Installed the other new rudder cage this morning. The old one didn't go easy. I had to tear it apart, to free its death grip on the hull. It was holding on for dear life, as if to say, "It wasn't me. It was the other guy." But it had to go too.
I used my cordless drill and hole-saw bit to cut into the fiberglass. It's not the tool I wanted, but the one I had. There are a lot of tools I wish I had on the boat, but are sitting in my basement in Baltimore instead. When I was packing to leave, I thought, "What use will a saber-saw or hammer be on a boat?" Turns out they'd have been plenty useful.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Another One Bites the Dust
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6 comments:
From the boatcam it looks like it was a great afternoon for sailing.
Glad to read that the starter battery is still working. It's amazing that it was down by almost a gallon and was still able to recover. I guess you were 'due' for some good luck in the mechanical department.
Too bad about the idle adjustment screw. I had a Honda 10 hp 4 stroke for an inflatable that was incredibly prone to corrosion. The bushing/bearing on which it rotated in order to be tilted out of the water became so bound up with aluminum corrosion that I had to get a machine shop to disassemble and then re-bore it! I never could understand how they could make something that was designed for saltwate use that was so vulnerable. Anyway, I hope the engine keeps on going.
BTW, I'm sure that you've already considered some of the other standard tweaks for outboards - spark plugs, fuel filter replacement, etc.
You are having great batery luck so far. Please get the start and deep cycle batteries separated as Ross suggested. If you connect two batteries that are not the same type, you will either overcharge the smaller of the two, or you will undercharge the larger of the two. See 4.1 & 4.2 at http://www.marine-electronics.net/techarticle/battery_faq/b_faq.htm
Hey Guys,
It was a beautiful day. The ocean was calm, as were the winds most of the day. I had the motor running for a lot of it. Winds did pick up in the afternoon. Went from the Jacksonville inlet to St. Augustine.
Anon, that makes sense about the disparity in the batteries and overcharging. I was wondering how so much water could have boiled off. I was thinking there must be a leak, or something. I will separate them while I'm here.
Ross, I think the engine problem is simply a matter of adjusting the idle speed. A tune up might help too, but I replaced most of the fuel system, and the spark plugs the past Fall. I think it's just the nature of an older two cycle engine, that it's going to be a little cranky at times.
If anyone has advice about where to anchor and what to do in St. A, I'm all ears. I may be here as long as a week, and I don't really like the spot I'm in now. I'll be moving in the morning.
Scott
Scott -
I wish I could help on St. Augs anchorages, etc. however I've only been there for one night and I didn't care much for my spot.
I do recall that when I was there (Dec) you could find a real good price on fresh shrimp at a place about 1/2 mile walk from the open anchorage. Apparently they have an active shrimping industry there.
I assume you know that you can anchor just south of the Bridge of Lyons in front of the City Marina and pay them a dingy and showering fee. You'd be in "downtown St A". Fun to do for a couple of days... some really interesting scenes that Amy woud probably not approve of.....
But, I recommend: Proceed on southbound to a bit before the Hwy 312 big fixed bridge (the charts call it the Mickler Odonnel bridge but nobody knows that name). Turn West up the San Sebastion river. You can go all the way up pas St Augustine Marine etc. to the King Street brigge and anchor there (in fron of Oyster somthin marina and A1A Yacht Sales. It's less than a blocks walk to Sailors Exchange. Anchor right in the channel.... I've seen people do it for weeks at a time (your mileage may vary).
Aye, aye Anon. It's hard to imagine that I could get in much more trouble in St. A, than I could at home in Baltimore. But I'll do my best.
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