Well, we are really enjoying our new to us 1990 P-42. However, I have come across a few things that maybe some of guys could clear up for me. 1. First, the hatchs. Not the large ones front and back, but the smaller ones scattered around. They appear to be just slabs of acrylic about 3/8th of an inch thick. Does anyone know who made them? There is no identification on them. I believe there are either 3 or 4 of them and all of them can be lifted about 1/4 of an inch off of the gaskets. I assume there must be some way to adjust the latchs so they pull down tight. 2. The bilge area just ahead of the compression post is getting some water in it. I have been unable to determine where it would have come from, but even worse it seems that the bilge areas are not connected. When pumping the bilge, which is aft of the area I am talking about, the water in this compartment doesn't seem to have any way to get to the pump. I wonder if I am missing something. As to where the water came from, the only thing in the bottom of this area are several keel bolts. However, when we first took delivery of the boat the area was dry and after we took it out for the sea-trial and one subsequent sail it was dry. Then after sailing this past weekend there was about a gallon of water in when we returned. After bailing it out, it doesn't seem to be leaking anywhere. Any thoughts? 3. We spent all of the long New Years weekend aboard and had a great time. I am not sure if I have conquered the settings on the refer/freezer yet. It seems like the fridge works too good and the freezer could work better. However, by the end of the weekend we had ice in the freezer and the stuff in the fridge unthawed. We finally ended up with the freezer on the highest setting and according to the thermometer settled in around 20 F. The fridge was the same temp with a mid range setting, however, we did finally get it above freezing toward the end of the weekend. I have seen other posts on the board here concerning this, but for different model Hunters. Is there any interaction between the fridge/freezer oon the 42 that I have heard others talk about on other models? I can't find where it would be if there is. Is it just a matter of experimenting for a while to come up with some settings that work? All in all, we love the boat so far. I am beginning to better understand most of the systems and things are starting to make sense. Thanks to all, Steve Watford
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
B
bill walton
congrats on a neat boat
First of all , welcome to the club. I think the consensus of P42 owners would state a real happiness with their boats. I know I am really happy with mine. If my fridge is set at the warmest, it will run about 30 degrees. I think it would be more agreeable if I move the sensor bulb of the thermostat. My freezer stays around 20 on a medium setting according to the thermometer I have installed. So far I've just lived with it. Water in the bilge can come from the keel bolts, or the stuffing box, or A/C condensation or probably a few other places. Owners with more experience may have other ideas to offer. Mine occasionally gets wet because I forget to turn on the shower sump and the sump box overflows. In the summer, the A/C will drain into it. Mine has several passages from other compartments opening into the bilge. Look carefully, they're probably there. Can't offer much about the ports. I assume you are talking about the opening ports in the salon and the owner's stateroom. Mine tighten up nicely. do you have the screens installed? They take up some room in the gaskets. best of luck and have fun. bw
First of all , welcome to the club. I think the consensus of P42 owners would state a real happiness with their boats. I know I am really happy with mine. If my fridge is set at the warmest, it will run about 30 degrees. I think it would be more agreeable if I move the sensor bulb of the thermostat. My freezer stays around 20 on a medium setting according to the thermometer I have installed. So far I've just lived with it. Water in the bilge can come from the keel bolts, or the stuffing box, or A/C condensation or probably a few other places. Owners with more experience may have other ideas to offer. Mine occasionally gets wet because I forget to turn on the shower sump and the sump box overflows. In the summer, the A/C will drain into it. Mine has several passages from other compartments opening into the bilge. Look carefully, they're probably there. Can't offer much about the ports. I assume you are talking about the opening ports in the salon and the owner's stateroom. Mine tighten up nicely. do you have the screens installed? They take up some room in the gaskets. best of luck and have fun. bw
G
Gordon Myers
Answers ?
