Yo Rachel

[windrose]

how ya doing? All good I hope, getting settled in? You never said if the dog was with you or not.... what's up? Maybe this is the last little snow storm and spring is actually around the corner.

[Tim]

Actually, I've been thinking of asking how things are going too, so I'll chime in as well.

So, Rachel. How are things going? What's the status of your boat and various projects? You know how we all hate to be left hanging.

[CharlieJ]

Haven't talked to her since before the weekend, but as of Friday she hadn't gotten any more done on the boat- no time once she gets home from work cause it's dark by then. She was expecting to get something accomplished over the weekend.

She's REALLY looking forward to DST beginning this weekend. Grin

[Rachel]

Hey, here I am!

I've been kind of stalled out on the boat, as Charlie mentioned. "The Smell" has got me stymied. That being said, the weather has been quite cold (for here), I'm camping, I have a relatively new full-time job, my car's alternator failed for the third time in the last 5 weeks, and I'm just getting over a week of a cold/flu thing.

Are the violins out yet? <laugh>

I simultaneously decided that I needed some warm/hot water to get the cleaning action going, and that the little tea kettle and single burner camp-stove weren't much of a match for the mass of my whole keel at 30? or so. I'm sure there is probably a way to heat up massive quantities of water that I'm just not thinking of. OTOH spring is scheduled to arrive very soon, along with more daylight on weeknights.

In the meantime, however, I do believe I've enhanced the portfolios of those with investments in mop handles, 3M pads on a stick, toilet brushes, overhead-sheet-rock-sanding-rotating-backing-pads, Simple Green, Bilge Bully, and West Marine Premium Bilge Cleaner ("Harness the Power of Microbes!").

Also, Ric from the forum has loaned me an ozone machine, which I will try sometime this week.

I'm really getting serious about the idea of removing the engine to the saloon sole, so that I can get down in there and clean properly, then paint. I just don't see getting rid of this smell otherwise.

Perusing the Alberg list, it seems as though there might be some kind of "false sole" in some (all?) of the A-30s at the after end of the sump. One owner who did the clean/paint thing when he had his engine out removed said sole (plywood) and found a layer of oil-soaked sandy material beneath it (which he cleaned out). Yesterday, I noticed that another A-30 at the yard had a garboard plug installed about a foot above the bottom of the keel - evidence of a false bottom? I'll have to measure mine to see if I can tell whether there is such a sole. What I can see of the bottom doesn't particularly look like plywood, but then it could have been glassed over.

Another thing I want to check is whether the engine is mounted on studs or if it might be something more removable. The beds themselves look like some kind of metal channel, so the underside of the "studs" might be accessible. The reason I wonder is that the bottom of the engine is above the level of the cabin sole, so I had visions of sort of "sliding" it forward on some beams (on pipe rollers?) to get it out of the way. That being said, I'm not sure I'd actually get up my nerve to try to move the thing myself. If anyone has any comments on tried and true (or untrue) methods, I'd love to hear them.

Typing this, I can see that I am balanced precariously close to an edge wherein I will no longer be able to rib Britton about his boat being a "Sail Away" On the other hand, I can't go around smelling like petroleum bilge, so I have to do something about it. And just think how much easier it would make replacing the cockpit-scupper gate valves...

Okay, so that's the non-report. Otherwise known as "What I've been doing while Suntreader built an entire boat shed, Tim rebuilt Kaholee, Joe manufactured engine beds from scratch and installed them, and other people got a bunch of other things done."

Thanks for thinking of me; it's nice. I can't wait to have something substantial to report :-)

Rachel

[bcooke]

I can see that I am balanced precariously close to an edge wherein I will no longer be able to rib Britton about his boat being a "Sail Away"

It always makes me feel better to hear those who once rediculed my actions, mocked my motives and took pleasure in my suffering have now fallen into the same pit of might-as-wells. It all seems so simple when it isn't your own pride and joy at stake. Enjoy. I sure am! :-)

I would put a 4x4 over the hatchway, borrow a hoist and lift the engine up. Let it hang for a day or so while you do your cleaning and then drop it back down. Just put a second strap or chain around the engine to back up the hoist. Dropping an engine on your head while upside down in the bilge would be awkward.

Or cut out enough of the cabin sole to angle a scrub brush into the parts you want to clean.

Or buy a box of those christmas tree air fresheners.

Or learn to love cigars.

Or teach your dog to pee in the bilge.

Any of these techniques will make you forget all about the petroleum smell.

-Britton

[Tim]

Another thing I want to check is whether the engine is mounted on studs or if it might be something more removable.

It's just as removable either way. But you need a hoist. As Britton says, a hefty beam across the companionway and a sturdy block and tackle (or chain hoist) and you're in business. Clearing any mounting studs, if that's what you have, is a bit more awkward, but it's not that big a deal. Once you've pulled an engine, if you do this, you'll wonder what all the worry was about.

One nice thing about A4s is how prettily they sit upon their own oil pans. Put some thick blankets or towels on your sole, lower the engine down, and you'll be able to slide the engine forward out of your way nice as you please--and safely and without damage.

Put that boat in the water!

At least you have a name for the boat now...how about Thesmel.

[Rachel]

At least you have a name for the boat now...how about Thesmel.

And I thought I had friends here.... <shakes head> Talk about cold!

***************************************

Oh, speaking of putting in the water, I read something interesting about some of the Alberg 30 through-hulls (so-called). The smallest ones (1/2" galley saltwater intake, engine intake, head intake) were made by simply pushing a piece of bronze (brass?) pipe out through the hull, slapping a washer on the outside, and then peening the pipe over to "clench" it. I looked at mine, and sure enough, I can see the pipe/washer combo. So I may elect to deal with those. Talk about things to wake you up in a cold sweat at 3 a.m...

I am loving the engine-removal-to-really-clean idea. I'm going to move towards that this weekend, and if I can make reasonable progress will probably go with it. I'll keep you all posted. I'm NOT going to live with a boat that could live up to the aforementioned "friendly" suggestion.

Rachel

[Tim]

At least you have a name for the boat now...how about Thesmel.

And I thought I had friends here.... <shakes head> Talk about cold!

Oh, you could just tell people it's a sort of Chilean mountain breeze, or some such.