former member needs help

[Pascal]

if the boat is in good shape as far as bilge pumps, stuffing boxes, running gear, etc... it's not that big of a trip while offshore. the only concern obviously is making sure the engine keeps on going.

a case of filters is a must have and i would also make sure he has TWO priming pumps... an electric (walbro) and a manual (the brass transfer pumps work well to pull fuel thru the primary after a change). with a collection of fittings to connect them. in a pinch you can slide a rubber hose over the fittings to re prime (but be careful not leave a bunch of rubber dust ...)

some spare fuel hose can come in handy as well... a couple of years ago, my priming pump broke and i ended up feeding one of the mains using the genset electric pump and primary. just disconnected the outlet on the genset pump, and conncted some fuel hose to the main at the primary oulet. got us home, slow, but home.

creativity is key in these situations...

about single engine handling, it's easy underway but can get tricky unless you've practiced. The 53 (and I'm sure the 58) will accelerate fairly straight on one engine from a full stop. you need to take it slow so that assymetrical thrust doesn't overcome the rudder. over 5 kts, the boat will turn towards the live engine... and do a 180 if needed. it's all about using the right amount of power to balance assymetrical thrust with rudder.

when the wind picks up, it can get a little tricky as the wind will push on the aft section of the boat and limit your ability to turn downwind on the live engine. In that case, you need to speed up before the corner, reduce power and throw the rudders hard over.

backing up in calm condition is possible... the trick is to leave the rudders hard over on the dead engine. I know it seems odd but in slow reverse the rudders do nothing... BUT... every few seconds, you can use a short burst in forward which will blow on the rudder and kick the stern back in line. You wont' back up straight, more like in zigzags but it will work.

 

[67hat34c]

Todd, the prop on the dead engine has been removed. diver did that after they cleaned of the oysters that were covering all the running gear. they dont get much in line of barnicles there but they get oysters.

Pascal, the pumps and glands are a priority along with getting vacuflush heads to work for the crew and get the ac working also for the crew. they will get impellor pulled and changed. he has several filters, not sure about priming pumps. Steering will also be fixed. clean windshield down below and apply rain x to help if it has to be driven from below. the boat has a davit crain to haul a small boat and store on top.

 

[Pascal]

priming pumps are critical... even if you refill the primary after a change, you can run down the batteries and damage the starter priming by cranking.

also, make sure the batteries are ok (age, water...). It's also nice to have a pair of 6 or 8' heavy cables, at least 1/0 to parallel banks in an emergency.

 

[jlightonjr]

I wish everyone safe passage and only the best of conditions for this one however...

As I read the posts and realize the situation, I can't help but humming the theme song from Gilligans Island:

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale,
A tale of a fateful trip
That started from this tropic port
Aboard this tiny ship.
The mate was a mighty sailing man,
The skipper brave and sure.
Five passengers set sail that day
For a three hour tour, a three hour tour.
The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost.
The ship set ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle
With Gilligan
The Skipper too,
The millionaire and his wife,
The movie star
The professor and Mary Ann,
Here on Gilligans Isle.
So this is the talel of the castways,
They're here for a long, long time,
They'll have to make the best of things,
It's an uphill climb.
The first mate and the Skipper too,
Will do their very best,
To make the others comfortable,
In the tropic island nest.
No phone, no lights no motor cars,
Not a single luxury,
Like Robinson Crusoe,
As primative as can be.
So join us here each week my freinds,
You're sure to get a smile,
From seven stranded castways,
Here on "Gilligan's Isle."

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

I think I'm gonna go make another Beefeater G&T.

 

[johngalt]

Anybody have any news on the voyage of the SS Minnow?

 

[Boatsb]

Depco was taking care of the AC pump and I will go over tomorrow to install it. I know he also has a mechanic coming to go over the running engine and I plan on working on the steering, Bilge pumps and AC.

We can only hope for the best but he should be reasonably well prepared. FWIW I have one of the new self contained "homerheads " he can borrow if need be.

 

[67hat34c]

he will go as soon as he gets a crew and boat has been checked out completly. I believe he will not have any trouble outside of having to change filters a few times. running engine at 1400 to 1600 or so should allow enough fuel flow even with slightly clogged filter I think.

I think with scott and the mechanic working tomorrow and randy watching it will get done unless a problem is discovered.

