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Ashiki

  • 20 Jan 2013 03:40
    Quote
    Reply # 1183937 on 1159172
    Deleted user
    Just to let you's know, it may be "another month" or 2 beyond last estimate. After I rip off the companionway swinging doors (which replaced the single plywood drop board..  which replaced the jamming multiple drop boards before that) and replace those with multiple drop boards again - but this time with more V shape in the opening, so they dont jam. That would total 4 attempts to make a working companionway - must be a some kind of record... should be in the junk brain thread.

    The rudder hardware arrived, 7 pieces of hot dipped galvanised steel. All for $1,000! Phew!
    Took delivery of a couple 100AH Century batteries (FLA type) from a client, with a generous discount. Together with the wiring, eBay solar panels, MPPT controller and LED lights I've accumulated I guess I'm ready to start wiring up too.
    Last modified: 20 Jan 2013 03:43 | Deleted user
  • 19 Dec 2012 00:52
    Quote
    Reply # 1162813 on 1162726
    Deleted user
    Paul Thompson wrote:The engine it's self has never given problems but all the "VETUS" items have been a source of endless problems. Once I got rid of the VETUS stuff all problems disappeared and I now just add oil & Diesel.

    Vetus must really be the name of a disease, an industrial design disease.
  • 18 Dec 2012 22:00
    Quote
    Reply # 1162726 on 1162639
    Anonymous member
    David Tyler wrote:When I took apart the handles on my Maxwell hatches, to see why they were leaking, I found that the inner components had "VETUS" moulded into them. Don't want to ruin your day, but see if you can take one of your catches apart. Mine have a press-in cap, covering a self tapping screw, which, when taken out, reveals a further self tapping screw. On the outside, the only seal is an O-ring against the acrylic, which tears and leaks after a while. If this is like yours, fill the whole thing full of waterproof grease.

    Maxwell is now part of the "VETUS" group so I have no expectations that quality will improve. My engine sold as a VETUS M3.10 is a Mitsubishi K3D with VETUS bits bolted on. The engine it's self has never given problems but all the "VETUS" items have been a source of endless problems. Once I got rid of the VETUS stuff all problems disappeared and I now just add oil & Diesel.

    On the other hand, VETUS hydraulic rams and steering pumps are some of the best. Of cause they are not made by VETUS, just labeled so.
    Last modified: 18 Dec 2012 23:08 | Anonymous member
  • 18 Dec 2012 20:16
    Quote
    Reply # 1162639 on 1162312
    Anonymous member
    Gary King wrote:We got a little keen and started testing the portlights today. Susie tried to simulate a wave hitting them using the garden hose. Some of them still leaked, ever so slowly.

    Then I hit on the idea of spreading silicon on little joint in the aluminium frame. (Vetus made the frames in 2 parts & pressed them together without welding, not 1 part like sensible bronze ports. There's a gap in the joint at around .1 or .2mm).

    Looks like the seals werent the problem after all because the leaks are gone.
    Vetus ports are good if you finish the manufacturing process for them. :/
    When I took apart the handles on my Maxwell hatches, to see why they were leaking, I found that the inner components had "VETUS" moulded into them. Don't want to ruin your day, but see if you can take one of your catches apart. Mine have a press-in cap, covering a self tapping screw, which, when taken out, reveals a further self tapping screw. On the outside, the only seal is an O-ring against the acrylic, which tears and leaks after a while. If this is like yours, fill the whole thing full of waterproof grease.
  • 18 Dec 2012 19:38
    Quote
    Reply # 1162604 on 1159172
    Anonymous member
    Well, all's well that end's well, I guess, and silicon is nice and sticky :-)

    I bet you find they're described as 'weatherproof' on the box (and that doesn't include extreme weather events)!
  • 18 Dec 2012 09:38
    Quote
    Reply # 1162312 on 1159172
    Deleted user
    We got a little keen and started testing the portlights today. Susie tried to simulate a wave hitting them using the garden hose. Some of them still leaked, ever so slowly.

    Then I hit on the idea of spreading silicon on little joint in the aluminium frame. (Vetus made the frames in 2 parts & pressed them together without welding, not 1 part like sensible bronze ports. There's a gap in the joint at around .1 or .2mm).

    Looks like the seals werent the problem after all because the leaks are gone.
    Vetus ports are good if you finish the manufacturing process for them. :/
  • 18 Dec 2012 00:14
    Quote
    Reply # 1161991 on 1161843
    Deleted user
    Paul Thompson wrote:Gary, sorry to say but if your ports cannot cope with pooled water, then I suspect that you will be plagued with leaks from the said ports. Not wanting to sound negative but long experience tells me so.

    If it were my boat, I'd pull those ports out now while it's relatively easy and replace them with fixed ones (bolted on from outside, no fancy recessed frame) or if you really have to have opening ports, use small hatches. They at least fit tighter when under external pressure. The logic of ports that open inward forever eludes me.
    I suspect you are right Paul. Ports are fairly easy to replace whether on the hard or floating in a pen so will leave it for now.
  • 17 Dec 2012 20:04
    Quote
    Reply # 1161843 on 1159172
    Anonymous member
    Gary, sorry to say but if your ports cannot cope with pooled water, then I suspect that you will be plagued with leaks from the said ports. Not wanting to sound negative but long experience tells me so.

    If it were my boat, I'd pull those ports out now while it's relatively easy and replace them with fixed ones (bolted on from outside, no fancy recessed frame) or if you really have to have opening ports, use small hatches. They at least fit tighter when under external pressure. The logic of ports that open inward forever eludes me.
  • 17 Dec 2012 01:24
    Quote
    Reply # 1161277 on 1159172
    Deleted user
    Those port lights are rated for offshore use, having 10mm thick plexiglass and double spigots, so I assume they can take an impact. It's when water gets to pool on the seal for hours on end is the problem. At least lee side ports are angled over and can't hold the water.
  • 16 Dec 2012 13:08
    Quote
    Reply # 1160974 on 1159172
    Deleted user
    The port lights should be a tight as possible. There has been more than one occasion when the majority, and sometimes all, the ports have been under water. Bashing against heavy seas the lee ports and cabin front ports are continuously awash.

       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

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