2000-#4 COLUMNS SHOPTALK Floor Saver: Many older run abouts have rotted or delami- nated plywood floors and floor supports. Here’s a solution that will likely outlast the original construction. By Wayne Redditt DIY MECHANIC GETTING TO KNOW YOUR DIESEL ELECTRICAL When problems occur, a systematic approach to maintenance and trou- Fine Tuning DC Power bleshooting can save you time and money and often get you underway Systems: Heavy-duty wire again. Here’s what you need to know to keep your diesel humming. connection and switching devices add a dimension of flexibility in DC (direct current) MAINTENANCE system planning and installa- tion, as well as improved A BOATER’S GUIDE TO PROPANE safety. Here’s how to choose Here’s all the information you need to survey your boat’s LPG system and the best equipment for your appliance installations, including warning label details and quick-reference next upgrade. checklists for ABYC standards’ compliance. By Kevin Jeffrey By Susan Canfield GOOD BOATKEEPING Clip-On Canvas Anchors; UPGRADE Wire Camouflage. By David & Zora Aiken DECK COVERINGS Departments Dull, faded and worn deck surfaces crying out for a renewed finish that looks good, gives protection to the fiberglass beneath, and one that Q&A: Plug-in Overload; Balancing provides a secure footing for the crew, can be a do-it-yourself project. A Power and Gravity; Fine Tuning Not professional tells you how to apply non-skid over new or existing decks Always the Remedy; When Tanks Peel; using Interlux paint finishes. Restoring Canvas Decks; Bad By Bob Wright Engineering Impairs Cooling; Tips for No Starts; When Zincs Go Astray ANNUAL REFIT DIY TECHNICAL HELPLINE FIBERGLASS Build A Swim Platform Tech Tips A collection of ENGINES Home Balancing of • Marine Propellers • boat-tested tips. Filter Dirty Water RIGGING Help For Tired Pedestals • Sail Chafing Gear ELECTRONICS Install A Closed-Circuit TV System • Automatic Anchor Lights • “Smart” Electrical Installations WOODWORKING Custom Hardtop Enclosure STARBOARD Easy-to-Make Swim Platform • Gluing StarBoard • 8 Things to Make of StarBoard MAINTENANCE Unusual Teak Cleaner CANVAS Sew a Companionway Hatch Cover Talkback +AFor more information on these or any other topics, go to Q www.diy-boat.com, at the home page click on “Search” and type in specific keywords (i.e. diesel, epoxy, gelcoat, MerCruiser,outboard, etc.). Balancing Power and Gravity Fine Tuning Not Always Technical Helpline 1(888) 658-BOAT Q: I own an Osprey Eagle 5.6m the Remedy Plug-in AC Overload (18') RIB, which I use for diving. The Q: My 1989 9m (30') Tollycraft Q: My French-built Lagoon 37 cata- boat takes water over the transom in sedan sport cruiser, powered with maran has a 110-volt, 30-amp bad weather when moored and twin 5.7L 260 hp MerCruisers, fails shorepower receptacle but a 220- deck space is very limited when the to reach maximum rpm at wide- volt breaker on the AC panel, one outboards are fully tilted forward. I open throttle (WOT). It develops European-type shorepower plug in propose to fabricate another tran- 3,100 rpm to 3,500 rpm, depend- the galley and a 220-volt automatic som and bolt it to the existing tran- ing on load, number of passengers battery charger connected to two som; engines would mount on the and sea conditions. According to battery banks. If I simply replace the false transom. To stop the ingress of the original owner (I purchased it in 220-volt breaker on the AC panel water, I would raise the height of the ’97), the boat has run at this rpm with a 110-volt breaker, can I plug original transom. If the engines are since new. Because I wanted to in 110-volt appliances to the shore- moved further back will the boat, increase fuel economy — 32 gph to power plug in the galley? Will the especially the transom, be able to 35 gph at 2,000 rpm per my water heater run on 110 power? I cope with the strain? Floscan meters — and I thought the would also like to install a Heart Olly Agbebi, “Jaffa,” Muscat, Oman boat would run better, I changed the 2000 inverter. Can I use the existing props from factory original 17x16 A: A number of things happen wiring? How do I connect the 220- to 16x15 Dymalloy props. The rpm when you move engines further aft, volt battery charger so I can charge increased to 3,700, but there was without increasing the length of the my batteries at the dock when I’m in no noticeable improvement in fuel bottom of the boat. First, and most the French West Indies, but other- economy. The engines have been important, is the shift in the center of wise have it out of the loop when