Should get scott to have one of his customers go along as a professioinal video crew and doccument the trip.

 

[Boatsb]

Alreay tried that. No one is willing to take the Risk. Deadliest catch was a walk in the park in comparison to a 8 mph run in the gulf of illegal immigration.

hey did I type that. Woops might piss off some liberal moron who wants to share my hard earned money with those less motivated

 

[krush]

When is this planned trip? I'm going to Oshkosh July 27 and I have to be at an appointment Aug 1.

I still would have to break away form building this house.

 

[67hat34c]

he is going this weekend, you may want to call him. I will send you a PM with his number

 

[Woodsong]

now this thread has proven to be an exciting read. Randy- hope it goes well!! Flat seas, still winds, and sunny skies!! If you needed a chief nap-taker I could have offered the services of my dad who is on Treasure Island just outside John's Pass/Medeira Beach area, except he and my mom are up in Atlanta right now!

Good luck.

 

[Passages]

now this thread has proven to be an exciting read. .

Who else but the 'Bird could stir up the entire forum without saying a word?

Seems the boat is getting the attention it needs before making the big trip. As long as the weather behaves, it should be a long, but relatively safe trip.

I'd feel better if he had some crew, but that's still in the works.

 

[Capt K]

Who else but the 'Bird could stir up the entire forum without saying a word?

This just proves that you cannot keep a good Bird down, no matter who you are or how much you try. Just ask any statue!

K

 

[67hat34c]

notice this thread has over 1600 views. I guess he is like Howard Stern , love him or hate him everyone still tunes in.

Please note that he was able to make a 40 mile trip without any thing happening, guess everthing was already broken. Pretty good bringing her in at night in a new place on one engine and not hitting anything.

 

[Sparky1]

If I was at home I would offer to go along even though I know little about boats. You still have my phone number so give me a call to tell me how things are going. I still have'nt bought a boat yet so maybe I should make you an offer ha ha! I used to complain about you on here but this place sure is dead sometimes without you now that you are part of the silent majority. Thanks 67hat34c I never thought I would see a post with over 2000 views again. I can only wonder how many will view this until you get where you are going and I just hope its not the bottom of the gulf. Just kidding of course I'm sure you will be okay. Good luck.

 

[67hat34c]

Bird man is now considering rebuilding the motor where it sits. a nother member recommended his mechanic who will be there today to ck out the other motor. he told randy that he and another person could have the other motor done next week. said it will take about 100 man hours. Bird is on his pirch and thinking about this, realizes it would be better to make the trip with 2 motors instead of one.

also if he is going to stay another week or 2 then i will make the trip with him and it sounds like there may be other members who could also do it.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Bird man is now considering rebuilding the motor where it sits. a nother member recommended his mechanic who will be there today to ck out the other motor. he told randy that he and another person could have the other motor done next week. said it will take about 100 man hours. Bird is on his pirch and thinking about this, realizes it would be better to make the trip with 2 motors instead of one.

also if he is going to stay another week or 2 then i will make the trip with him and it sounds like there may be other members who could also do it.

This sounds like the most reasonable solution yet. That engine is going to have to be rebuilt sooner or later by this owner or the next. It will ultimately increase the resale value and provide needed safety "insurance" for the trip. I hope it all works out.

 

[No Hurry]

If they end up coming through Panama City, and need to take a break here, I'll be glad to help with a truck to pick up supplies and such. I can also try to help finding dockage for a few nights. The city marina usually has transient space available. The boatyard that I just had my boat at was very reasonable on it's fees for haul out and storage on the hard. So I assume they would be reasonable for temporary wet slip space (they usually have slips available). It would also be easy to do mechanical work there as opposed to regular marina (some frown on mechanical work done at the dock). Just let me know.

Benjy

 

[34Hatt]

Bird man is now considering rebuilding the motor where it sits. a nother member recommended his mechanic who will be there today to ck out the other motor. he told randy that he and another person could have the other motor done next week. said it will take about 100 man hours. Bird is on his pirch and thinking about this, realizes it would be better to make the trip with 2 motors instead of one.

also if he is going to stay another week or 2 then i will make the trip with him and it sounds like there may be other members who could also do it.

I could do part of it after august 5th maybe the tail end of the trip we could do a overlap then part of the crew could get off. First weekend I have to help Thudddd bash the RLDT seems he can't do it by himself!