I hate it when I cut corners and it goes awry. I'm working hard, on-shore, trying to put a kitty away so *I* can go away. Then the raw water thru-hull on my Catalina 27 started leaking. Not much, at first, just a drip every 2 minutes or so, and only when it was open and "Tommy" the trusty Atomic Four is running. The "Julia Bell" is due bottom paint and such and it's planned and budgeted for, but, not yet in the picture. I don't mind sailing without a motor, it's easy here, except I'm in an downwind slip, and that's a handful sometimes. Then, the wheel gate valve began leaking even in the closed position. In order to negate my bad Neptune credits here's what I did (so far) so, you don't do it too . . . Working on a thru-hull with the hull in the water is like juggling. I made sure I had all possibly needed items staged and within arms reach. Soft wooden plugs and a mallet, the new ball valve, seven different tools, Liquid Wrench, and a pint of Jack Daniels. I though about going over the side and shoving a wooden plug into the in-hole (even laid out my wetsuit and the water here is finally over 70) when I saw what I really really hope was a Clark Bar float by and I decided to skip that part. I removed the two stainless steel hose clamps and the raw water hose from the valve and drained what was on the engine side into the bilge. The interface 90 degree pipe came free easily, hoisting my spirits, as surly it's been there as long as the main piece. Let's see, that's 32 years . . . I took a deep breath and a swig on the J.D. figuring, if it all went terribly wrong, my Attwood 1250 GPM pump would keep me afloat until I figured something out, and then there was always the dock lines. In looking closely at the volcano flanges (Frank Butler's office 1970, "Hey Boss, I figured us a way to save four-hundred a boat.") I notice small stress fractures in the surrounding fiberglass. I'm glad I played all those games of "Operation" when I was a kid, this was going to take a delicate touch, and another pull on the J.D. I carefully placed a heavy 14-inch (thin) pipe wrench I found at Harbor Freight (better then W.M. and BT.U.S. for keeping you afloat on a budget) on the bottom flange and a smaller crescent wrench on the valve itself. And I pulled until I got scared. No go . . . I can't dare push any harder for fear of breaking the valve and all that. I filled the valve, from the top, with Liquid Wrench, and plugged it with a wooden plug. I'll wait until tomorrow and try again. Keep your radios tuned to sixteen in case I need help . . . Nick "Julia Bell" 1971 #86 San Diego
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We also had a small leak in the through hull which I though about fixing while in the water. After much anxiety I decided to wait until it was out. Please let us know how it went.
We also had a small leak in the through hull which I though about fixing while in the water. After much anxiety I decided to wait until it was out. Please let us know how it went.
LaDonnaAll's Well on the
I awoke early, it's six o'clock in the morning as I fumbled with the coffee, and my glasses, and again laid out the wrenches and the wooden plugs. After soaking all night (me and the valve) I placed two medium size wrenches on the wheel gate and pulled. She came free easily and I plugged the whole and drew a breath. As I cleaned the threads and wrapped them in Teflon. I tried not to think there's nothing between me and the ocean except a false move. The new ball valve went on easily and I attached the hose after that. I flicked the handle up and she didn't weap. Now all's that's left is the smoke test. My holding tank needs a dump so I'll go over to the fuel dock this afty and try it all out . . . Alright . . . Nick "Julia Bell" C-27 #86
I awoke early, it's six o'clock in the morning as I fumbled with the coffee, and my glasses, and again laid out the wrenches and the wooden plugs. After soaking all night (me and the valve) I placed two medium size wrenches on the wheel gate and pulled. She came free easily and I plugged the whole and drew a breath. As I cleaned the threads and wrapped them in Teflon. I tried not to think there's nothing between me and the ocean except a false move. The new ball valve went on easily and I attached the hose after that. I flicked the handle up and she didn't weap. Now all's that's left is the smoke test. My holding tank needs a dump so I'll go over to the fuel dock this afty and try it all out . . . Alright . . . Nick "Julia Bell" C-27 #86
WoW . . .
San Diego had a killer sunset this evening and I appreciated it after 2 hours of motoring (around and under the Coronado Bridge and up and around America's Cup Harbor).I raised the jib and ghosted the last mile to my slip and tied her up. Flashlight in hand I gingerly opened the hatch for a look-see. No leaks, dry as a bone. I'll replace these valves with proper thru-hulls the next time she's hauled. Until then, what a sweet boat she is . . . Nick C-27 '71, #86
San Diego had a killer sunset this evening and I appreciated it after 2 hours of motoring (around and under the Coronado Bridge and up and around America's Cup Harbor).I raised the jib and ghosted the last mile to my slip and tied her up. Flashlight in hand I gingerly opened the hatch for a look-see. No leaks, dry as a bone. I'll replace these valves with proper thru-hulls the next time she's hauled. Until then, what a sweet boat she is . . . Nick C-27 '71, #86
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