Search found 1099 matches

by Quetzalsailor
Mon Dec 16, 2013 9:58 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Turnbuckle inspection and interior painting
Replies: 4
Views: 3006

Re: Turnbuckle inspection and interior painting

Bronze turnbuckles can be taken apart and inspected. I've heard tell of the threads having corroded to dust within the barrel of the 'buckle. If only brown and not pink copper; they might well be, probably are fine. Some turnbuckles have stainless barrels and bronze screws; ditto for inspection. I u...
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Nov 02, 2013 9:20 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Forum future
Replies: 27
Views: 7694

Re: Forum future

Aww, gee! Nice (and unexpected) kudos noted! I have not posted for quite a while and for several reasons: sage comments and advice from Tim Luckey, Hirilonde, Chris Campbell, Rachel, Zach, and the others noted have been sadly lacking. I learned far more than I ever offered from those folks! I was &q...
by Quetzalsailor
Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:41 am
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: In search of moldings
Replies: 4
Views: 4086

Re: In search of moldings

Our boat has pressboard ceilings which were installed like the fiberglass sheet goods you're thinking of. The joins are done with 'H' section plastic mouldings which are available at Lowes and the Depot. These fiberglass sheet goods are sold for wall coverings and are too shiny and pebbly-patterned ...
by Quetzalsailor
Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:35 am
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: In search of moldings
Replies: 4
Views: 4086

Re: In search of moldings

I routinely make my own mouldings of whatever wood is appropriate to the project. Router, radial arm saw with the three-blade moulding cutter (I grind my own profiles). Teak mills perfectly well with carbide tools; ditto Makore. Oak, pine, redwood, and other softer woods mill adequately with steel c...
by Quetzalsailor
Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:18 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Knee operated galley pump
Replies: 4
Views: 2125

Re: Knee operated galley pump

I think the valves are spring loaded and would not be offended by mounting the pump sideways. An important detail.
by Quetzalsailor
Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:15 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Knee operated galley pump
Replies: 4
Views: 2125

Re: Knee operated galley pump

The Whale toe pumps are perfectly good. They give a spurt on both strokes of the pedal; one stroke by the toe and the return stroke with internal springs. You'd want to add a longer paddle to the toe lever to save wear and tear on your patella. And you'd probably want to make your paddle able to fol...
by Quetzalsailor
Sun Nov 04, 2012 11:15 am
Forum: Technical Data and Boat Nerdery
Topic: Bilge pump fittings
Replies: 8
Views: 6109

Re: Bilge pump fittings

Bob, I recall posting these a couple years ago, but here they are again. The base and the 1" square tube is McMaster-Carr's fiberglass, epoxied together. The Rule's strainer is bolted to the fiberglass base. The copper ell slips loosely over the pump discharge and is held in with the wire tie. ...
by Quetzalsailor
Mon Jul 30, 2012 9:53 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Progress
Replies: 24
Views: 9181

Re: Progress

Well, I have not posted on this subject since the winter, but I have not been sitting around. Here she is on Sunday afternoon. Here are a couple of the Heckrottes and a few of our manias, soon to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Sue's an astonishingly fecund gardener; Kochi, the Coon Hound, is an ast...
by Quetzalsailor
Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:08 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: 10" Circ saw blade for G10/FRP
Replies: 3
Views: 1460

Re: 10" Circ saw blade for G10/FRP

I use ordinary 10" carbide blades and destroy 'em in short order. I've since learned to use cutoff wheels in an angle grinder.

Here, I'm cutting McMaster Carr's 1/2" fiberglass rod lengthwise to make fiberglass keelbands for the Flying Dutchman.
2012-06-04 Surcease keelband 003-r.jpg
by Quetzalsailor
Thu Jun 14, 2012 9:02 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Will it Sink?
Replies: 6
Views: 4147

Re: Will it Sink?

