I,m in the process of purchasing a H37c 1980 model. Previous experience has been with wooden yachts and wet (very) bilges. The vessel I,m purchasing has approx 2 to 3 inches of water starting forward before the mast step. The owner says that this is normal for this model also that the dripless stuffing box has a constant drip and that this is also normal. I thought dripless meant that.??? Anyone have any advice on the wet bilge, is it normal or not. I thought going to fiberglass after wood, I'd have a nice dry bilge.
- Status
We always have a small amount of salt water...
in the bildge. Our stuffing box does not drip at rest, but it does at about a drop every few seconds when the shaft is spinning. I can slow the rate down to almost nothing if I hand tighten the packing nut. I would try the taste test to see whether it is fresh or salt water. This assumes the boat is kept in salt water. If it is the standard bronze stuffing box see if you can slow the rate by tightening by hand the nut a flat or two or more until the rate stops at rest. If not it is a minor issue to replace the packing material. Terry
in the bildge. Our stuffing box does not drip at rest, but it does at about a drop every few seconds when the shaft is spinning. I can slow the rate down to almost nothing if I hand tighten the packing nut. I would try the taste test to see whether it is fresh or salt water. This assumes the boat is kept in salt water. If it is the standard bronze stuffing box see if you can slow the rate by tightening by hand the nut a flat or two or more until the rate stops at rest. If not it is a minor issue to replace the packing material. Terry
He has a leak
If he just came off a wet beat or cleaned the knotmeter paddlewheel then I could give in to a little water in the bilges. I have a dripless shaft seal and they are in fact dripless. I have never seen any wetness around it ever. Dry as a bone. Several inches of water in the bilges means it is up to the auto float switch and he has a port light,thru-deck or keel bolt etc leaking. A taste test will tell if it is fresh or salt water assuming you are in salt water.
If he just came off a wet beat or cleaned the knotmeter paddlewheel then I could give in to a little water in the bilges. I have a dripless shaft seal and they are in fact dripless. I have never seen any wetness around it ever. Dry as a bone. Several inches of water in the bilges means it is up to the auto float switch and he has a port light,thru-deck or keel bolt etc leaking. A taste test will tell if it is fresh or salt water assuming you are in salt water.
may be a port a hatch or the deck dorades,
deck dorades can sometimes let in some water, easy fix. mast may be leaking at the deck. easy fix. shower sump may be spilling over into the bildge, how much has it rained there. maybe a window leaking too. usually not the hull. keep in mind the pump may not take all the water out of the bige either. get a survey and see what that says. may be a hose somewhere too. great boats lots of bang for the buck. a survey is always worth the money.
deck dorades can sometimes let in some water, easy fix. mast may be leaking at the deck. easy fix. shower sump may be spilling over into the bildge, how much has it rained there. maybe a window leaking too. usually not the hull. keep in mind the pump may not take all the water out of the bige either. get a survey and see what that says. may be a hose somewhere too. great boats lots of bang for the buck. a survey is always worth the money.
wet
the float switch is mounted on the bottom of the bilge and there is no way for the bilge pump to get ALL the water out. yes the TRUE dripless shaft log is dry, but mine had to be adjusted to stop leaking after it ran for a short time as the bellows that is compressed to make the seal flexes a bit so it has to be readjusted (so says the instructions i think). i get most of my water in the bilge from the mast...not the thru hull area but from the very top as it is open to get the halyards thru and the mast is keel stepped so rain = water in bilge.....great boat
the float switch is mounted on the bottom of the bilge and there is no way for the bilge pump to get ALL the water out. yes the TRUE dripless shaft log is dry, but mine had to be adjusted to stop leaking after it ran for a short time as the bellows that is compressed to make the seal flexes a bit so it has to be readjusted (so says the instructions i think). i get most of my water in the bilge from the mast...not the thru hull area but from the very top as it is open to get the halyards thru and the mast is keel stepped so rain = water in bilge.....great boat
Mast base/step in water
Anybody have any experience with long term mast base in salt water. The base has a little surface corrision that I can see but it does seemed to be wired back to the engine and/or zinc. In general does the H37c have a history of mast base corrosion.?? Thanks for you reply folks. ;-)
Anybody have any experience with long term mast base in salt water. The base has a little surface corrision that I can see but it does seemed to be wired back to the engine and/or zinc. In general does the H37c have a history of mast base corrosion.?? Thanks for you reply folks. ;-)
- Status