Request Experienced Sailors

Harborless · #1 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

Hello SailNet Members,

Enclosed are some pictures that I was hoping to have some questions answered regarding my new used boat. I am sorry if some of this seems noobish but I am a first time boat owner. Basically, I can rigem up and takem out fine but when it comes to gel coat repairs or port hole replacements I am in a steep learning curve.

This is a picture of the worst keel bolt as far as corrosion. Do I need to do anything to these bolts at all? If so, what? The washers underneath still shine if it makes a difference.

Second is a picture of one of my Seacocks, what say you?

Third is a picture of a soft spot/cracking in a part of my sole in the main cabin. Another soft feeling spot is right by the Head/V-Berth. What can I do to re-strengthen the sole?

Here is a picture of some holes in the cockpit drilled into the hull. I am wondering if this is a gelcoat repair or fiberglass repair as I have both kits.

Another chip I would like to know if it needs fiber or gelcoat repairing. I have a lot of these little stress cracks and knicks so I am trying to discern the difference between a fiberglass repair and a gelcoat one.

Lastly, a picture of (I forget proper nomenclature)--- I want to know if I can install Dorades where these are. If not, what the hell are they for??

Thanks so much for your help on all this guys and gals it is such a big relief to know I can find correct and thoughtful answers here. I have a list of 47 things I need to do to my boat before this time next year. I am starting with everything that lets water in first (seacocks, hatches, and portholes).

tommays · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

I would suguest Photobucket so we dont have to wade through myspace to help you

Harborless · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

I have been going over my manuel for the boat I have
http://www.paceship.org/downloads/manual-PY26.PDF and it says I only have two Seacocks but four thru hulls... Does this make sense? Also I was sure that this image:
418.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket
was the seacock for my engine water uptake. I can even see where the handle has broken off. Am I missing something here?

I saved a few pictures because I wanted to check the Manual before posting them on here but my Manual has nothing to do with where these pieces of equipment are on my boat so I have no idea what they are for and would greatly appreciate any ideas. This little beauty right here is right beside the galley on the Starboard side.
415.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket

This LAST picture is where I thought I was supposed to have another Seacock.. Especially since there is a thru hull there. However in the picture you see there is not one and in the manuel it only shows a thru hull...It is where the sink for the head is located. I was under the impression thru hulls contained sea cocks.
420.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket

smackdaddy · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

The problem is that one has to log in to MySpace to see the photos on MySpace. I'm not a member of MS and am not really interested in being one. Of course, I'm also not the most experienced sailor either - so it's probably no big loss. It's just that a lot of guys are not MySpacers.

Photobucket is a breeze and it's free. Just do that. It will make everyone's life much easier.

Harborless · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

Photobucket editing coming soon with all pictures.

smackdaddy · #6 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

No worries dude. No big deal at all.

You'll figure out photobucket in just a few minutes. It's a breeze. It even resizes the photos for you.

tommays · #7 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

http://pic.pbsrc.com/help/PhotobucketHelp_Left.htm#CSHID=Upload%2FSetUploadO ptions.htm|StartTopic=Content%2FUpload%2FSetUpload Options.htm|SkinName=WebHelp

Choose the upload options for your account

1. Log into your Photobucket account.
2. Click the Upload now button in the main navigation bar. The Uploader page displays.
3. Click the Customize your upload options link below the Share section.

Kind of giant :

Read the help and change to 640 x 480

So you paste in the IMG code in forum friendly size

DwayneSpeer · #8 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harborless

Hello SailNet Members,

Enclosed are some pictures that I was hoping to have some questions answered regarding my new used boat. I am sorry if some of this seems noobish but I am a first time boat owner. Basically, I can rigem up and takem out fine but when it comes to gel coat repairs or port hole replacements I am in a steep learning curve.

This is a picture of the worst keel bolt as far as corrosion. Do I need to do anything to these bolts at all? If so, what? The washers underneath still shine if it makes a difference.
416.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket

Second is a picture of one of my Seacocks, what say you?
419.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket

Third is a picture of a soft spot/cracking in a part of my sole in the main cabin. Another soft feeling spot is right by the Head/V-Berth. What can I do to re-strengthen the sole?
425.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket

Here is a picture of some holes in the cockpit drilled into the hull. I am wondering if this is a gelcoat repair or fiberglass repair as I have both kits.
427.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket

Another chip I would like to know if it needs fiber or gelcoat repairing. I have a lot of these little stress cracks and knicks so I am trying to discern the difference between a fiberglass repair and a gelcoat one.
428.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket

Lastly, a picture of (I forget proper nomenclature)--- I want to know if I can install Dorades where these are. If not, what the hell are they for??
429.jpg picture by trisstanseth - Photobucket

Thanks so much for your help on all this guys and gals it is such a big relief to know I can find correct and thoughtful answers here. I have a list of 47 things I need to do to my boat before this time next year. I am starting with everything that lets water in first (seacocks, hatches, and portholes).

I'll start out by saying I'm not an expert so any advice I give is the result of the 15 years of sailing experience I have and being cheap enough to make most of my own repairs.

Keel Bolts: I'd get a dremel tool and brass brush and clean them up as good as I could and then retorque them. If all goes well (you don't break one) I'd call them good.

Seacocks: Just a little rust again. Clean them up and regrease them. Good bronze ones are hard to beat.

Sole soft spot: Sure, have at it. Open it up well back. Fair the hole out at least 6 to 1 and lay in some new glass. How to do that has been discussed many times here.

Cockpit holes: Another fiberglass repair but a small and easy one.

Stress cracks: A lot of older boats have them. Leave them alone unless them appear to be getting worse in which case FIND OUT WHY.

Lastly, those little port-lights are made to let light below decks. Leave them alone unless you just have to have more fresh air below.

Good luck.

bubb2 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

Your keel bolt nuts are very thin replace them. Your thu hull valves are gate valves. by the looks of them I doubt they open and close. Replace them with BALL vavles. all the holes look like some epoxy puddy and gell coat over top would take care of them. the bigger chip is a gell coat repair. the deck lite is to bring lite into the cabin.

JimsCAL · #10 (**permalink**) 05-26-2011

Two quick cmments on the pictures in your first post:

1. The picture of your "seacock" is a gate valve. Get rid of it and replace it with a real seacock.

2. The last picture looks like the fitting for a Nicro solar vent unit. A dorade has a box with baffles and drains to prevent water entering the boat.