If you don't/can't pull it down, it has to sink on its own. As for testing how much weight, only the lower end has to sink, so weight at the lower end of the right amount is all that's required. Testing, therefore, would involve holding the board on edge and pivoted on its pin at the right depth in ...
by Quetzalsailor
Mon May 28, 2012 8:04 pm
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Drawing programs
Replies: 6
Views: 3685

Re: Drawing programs

AutoCAD is terrible for this purpose and, of course, far from free. It does not handle surfaces or volumes the way a proper naval architecture program would. It's obviously 'smart' enough but that's not what 'saddle programs' have been developed for it to work through. For example, there are saddle ...
by Quetzalsailor
Mon May 28, 2012 7:53 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: Spring on Quetzal
Replies: 8
Views: 3483

Re: Spring on Quetzal

Quetzal's been splashed. Went to start the Yanmar 3GM30 YEU and it ran for a few seconds and quit. (I had the engine's filters replaced, and oil changed last fall.) It took a heap of cranking and then troubleshooting before I decided that it needed to be bled. I attempted for uncounted (but many) mi...
by Quetzalsailor
Thu May 24, 2012 5:53 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: Spring on Quetzal
Replies: 8
Views: 3483

Re: Spring on Quetzal

I found a mostly unexpected problem last Friday morning. It rained the day before so some small amount of water was still dripping from Quetzal's internal scuppers (slots on deck open to channels 'glassed to the inside of the hull; openings to the sea below the waterline). Additionally, there was a ...
by Quetzalsailor
Sun May 20, 2012 8:35 am
Forum: Projects
Topic: Spring on Quetzal
Replies: 8
Views: 3483

Re: Spring on Quetzal

The companionway sill is in. A couple more coats of satin urethane required, thus the masking tape.
2012-05-20 Quetzal spring-r.jpg
by Quetzalsailor
Thu May 17, 2012 12:15 am
Forum: Projects
Topic: Spring on Quetzal
Replies: 8
Views: 3483

Spring on Quetzal

So, I started on April Fools Day preparing Q for the season. The stated goal was to wood and Cetol all brightwork topsides, paint the bottom and go sailing. The project morphed into: 1, remounting the winches and replacing the associated Teak, some structural and some trim, in a way that would allow...
by Quetzalsailor
Wed May 16, 2012 11:38 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Replacing/repairing teak plywood
Replies: 6
Views: 3940

Re: Replacing/repairing teak plywood

You can certainly reveneer stuff. You can veneer new plywood. You can make your own small pieces of plywood. I'd be unwilling to work on my knees for long enough to repair that plywood in place and veneer it to a standard that would match the boat. Cut it out and install a new piece. You might wish ...
by Quetzalsailor
Thu Apr 05, 2012 9:40 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Tapping threads in bronze
Replies: 4
Views: 2761

Re: Tapping threads in bronze

Oh, what undeserved fun! Can you file just a smidge further and expose the first few thread tips? Then pick the remains of the bolt's threads out with a dentist's pick? Then you could probably run a tap through and clean out the rest.

Bronze should tap pretty sweetly.
by Quetzalsailor
Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:00 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Washdown Pump Advice needed
Replies: 6
Views: 2170

Re: Washdown Pump Advice needed

I used to use a bucket. Sue would drive out of the anchorage and I'd scoop up bucket after bucket. It got old after 15 years. I bought West Marine's biggest Jabsco washdown pump and am happy with everything but the nifty-but-hard-to-actually-use quick release flush hose connection. I also do not use...
by Quetzalsailor
Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:50 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Cockpit Floor Re-Core question
Replies: 22
Views: 9409

Re: Cockpit Floor Re-Core question

That cockpit is so huge I would not hesitate in whacking it out and putting the top skin back. Plenty of space within which to work.
by Quetzalsailor
Tue Mar 20, 2012 9:28 pm
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Cockpit Floor Re-Core question
Replies: 22
Views: 9409

Re: Cockpit Floor Re-Core question

Glad to see you back, PK! I'm re-reading my O'Brien and enjoying 'em mightily. Anyway, I did the cockpit floor in our previous boat, a Morgan 27. It had balsa core. I worked from underneath while the engine was on R&R getting an upper end rebuild. I used an angle grinder and, while it was fast a...
by Quetzalsailor
Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:25 pm
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Bandsaw Bungles
Replies: 6
Views: 4017