We had a 1994 P-42 (hull # 156). The forward bildge (on ours) had a small hole on the aft section leading under the mast post support to the main bildge. I believe that under the mast post support there is a + shape opening allowing bildge water to come from starboard & port sections of the boat and allowing the same water to move fore & aft. Question: You said that you had water in the forward section, but did you have any in the main bildge, just aft of the mast post support ? We would get water in the forward section, but it would only stay there if there was also water in the main section. Water comes from a lot of sources, including: Forward AC unit - condensate. The condnsate water is / was not piped. Therefore the water leaked into the bildge. The AC unit is on the starboard side under the seats. When healed to starboard, forward shower sump, forward head sink and or forward head can put water over the inside and into the foward bildge. Fridge & Freezer. 1st - the Fridge control knob should be white in color and the Freezer control knob should be black. The color knobs indicate the type of controls. Ours came with both white contols, which would not let the Freezer freeze. 2nd - the evaporators for both units are under the last step. When you remove the stainless steel gill you will notice the Fridge evaporator which is in plain view (starboard side). However, the Freezer evaporator is partically block (port side). It does not get as much air moving over it as there should be. Be sure to keep these clean (also the AC evaporators). We used a shop vac. 3rd - the Freezer needs to be full to work well. Hope this helps.
We had a 1994 P-42 (hull # 156). The forward bildge (on ours) had a small hole on the aft section leading under the mast post support to the main bildge. I believe that under the mast post support there is a + shape opening allowing bildge water to come from starboard & port sections of the boat and allowing the same water to move fore & aft. Question: You said that you had water in the forward section, but did you have any in the main bildge, just aft of the mast post support ? We would get water in the forward section, but it would only stay there if there was also water in the main section. Water comes from a lot of sources, including: Forward AC unit - condensate. The condnsate water is / was not piped. Therefore the water leaked into the bildge. The AC unit is on the starboard side under the seats. When healed to starboard, forward shower sump, forward head sink and or forward head can put water over the inside and into the foward bildge. Fridge & Freezer. 1st - the Fridge control knob should be white in color and the Freezer control knob should be black. The color knobs indicate the type of controls. Ours came with both white contols, which would not let the Freezer freeze. 2nd - the evaporators for both units are under the last step. When you remove the stainless steel gill you will notice the Fridge evaporator which is in plain view (starboard side). However, the Freezer evaporator is partically block (port side). It does not get as much air moving over it as there should be. Be sure to keep these clean (also the AC evaporators). We used a shop vac. 3rd - the Freezer needs to be full to work well. Hope this helps.
S
Steve Watford
A little clarification
Thanks for the suggestions Gordon and Bill. Perhaps I can clarify a few things from the original posting. 1. The hatches I am referring to are the flat acrylic panel hatches over the heads, one in the main salon and one over the galley. When the latch is in the closed position you can still move the acrylic plate up and down about 1/4 of an inch. They leak now and I would like to be able to get them draw down tighter when closed. 2. The bilge I am referring to is in front of the compression post. There was some water in the main bilge, but when it was pumped dry the water remained in the forward bilge area I am referring to. It doesn't seem to be able to go anywhere. It looks like it would have to fill up about a foot deep where it would then pour over into the other bilge area. I believe that it would then get back to the bilge pump. I believe I looked pretty well and didn't see any holes down there to allow it drain to the main bilge. All that is down there are keel bolts and some ground cables going to the keel bolts. There are several pumps in the area and also lines going to the holding tank that could be leaking, but I tried running everything and couldn't find any leaks. I am more concerned about the apparent inability of the water there to get to the main bilge. Seems like a design problem. 3. We noticed the freezer worked much better when we stuck a couple of gallons of water there. Thanks as always, Steve
Thanks for the suggestions Gordon and Bill. Perhaps I can clarify a few things from the original posting. 1. The hatches I am referring to are the flat acrylic panel hatches over the heads, one in the main salon and one over the galley. When the latch is in the closed position you can still move the acrylic plate up and down about 1/4 of an inch. They leak now and I would like to be able to get them draw down tighter when closed. 2. The bilge I am referring to is in front of the compression post. There was some water in the main bilge, but when it was pumped dry the water remained in the forward bilge area I am referring to. It doesn't seem to be able to go anywhere. It looks like it would have to fill up about a foot deep where it would then pour over into the other bilge area. I believe that it would then get back to the bilge pump. I believe I looked pretty well and didn't see any holes down there to allow it drain to the main bilge. All that is down there are keel bolts and some ground cables going to the keel bolts. There are several pumps in the area and also lines going to the holding tank that could be leaking, but I tried running everything and couldn't find any leaks. I am more concerned about the apparent inability of the water there to get to the main bilge. Seems like a design problem. 3. We noticed the freezer worked much better when we stuck a couple of gallons of water there. Thanks as always, Steve
G
Gordon Myers
Look Again
Steve, look again, there should be about a 1/2" diameter hole leading betweent the two bildges. The hole should also be apparent from the main bildge. Once you pump out the main there will still be water in the forward one. It can not get out as quickly as you pump the main out and the hole is slightly raised, trapping a little water there.
