Water on the sole

[BobM]

The sole of my 9.2A is stained and delaminating in the galley. I plan to replace the sole soon, but now suspect that the cause of the problem needs fixing first. The PO had told me it was just a spill, but when I went for a sail a couple of weeks ago I noted that the very area that is stained and delaminating was absolutely saturated with water. I had just helped a friend diagnose a similar problem with his H37 cutter and it turned out to be a leaky water muffler.

So I started up the engine and let it run at 80% of WOT for twenty minutes looking for water leaking from the muffler. Nothing.

Any thoughts?

Bob

 

[Rick19354]

Bob,

Check this out carefully. I had a similar problem and checked everything. It wasn't until after I noticed that the water was prevalent after sailing AND on a heel, say 10-15 degrees or more. Once I figured that out, I realized that I had a bad leak at the rudder post packing gland. The water would "run" forward, but not enter the bilge because of the heel. Instead, it would go to either port or starboard and up under the settees, where it would settle under the sole when level.

The veneer on my sole was pretty bad when I bought the boat due to this leak. In March, I sanded the veneer and wood filled a couple of places. The subfloor was solid, so I put down a Brazilian cherry hardwood engineered floor. Pretty easy to install, except the access cuts in the floor. I only had one access area (forward), and I hated that fact that I could never truly access the bilge. So I made another access that runs from the engine forward about 2.5 feet. Now I can nearly get my whole body down into that deep area -- what a difference. Even had room to install the shower sump pump in there (it would be good for wine as well, but have not figured out a way to properly store the bottles!).

The floor as held up exceptionally well, being that it went from Jax to Key West and back this summer with plenty of salt and fresh water on the surface and two dogs in need of a doggy-pedicure. I did glue each plank as well as the perimeter to keep out any surface water. I've attached a photo of the floor.

I wish I could give you a good answer on your other post about sun/shade on the 9.2A. We have a full dodger and bimini and works great IF you are forward of the helm. My wife made two panels out of phifertex that zip to the back of the bimini and stretch back to the cross support on our davits. The mainsheet splits between them. We did that mainly for shade on the stern when docked/anchored, but I actually used them when motoring on the way back from Key West. Made a huge difference. Could not use them sailing (at least very well), but on the ICW we motored quite a bit this summer.

Rick

 

[BobM]

Bless you Rok

I hadn't been thinking about the packing gland on the rudder. Makes perfect sense as you hit the nail on the head with it potentially being heeling related. Time to take my own advice and break out the dry erase marker to hunt down the leak.

I have really been tempted to try the engineered floating floor route, but I need to bite the bullet and deal with what is likely a saturated block under the compression post. I have thought about making an access hole just to look at it. I did loosen up my rig a little. I was reading that, on the opposite tack, the lowers should be loose enough to be rotated through a 4-6 inch circle. That is likely much looser than mine are set. I did loosen the aft lowers a bit. The forward lowers should apparently be tighter to bend the mast in the middle. This mast tuning stuff is still black magic to me at the moment.

The roof on the house is done (final cost...a measly 28K) so I hope to drop the mast this fall, rip up the sole, fix the block under the compression post...etc...etc...etc...We'll see how far I can take it. I think I will bribe my yard to save me a spot near an electrical outlet so I can have some heat this winter while I work.

 

[BobM]

By the way, your sole came out great. Also, I appreciate hearing about your bimini experiences. I was thinking along the same lines...add a bimini that shades my usual perches on the coamings as much as possible and some sort of easily movable "extensions" that I can move when tacking.

The aft traveler is a mixed blessing. I am sure to appreciate it more if we get some wind up here, as I solo sail a lot and it is convenient to have the main sheet handy. Knock on wood, as I'll pass on hurricane Bill, thank you!

 

[Rick19354]

Bob --

Attached is a photo of the our "invented" shade system. My wife made these about a year ago to use when we are at the dock. They zip to the back of the bimini (she's good with a sewing machine, thank goodness!). When motoring, I move the rear attachments back further using bungee cords to attach to the cross support on the davits. When I do that, I can stand right behind the wheel and have full shade, but only when motoring. Our next job is to build side panels in both screen and strataglass, but that may wait for a while...

Best,
Rick

 

[BobM]

Looks like it works to me!

Maybe I can strap an old TV antenna with two telescoping antennae to my back stay so I can pivot them down and out when needed and then fold them out of the way when I tack ;-)

Or perhaps add a fourth bar, like your middle one, that has a section I can easily fold up independent of the rest when I go to tack or have the boom centered?

A third option would be to move the traveler altogether, but I am not ready for that yet!

Question. What do you recommend for sun protection...the darker color that matches your canvas or the white material? My genoa sun protection is white so matching my pacific blue sail cover / other canvas doesn't really matter under way.

 

[Rick19354]

Good question. My gut reaction is to say the dark has less glare, but not as cool (temp wise) as the light colors -- thinking there would be no difference at all between the two in relation to sun protection. However, I went to Sailrite's website and found this regarding Sunbrella --

Sunbrella fabrics have been tested and proven to provide up to 98% UV protection from harmful effects of the sun when used in shade applications. Sunbrella fabrics have been awarded the "Seal of Recommendation" by The Skin Cancer Foundation, an international organization dedicated to the prevention of skin cancer. Whites and lighter colored fabrics provide less protection than darker fabrics, which have more depth of color. This protective factor is inherent to the product and will not be reduced by usage and/or fabric exposure to the sun.

It may be a minor difference, but worth investigating...
Rick

 

[BobM]

Thanks! My Father had a large amount of skin cancer on his head later on in life. Definitely worth avoiding it if I can.