Re: Bandsaw Bungles

Yup; Google 'Woodslicer Timberwolf comparison' and read all about them. Readily available on the 'net.
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Mar 10, 2012 11:25 pm
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Bandsaw Bungles
Replies: 6
Views: 4017

Re: Bandsaw Bungles

The crank tensioner arrived today and I installed it only to realize that the nut it came with was too small for the mortice that it was to fit into: it rotated rather than stayed put. Then I read the instructions to learn that the identical-looking parts were not; the Jet parts were metric and the ...
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Mar 10, 2012 11:10 am
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Bandsaw Bungles
Replies: 6
Views: 4017

Re: Bandsaw Bungles

Bill, thanks for your insights. The 12" Walker-Turner has steel brushes for guides, not blocks. I've never seen anything like 'em. And I got hooked by the urethane tires. I've got the Jet working properly now. Many Taiwanese 14" bandsaws, sold under several nameplates, had/have a cast alum...
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Mar 03, 2012 5:56 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Whisker pole repair
Replies: 1
Views: 733

Re: Whisker pole repair

I have a Forespar whisker pole, the three-part seventeen-footer, that I trash-picked. It was corroded to immovable. I was able to force it apart and clean it up. Forespar gave me the replacement rubber locking bits when I told the rep about it at the Annap. Boat Show several years ago. If I recall c...
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:13 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Sorry, It may be a Dumb One
Replies: 6
Views: 1368

Re: Sorry, It may be a Dumb One

I'been thinking about that comparison between pulling the gooseneck down and the function of a Cunningham since you first posted. I think that it's more complicated and is indeed different. On our 1970 North East 38, the luff can be tensioned with the halliard winch and/or the two-part tackle pullin...
by Quetzalsailor
Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:13 pm
Forum: Tools and Techniques
Topic: Bandsaw Bungles
Replies: 6
Views: 4017

Bandsaw Bungles

Well, not really...yet. I could not resist the alliteration. A newly acquired toy for the shop. This is a 14" Jet Bandsaw with their riser kit and their three speed kit along with a Mule Accusquare that I bought almost 20 years ago for my cheepie 12" Craftsman bandsaw (it could not be made...
by Quetzalsailor
Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:23 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Progress
Replies: 24
Views: 9181

Re: Progress

Finally assembled the three rudders.
2012-02-05 FD Rudders 001-r.jpg
2012-02-05 FD Rudders 004-r.jpg
2012-02-05 FD Rudders 005-r.jpg
And on to the tillers...
by Quetzalsailor
Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:50 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: laminated mahogany springback
Replies: 5
Views: 1410

Re: laminated mahogany springback

Springback is always an issue when bending wood, by steaming, laminating, whichever. One way to combat this is by overbending, that is, judiciously build your form with more bend than the final result will require. True for metal shapes, too. It's the 'judicious' part that's hard. Jack already menti...
by Quetzalsailor
Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:37 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Rot in my battery compartment
Replies: 6
Views: 3611

Re: Rot in my battery compartment

We have a 1970 LeComte NorthEast 38. Batteries were in a 'glassed plywood box under the sole and over the fuel tank. Some PO noticed rot/deterioration and filled the space between the box and the tank with Home Despot-type urethane foam. Only the box bottom and lower sides were affected. Naturally, ...
by Quetzalsailor
Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:37 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Blooper?
Replies: 8
Views: 2137

Re: Blooper?

I was told to not buy a used blooper in lieu of a used or new cruising spinnaker; they're not the same thing at all. It had seemed to me that one would be better than nothing, particularly if the price were right!
by Quetzalsailor
Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:33 pm
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Progress
Replies: 24
Views: 9181

Re: Progress

Well, actually, I own three Flying Dutchman sailboats, but only the '58 +/- Dutch-hulled boat has gotten any work. The others are a '76 Italian-made Silenzi and a '78 German-made Mader. Since I had to build a rudderhead, which is a pain, I decided to build three rudderheads identical and all at once...
by Quetzalsailor
Mon Dec 26, 2011 6:56 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Depth of Waterlift Muffler - Any Fudge Room?
Replies: 4
Views: 1309

Re: Depth of Waterlift Muffler - Any Fudge Room?

