My boat is being a boat . . .

[nola mike]

Cheap ownership went out when I got rid of the sailboat ️.

It is more of a fun thing to try to control costs

Ok, ok. Got it. Leave it moored, and just buy beer instead. Hang out on the boat and keep it stationary. You could also stop chasing all the gremlins as long as the stereo works.

 

[tpenfield]

Speaking of beer . . . it was a nice day with calm seas on the water yesterday at a local hang-out spot. However, our day was cut short when we ran out of beer and could not call for an air-drop.

We have now assigned an assistant beverage supply officer to make sure this incident is not repeated.


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[Scott Danforth]

Ok, ok. Got it. Leave it moored, and just buy beer instead.

That may cost more than fuel

 

[Lou C]

I recall the last time we went to the NASCAR race at Pocono Speedway about half way through the race woman stood up and comically howled “Oh my God I think we have run out of beer!” That was back in the day when beer drinking fistfights were common at NASCAR events….

 

[nola mike]

That may cost more than fuel

Only if you do it right

However, our day was cut short when we ran out of beer and could not call for an air-drop.

 

[tpenfield]

I took the boat out today to do some more experimenting with the trim (outdrives and tabs). The boat likes full 'in' trim up until about 4000 RPM, then I can trim up a pinch. It does not like much trim tab for stern lift (too much drag), but it is good I have the position indicators.

The raw water pressure issue is getting worse. At cruising speed 3500 - 4000 RPM the port engine is 22-24 psi,while the starboard engine is now down to 14 psi. Temperatures are still hanging in there, but over 4300 RPM the starboard engine temperature starts to climb.

At low RPM, the starboard engine water pressure is actually higher than the port. At around 1500-2000 RPM, the water pressures of each engine are about the same.

Here is the pressure at about 900 RPM, and the starboard engine pressure is higher than the port engine.

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Anyway, I'll have to see about back flushing the intake hose.

It was a nice day out on the water. the water temperature is coming up nicely . . . 73˚F (ish). Last year it hit 80˚F.
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My gadgets for the outdrive trim senders seem to be working fine. These 'things' suspended over the engines mimic the sender rotation as if they were attached to the gimbal ring. I'm hoping/thinking that not having them under water that they will last a long time.
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It was low tide when I got back to the dock. I took a picture of the town ramp, which is quite a shallow slope and wedged in between some rocks and the dinghy dock.
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[Lou C]

That’s just like my local ramp. Why the bunk trailer may work only at high tide….

 

[Stinnett21]

Where did you get those trim sender gadgets from? Interesting. So would that enable you to replace them without having to tear into the drive?

 

[tpenfield]

Where did you get those trim sender gadgets from? Interesting. So would that enable you to replace them without having to tear into the drive?

They are something I whipped up. The idea would be that they should not need replacement often, but if they did (wear out) it would be straight forward replacing them.

 

[tpenfield]

As for the water pressure issue . . .

I am thinking that I will:

1. Check the sea water strainers for any signs of clogs/restrictions
2. Swap the water pressure sensors between the engines to see if the problem moves with the sensor

 

[tpenfield]

As for the trim sender gadget, here is my design sketch that I came up with.
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I used some C33 cables from my previous boat, but they were a bit shorter than I would like, so the placement of the 'gadgets' over the engines was not ideal. The other end of the C33 cable is attached to the trim ram on the outdrive, so the movement is transferred to the inside of the boat, much like a mechanical trim indicator.

The big draw-back is the bulkiness of the gadget. Version #2, which would be much smaller, may be in the works for next year . . .

 

[tpenfield]

Cooling System Update. . .
I found what may have been the issue with the ‘radiator cap’. The spring clamp that holds the overflow tube on had wedged itself under the cap flange.
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I had thought that the clamp was missing and was going to put a new one on. Then discovered the clamp wedged mostly out of sight. This was preventing the cap from fully closing.

I checked the sea water strainer for signs of a clog. It looks like there is a blob of marine growth inside the bowl. So, I will be seeing about cleaning it out. These strainers, being plastic are a bit fragile And the bowl can crack when trying to remove it. So, I may get a spare bowl before trying to clean it out.
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As for the pressure sensors, they are well hidden under the myriad of hoses around the back and side of the engine.

 

[tpenfield]

Here are the trim sender gadgets in action .

High and dry.


View attachment IMG_4895-1.mov

 

[Lou C]

Great catch on the clamp it all makes sense.
Those trim sender simulators are really cool!
I have been able to keep mine working by changing the sending unit about every 5 seasons or so. I found the Sierra aftermarket ones actually last longer than the OEMs when they were still available. I do like having a working trim gauge…
About the strainer I never had one of those but the Cobra drive has 4 large intake holes & a plastic screen inside the lower unit. I couldn’t stop barnacles etc from growing on it so I split the drive & cleaned out the water intakes & tossed that screen…about 10 years ago. Made up a tool out of coat hanger wire to rod out the holes when necessary with the drive tilted up. Just one more aspect of salt water boating.

 

[flashback]

Here are the trim sender gadgets in action .

High and dry.


View attachment 383516

That's ingenious! how did you determine the lever arm length, it seems like you replicated the outdrive in the engine bay.. I suspect you made those easy to remove for access underneath..LOL

 

[Stinnett21]

Here are the trim sender gadgets in action .

High and dry.


View attachment 383516

Impressive. You should market the system.

 

[Lou C]

The problem with trim senders is that they aren’t really water proof.

 

[dingbat]

That’s just like my local ramp. Why the bunk trailer may work only at high tide….

No wonder.....lol
Obviously the Municipality doesn't have building codes or they don't enforce them.

 

[Lou C]

It’s a private beach Assn. Keeps out the riff raff.
Costs me $350 a year to moor my boat in a 100% safe moorage that’s literally walking distance from my house. No trailering no jerks at the ramp etc

 

[tpenfield]

No wonder.....lol
Obviously the Municipality doesn't have building codes or they don't enforce them.

Probably more like these facilities were built over 70 years ago and have not changed much