Huon Seal - Portland Vic.

[gert]

Rob, it's questions like that, that make me wonder if I know what the hell I'm doing and getting myself into. The "old dogs" syndrome scares me. It never occurred to me I may need some one to teach me how to sail my own boat; but I think what your doing is definitely a good idea.

[Portland]

Gert , my maxim is "there is no substitute for experience".
I have the very good fortune to have experienced people willing to teach me , there are some on the forum right here who can offer very good advise , and I'll certainly listen , and really try to learn.
But at some stage I'm going to have to go out , and use what I've learnt , just me and HS.
Not taking out the family , or friends , just me , and the boat , so that I can focus on her.
This might sound like a swelled head talking here , but its true.
You have a beautiful boat , that everyone seems to love , and its no trouble getting those experienced people to come out with you.
So do it !.
I've got people from the Yacht club who own plastic , who wouldn't own a wooden boat , who have taken "ownership" of HS , and who have no trouble at all spending the day sailing in her.
They have fun , but its HS and I that are the big winners.
So sure Gert , if you know of people with real skills in your area , go out and ask if they would like to come sailing in your GS.
I think you will always get a positive answer , they will fall in love with your boat , and you will benefit from the experience of sailing with them.
And I've sought to improve my other skills needed for good seamanship.
I've joined the volunteer Coastguard , and have just completed their radio operators course.
I'm looking to do navigational courses , either through the CG or Yachting Victoria.
There is no substitute for experience.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

Well , the modifications to the trailer were a success.
A winch to hold the boat up to the trailer stem post was great , and it made lowering the mast on its tabernacle a breeze.
And putting in another jockey wheel , enabling the front of the trailer to go very low , when using the extension.
It made retrieving the boat on to the trailer a lot easier.
So now , the mast is lowered again , and tomorrow we head off to Port Fairy.
Regards Rob J.

[gert]

any pictures?

[Portland]

No pictures Gert , I'm sorry.
Do you mean of the trailer setup ?.
I think being able to lower the front of the trailer completely , when using the extension , makes a big difference , and the winch is very handy too.
I'll get some of it soon , when we put the re-engined HS back in the water , perhaps.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

Well , behind the Mitsubishi Canter , the HS towed very well , even if I took it fairly slowly.
No mucking about with Garry though , I backed her in behind the workshop , and we started preparing to get the old YSE 12 out.
Gee , just looking at it vindicated the decision to change out the engine , and redo the engine box.
There was far too much water in the engine bay , and its been dripping over the engine , its a wonder it ran , the electrics had seen far too much water , and the steel engine bed is very rusty.
It seemed a pity to be pulling out Huon Pine , but I know that is exactly what will be replacing it , and this time we will set it up to be a much more water tight engine box.
Anyway , when I left , the engine was ready to come out , and that should happen tomorrow.
Still no decision on what engine to use as a replacement , it looks as though the shaft angle is very low , but there is also a wide "drip tray" that hides just how much room we have to play with , below shaft hight.
Again , tomorrow we should know.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

We are making progress.
Firstly , I had to position the "Mud Crab" (Mitsubishi Canter 4x4 Camper) so that I could tow the HS back , to have the old Yanmar lifted out , then squeeze it in between an exquisite little traditional lapstrake rowboat , and a 25 ft motor launch .
Fortunately , the Mud Crab has a towball on the bullbar , so I was able to drive the HS in (rather than back it in), easily enough.
Out the front , on the river , Garry has another distraction , a 50 ft Huon pine crayboat he made years ago , up for some deck resplining .
So , tomorrow I'll get the bilge cleaned out , and we can look at just what space we have to work with , particularly below shaft height.
No real idea yet , but Garry wants to lift me above the 10hp engines , he reckons I'd get caught out , with the 10hp.
Tomorrow , I should know.
Regards Rob J.

[RFNK]

Hey Rob, why don't you post a few pictures of Port Fairy and that lovely little river/harbour while you're there for our overseas friends? Rick

[Portland]

I haven't got the camera Rick.
Garry has a spot right on the river , a magnificent 2 storey nautical sort of house , with his boat shed behind.
He has his big motor launch , and his couta boat right at his front gate .
I'll try and find some sites though , yes , it is a magnificent spot.
I did get some photos today taken by the camera , of 2 little twins , my latest grandchildren.
Regards Rob J.