Read your instructions again (and again). The fellow who installed our Yanmar and a waterlift without sufficient height difference between the manifold and the muffler used a length of pipe, a nipple, to raise the injection elbow to the required height. Worked just fine for the years before we owned...
by Quetzalsailor
Mon Dec 26, 2011 6:46 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Shore power.
Replies: 31
Views: 6717

Re: Shore power.

Can anyone think why he should not simply wire the two incoming connections together, tag 'em both to the incoming side of his AC breaker? I can't think why that would be bad. The only downside would be the guy who puts two shore power cords into plugs that are not on the same phase. You'd get 220v ...
by Quetzalsailor
Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:28 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: aluminum with brass
Replies: 3
Views: 910

Re: aluminum with brass

Couldn't be worse. Use stainless. Or fittings made for that purpose.

Well, it could be worse, copper and aluminum.
by Quetzalsailor
Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:13 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: cutless bearing tolerence
Replies: 4
Views: 1183

Re: cutless bearing tolerence

I think a sixteenth of an inch of total wag is at the high end of plenty. When new there is not much slop that isn't the rubber itself flexing. Lots of other reasons for vibration: alignment, slop, out-of-balance, critters on the prop or shaft, the engine and its accessories, loose mounts, broken mo...
by Quetzalsailor
Tue Dec 20, 2011 11:07 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Handrails, an "obvious" question
Replies: 5
Views: 1664

Re: Handrails, an "obvious" question

I would expect that most boats have some sort of stiffening structure associated with a deck, cabin tops, and side decks. Our LeComte NE 38 has an Airex foam cored deck. That is, an exterior fiberglass layup, about a 3/4" thick core, and a fiberglass layup. Then LeComte screwed wood nailers to ...
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Dec 17, 2011 5:35 pm
Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
Topic: Vang for roller-reefing boom?
Replies: 14
Views: 5876

Re: Vang for roller-reefing boom?

David's point is important. A boom fully eased for my taste is such that the sail brushes only lightly against the shrouds. Our main is so full that that means the boom is only out about 60 degrees.
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:53 am
Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
Topic: Stainless Rigging 302/304 vs 316
Replies: 6
Views: 3462

Re: Stainless Rigging 302/304 vs 316

Our '72 Morgan 27 was rigged with 304, I rerigged (RigRite) with 316. I did not upsize, even though the 316 is something like 20% less strong. The whole problem of which alloy to use is annoying and unsettling. There's variation in the alloys in various components. There's no particular guarantee th...
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Dec 17, 2011 1:43 am
Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
Topic: Vang for roller-reefing boom?
Replies: 14
Views: 5876

Re: Vang for roller-reefing boom?

Well, you'll have an easy time of adding a Vang since the boom won't be rotating with your new slab reefing. Add a bale to the boom and to the mast at the partners. Hang as beefy and multiply parted tackle as you care to between the bales and lead the tail aft to a cleat on the cabin top. Or go whol...
by Quetzalsailor
Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:20 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Wood species for anchor platform
Replies: 4
Views: 1122

Re: Wood species for anchor platform

What broke that hunk of wood? I thought you brought the anchor rode or mooring pennant off the roller and dropped it in the chock. My roller is wimpy laterally, and has sharpish edges, so I never have a rode over it except during dropping or raising the anchor. One might have bad thoughts about that...
by Quetzalsailor
Fri Dec 16, 2011 12:09 am
Forum: Sails, Rigging, and Systems
Topic: Vang for roller-reefing boom?
Replies: 14
Views: 5876

Re: Vang for roller-reefing boom?

