Got Stuck....

All U Get · Mar 31, 2012

I've been stuck in there too on our Catalina with my wife sitting next to the locker reading a book. I've had her pulling a foot or leg and bending it backwards thinking she was helping. Usually I ask her to get me a gin to replace my blood loss and/or wind up with the leg cramps Stu had mentioned. Always an ugly sight. I tried tying a line across the cockpit, but by the time I could reach the line, I was out.
This year will be different; lost twenty pounds, more space on cruising boat, will get help for small holes.
All U Get

Ron20324 · Mar 31, 2012

Maine, were you on the clock for the time you were stuck- and bill the customer???

Stu Jackson · Mar 31, 2012

Phil Herring said:
Stu, I really like the image of you driving around the Bay Area in a Dodge Dart.

Ah, yes, those were the good old daze.

My soon-to-be wife had a Fiat Spider sports car and I had the Dart, neither with air conditioning. We'd drop the top on the Fiat, and with the Dart we could close the windows and still get a breeze inside when we opened the doors on those huge vent boxes below the dashboard! And in summer California valley heat, too.

Traded the Fiat in for a Ford Escort station wagon when the kid came around. Ah, the downsides of becoming a "family man!"

Joe11688 · Mar 31, 2012

That same thing happened to me years ago and it was scary. The only way I could get in through that lazarett hatch opening was head first with my back against the bilge floor. I was stuck and in a position where I was having trouble trying to breath. It's a good thing I was not doing this on a 90 degree day or I'd have died in there. I managed to wiggle my body out of there after a while.
After that I installed an 8" deck plate in the center of my inside transom and was able to get at my self bailing hose very easy.
I found out the hard way that it's a good idea to have someone present when you climb into an area like that. Back then I was 40 lbs overweight and that didn't help either.
Joe

Phil Herring · Mar 31, 2012

You know Ron20324, that might count as "travel time."

DougM · Mar 31, 2012

Fortunately for me, weight is not a major issue. My only confined space issues are the fact that I am 6' 7" tall, have hands big enough to palm a basketball, can't see close up in dimly lit spaces, lack flexibility, and always manage to drop tools or parts into the bilge. Otherwise working on the innards ofmy boat is no problem...

Stu Jackson · Mar 31, 2012

The honesty exhibited here is truly heartwarming!

Ross · Mar 31, 2012

I have often wondered how some plumbers are able to change sink faucets in bathroom cabinets. Some bathrooms are about four feet square and the sink cabinet door is 16 inches wide and the connections are behind the basin and twenty-four inches up. To be able to see and work I can get my head and shoulders inside if I roll up on my side to squeeze through the door and then roll onto my back with my ribs against the door jambs and with the entry door about three feet from the front of the cabinet. I know a 125 pound woman that can do that and ask why I have a problem.

Sailm8 · Mar 31, 2012

Stu Jackson said:
Ah, yes, those were the good old daze.

My soon-to-be wife had a Fiat Spider sports car and I had the Dart, neither with air conditioning. We'd drop the top on the Fiat, and with the Dart we could close the windows and still get a breeze inside when we opened the doors on those huge vent boxes below the dashboard! And in summer California valley heat, too.

Traded the Fiat in for a Ford Escort station wagon when the kid came around. Ah, the downsides of becoming a "family man!"

My God this is MY story except it was a Fiat 850 sport coupe. First kid was born and no room for all the baby crap. Traded it in for a good safe family car. A Ford Pinto! Death on 4 wheels.

Rick D · Mar 31, 2012

Me Too Stu...

Stu Jackson said:
Ah, yes, those were the good old daze.

My soon-to-be wife had a Fiat Spider sports car and I had the Dart, neither with air conditioning. We'd drop the top on the Fiat, and with the Dart we could close the windows and still get a breeze inside when we opened the doors on those huge vent boxes below the dashboard! And in summer California valley heat, too.

Traded the Fiat in for a Ford Escort station wagon when the kid came around. Ah, the downsides of becoming a "family man!"

Dodge Dart (340ci), Fiat 1200 Spyder & Ford Falcon Wagon.
I'll look you up when our YC gets up there for the AC elimination finals August 2013. Still picking dates.

Salty · Mar 31, 2012

Maine, Now I am nervous after reading your post because tomorrow I am replacing my LPG thru-hull. I hope I don’t get stuck but just in case, I’ll hold the cell phone, and try not to panic and tie a line around my waist so I can be hauled out if needed

Stu Jackson · Mar 31, 2012

Ross said:
I have often wondered how some plumbers are able to change sink faucets in bathroom cabinets. Some bathrooms are about four feet square and the sink cabinet door is 16 inches wide and the connections are behind the basin and twenty-four inches up. To be able to see and work I can get my head and shoulders inside if I roll up on my side to squeeze through the door and then roll onto my back with my ribs against the door jambs and with the entry door about three feet from the front of the cabinet. I know a 125 pound woman that can do that and ask why I have a problem.

I'm still tryin' to figure out what tool they use to get to the faucets!

Stu Jackson · Mar 31, 2012

Rick D said:
Dodge Dart (340ci), Fiat 1200 Spyder & Ford Falcon Wagon.
I'll look you up when our YC gets up there for the AC elimination finals August 2013. Still picking dates.

Please do so. Would love to meet you and take you for a ride. Not necessarily in any of those cars, though.

finding41 · Mar 31, 2012

Here is the tool. It's called a tap wrench. I should have one out in the van. There are other types that fit on a socket wrench but I prefer this all in one type. (only one piece for the guys to lose)

Ross · Mar 31, 2012

That's the ticket! can use a crow foot wrench but these are better most of the time.

sinnettc · Mar 31, 2012

Makes me claustrophobic just reading your story.

Ray Bowles · Mar 31, 2012

I have a special tool for those tight spaces. He's my neighbors son, 12 years old, 5'1" and works for $5. Way cheaper than a diet.
Maine Sail, another great story.
Thanks, Ray

Ross · Apr 1, 2012

Try to imagine being in a tight place like that and having a heart attack. I had a friend tell me that her dad was a plumber and died while flat on his back under a customer's kitchen sink.

WayneH · Apr 1, 2012

Let's see. the port side stereo speaker, the new RAM cable, the solar panel cables are all on the port side with the cockpit hatch on the starboard side. Between the Edson cables and the water heater, there is enough room for my head minus one ear. Which is interesting deciding which ear to rip off. I go in feet first so I can tuck my feet under the rudder quadrant and then swivel my body under the steering cables and over the water heater. If I'm not scrunched up enough under the quadrant, I hit the turning blocks on steering post between the eyes. Once on the other side of the water heater, there is another open space and I have room to drop down to the hull.

Getting out is even more fun. I have to get my feet higher than my head to get them under the quadrant then lift my body to get over the water heater. Remember to scrunch down so I don't clip the turning blocks with any body parts. Twist my head to get the upper ear between the cables so I can rotate my head under them and get free. Straighten out slightly in the bottom of the starboard locker so that I get blood flowing to my legs again. Climb out. Have an adult beverage and swear to never go down that hole again.

Too bad I couldn't do all three jobs at the same time. I now have lots of experience climbing over the heater. Plus we are getting a new solar panel soon and it's cables can not be wired into the existing run so I see another trip into the locker in the near future.

Anybody know where I can get a small contortionist? I called a company to order one but the guy said they were backordered at least 18 years. Dangit.

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