Hard Work = sailing pleasure

[Jim Seamans]

For the last two days I have been going through the boat preparing for our trip to the Bahamas, Eleuthera and Exumas Islands.

I'm tired and still only half way there....

Pulled the chain and rode out of the locker. Marked the chain every 15ft and cleaned the anchor locker.
Removed the propane bucket from the starboard lazertte(SP you know what I mean). Removed the two 5lb tanks that have lots of rust on the bottom. Have ordered from Sailboatowners two fiber glass 10lb tanks. Will cut and add 6 inches to the existing bucket to hold the new tanks. Measurements says they will fit. Pictures of this will follow.

Refrigeration system is toast. Compressor failed. So I removed the Alder-Barbour and evaporator. Will be installing a new system Frigoboat in the next couple of weeks.

checked proper shaft alignment, not problems found.
checked the impeller and found a broken vane which was wedged in the exhaust port side, was able to remove it. Installed new impeller.

Cleaned all strainers.

Shower sump box has a broken input connector. So that will need to be replaced.

 

[Bob McL]

My - you HAVE been busy! It never ends

 

[Bob R.]

Jim,
I have enjoyed your posts over the years on your boat projects. I have owned a 2002 H356 for 6 years and have a long list of projects I want to do (many inspired by you), but not enough time to get them done (still have a day job for at least another 2 years). One of those projects is upgrading my house battery bank (including a dedicated starter battery, higher output alternator w/ an external voltage regulator and a battery monitor). I liked what you did putting your house bank under the starboard bench seat behind the cabin table. Now I am adding the propane lock modifications to my project list. Another 356 owner I met at the Hunter Rendezvous a couple of weeks ago in Annapolis had the same idea (cutting out the bottom of the locker and extending it to hold larger tanks). I was hoping you were going to be at the rendezvous, I would have loved to see Java.

Keep us posted on your projects.

 

[Benny17441]

Make a project schedule and allow yourself some additional extra time to complete some of the tasks as after all you are working on a boat. I love the planning stages of a trip and listening to your boat preparations has gotten my blood flowing. Hey, you are half way done!

 

[Scott B]

Yeah Jim, I'm REALLY sorry to hear about ALL the hard work you're having to go through..........

 

[justsomeguy]

For the last two days I have been going through the boat preparing for our trip to the Bahamas, Eleuthera and Exumas Islands.

I'm tired and still only half way there....

Pulled the chain and rode out of the locker. Marked the chain every 15ft and cleaned the anchor locker.
Removed the propane bucket from the starboard lazertte(SP you know what I mean). Removed the two 5lb tanks that have lots of rust on the bottom. Have ordered from Sailboatowners two fiber glass 10lb tanks. Will cut and add 6 inches to the existing bucket to hold the new tanks. Measurements says they will fit. Pictures of this will follow.

Refrigeration system is toast. Compressor failed. So I removed the Alder-Barbour and evaporator. Will be installing a new system Frigoboat in the next couple of weeks.

checked proper shaft alignment, not problems found.
checked the impeller and found a broken vane which was wedged in the exhaust port side, was able to remove it. Installed new impeller.

Cleaned all strainers.

Shower sump box has a broken input connector. So that will need to be replaced.

Would you rather work on a house? Have fun on your trip!

 

[onecoolair]

you show yours and I will show you mine

Jim .......I also have 2002 H356....Very interested in your inlarging of the propane locker. I still have the original tank (1) right now and plenty of rust. So will be needing to replace tank soon. I have also lots of other fixes and improvement which I would be glad to share. Keep me posted. onecoolair@yahoo.com

 

[Bad Obsession]

Good luck Jim. I hope that they have enough Rum for you in the islands!

 

[Jim Seamans]

Thanks everyone.
BobR, we were planning to go to the Hunter Rendezvous, but family showed up from Iowa and we had a house full.

Getting the refrigeration installed is starting to be a real pain. I've called three different vendors in the Annapolis area for quote. After two weeks I've only had one respond.

 

[onecoolair]

Thanks everyone.
BobR, we were planning to go to the Hunter Rendezvous, but family showed up from Iowa and we had a house full.

Getting the refrigeration installed is starting to be a real pain. I've called three different vendors in the Annapolis area for quote. After two weeks I've only had one respond.

Jim....Why not just just replace freezer with another adler barbour cold machine. Are you sure the compessor went bad? Maybe it just needed new strader valves and freon?

 

[Jim Seamans]

for Onecoolair

Yes its toast. Had a leak at the connector- low side which dumped all the 134 on the floor while still running. Got a fellow boater who works on BIG Hvac systems stopped by to look at it. Turn the refrig on and about 5 secs later the fuse trips. Told me the compressor has seized up.

Called Alder-Barbour and they don't make a compatible evaporator. The one in the boat is obsolete and they don't make them.

Time to switch to a new system. Frigoboat make what I need...

back to the propane locker....time to cut the fiber glass..

 

[Jim Seamans]

Propane locker

Locker has been cut and enlarged. Was at the boat this morning checking for fit. YEA IT FITS... small adjustment of a 1/2" since it was just barely touching on the bow side of the pan. Now the fun starts re-fiber glassing the tub back together...

 

[chuckwayne]

Re: Propane locker

Hey Jim,
that looks great! that would be a great project for this winter, I'd love to switch to the new fiber tanks....we used 7lbs of propane, the stock 4lb tank plus 3 1lb tanks on the flotilla.
Our flotilla went real well, 17 days out with 8-12 boats downeast.got in some great sailing-great spinnaker runs into Pennobscot bay. got to drool over the superyachts in the shipyard cup and see some real classics.

good luck on your projects-it was a pleasure meeting you in Portland!
chuck

 

[Jim Seamans]

YEA! they fit...

Just got my new fiberglass propane tanks and immediately popped them into the modified tank locker. THEY FIT GREAT...

Now all I have to do is paint the inside and maybe outside... cut the holes for the electrical and gas line. Then I'll be in business..

 

[robertsapp]

Re: YEA! they fit...

Since you're making the locker deeper, how are you maintaining the proper slope on the line that is supposed to run from the bottom of the locker overboard to let propane flow out of the boat if there's a leak?

 

[Jim Seamans]

Robert, still plenty of room and slope for the drain. I Check that one...!