My plan was that my to do list was going to get shrink over the winter. Unfortunately, It grew exponentially.
The Marina (not boatyard) service group was to replace the cutlass bearing while it was on the hard. First thing they did was break the shaft at the threads trying to get the prop off. The Marina manager and I decided to move the boat to a real boatyard since his crew messed up at step one of a now difficult project. They are footing the bill to take down and disassemble the mast, and haul the boat 30 miles north. I will get the the bill for everything else. I could make a fuss and have them pay so more but I'm actually benefiting from this.
How could this be???
Let me explain from the point I left off last fall (O'day 39 project boat) http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=132435&page=11
My plan was to get the boat in the water las t fall so I could check the engine, transmission , etc. I knew it needed a cutlass bearing so I thought it wise to check out the drive system so I could take care of anything discovered when the Cutlass bearing repair was made.
I thought it a decent plan. Actually a rather good plan at least in my mind. It started to fall apart somewhat as the boat was picked up to be hauled to Lake Michigan. The driver showed up all alone. He easily picked up the boat but had no chance lifting the 300 lb mast. It took a fork lift and my time that I expected to use seating the mast collar was taken helping out loading the mast.
The boat arrived at the marina and all went well rigging the boat. Checking everything out, I found the radio not picking up a signal. Likely from the the antenna not being disassembled and reassembled correctly. (removal was needed to stay under length limit). The mast collar job I did leaked.
I could rewire the mast, and attempt to re-seat the mast collar with the mast up but I knew that was not the right thing to do.
I powered the boat up one afternoon and put some time on it staying very close to the marina and keeping a gallon of diesel on board expecting fuel problems from being out of the water for two years. (I had run the engine on the hard but stirring up the tank could have brought up some sludge) All went well. There was some vibration from the drive train at full throttle but it powered very well at cruising speed. I was happy, replace the cutlass and I was ready to for this season. The engine wiring was a bit of a mess so I had the service crew rewire it. This was just the engine controls. I could have done this myself but I was right up the mechanics alley as I had seen his wiring jobs on other boats.
So I received the call a few weeks ago with the bad news. It first started with (we discovered that your shaft is about he break at the threads but quickly turned into "we have some responsibility in this") The problem is the rudder must be removed to replace the shaft. The marina does not have a travel lift since it uses a truck to pick-up the boats and launch them. This and the need for a more experienced repair crew we needed to go north 30 miles to Manitowoc marina. This between Milwaukee and Green Bay in a area of heavy ship building. These guys are pros. I was torn between slipping my boat the Sheboygan marina with a pool , fantastic Kohler Golf courses (Whistling straights and two others of equal quality) and many restaurants along the river adjacent to the marina and Manitowoc marina, much smaller and little to do near by and another 30 miles farther from my home.
It's coming at a price but I now get the best of both. We will put the boat in at the boat yard and spend a week doing sea trials sailing and powering with the rigging service and the diesel and power train mechanics nearby and then sail it south to the Sheboygan marina.
I will replace the bronze shaft with a stainless one. My buddy with an O'day 39 one serial number higher tells me that the shaft should be replaced anyway since it is likely very worn at the packing seal and the cutlass bearing. I will also go with a packless seal. (anyone have a suggested brand or suggestion?)
The rudder bearing will be inspected while the rudder is out. Looking back, I should have had this done anyway.
Lesson learned, Take your time getting your project boat back in the water. Joe, (25 years later ) made the right decision putting off the splash until this spring.
The Marina (not boatyard) service group was to replace the cutlass bearing while it was on the hard. First thing they did was break the shaft at the threads trying to get the prop off. The Marina manager and I decided to move the boat to a real boatyard since his crew messed up at step one of a now difficult project. They are footing the bill to take down and disassemble the mast, and haul the boat 30 miles north. I will get the the bill for everything else. I could make a fuss and have them pay so more but I'm actually benefiting from this.
How could this be???
Let me explain from the point I left off last fall (O'day 39 project boat) http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=132435&page=11
My plan was to get the boat in the water las t fall so I could check the engine, transmission , etc. I knew it needed a cutlass bearing so I thought it wise to check out the drive system so I could take care of anything discovered when the Cutlass bearing repair was made.
I thought it a decent plan. Actually a rather good plan at least in my mind. It started to fall apart somewhat as the boat was picked up to be hauled to Lake Michigan. The driver showed up all alone. He easily picked up the boat but had no chance lifting the 300 lb mast. It took a fork lift and my time that I expected to use seating the mast collar was taken helping out loading the mast.
The boat arrived at the marina and all went well rigging the boat. Checking everything out, I found the radio not picking up a signal. Likely from the the antenna not being disassembled and reassembled correctly. (removal was needed to stay under length limit). The mast collar job I did leaked.
I could rewire the mast, and attempt to re-seat the mast collar with the mast up but I knew that was not the right thing to do.
I powered the boat up one afternoon and put some time on it staying very close to the marina and keeping a gallon of diesel on board expecting fuel problems from being out of the water for two years. (I had run the engine on the hard but stirring up the tank could have brought up some sludge) All went well. There was some vibration from the drive train at full throttle but it powered very well at cruising speed. I was happy, replace the cutlass and I was ready to for this season. The engine wiring was a bit of a mess so I had the service crew rewire it. This was just the engine controls. I could have done this myself but I was right up the mechanics alley as I had seen his wiring jobs on other boats.
So I received the call a few weeks ago with the bad news. It first started with (we discovered that your shaft is about he break at the threads but quickly turned into "we have some responsibility in this") The problem is the rudder must be removed to replace the shaft. The marina does not have a travel lift since it uses a truck to pick-up the boats and launch them. This and the need for a more experienced repair crew we needed to go north 30 miles to Manitowoc marina. This between Milwaukee and Green Bay in a area of heavy ship building. These guys are pros. I was torn between slipping my boat the Sheboygan marina with a pool , fantastic Kohler Golf courses (Whistling straights and two others of equal quality) and many restaurants along the river adjacent to the marina and Manitowoc marina, much smaller and little to do near by and another 30 miles farther from my home.
It's coming at a price but I now get the best of both. We will put the boat in at the boat yard and spend a week doing sea trials sailing and powering with the rigging service and the diesel and power train mechanics nearby and then sail it south to the Sheboygan marina.
I will replace the bronze shaft with a stainless one. My buddy with an O'day 39 one serial number higher tells me that the shaft should be replaced anyway since it is likely very worn at the packing seal and the cutlass bearing. I will also go with a packless seal. (anyone have a suggested brand or suggestion?)
The rudder bearing will be inspected while the rudder is out. Looking back, I should have had this done anyway.
Lesson learned, Take your time getting your project boat back in the water. Joe, (25 years later ) made the right decision putting off the splash until this spring.
