A little water

Our speed gauge hasn't been working so today I pulled the paddle wheel thru hull. Previously, the only water I've let into the boat was when we pulled the raw water intake. That pipe is less than 50% as big as this one and the water volume was modest. This one has a cap that unscrews and then you pull the cylinder out. That caused quite a gusher. Luckily the bung for this an exact copy of the functioning unit and slid right in. So it wasn't all that much water in the end but still surprising and a little unsettling to see dirty water pumping in. I should've taken some photos of the debris, seaweed and mud on the paddle wheel. I cleaned it with a brush until it spun freely. Then replaced the thru hull, oriented the arrow on the housing to parallel to the keel, and slipped the safety wire over the unit which acts as fail safe (it wasn't on there when I started this project).  

Screwing around

Today was essentially a goof off day. I mean I did a couple things at the boat, but they were strictly for fun. First, I finished the whipping on my steering wheel. I varnished it with clear coat to add durability. Hope it comes out ok. But if not, the cordage was three rolls of clothes line from the dollar store. 

I also figured out how to hang the travel hammock I got. The straps are meant to protect a tree trunk so I figured they'd be good for my roller furling jib stay. The only issue was that when just high enough for me to step over the hammock, my butt dragged a bit. So I shortened the tethers and was able to just barely get into the hammock. I think I need to cinch it shorter still and hang it lower then. 

I brought my boat buddy, Ginger, who was content to rest most of the time. Except when I went below for a lunch break. Then she was right up to check me out.

Spare parts inventory

I conducted an inventory of all my spare parts, and have both a list with the part numbers I was able to find as well as photos of those parts for my reference. I also have a shopping list for what I think I still need.

2 fuel filters

2 Fram oil filters of a larger size Dudley had on there PH3593A (1 is a little rusty)

1 Yanmar oil filter smaller size 119305-35151 (appears to be same fit as the frams)

2 Stens oil filters I bought which are smaller 120-137 (appears to be same fit as the frams)

1 Racor Parker 2 micron filter 2010SM-OR or T800-344-3286 or T209-521-7860

2 prop nut set with two nuts, cotter pin and key NS750

1 Perko prop zinc 3/4"

1 Racor rubber gasket or O ring 15211

2 impeller cover gaskets / raw pump gaskets 124223-42110

1 Unidentified gasket says non-abs Genuine Yanmar 128350-49541

1 Stuffing box wrap and lubricant 

1 V belt Mitsubishi remf-6370 

NEED:

1 fuel filter rubber O ring

1 more impeller and gasket

1 alternator belt

1 air filter

2 injector seat rings

1 injector

1 head gasket set

1 Intake and exhaust valve and springs

Bilge pump fixed

Yesterday I discovered that my Whale Gusher 10 manual bilge pump diaphragm was torn. So today I visited West Marine to pick up a service kit and replaced it on the boat in less than 10 minutes. Good as new. The kit came with more parts than the diaphragm so I just saved those in case anything else goes sideways. I had two $10 dividend coupons from my West Marine membership so I used those and saved about 40% of the service kit, which seemed overpriced for what it is--as is typically the case with all boat parts!

The diaphragm and the manual pump itself seem mission critical so I went ahead and ordered another service kit to have on hand. I'm actually doing an inventory of all spare parts I have and will order an extra for anything important for which I only have a single spare. 

Phew

I went to the boat today to check out the white smoke issue we had last time out. 

I decided I want to change the coolant and change the oil because even if not needed, it's good practice for me.

I also wanted to take photos of all the systems so that I can confirm with our local Yanmar dealer that I have all the sores I need and get anything I don't have.

The coolant replacement was no easy. First I located the clear house coming from the fresh water system, and turned its butterfly valve. But nothing. Not a drop. I finally located another clear house so just had to try its valve. Only that valve was basically underneath the coolant reservoir and extremely inconvenient. Not able to un-tighten it by hand I had to also get a wrench in there which I finally managed with the tiny wrench I have. 

So I was able to get the coolant out. It was of course clean sonreally he whole thing was unnecessary but at least I know he process for removing and refilling it. 

I ran the diesel for 10 minutes after doing the coolant and great news! No white smoke/steam. So could have been that the key was not all the way on so I got an alarm, and the white steam that morning was due to humidity not a mechanical problem. Phew.

I also discovered that the manual bulge pump's diaphragm was cracked so I removed it and just ordered a service kit which will take several days to arrive. 

Tomorrow I'll do an oil change. Slightly more intimidating since the pump is electric and has to be connected to the battery. And the dipstick is very inconveniently located just like the nut for the coolant. 

Full day with the fellas

I've been needing to get more time on the water and behind the wheel. Last Sunday, I took my wife's uncle, our nephew, his dad, and a buddy of mine out into the SF Bay for around 5 1/2 hours. A nice day for it and only modest gusts even in "the slot" North of the Bay Bridge. It takes nearly 45 minutes to motor out of the estuary, and underway we had some white steam coming out of the aft exhaust. The two more senior sailors said it was possible it was just atmospheric conditions causing a bit of moisture condensation from the exhaust. But I was more concerned it signaled something more real. About 15 minutes underway, we had an alarm sound off, so I shut down the diesel and my nephew and I headed to put up sails so we'd have control over the boat, while uncle and nephew's dad went below to check out the yanmar for any noticeable issues. The alert had been low pressure. Temp on the engine itself was low. They wiggled a couple connectors and didn't see any blatant leakage issues. After sitting while, the engine behaved again we sailed in the Bay for a few hours. She fired back up again no problem after we returned under sail into the estuary. No weird noise and no alarms, but still with the white "smoke" which most online forums agree is steam. 

So when we get back from vacation, I need to run through the systems. First up is the cooling system and exhaust. I'll check the impeller which I've already replaced once so I really hope that's not it (although it's a pretty easy fix). Then I'll look at the strainer for any clogs. And then the mixing elbow which is something I've not attempted yet. Then I'll change the oil and replace the coolant which the local chandlery spec'ed the right fluids for me. Then I may get courageous and remove the injector to check it, as well as as the head gasket. I'm on sabbatical for 6 weeks, so no rush other than I'd rather be sailing than fixing stuff--although fixing and learning systems when I have time off is much easier than stressing about getting things done in a few free hours each weekend.

Well, at least for now I can share the good photos of the guys day sail last Sunday.