Saturday 1st July 2023
The original plan was to be in Treluggan for seven months in which time I would do a major refit. The most pressing job was to sort out a 'rumble' coming from the drivetrain that I had heard during the summer.
With the boat out of the water you could wiggle the prop shaft at the P bracket, looks like that is the issue. As we dismantled the drive train it became apparent that something had happened at some time in the past and that things were worse that I had feared. Not only could the P bracket be moved when the stuffing box was removed the stern tube end was not straight, but had chunks out of it. Something had happened at some time in the past, but I was unsure if they were related.
Then came the long hunt for somebody to do the work as this was way beyond my level of GRP work. One contractor said he was interested, but had not done that type of repair before. He then disappeared for several months. I suspect he was not confident and rather than saying, 'Sandy, sorry but I'm not happy doing that job.', just left me waiting. I frustration I had a chat with the people at the yard to see if they had any contacts in the trade and thankfully they had just found somebody that fitted the bill.
In June 2023 Ian arrived with his tools dug out the P bracket from the GRP then proceeded to rebuild the structure that held it in place, this time a bit more substantially than the original design. Once that was completed moved on to replacing the metal stern tube with a spun glass fibre one. The original metal stuffing box, with a Radice dripless seal to eliminate having to pump out the engine bilge daily.
All Glassed Up
The Finished Job
There had also been a number of other equipment failures that meant things needed replacing. The fresh water pump being the highest priority, a simple trip to the chandler with the part number of the existing pump.
The most comical item was the hinges for the sea toilet, they do have a habit of routinely breaking.
Water in the Engine Bilge
One of the most satisfying jobs to get done while the boat was ashore was sorting out a mysterious leak that kept filling the engine bilge.
After a heavy downpour I would return to the boat to find water under the engine and backed up to the transom which was puzzling as I was unable to spot where it was coming in from.
On removing the fuel tank I found a pool of water under it and was able to work out that the water was entering the boat via the hole in the deck where the fuel pipe cap was located!
Unscrewed the fitting, drilled the holes through the deck and replace the screws with three bolts and applied butyl tape round the fitting and tightened up the bolts. Finally, the leak has stopped.
I really enjoyed my time at Treluggan, the yard are happy for you to work on your boat, get them to do the work or get a contractor in to do the work. Other yards are very 'protective' and only they can do work on your boat.
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