will three inches of water drain out of the scuppers? A few seconds, how much water will go through a closely fitted but not sealed deck in that time and how quickly will the bilge pumps shift it?

It sounds like your project is going well - keep up the good work.

Cheers and all the best

Chas

Martin · Senior Member

Hi Chas

Interesting that you can remove the deck panels, I just assumed that they were ply laid over the deck beams then glass sheathed from above with several layers of mat and resin then non slip coated. I wonder if my deck is the same! I will check tomorrow. I know what you mean about Sods law, I am trying to out guess him this time.

Project is going well at present. All the outside is done, the wheelhouse just needs the floor painting (my job for tomorrow AM) then there is the loo and forepeak. I have refitted the liferafts already, horseshoe bouys on tomorrow and new deck wash hose. Fit the torches and notices inside and she will be ready for coding as soon as I have reduced the fuel load.

Not long now.

Best regards

Martin

chas · Senior Member

Hi Martin

Have you ascertained your deck stucture yet?

I seem to remember that Harold's boat has a wooden deck - are you about Harold and can you confirm?

You must just about be ready now martin.

Cheers and all the best

Chas

Martin · Senior Member

Hi Chas

I have had a quick look and I think it is ply glassed over so probably not easily remooved and refitted.

I have been busy with other stuff but an gradually getting there. I need to clean at least one of the tanks so that will be the next job. Will probably end up doing all 3 main tanks and the underfloor sump tank as well and flushing the fuel lines through.

Most of the safety equipment is back on board so it will be stability trials as soon as the fuel issue is resolved.

Regards

Martin

chas · Senior Member

We must be getting close to seeing some more pictures Martin!

Martin · Senior Member

Hi Chas

Been upside down in the biges for a while. When I got back to Tob I changed the Racor pre filter as it was blocked. I thought that it was just because the engineer hadn't replaced it as the whole filters and casings were to be replaced. I still don't know if he replaced them or not but I checked the filter after running for 2 hours and it was black again. After further investigation I fouind black sludge in the bottom of the aft tank. I immediately suspected the dreaded bug and everyone else I spoke to agreed. Luckily the day after I had to go to Glasgow so was able to call at Millers oils depot and pick up some Biocide shock treatment which I put in all 3 tanks on Thursday. I had to leave it for a few days to get mixed through the tank. When we decided it was mixed through enough we drained the aft and sump tanks and cleaned them out by hand, filtered the top 90% of fuel and put it back in the aft tank again.

Just got home when I saw your post so I am replying before jumping in the bath. Can't stand everything been covered inn diesel all the time so as soon as I get chance I will wash everything with fairy liquid and fresh water.

I couldn't have done it with out the help of my wife who not only passed me spanners and nuts etc but was also willing to help with the dirtiest of jobs, not many women would have given up a bank holiday weekend to end up filthy and smelling of diesel (she smells sweet again now) and I am truly grateful.

Will post some pics when the weather clears up, it is horrid today, laying in a puddle didn't improve the job at all.

How are you gettting on?

Cheers

Martin

Martin · Senior Member

Hi Chas

A few pics of the trial run after cleaning the stern tank, excuse the barrels and rubbish everywhere, we didn't get chance to take everything off before we left.

Hope the scenery makes up for it. Journey is from Tobermory to Salen (Highland) I live in Salen Argyll and Bute!! very confusing.

The new helmsman is my eldest.
Cheers

Martin

chas · Senior Member

Hi Martin

She's looking very good!

I can see what you mean about the scenery - sure beats the Solent.

A couple of years ago, I had a so called reputable company service my engine. They saw fit to change the pre filter element but leave the filter bowl full of cr@p which I'm sure was diesel bug.

I dosed the tank with biocide, removed and dismantled the Racor filter housing, cleaned out the cr@p, changed the element again and hoped for the best. So far so good but I'm saying that with fingers crossed and touching wood.

Having said that, when I had my engine serviced last year; the mechanic said that the pre filter was so clean that it was hardly worth changing.

My anual service is due soon, I kept the fuel tank full to the brim through the winter so we'll see this time.

Keep up the good work.

Cheers

Chas