Lake Erie H37C to Chesapeake

[Ed Schenck]

Hi Guys, long time no post. But finally on July 29 I left Huron, Ohio and Harbor North marina on Ladylove never to return. My H37C is bound for warmer waters after a visit to Annapolis for the sailboat show. It is secure in Charlestown marina while I am at home for a couple of weeks. I return tomorrow to continue the trip south, this time single-handing. Mike Alge of this board and also an H37C owner accompanied me on the trip across Lake Erie, the Erie Canal, and top of the Hudson. He helped me build the frames and get the mast on the deck at the head of the canal. He left for home in Catskill, NY after we restepped and tuned the rigging. Lots of stories that I will save for later.Meanwhile I have a small leak and I fear it is the rudder tube. Loaded for the trip it is the first time in nine years that it has ever been below the waterline. I think that the actual fiberglass tube is cracked. I got online here to research that problem when I decided to post this. At the end of the canal with a free dock we spent a weekend and I repacked the rudder stuffing box to no avail. So if you have any experience with this holler out. Thanx.

 

[Seattle Scott]

Ed, you're a bum

in a good way. Jeese, the days are already getting shorter up in the Great Northwest. I am drawing a blank on a rudder tube stuffing box or any stuffing/packing on my 37C and I had the rudder out for repairs one time. Enjoy.

 

[Mike Daus]

Congratulations

you're out there!A few questions: what makes you believe the rudder tube is the leak source? What are you observing? Could the leakage source be the point that the cutlass bearing support attaches to the hull? How about where the cockpit scupper drains connect to the through-hulls?Keep us updated on your progress. I suspect there are many like me hoping someday to follow your wake.Mikes/v Charisma82H36

 

[ED]

great to hear from ya!

Sounds like you have had a great trip, I have missed hearing from you, it seems the 37c guys are all on vacation as there has not been much happening on the net. so where are you off too next?let us hear more..ED A

 

[John Brecher]

How was the new diesel?

Ed,We are with you vicariously (experienced or realized through imaginative or sympathetic participation in the experience of another) and would love to hear more details of how it went.How about posting from time to time as you go.Good luck with the leak.John Brecher

 

[Ed Schenck]

Bahama bound

I'll probably run out of battery before I finish this(McD's and no outlets!). But great to see you guys still hangin' out.Returned to Charlestown today to find the bilge dry, no leaking while I as gone for three weeks. So I think I will just wrap it with some cloth soaked with West System since the tube is dry now. First I will loosen the hose clamps and slide the hose and packing gland up until it hits the radial wheel. I do know for certain that it is the source of the water. When I repacked at the start of the Hudson there was no water ingress. In other words the top of the hose is higher than the waterline. It probably is not actually a "stuffing box", just two metal parts that are squeezed together with three bolts with packing material in the groove between the two and around the rudder post.The new Yanmar 3YM30 is a sweetheart. Ran smooth and strong and quiet. And weighs 200 pounds less than the 2QM20. I did have it quit once as I approached an inlet from the Atlantic!! I use a 2 micron filter in my Racor and had to do a quick change. I popped the yankee and sailed offshore while I fixed it. BoatUS drove alongside me to make sure it was a good fix before I entered one of those notoriously tough Atlantic inlets. On a later post I will tell the story of loosing my very expensive 3-blade folding prop in lock 35 of the Erie Canal!!! And yes, it is still there.

 

[rardiH36]

Ed Schenck's Mention of 2QM20

Dear Mr. Schenck:I enjoyed reading of your OHIO to BAHAMA BOUND experiences. I'm located in San Francisco Bay so this route isn't really an option ... at the moment anyway.I recently purchased a 1980 Cherubini Hunter 36 which is fitted with a Yanmar 2QM20H. The engine worked fine on the sea trial. Since then, I've had the boat out of the water for several months to work on this an that while I waited for a marina berth to become available in Sausalito CA. (!Success just a couple of weeks ago for mid Oct availability!) Last week I started to do engine maintenance and inspection prior to launching into the water. All still looks generally good except the externally mounted sea water to coolant system heat exchanger which has sprung some internal leaks. The local radiator shop is making a temporary repair and I'm in the process of scouting out a permanent exchanger replacement.I'm not ready yet (I hope!)to change out my engine for a new one. I am curious however why you changed out your 2QM20. If you have the time someday ..... please communicate back. Another question re your 37C: I have observed locally a 37C, but have not yet run across the owner. This 37C had the same installation method of the SS Safety Line Stanchion bolted on through the aluminum toe rail as my boat. On my boat, there has been some serious galvanic degradation of the aluminum by the SS and I expect that I will be doing some reconstruction work in the future. Maybe since your boat was on fresh water for a long time, this hasn't happened to you boat. But if it has and you have corrected, what did you do?regards,Richard Jardine

 

[Ed Schenck]

To Rardi

Richard, you are correct. I have not had any corrosion since the boat has always been on the Great Lakes. I guess I have that to look forward to now?!My 2QM20 was an excellent motor, always ran well. It is just that I felt I needed more power for going out into the Atlantic. I had heard numerous tales about the currents in the Hudson River and the inlets. Now that I have experienced them I am glad I made the change. In the process I have a lot less weight and a lot more quiet. Many times my crewmate would ask if the motor was running.I once found a heat exchanger on the web. It was almost exactly the design of my original, a round tube. I don't have enough battery left on this laptop or I would look for it. But I know they are available. More later.