[RFNK]

Now this is where I think we should start rousing on you Rob! You live in a very pretty and impressive part of the world and you are spending a lot of time around lovely boats - it's time you started regarding that camera as essential kit! Rick

[Portland]

Yes , there are some incredible boats there on the water at Port Fairy , one is a Nelson (NZ) registed ketch , a real fair dinkum ocean going boat.
I'm not one for stink boats , but Garry's motor launch is very very special (as you would expect).
Leyla will be back soon , I'll get some photos then.
Even the inside of his boat shed is something special .
Lots and lots of tools , as you would expect , but also a collection of 40 years of patterns and stuff.
Just about all of the wooden cray boats in Portland and Port Fairy he built , mostly out of Huon Pine , or Celery Top.
I'm enjoying the chance to be part of the upgrading of HS , under the eye of such an experienced boat builder.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

A disappointing day , no positive result.
I got the engine mounts out , and all of the periferal stuff out , but we couldn't get the coupling off the shaft.
We used a puller , we heated it , cooled it , heated it , pulled it , nope , wouldn't budge.
The reality is that (probably) as a result of constantly being immersed in water , the key in the keyway has rusted in place , at any rate , it wouldn't budge , so we finished up cutting the shaft.
Garry has another job going , caulking the deck on the cray boat out the front , and there seems to be a constant stream of people wanting to talk boats with him.
So , we have to wait until Monday at least , probably.
But at this time , there is no obvious replacement for the YSE 12.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

We determined that if any engine was to fit , it would be the Lombardini , so it was bought .
Unfortunately , when we lowered her in to the engine bay it was just too close to the keep bolts , so Garry had to perform some surgery on HS , a piece being cut out of the engine bed , the bolts shortened , the frame scalloped out a bit , and a new recessed bridge forged.
It was drilled , tapped and bolted to the old engine bed , so now the engine fits , with adequate clearance.
On reading the accompanying documentation for the Lombardini , I'll probably go for their fuel pre filter , if its not too expensive , because it ties in to the instrument panel alarm system.
Since joining the Coastguard I'm a bit more informed on radios etc , so I'm taking out the VHF radio that is in HS and replacing it with a Navman 7200 with DSC.
To use its DSC potential to the fullest , and its other obvious advantages , I'm also putting in a Northstar 657 combo with a bronze long stem through hull transducer , and finishing it off with a Simrad TP22 Tiller autopilot .
One of the local 'couta boat men also has an engineering business , so he is attending to the shaft and connections etc.
When I left Garry yesterday he was starting on rebuilding the floor of the cockpit , to make it drain better , and we discussed the engine box.
We are keeping it full width , to make it easier to get to filters etc .
We will also almost certainly bringing the battery back from the very front of the boat to much closer to the engine , and probably also install a "house" battery.
The Lombardini has a second unused belt pulley , so in the future we could even put in a clutched alternator , if needed.
The engine box will have a lid to remove for checking the oil and water , and also the body of the box can be unclipped , for ease of working on the engine.
The box will be rubber sealed.
Garry works quickly , every day there is real progress.
Some of the yachties from the club are looking forward to seeing her back and racing , but I really don't want to do that , I just want to get out and fish with her , learn to drift and trawl with her.
Thats what I bought her for.
Hopefully that won't be too far away.
Regards Rob J.

[The Bigfella]

Wow.

It sounds like lots of fun. I missed your earlier post whilst I was "away", but we had the same issue with a coupling on Grantala. We ended up drilling out the securing bolts with a special cobalt drill bit (about $80) and used a grease-filled puller that exerts a force of about 10 tons IIRC. We replaced that coupling (my friendly engineer whipped one up on his lathe / mill)

Got any photos of the engine work yet?