Steve, look again, there should be about a 1/2" diameter hole leading betweent the two bildges. The hole should also be apparent from the main bildge. Once you pump out the main there will still be water in the forward one. It can not get out as quickly as you pump the main out and the hole is slightly raised, trapping a little water there.
B
bill walton
hatches
can the latches be adjusted further. Mine have a philips screw that occasionally come loose. This would account for the play between the sill and the latch. There should also be a rubber gasket around the opening in the hull.
can the latches be adjusted further. Mine have a philips screw that occasionally come loose. This would account for the play between the sill and the latch. There should also be a rubber gasket around the opening in the hull.
S
Steve Watford
Hatches
Bill, I wondered if I was going to even be able to get a couple of the phillips screws you mentioned broken loose. They were very tight. The rubber gasket is still in place and for the age of the boat, quite soft. I don't think they have compressed to the point that they would allow as much play as there is now. I was wondering if maybe there were some spacers or bushings that could be installed in the latch assembly to tighten them up, but it seems if you add spacers it would just move the latch further down which would increase the play, not reduce it. Do you by any chance know who actually made these hatches? I know the 2 large ones are Bomar according to the manual, but I haven't found who made these smaller ones in there. I am going to be there tonight and will pull one of them totally apart and see if I can figure anything else out. Thanks, Steve
Bill, I wondered if I was going to even be able to get a couple of the phillips screws you mentioned broken loose. They were very tight. The rubber gasket is still in place and for the age of the boat, quite soft. I don't think they have compressed to the point that they would allow as much play as there is now. I was wondering if maybe there were some spacers or bushings that could be installed in the latch assembly to tighten them up, but it seems if you add spacers it would just move the latch further down which would increase the play, not reduce it. Do you by any chance know who actually made these hatches? I know the 2 large ones are Bomar according to the manual, but I haven't found who made these smaller ones in there. I am going to be there tonight and will pull one of them totally apart and see if I can figure anything else out. Thanks, Steve
B
Bill Sheehy
Remove Spacers
You want to the remove spacers. Also you said water gets in when you wash the boat. I would try putting a playing card around the seals and see if you can get it between the glass and seal. You could also have someone go on the outside with a flashlight and shine the light around the edge. If you see light you have a gap. Thats how we looked for gaps on the doors on a/p's.
You want to the remove spacers. Also you said water gets in when you wash the boat. I would try putting a playing card around the seals and see if you can get it between the glass and seal. You could also have someone go on the outside with a flashlight and shine the light around the edge. If you see light you have a gap. Thats how we looked for gaps on the doors on a/p's.
