My knotmeter stopped working and I'm sure something is in the paddle wheel. Has anyone pulled the sending unit from inside the cabin to check the wheel , if so what should I expect. The thought of pulling a plug out of the bottom of the boat scares the you know what out of me. I have the part that replaces the sending unit.
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Yes, I have....
Yes, Ron, I've done that. Stand ready with the plug to quickly insert in the hole when you pull the transducer out. Naturally, you'll get a stream of water so you must move quickly. Oddly enough, the water pressure will not be very strong and the plug should go in quite easily. If you move quickly, the amount of water should be less than a pint, easy to sponge up. Even though it's fairly easy, it's also still kinda scary the first time, so if there's someone around who's done it before, it'll give you a better feeling about it. Good luck.
Yes, Ron, I've done that. Stand ready with the plug to quickly insert in the hole when you pull the transducer out. Naturally, you'll get a stream of water so you must move quickly. Oddly enough, the water pressure will not be very strong and the plug should go in quite easily. If you move quickly, the amount of water should be less than a pint, easy to sponge up. Even though it's fairly easy, it's also still kinda scary the first time, so if there's someone around who's done it before, it'll give you a better feeling about it. Good luck.
But how about re-installing it?
The paddle on our knot meter must have picked up something while under sail Memorial Day weekend. We tried to shake it off, but couldn't. So we started the engine and turned into the wind and tried some quick reverse manuvers. Still didn't free the jam. I considered pulling the sending unit to inspect it. I wasn't too concerned about installing a plug after retrieving the unit, but was concerned about re-installing the unit with water gushing up through the through-hull. How difficult is it to re-install the unit against the water pressure? Bob Rectanus Silver Sailor
The paddle on our knot meter must have picked up something while under sail Memorial Day weekend. We tried to shake it off, but couldn't. So we started the engine and turned into the wind and tried some quick reverse manuvers. Still didn't free the jam. I considered pulling the sending unit to inspect it. I wasn't too concerned about installing a plug after retrieving the unit, but was concerned about re-installing the unit with water gushing up through the through-hull. How difficult is it to re-install the unit against the water pressure? Bob Rectanus Silver Sailor
Did that recently, very little pressure
don't worry. The raymarine units come with a plastic plug that you slip in when you take the unit off. And if the plug doesn't work, just slip the unit back in. good luck abe
don't worry. The raymarine units come with a plastic plug that you slip in when you take the unit off. And if the plug doesn't work, just slip the unit back in. good luck abe
Trying backing up...
My summer slip is up a creek off lake champlain. At least a couple times a season something jamms my paddle wheel. I can usually free it by backing the boat...
My summer slip is up a creek off lake champlain. At least a couple times a season something jamms my paddle wheel. I can usually free it by backing the boat...
It is not as bad as you think
Ron, I change mine every time I take the boat out to prevent critters from growing on the paddle wheel. Ray Marine has added a little flapper valve that stems the flow of incoming water so you can easily replace the sensor with the plug. A small amount of water will come in but is not a problem to deal with. Make sure when you replace the paddle that you have it pointed correctly and facing exactly forward. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
Ron, I change mine every time I take the boat out to prevent critters from growing on the paddle wheel. Ray Marine has added a little flapper valve that stems the flow of incoming water so you can easily replace the sensor with the plug. A small amount of water will come in but is not a problem to deal with. Make sure when you replace the paddle that you have it pointed correctly and facing exactly forward. John Richard s/v Jack's Place
Lucky fresh-water boater
I have to pull mine every other sail. In salt water, bushes grow upside down on the bottom. I have the raymarine unit with the flapper. Even without the flapper, I'll bet my bilge pump could keep up. Yours probably can, too.
I have to pull mine every other sail. In salt water, bushes grow upside down on the bottom. I have the raymarine unit with the flapper. Even without the flapper, I'll bet my bilge pump could keep up. Yours probably can, too.
Run a line under the boat from side to side
The other posts are right and I have pulled it out numerous times without too much water. If you have an older model without the flap, you'll need to be a little quicker to put the plug in, but it is really not a major problem unless access is real difficult. However, if backing up does not clear it and you're underway and do not want to remove the unit, you can drop a docking line over the bow, and holding it like a skip-rope on both sides of the boat, move it slowly towards where the paddle wheel is located. The rope will generally dislodge whatever is stopping the wheel. If motoring, be very careful not to let go of one end of the line for it to catch in the prop. Good luck
The other posts are right and I have pulled it out numerous times without too much water. If you have an older model without the flap, you'll need to be a little quicker to put the plug in, but it is really not a major problem unless access is real difficult. However, if backing up does not clear it and you're underway and do not want to remove the unit, you can drop a docking line over the bow, and holding it like a skip-rope on both sides of the boat, move it slowly towards where the paddle wheel is located. The rope will generally dislodge whatever is stopping the wheel. If motoring, be very careful not to let go of one end of the line for it to catch in the prop. Good luck
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