Pilot 40

Thanks guys - yes the prop shafts are my first port of call for the water ingress. The rudder tubes are well above the water line. I also need to check the current draw. The battery is quite old but has not had a lot of use, although it has been regularly charged, so it may be dying.

Barrie

Thinking about the where the water could have got in during my brief trip back to civilisation (Yorkshire ) I decided it must be the prop shafts. As the tubes stop as they exit the hull,, there is no pressure washer to help seal the tube.

What suggestions do you have for an oil or grease to seal the tubes? I usually use a light oil, but that will not work in this case.

Barrie

1stly one option I've employed with shafts set the way you have these Barrie is to place a collet with a grub screw. on the shaft to allow a thrust washer and 'O' ring to be used to seal the tube this has the advantage of putting the thrust forces on to the tube rather than the 'P' frame.

The issue of grease for the tube I tend to use any silicone grease available as long as its not thicker than Vaseline so pretty thick then lol There is a lot said about not using a thick grease due to the possibility of it causing the shaft to bind but I've never found this to be the case just make sure you strip the shafts out after a trip to the pond to let the tubes dry out as most greases do eventually emulsify with the water and this can lead to corrosion issues

Thats me done teaching me gran to suck eggs lol

Hi Phil - sorry I didn't get back sooner. I have pumped some grease into the tubes, and also added a collet just in front of the tube. We'll see how this does on the next opportunity for a sail.

Barrie

This is the final post of this build log. Having found some metre lengths of 1.5mm brass at the Leamington show, I was able to make and fit the final handrails. I'm not sure how accurate they are, but they look OK to me



Barrie

Tremendous Barrie truly a lovely boat that you should be proud of. The handrails look just as I would expect and you know what they say (well what Tatooed says lol) if it looks right then it is right mate.

beautiful barrie.......just superb.

neil.

Thanks guys, but I still say it only looks that good in photos. Close up there are too many mistakes. The forecast is good for Sunday, so it should get another outing.

Barrie

Much less water after this morning's sail, and I think what is coming in now is via the rudder tubes so grease goes into those tomorrow

Barrie