The Horror, the horror

[lustyslogger]

Well, yesterday I finally had an opportunity to search for the leak. The boat was bone dry and I filled the inner hull with water and looked for where it was leaking out. Since this is a day sailor it has a self bailing fitting in a sump at the very stern of the boat. The idea of course is that while underway if the boat gets water in it the water will run down into the sump. You can then pull the plug and theoretically at least the water will be sucked out of the sump. Well, the old Lusty Slogger has an inner hull, probably as flotation. However, there was a hole about the size of a pencil or Bic pen in the passage for the self bailer. Couple that with a bad O ring in the unit itself and water was getting into that hole. I have two possibilities for repair. One, is to patch the hole, replace the O ring and put everything back together. The other is to simply fiber glass over the entire drain hole. I have never used the self bailing device in the time I have owned the boat. I just don't trust opening a hole to the sea in the hopes that science will actually do what its supposed to do. I will probably patch the hole in the event I ever want to sell the Sunbird.

[wdscobie]

I just don't trust opening a hole to the sea

i agree. i'd fiberglass the drain/hole after first making sure the 'inner space' between the 'two hulls' is 100% dry.

[Peter E]

fiberglass/resin isn't difficult ...


Oh, you mean like me!![/quote]

Yup..

[JSsailem]

Lusty,
I'm a believer that science works... Unless it is the so called climate science/global warming manure.

Used my share of self balers on Flying Dutchman and Lazers...

But as you say "If I never use it", why leave a hole in a perfectly good boat.

Patch it.

[lustyslogger]

Lusty,
I'm a believer that science works... Unless it is the so called climate science/global warming manure.

Used my share of self balers on Flying Dutchman and Lazers...

But as you say "If I never use it", why leave a hole in a perfectly good boat.

Patch it.

Climate change is real. Yesterday it was a high of 82 and today it will be a high of 86 but by Saturday it's supposed to rain and a high of 73. So, you see the weather does change!!

Yeah, I think I am going to go with the peace of mind and patch the hole.

[JSsailem]

Is day to day temperature fluctuations a change in climate or a change in weather?

Frankly, I care little if it brings balmy breezes. I say all the better to jump in the boat and go sailing.

John

[lustyslogger]

Is day to day temperature fluctuations a change in climate or a change in weather?

Frankly, I care little if it brings balmy breezes. I say all the better to jump in the boat and go sailing.

John

Truthfully, I find it hilarious that a profession that can't get the weather right 3 days from now expects us to believe they know exactly what is going to happen 20 years in the future.

[lustyslogger]

Hooray. I put the Lusty Slogger back in the water today and it stayed on TOP of the water!!. I am going to let it sit tonight and check it in the morning. If all is well, and I firmly believe that it is I am going sailing in my own boat once again!!!

I never did get to sail the O'Day. The owner got as far as pressure washing the bottom but that was the end of it for him. So, I guess I will have to wait for another opportunity.

Anyway, wish me well tomorrow!

[JSsailem]

By this time today you should have had a great sail and are basking in the glow of a little sunburn.

Just finished an ear cancer removal. Bandaged up and thankful the rain is keeping me indoors. Can not get enough sunblock and big hats to block the damage I inflicted from years of youthful sailing, surfing, swimming and bikini watching.

Going to have to change the subject heading to "I'm Back!"

john

[lustyslogger]

By this time today you should have had a great sail and are basking in the glow of a little sunburn.

Just finished an ear cancer removal. Bandaged up and thankful the rain is keeping me indoors. Can not get enough sunblock and big hats to block the damage I inflicted from years of youthful sailing, surfing, swimming and bikini watching.

Going to have to change the subject heading to "I'm Back!"

john

Well, I finally took the boat out for a sail yesterday, the 24th. Winds were higher than I wanted in the morning but by early afternoon they had dropped to the point I was comfortable taking it out on a shakedown cruise. I sailed for about 90 minutes when the Wind Gods decided it was time to go home and the wind dropped to zero. I drifted for about an hour waiting for the God's to come by for another visit but lo such was not to be. I dropped the Electric Jenny and headed back under power. Every 10 minutes or so I would turn the engine off and ghost for a few minutes until all was quiet again. I finally paddled a bit to save the battery and about 100 yards from the marina I fired up again and went in at the lowest setting.

Although I only got about 2 hours of actual sailing it was a good first time back since November. Today, I went to West Marine and bought an American Flag (make in America to boot) and a flag dressing kit, Went down to the boat and noticed the four boats out were not moving an inch. So, I took down the pirate flag and ran up the US flag (the pirate flag will return Tuesday and I will be back to terrorizing the lake then). Put up the dress ship pennants, had a beer, listened to all the admiring dock birds, had a beer, and came home.

I will go back out tomorrow and try again!!

Well, this thread is finished, hopefully!!