'86 O'Day 272 Continuous Thread for RLPeeples

[rlpeeples88]

I've inspected the systems as best I can. I found only one hose that was not attached, and it was for the galley sink. Everything else looks attached and clamped off correctly.

I have another question about charging the battery onboard. Right now I am just using one battery and there is a Guest charger. Do I have to have shore power hooked up to use the Guest charger to charge my battery? I would assume so because the Guest charger has to get power from somewhere other than the battery, to charge the battery.

 

[jibes138]

Yes

You need to have shore power to use your battery charger. It sounds like your motor has an alternator that when connected to the battery will also charge it. Of course the motor must be running for that to happen.
When you connected the hose to the sink did the pump provide pressure water or is it still leaking into the bilge?

 

[rlpeeples88]

I never connected the hose back to the sink. On Tuesday, I saw that it was disconnected but I just left it alone for another day. Next time I'm back at the boat, I will connect it and turn the pump on and see what happens. But I think that was my problem.

 

[SailingCal21]

I've been surprised at the way some of the hose clamps on Karma have failed. I'd suggest that you do not rely on simply a visual inspection and that you loosen each clamp and move it around for a 360 degree view of the clamp then re-tighten.

On Karma some of the clamps have failed on the opposite side of the tightening screw. They've simply corroded through on the backside where you can't get a good visual. They look shinny and secure, however once loosen and rotated so that the clamp gets unstuck from the hose they've simply failed.

There are volumes on this and other forums concerning "hose clamp science".

 

[jibes138]

Sailing Cal21,
Try picking up the equivalent of a dental mirror. Auto supply stores sell them. I keep one on board, it is bigger than a dental mirror but the same idea, great for looking behind things and in nooks and crannies. Mine is extendable and the mirror is adjustable to different angles from the handle.

 

[rlpeeples88]

This is the pump and its hoses.

 

[25yearslater]

Here's a pic of one of those mirrors jibes is referring to. You can see places you might not want to see with these things but they are really handy.

 

[SailingCal21]

RL,

That looks to be your fresh water system. The hose to the left looks suspect. Swelling like that indicates an imminent hose failure. However a failure in your fresh water system will be a nuisance and not catastrophic.

The clamps that bear closest inspection are the ones that are connected to thru-hull fittings. They should be inspected and double clamped as a failure in one of these could be catastrophic.

If you're a newbie to old sailing vessels, I'd high recommend Don Street's "This Old Boat". It's a good read and reference for pretty much everything you're running into.

 

[rlpeeples88]

Does anybody know how to deattach the cabin windows from the outside of the boat? I want to rebed and reseal the windows to prevent leaks since it hasn't been done in a while. And the way the windows are designed on my boat, they screw into the boat on the outside. I started today on the portside, aft window by unscrewing the screws but the window is literally glued or cemented to some sealant and won't come off. The only way I see getting the window removed is by using a puddy knife and working my way underneath the window. But that seems tideous and risky.

 

[jibes138]

What kind of window, do you have a picture? Is it just a piece of lexan bonded to the outside with sheet metal screws? O'Day seems to be notorious for this design. Or is it a window with a frame that inserts through the cabin with a trim piece inside? Is it an opening port?

 

[rlpeeples88]

Windows

Ding, Ding, Ding! We have a winner. You guessed it, Lexan windows bonded to the outside with sheet metal screws. Take a look at the pics. You'll see where the PO tried to put 3M sealant around the windows to stop minor leaking problems. But it didn't really work. So I need to rebed the windows. However, the windows are bonded so tightly to the boat, I'm sure how to remove them. Any ideas?

Robert

 

[rlpeeples88]

Re: Windows

*Not sure how to remove them.

 

[DeniseO30]

Hey! stop taking pics of my boat! LOL I've the same problem but need to get new plexi or lexan.

 

[jibes138]

Window

If the prior owner gooped them up with who knows what then getting them off may involve some cutting and grinding. A lot of people make this kind of mistake, they see a leak so they add some sealant. Much better to remove the window, clean all surfaces and prepare them per manufacturer instructions then apply the sealant of choice to the surfaces and mount them. I believe the sheet metal screws are merely to hold the window in place while the sealant cures. They are not structurally adequate for window retention so the only purpose I see is to form the plastic to the curvature of the boat while the sealant cures.

 

[rlpeeples88]

Dead Battery Issue

So, I have a dead battery. How do I charge it?

I'm thinking by using this Guest 10 amp Charger. Only thing is, I'm not sure how to set that up. The charger has 3 black wires that come out the bottom. I believe 2 of these hook up to the battery, and the other is a plug that goes into an outlet that I have in the cockpit where the battery and electrical stuff is kept. So, do I plug the charger into the outlet, connect boat to shore power and flip the ac panel outlet switch to on to give power to the outlets so the charger has power to charge the dead battery?

Thanks,

See pic for reference. Also, the black cable coiled up on the right side plugs directly into an outlet that you can't see in the picture.

 

[Pat]

Re: Window

Ours most forward lexan window in the main cabin on the port side needed replacement. We ordered one from Rudy at D & R Marine. He sent it, but we did not use dow corning 795......took the old one off, put the new one on...used brand x sealant, then it shattered into a thousand pieces the first cold night...So I called Rudy, ordered another one (they are not cheap), and he restated that we were only to use Dow Chemical 795.
We found it and got two tubes.....the reason to use it is temperature rise and fall. It is used by automobile
windshield shops because it will survive the freeze-thaw cycles....has never leaked again.....the screws are not to hold it tight against the cabin side....just to help in that respect....If you order the replacement from Rudy you will get a perfect set of instructions......taking the old one off was a pain....but not more than maybe an hour to an hour and a half's work....you must have a clean surface...please follow the instructions..again, the screws are tightened some...i.e. a little, but the caulk is the seal....It looks really good.

 

[rlpeeples88]

Well how did you get the old window off? That's my problem.