Ian

[Portland]

Iain , that coupling just would not budge on HS , but Stewie Fechner , the owner of "Rosebud" is an engineer , and is going to make me up a new shaft and machine the coupling.
He also wants the old Yanmar , so everything is fine there.
The new engine beds are in , when I left today around lunch time Garry was putting in a new cockpit floor and starting on the new engine box.
I'll be going back tomorrow , to watch it all unfold.
Garry gave me a look at one of the folders he has of a 40 ft traditional cray boat style motor sailer he made , beautiful work , its first sail was down to Tassie , no worries !.
He does some beautiful work , he has a little about 12 foot traditional rowboat he made for sale at the moment , its his design also.
Its a great place to hang out !.
Regards Rob J.

[rufustr]

Rob's engine transplant photos.

[rufustr]

More.

[Larks]

ahh you beat me to it Rufus, I've been having trouble uploading them to photobucket - for some reason it kept crashing on me, I've only just managed to get them up.....you've saved me the rest of the job though mate, thanks.

[Portland]

Greg , you are supposed to be studying !.
I know you offered to put them up for me , thank you , but I'd feel guilty cutting in to your study time.
So I asked Rufus if he could please do it for me.
Thank you both.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

The photos in the first block Rufus posted are a little out of order .
Probably if you start with 5 , then go to 3 , then 1 gives you some idea of the order.
Or compare the photo in 5 , to the second photo in Rufus's second post.
Sorry for not describing the photos Rufus .
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

I visited Garry briefly today , the engine box is made , just not finished or fitted yet.
I'm surprised at how much shorter the Lombardini is to the old Yanmar , half the weight , and the box is considerably lower than the old one too .
The cockpit floor is set up to drain much better too.
The prop has arrived , very shiny and sleek .
We are getting there !.
Regards Rob J.

[rufustr]

More photos from Rob from today.












These are great photos Rob, and the new installation looks sweet.

[Portland]

Well , she is looking a lot better today , with the engine box being fitted.
I went down to Warrnambool and got the rubber to be used to seal her off with , and Garry was making the top for the box when I left.
Then its measuring and ordering a new exhaust , and engine controls .
The new radio and chart plotter will be here tomorrow , and the PSS shaft seal is here now.
Batteries.
She has a new big maintenance free battery way up the front , but (once I've got over the sticker shock) I'm looking at putting a top of the line GEL marine battery , and a GEL deep cycle house battery just inside the cabin door.
That side can also accomodate the 12 volt fridge.
The battery people are willing to "trade in" the new maintenance free battery , its only been used a handful (5) times , and is immaculate.
The engine box gives easy and visual access to the usual dip sticks and radiator cap , and the sea water cock , and the box is easily and quickly removed for maintenance.
The way it should have always been.
As a matter of interest , I checked in on Ariel , the old (1920's) 'couta boat , up on the hard getting her yearly scrub-up , and yep , that is how she is done.
The engine top handles the day to day stuff , and lift the box off for maintenance.
Too easy !.
Regards Rob J.

[rufustr]

Today's photos from Rob.

[RFNK]

Good move on using that `greaseless' sealed shaft bearing Rob! Are you fitting a flexible coupling? I would. Rick

[Portland]

Yep , a big blue !!! flexible coupling was waiting right there in a box in one of his cupboards.
We are trying to get everything right , no compromises.
Even to the exhaust fittings .
It will be really something to get her back on the water , and head down the coast for a spot of fishing !.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

Rick , I put that photo of the PSS shaft seal in just for you !.
Regards Rob J.

[RFNK]

Thanks! I wish I 'd put one in the Folkboat - what a dummy! The new engine cover etc. looks great. The cockpit drains are right in those forward corners right? Rick

[Portland]

No Rick , the drains are still at the back , but now the floor tilts a little back that way , and the floor is water proofed at the edges etc etc , Garry is paying particular attention to keeping her water tight.
If you look carefully at the 3rd last photo you can see where the old engine box was hinged , the new box is 6-8 inches lower .
Before (and Iain will attest) you sailed around even on calm days with water sloshing around in the cockpit , and dripping down to the bilge.
That should be a thing of the past now.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

Rick , go to post 172 , by Rufus , the second photo shows the drains , and the slight slope of the floor.
Regards Rob J.

[gert]

Looking good Rob!