 

[Jim Legere]

Repair to leak

Hi Ed,Congrats on your graduation to liveaboard cruiser! Too bad you didn't come down the St. Lawrence and stop and visit me in Nova Scotia...I know - its the long way...Anyway, I have been following you posts about the rudder tube with interest. I believe Gene Gruender had something on his Rainbow Chaser site about beefing up the very same spot. I have noticed a bit of play on the lower "bearing" of the rudder - i.e. the same tube. Did you notice any play in the rudder stock the last time Ladylove was hauled out? I was going to follow the West System recommendation for rebuilding a rudder bearing - wax the rudder stock and then inject some epoxy-graphite mixture into the bearing area with the rudder in place. Now I am wondering if a more extensive rebuild is required...Let us know if you managed to fix the leak for good after you have some sea miles on the repair.Fair winds!Jim LegereSV Calypso1983 H37C

 

[Josh Peskin]

Great to here from you Ed

Hey Ed,I've been off the site for a while too. Just when I look back, there you are taking off for the Bahamas. Let me know if St. Thomas is in your future. I'll hook you up with my step-sister and her family. I'm sure they'd love to trade you a ride for some home-cooking. Be well and safe journeys. I don't have anything useful to add about the rudder issue.Josh

 

[TJ-LJ Champion]

Where in the heck is Ed Schenck

Hi Ed,Not sure if you've discoverd us as new 37C owners but when we first happened upon this site we read all your posts with much anticipation. You have become quite a legend in this household! When I read this post to TJ this evening we both commented how nice it would be to finally meet you at the boat show on Saturday. Then we chuckled, I'm a seamstress and suggested I make us embroidered shirts that asked "Where in the Heck is Ed Schenck"? to wear on Saturday. But as luck would have it no one but us might get that joke! Tj is a structural engineer and has a suggestion on how to permanantly fix that rudder post. We're hoping to bump into you at the good old boat booth perhaps on Saturday. If you should miss us at the booth our email is lwauletta@comcast.net and we'll be happy to give you our cell number. Looking forward to perhaps seeing you!Sorry, I'm not planning on making those shirts so you'll have to meet us the conventional way. Too little time so much to do before the show! But,you have to admit the shirts would have been a giggle.Laurie and TJ

 

[CHET P]

to florida and beyong

well ed if you make it to florida look us up on the west coast and you can raft off us in the back yard... harriet and i came south 25 years ago in an ALBERG 30 ...FOR THE WINTER ... from nj and never went back....great trip, great people and can't wait to do the round trip again in the next few years.... take your time and smell the rose's along the way... nothr carolina has some of the best crabs in the world and the people are friendly... don't rush and do like we did and just stay ahead of the cold weather... hope we can meet up some day and maybe roger and sue can make it here also and make a party of it.... i have extra bedrooms....have a great trip i know we did chet and harriet harriet's chariot H37c

 

[Jerry Robinson]

H37C Rudder Major Rebuild

HI...I have a H37C Rudder rebuild coming up this winter. I appreciate the comments people have made so far... The whole Rudder section is really well made to last for so many years. So when it is time to rebuild the rudder and mounting system, it is good to hear about other people's experience before starting. Good luck and thanks for the Post. I am printing out this thread for use when I start. --jerry robinson

 

[Sanders]

envy envy envy

Ed,Glad to hear you are on your way. Here's hoping for fair winds and a non-leaking rudderpost all the way.Be sure and keep us posted on your adventures.If you get a chance, and the rates haven't gone too high, check out Walker Cay (key) on the north end of the Bahamas. It used to be a nice sleepy fishing spot with great fishing inside and out, lots of sandbanks to dodge, cold beer and a pool table.Take careSanders

 

[rardiH36]

Long Delayed Reply

Dear Ed:Sorry, but I only saw today your reply to my questions in late Sept about the 2QM20H and the handrail/toe rail interface corrosion. Thanks much.If there isn't any corrosion now, I expect that it will be long time in salt environ before you notice it. Enjoying the new sailing location and tropical weather definitely should take priority over worrying now about taking preventive action.In the interim, the local radiator shop that has lots of experience with marine heat exchangers, sand blasted my unit clean, then declared it a gonner. But when I took a good look at the tubes and the housing, I thought they were in excellent shape. The only bad section was the internal end plate that the tubes are soldered into. The mechanic took a second look and agreed that he could build up end section with solder. Afterwards he said the unit should have many more years of service. Much quicker solution than ordering a new one (4-6 weeks lead time) and a lot less $'s.Also in the meantime, my wife had a kidney transplant at Stanford University and is doing wonderfully well. I am her primary home care "nurse" and her medical transport driver until she fully recovers from the surgery. This role has delayed my moving my Hunter 36 to its new home in Sausalito for several more weeks yet. I am not complaining one bit however. A healthier wife trumps the boat by a long shot.regards,Richard