Please excuse a dumb question. Do you mean Vang or preventer? A vang allows tacking and holds the boom down; a preventer prevents a jybe. I've got a former roller reefing boom, the crank is still in the lazarette. But the boom's been rigged with a pair of rope clutches and a winch for slab reefing t...
by Quetzalsailor
Wed Dec 14, 2011 9:38 am
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Wood species for anchor platform
Replies: 4
Views: 1122

Re: Wood species for anchor platform

Strength isn't the most important issue. Surely, the platform itself isn't working very hard? The rode bears near the boat? Weight in the end is more important; less is better. Longevity is most important. The likelihood of dinging by errant anchor handling or docking suggests maintenance of the fin...
by Quetzalsailor
Sun Dec 04, 2011 10:37 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: Re-think fuel tank placement.
Replies: 14
Views: 6096

Re: Re-think fuel tank placement.

Does not anyone have one of the vent whistles? I think they're required on new boats(?). In my case, the sudsing occurs almost at the same time as the overflow of the vent and a quick reaction and a quick swipe takes care of the minor splurp before it goes overboard. Some silly P.O. abandoned the ol...
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Dec 03, 2011 12:01 am
Forum: Ramblings
Topic: Progress
Replies: 24
Views: 9181

Re: Progress

Well, I really cannot stay away from the FD work. The two centerboards in the foreground are restored for use and the thing in the background is a third. Both centerboards were shorter than the class rules. Both were damaged, so I sawed out wood and added new. The board in the background is warped: ...
by Quetzalsailor
Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:23 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Wisker pole
Replies: 2
Views: 928

Re: Wisker pole

Why bother with wrapping the Bamboo? I doubt the bond you'd get to the slick exterior surface. The shape is not so perfect that the 'glass would be able to take much load (recall that columns are pretty sensitive to symmetry and eccentricity; Mr Euler figured all that out). And, it costs money and a...
by Quetzalsailor
Sun Nov 27, 2011 10:06 am
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Brand Name of Foam
Replies: 25
Views: 13423

Re: Brand Name of Foam

Hey yawl! Don't dismiss the fillet. If you're using West's filleting additive/filler, or similar, you're creating a structural adhesive. You need not add fiber to it. Plenty of small boats are bonded solely with fillets. Tabbing can be made with single or multiple plies of 'glass; the determinant is...
by Quetzalsailor
Sat Nov 26, 2011 8:57 pm
Forum: Materials, Sources, and Innovations
Topic: Brand Name of Foam
Replies: 25
Views: 13423

Re: Brand Name of Foam

Hmmm. I have my doubts about the use of foam between the hull and the edge of a bulkhead actually working to 'reduce hard spots'. I think what you're really trying to do is to keep water from wicking into the end grain of the plywood. In the good old days, when our old boats were built, the tabbing ...
by Quetzalsailor
Wed Nov 23, 2011 8:40 am
Forum: Boatbuilding and Repair Techniques
Topic: Can fresh epoxy retard cure of interlux bilgecote?
Replies: 14
Views: 7884

Re: Can fresh epoxy retard cure of interlux bilgecote?

Gee, thanks, Rachel, for reminding us guys: 'When all else fails, read the instructions'!
by Quetzalsailor
Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:52 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Cutting threads with a die
Replies: 10
Views: 1890

Re: Cutting threads with a die

I recently cut 5/16 coarse threads further down a 316 stainless steel eyebolt. At least the die was completely threaded onto the existing threads. What a lot of effort! Lots of oil and lots of backing and forthing to break chips. I was sure I was going to break the die or the holder. And I was worri...
by Quetzalsailor
Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:45 pm
Forum: Questions and Answers
Topic: Moving Alberg 30
Replies: 5
Views: 1291

Re: Moving Alberg 30

An Alberg today, Stonehenge tomorrow! Nice work! For the others: my Army training taught that a 'natural holdfast' was best for anchoring cables for moving Bailey Bridges, etc., but buried deadmen were pretty good, too. A natural holdfast is a large tree; buried deadmen are buried baulks of timber c...