You know you have my interest

I am currently working on this area of GS and admit I will have a little more room than HS. Please keep the photos coming. I am particularly curious about how the exhaust system (and type) will work out.

[Portland]

Gert the current exhaust system was just a bit too small for the Lombardini , so its being replaced.
I'll try to get the details today.
I think Garry is also going to sound proof the engine box and top.
Access to the engine and g/box is very good now , so I can keep a good eye on everything.
Regards Rob J.

[Larks]

Rob, will that whole floor area still lift out or just the lid over the engine? Whe I got the H28 the whole floor lifted out but there was no hatch lid like you have there and it was a pain in the butt because you had to crouch down from the cockpit seats and lift the whole floor piece up to get to the engine. The upside though was that once it was up there was terrific access to that space.

Having seen what Gary has done here I'm thinking I'll do much the same with the access hatch but still have the ability to lift the complete floor if need be, though I'm wondering what Gary's thoughts are and how he completes this one.

[Portland]

Greg , the floor lifts out , except for that maybe 8 inches at the very back.
And the engine box lifts out too , giving virtually full width access to the engine.
Both pieces are light , one hand lift jobs .
Accessibility was a priority for me , and it seems it always has been for Garry , going by his other jobs.
The thing I think for him is that he lives and works right next to his clients , who are mainly no nonsense fishermen , as did his father before him.
There is no substitute for experience.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

Rick , that flexible coupling is a Poly Flex.
I meant to get details of the exhaust setup for Gert , but got talking to Garry about a question asked of me by a member of the "Grey Seal" forum , and clean forgot about the exhaust question.
The top of the engine box is made , its all so easy to use now , and its much more "user friendly" at the front of the cockpit too now.
Regards Rob J.

[RFNK]

Rob
Setting up the exhaust for the Folkboat was a bit of a hassle. I wanted to put the `anti-flooding box' (I can't remember what it's supposed to be called - waterlock?) lower than the engine so I had to make one to fit in the bilge. I made it from fibreglass and polyester resin and it ended up looking like the creature from that old movie `The Blob' but it works! I don't see how you could do that on HS though so I'll also be interested to see how your exhaust system is set up. Rick

[Portland]

Well Rick , I did have it explained to me yesterday by Garry , but I must confess I'm a little fuzzy on the details now.
There is a physical shutter at the end of the exhaust.
There is a loop in the exhaust , to keep the water out , and we selected a funny looking arrangement that is a muffler/water lock too.
But there was also another hose/relief valve arrangement , that I'm sorry , I'm a bit hazy about that.
Mate , I'm putting my trust in Garry , he is the one with the experience.
But the plumbing for the exhaust was mentioned very early in the piece.
Regards Rob J.

[rufustr]

Today's photos.

[Portland]

Thanks Rufus.
I'm sorry the last photo is so dark , but its of the engine cover .
Tomorrow I'm going down to Portland to help a couple of the boys get their boats out for a bit of work on them , and a scrub up.
One is a classic big 'couta boat , the other a classic Tassie huon pine yacht.
Its a new experience for me , part of my learning curve I guess.
And I'll also be handing over HS bits and pieces , the prop etc , to the engineer who is going to machine the shaft and connections all up for me.
Garry is going to start on the controls , and electronics etc.
Does anyone have any contacts for GEL marine batteries ?.
Regards Rob J.

[RFNK]

There is a physical shutter at the end of the exhaust.
There is a loop in the exhaust , to keep the water out , and we selected a funny looking arrangement that is a muffler/water lock too.
But there was also another hose/relief valve arrangement , that I'm sorry , I'm a bit hazy about that.
Mate , I'm putting my trust in Garry , he is the one with the experience.
But the plumbing for the exhaust was mentioned very early in the piece.
Regards Rob J.

