Features 17 10 STEPS to a PERFECT PAINT JOB Columns Often the Only Solution to Repair Dull and 11 ELECTRONICS Faded Gelcoat on an Older Fiberglass Boat Is to Paint It
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
– 2002 issue #2 – Features 17 10 STEPS TO A PERFECT PAINT JOB Columns Often the only solution to repair dull and 11 ELECTRONICS faded gelcoat on an older fiberglass boat is to paint it. While you can do this yourself, a The Weak Link: Fuses and circuit breakers prevent too much amperage from professional touch guarantees spectacular traveling through a wire, building heat results. through resistance that may damage electri- By Nick Bailey cal and electronic equipment, and more important, cause an electrical fire. Here’s how to properly install adequately sized cir- 27 CORROSION 101 cuit protection devices. — By Kevin Jeffrey This segment in our corrosion series looks at stain- 21 PROJECTS less steel, an alloy that, contrary to popular belief, Need More Gauges?; Happiness Is Fewer does rust under certain conditions, sometimes to Holes; Anchor Locker Ventilation; Oil Pump the point of total failure. Storage. By Susan Canfield 34 SAILBOAT RIGGING Don’t Be Foiled By Foils: 30 THRUSTER FAQ Centerboards, swing or lifting keels are often overlooked components on sailboats. Some things you should know about Carefree operation requires this equipment choosing, installing, operating and be inspected and maintained during every maintaining bow and stern thrusters. haulout. Here’s how to remove, repair and reinstall. — By Nick Bailey 47 POWERBOAT RIGGING 39 BUYING RIGHT Stern Drive Alignment: The A Surveyor’s Perspective. There are some engine, transom assembly and sterndrive of your engine must be in perfect alignment to great buys on used boats if you know what to prevent major engine damage. To align look for. A marine surveyor explains how to these components as part of your annual evaluate a boat’s systems and performance maintenance, you’ll need a custom tool, before making a purchase offer. service manual and some mechanical By Susan Canfield know-how. — By Harry Swieca 56 GOOD BOATKEEPING More Duck Foil; Rail Cushion; Barrel 45 REPAIR STATEGIES Shower. — By David & Zora Aiken Not just for the surveyor anymore, find out how a $250 tool can save Departments your boat. 2 Currents By Nick Bailey 6 Talkback Q&A Opt for Marine Oil; As the Juice Flows; A 50 A BARGAIN AT ANY PRICE Reason to Clean; Which Outboard Oil is Best?; Grounds for Underwater Metal Here’s how one intrepid DIYer with vision and Corrosion; Rudderpost Fix; Painting Trim determination transformed the hull and deck Tabs; Boat Ergonomics; Leaking Deck Joint; of a mid-80s production boat. Includes mold- Rudder Alignment building techniques, gelcoat application and 10 Tech Tips fiberglass resin laminating. FREE technical help with your subscription. See page 9 or log onto DIY ONLINE at www.diy-boat.com www.diy-boat.com DIY boat owner 2002- #2 1 Pass the Envelope Please… CURRENTS Further to our answer to DIY reader [ Edited by Jan Mundy ] Rob Weien’s question on our Technical Helpline (see Talkback col- Auto Versus Marine Parts umn, “Grounds for Underwater DIY reader Al Deaver called us Metal Corrosion” on page 7), we regarding the article titled, “Extreme received his response. “Wow! What Power Boost” in DIY 2002-#1 issue. a thorough analysis and spot-on also potted in resin to prevent vibra- Deaver was concerned about the advice. Taking your suggestion, I tion damage. Both units are effec- installation of the automotive version employed a professional to inspect tively sealed against any spark emis- of the Multiple Spark Discharge the boat. He tested everything with sion, except the wiring path. The (MSD) as pictured on page 46 and a meter and found no large current 6M-2 unit also has watertight con- to the right. He pointed out that the flow nor any meaningful differences nectors, but since I installed my unit unit in this installation is not the between the plate and adjacent met- to ABYC standards using proper spark (ignition)-protected marine ver- als (bronze thru-hulls). I’ve never had marine tinned-copper connectors sion and a conflict with the ABYC such a prompt and well-researched and adhesive-lined, heat-shrink tub- standard requirements for ignition reply from a magazine at any time ing, corroded connections are not protected electrical equipment in cer- on any subject.” an issue. It’s unlikely a spark could tain marine applications. He was cause any issues with the riser, as How to Build Fiberglass also worried about its proximity to the standard requiring ignition pro- Components the exhaust riser. The author, Dwight tected components is intended to I’m hoping to rebuild the engine box Powell, contacted Autotronic deal with a spark igniting volatile and several floor hatches on my Controls in El Paso, Texas, the MSD vapors, not with heat sources. If the 7.6m (25') cruiser. I would like to manufacturer, for clarification. heat riser were to burst, I’m confi- build them out of gelcoat and fiber- Dwight’s reply follows. dent that the MSD 6A’s water resis- glass. Any information that might The reader is correct. I recommend tancy would be adequate. As for guide me on my way would be all future installers use the MSD 6M- onboard vibration, it’s no more, and greatly appreciated. 