D
dave fraser
Refrig/freezer problems
Steve, I own a '93 P-42, hull #106. I've had the boat for 2.5 years and lived aboard for two seasons, having similiar problems with my frig.. Here's what I've found out: 1) There is an opening at the top rear of the panel dividing the fridge and freezer.This allows colder air from the freezer to cross flow into the fridge. On my boat, this caused the freezer to not get as cold a necessary, and the refrig go too cold- below freezing. OJ was frozen in the morning.Bad. I have the freezer set on max (7) and the refrig on min (1). If you are plugged into the pier with unlimited power it's a pain but livable. We cruise the Maine coast each August for the month. The fridge/freezer cycles on and off continuously, sucking down the 2 new 8D house batteries. We have to run our generator 1.5 - 2 hours each morning and evening to keep up. If you are staying as a coastal cruiser, guess it's OK. 2) We are taking our boat cruising the Carib starting in Oct 2000. We are replacing the refrig/freezer with a 12 volt DC Glacier Bay water cooled system using large holding plates. We will plug the cross flow hole, and install compressable gaskets on all openings. This will take the freezer to 0 degrees or lower and keep the fridge at 37 degrees running 2 hrs/day in the AM. 3) We have trouble with water in the front bildge too, and it often stinks. It is connected to the main bilge by a weep hole, but it does drain well. We run a dry bildge boat using a PSS (packless shaft seal) on the prop shaft. NO water comes into the boat. It's worked great for 2 years now. We love our boat. It's now getting equipped with all the goodies to go south. Washer/dryer, SSB w/ e-mail, more fuel tankage, Spectra water-maker and lots more. Good luck with yours.
Steve, I own a '93 P-42, hull #106. I've had the boat for 2.5 years and lived aboard for two seasons, having similiar problems with my frig.. Here's what I've found out: 1) There is an opening at the top rear of the panel dividing the fridge and freezer.This allows colder air from the freezer to cross flow into the fridge. On my boat, this caused the freezer to not get as cold a necessary, and the refrig go too cold- below freezing. OJ was frozen in the morning.Bad. I have the freezer set on max (7) and the refrig on min (1). If you are plugged into the pier with unlimited power it's a pain but livable. We cruise the Maine coast each August for the month. The fridge/freezer cycles on and off continuously, sucking down the 2 new 8D house batteries. We have to run our generator 1.5 - 2 hours each morning and evening to keep up. If you are staying as a coastal cruiser, guess it's OK. 2) We are taking our boat cruising the Carib starting in Oct 2000. We are replacing the refrig/freezer with a 12 volt DC Glacier Bay water cooled system using large holding plates. We will plug the cross flow hole, and install compressable gaskets on all openings. This will take the freezer to 0 degrees or lower and keep the fridge at 37 degrees running 2 hrs/day in the AM. 3) We have trouble with water in the front bildge too, and it often stinks. It is connected to the main bilge by a weep hole, but it does drain well. We run a dry bildge boat using a PSS (packless shaft seal) on the prop shaft. NO water comes into the boat. It's worked great for 2 years now. We love our boat. It's now getting equipped with all the goodies to go south. Washer/dryer, SSB w/ e-mail, more fuel tankage, Spectra water-maker and lots more. Good luck with yours.
M
Marvin Fulk
Aft storage areas
While I'am not real experienced with the 42, I have had mine for a year now and find that it is an excellant boat with allot of room an dcomforts. During the summer I would get water in my bilge area and tried many things to correct this situation. When I had the boat hauled out for the winter, I noticed that I was still getting water in the bilge. I finally located the problem, water was leaking around the openings of the aft storage compartments on the main deck because the drains were plugged up. These two compartments will drain down into the bilge area. After fixing these drains the bige stayed dry.
While I'am not real experienced with the 42, I have had mine for a year now and find that it is an excellant boat with allot of room an dcomforts. During the summer I would get water in my bilge area and tried many things to correct this situation. When I had the boat hauled out for the winter, I noticed that I was still getting water in the bilge. I finally located the problem, water was leaking around the openings of the aft storage compartments on the main deck because the drains were plugged up. These two compartments will drain down into the bilge area. After fixing these drains the bige stayed dry.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.