The `funny arrangement' I guess is a waterlock - a funny shaped plastic box with an inlet and outlet, right? This stops water from flooding or siphoning into the engine/boat through the exhaust outlet and also stops the water in the exhaust from pouring back into the engine when you turn the engine off. If the box is big enough and the exhaust hose is short enough then it doesn't matter if the box is mounted above or level with the exhaust manifold on the engine - or is the extra hose you're talking about something to compensate for not being able to put the waterlock below the level of the exhaust manifold? Then there'd be a ball valve where the exhaust goes though the transom so you can shut this hole in the hull off when you need to (e.g., in a following sea when sailing). The other siphon brake would be for the engine water inlet hose, so that water can't siphon in and flood the engine/boat. To complete the picture, you'd also have a ball valve on the hull skin fitting for the water inlet hose. Do you have a glass bowl type water filter? These are a good idea - I found a crab in mine the other day! Rick

[Portland]

Yep , all of that Rick .
I'm just having trouble recalling why we chose one system over the other , but I'll make sure I have a full understanding before I take her again.
I took the door off the lazerette today , and blow me down , there is a big primary fuel filter to the left !.
I mentioned to Garry your interest in how he is setting up HS , the seals and coupling , and that you had a Folkboat.
He said , "is he a schoolteacher ? , I think he rang me about --".
Regards Rob J.

[RFNK]

I mentioned to Garry your interest in how he is setting up HS , the seals and coupling , and that you had a Folkboat.
He said , "is he a schoolteacher ? , I think he rang me about --".

Not guilty, this time. I haven't been a schoolteacher for over 20 years and I don't think I've ever spoken to Gary. I did visit Port Fairy a few years ago though but I'm pretty sure I didn't run into Gary. Rick

[Portland]

Well there you go !.
I didn't offer any comment , because I didn't know.
I feel sorry for him sometimes though , people just want to talk boats , and he is trying to get work done.
He is a quiet , polite bloke , I know I wouldn't have his patience in that situation.
Oh , I met the real "Miss Lila" today , his little granddaughter , maybe 18 months old.
The boat he built bearing her name is a beauty too , I'll forward the photos to you.
Regards Rob J.

[py]

nice work

[Portland]

Had a long chat with Garry today , he was telling me about the trip to Tassie for the last WBF in Miss Lila , his 30ft motor launch.
And I had a look over her , what a boat , and beautifully constructed.
Everything is coming together on HS , just waiting on the shaft and fittings now , and for the paint in the cockpit to dry.
Today we got the transducer in , and the engine box and cockpit sole got about its third coat of paint.

Garry has made up , drilled and tapped the pieces used to bolt down the box , and the sole too.
All of the exhaust pieces have arrived .
Hopefully we will be putting it all together next week.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

More fitting of all the bits and pieces , like the exhaust , engine controls and instrumentation , and relocating the primary fuel filter from obscurity in the lazzerette , to prominance and accessiblity in the engine bay.
Last week on the Grey Seal forum the question was asked about subsituting hardware , like screws , and Garry , when asked on the subject was very strident in using as the boat designer asked , no shortcuts.
Today I saw why.
The screws that held the metal cover on the exhaust , on the outside of the hull were brass , and 2 of the 3 heads were completely corroded away , allowing the ply to soak up a bit of water.
Its being dried out , before the new quality SS fitting put in.
Regards Rob J.

[Larks]

Rob, while Gary is fitting the plumbing for cooling and exhaust ask him about maybe including a three way valve or Y valve in the water intake line that would let you put a simple garden hose type fitting on one of the intake stems of the valve with the sea water intake being the other so that when you pull her out or leave her for a while you can divert the salt water intake to a fresh water hose to flush her through.

If I have picked the cooling water intake line correctly on the engine it should be very easy to sit a 3 way valve with the hose fitting side facing up so that you just lift the hatch off and plug the hose in, flip the valve to that side, turn on the tap and run the engine for ten minutes or so - enough for it to warm up and pump out hot water.

[Portland]

Greg , my poor little pea brain is in "overload" sometimes , but I believe the engine has that facility already , or Garry has spoken of doing it .
He is doing something with the cooling system , I know that much.
But I'll ask tomorrow.
Interesting instrumentatation setup.
The chartplotter/fishfinder is on a swing out arrangement , so it can be viewed from the helm , or inside.
The instrumentation for the engine also hinges , but its behind a tough , slightly tinted perspex type stuff , so it should remain dry/er.
Regards Rob J.

[rufustr]

Today's photos from Rob.

[rufustr]

A few more.