2 marine unit. Both the 6A (auto probably less, than most vehicles Chris Sines, “Vitalsines,” Cape May, New model) and 6M-2 (marine model) traveling on a roadway. Were my Jersey boat in saltwater and/or a perfor- are identical in performance and Turn to “A Bargain at Any Price,” on mance boat, I would definitely use basic construction. The 6A unit is page 50 for details on building and the marine model. [Ed: Product test- considered water or splash resistant, prepping the molds, applying gel- ing for compliance with the perfor- while the 6M-2 unit is considered coat and laminating the glass mat mance requirements of a standard, water or immersion proof and is and woven roving. such as ABYC, are performed by an independent laboratory, such as Flush Appeal STORM TRACKING Underwriters Laboratories (UL). This I read the article titled “Intelligent I always believed that the number of seconds is the final consumer assurance of Sanitation” in DIY 2002-#1 issue that pass between the lightning flash and the the product’s safety in a marine with interest. I have heard that the thunderclap gives the distance to the lightning. application. The dynamics of vibra- Lectra/San takes several minutes to According to Ewen Thompson, a lightning special- tion and water exposure in the run through its treatment cycle. Can ist with the University of Florida, the actual cal- marine environment extend well the toilet be used during this cycle? culation is to divide the time by five. If the thun- beyond those experienced in an If it can be used consecutively (I fre- der starts 20 seconds after you see the flash, the automotive application. In the case quently sail with a boat full of lightning is 6.4km (4 miles) away. A better rule of the MSD 6M-2 unit, the manufac- teenagers) what is the capacity of of thumb is that, if you hear thunder, you are turer should state whether the prod- this unit? Once it reaches capacity, within range of a strike. — JM uct meets all applicable ABYC stan- does the sewage simply back up in dards, and that is what the con- the discharge line then possibly into sumer should seek when making the toilet? decisions about marine equipment Ted Hugger via e-mail purchases. Where spark and electri- cal integrity in wet applications is at According to Raritan, every time the stake on a boat, nothing less should toilet is flushed, the Lectra/San runs be accepted.] (continued on page 4) 2 DIY boat owner 2002- #2 (www.diy-boat.com) 1-888-658-2628 THEFT HAPPENS It appears we are losing the battle against recurrent outboard theft. Having lost three engines in 8 years, and absorbing an increase in our insurance policy deductible, we now keep our outboard in locked “dry” storage until needed. Our first engine was locked to the kicker bracket with a heavy-duty chain, but it was easily cut and the engine lifted off the transom. Ditto on the second occur- rence. Thieves trying for the third engine couldn’t remove the Fulton lock that covered the motor’s hold-down clamps, so they cut the chains holding the boat to the dock and floated (we suspect towed) it away. A few days later, the boat showed up, sans engine, but with what remained of the Fulton lock lying in the bilge. Examination of the lock showed it had been pried open (see photo below), until the threaded barrel-style lock mechanism snapped, revealing the weak link in an otherwise well-engineered device. While we realize there is no 100% theft proof lock, the Fulton lock did hinder the process. This was not a quick-and-easy job. Just consider the logistics of first beaching the boat, then getting a pry bar under the lock from inside the cock- pit, with a scant 30.5cm (12") clearance to the floor, and bending the lock hous- ing until it breaks. We wanted a professional opinion, so we contacted the man- ufacturer who agreed to evaluate our damaged lock. Since purchasing our lock, Fulton had redesigned the locking mechanism, available on 2000 and newer models. Engineers pry-tested the new lock to duplicate the condition of our damaged lock. Using a 91cm (3') wrecking bar placed in the slot between the two halves, they were able to bend the new model 100% further than our damaged unit before it failed.