recently tuned, both carbs rebuilt, gravity (CG). This causes the boat to I’m plugged into 110 power? fuel filters changed at normal inter- float lower at the stern when at rest, George Chester, “Wivus,” vals and the bottom gets profession- which will compound the water-over- Fernandina Beach, Fla. ally cleaned monthly. Any sugges- the-transom problem. Secondly, it tions? A: It appears that your boat’s inte- will cause the boat to behave differ- Mike Morelli, Kailua, Hawaii rior has been wired completely for ently when underway. A boat is 220-volt AC. I’m not sure why there designed with an optimum trim is a 110-volt shorepower inlet; there angle for the speeds it’s expected to A: When repropping a larger boat, should be a 220-volt inlet some- achieve. This trim angle determines it’s normal for the rpm to change by where. I don’t like the idea of mixed the safety of the vessel when plan- approximately 100 to 150 rpm for voltages, so I’d choose 110-volt as ing. Moving the engines further aft each inch of pitch, say changing your AC source. You must rewire the alters the CG and center of buoy- from a 19" pitch to a 17" pitch boat for 110-volt AC including all ancy (CB), and this may lead to which raises the rpm by 200 to 300 breakers, outlets, polarity indicators, uncontrollable porpoising (pitching) at WOT. You reduced the props by water heater elements, etc. Install or a dangerously low trim angle. As 1" of pitch and the engine WOT the inverter then use your existing for the strain on the transom, it’s my rpm increased corresponding to this 220-volt charger when in European experience with RIBs that they formula. Therefore, I would conclude cruising areas. (You’ll need a 220- develop cracks in the area where that the boatbuilder did not equip volt shorepower inlet if there isn’t the transom and bottom meet due to the boat originally with correctly one installed already). Simply plug flex in the side tubes. If you under- sized propellers. If the boat cannot into the 220-volt outlet and let that take this modification perhaps you reach its recommended maximum charge your batteries, then use the should install some beefy gussets rpm at WOT, engine damage could inverter to produce the 110 power from the top of the transom to the occur, such as detonation. Other to run the AC system. floor of the boat. contributing factors to a low rpm — Kevin Jeffrey — Wayne Redditt condition could be a hook in the boat bottom, incorrect center of gravity, boat balance (i.e. When you need help with a overloaded bow area), too little gear ratio, poor fuel problem, or are unable to find quality or the engines are compromised and do not per- form to spec. information on products, or do- — Jan Mundy it-yourself projects consult the TECHNICAL HELPLINE. When Tanks Peel Q: I’m rebuilding a Pearson Triton sailboat. The water Cost is FREE to DIY subscribers. tank is between the berths in the forward cabin. The inte- rior surface is peeling in thin white sheets. I plan to cut a Send your questions via mail or e- large access hole in the top and resurface the entire inte- mail. Include your name, subscriber ID rior with something safe for potable water. How best to number (if known), boat name and proceed? home port. Describe symptoms in Dan Glick, “Jubilant II,” Annapolis, Maryland detail and include manufacturer, brand, year built and other pertiment A: Until you remedy the condition, the tank will be impos- information. sible to keep clean with flaky particles trapping algae as well as the obvious problem of loose flakes clogging the MAIL: water system. Before you proceed, you’ll need to deter- P. O. Box 22473 mine the tank material. If it’s fiberglass, completely Alexandria, VA 22304 remove all of the degrading material, dry the tank sur- faces completely and prep the interior surface of the tank E-MAIL: [email protected] with 80-grit and apply an appropriate epoxy barrier coat rated for use with potable water. The Devoe Coating divi- sion of Amercoat manufactures the Bar-Rust line of epoxy TECHNICAL HELPLINE paint, one of which is a potable water tank liner. Various other epoxy coatings are also suitable but check with the paint manufacturer to ensure that they are safe for potable water. — Nick Bailey Restoring Canvas Decks Q: The deck canvas on my 1966 Chris-Craft Cavalier is scuffed and dirty looking. No amount of scrubbing seems to get it clean. Can I paint old canvas? If so, what paint and procedure do I use? Peter Brugmans, Merrickville, Ont. A: Painting deck canvas is workable provided the mater- ial is still solid and not ripped or rotted.