Pulling our 31

Flfishindude · #1 (**permalink**) 02-14-2012

We are pulling our 31 to do the bottom in a couple of weeks. I have been told by the diver that we have a few bliters and stut has some play in it, so know we are facing those issues. Thinking about redoing all of the thru hulls. Any others issues that need to be addressed when we pull her?? Any advise on the recognized issues would also be appreciated. WE LOVE OUR 31!!!!

eherlihy · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-2012

Do what you gotta do, and get her back in the water.

The cutlass may be toast if the strut is loose. If it is, you may want to drop the rudder, and check for moisture intrusion while you are at it. I have seen this with other O'days and found water in the rudder on my O'D 35.

Through hulls are relatively easy... Get some G10 from Mc Master-Carr for backing plates, then go here.

deniseO30 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-14-2012

Not many rudders are dry, to get them dry and keep em dry is even more difficult. Fuel tank may be ready for replacement also.

I keep checking the T H's on my boat and they all seem dry, well mounted, even though it's on plywood there is no evidence of rot.

eherlihy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-14-2012

Yeah, and on a short haul, you are going to find moisture. Period.

Maybe the way that I should have put it is; "...you may want to drop your rudder and POUR THE WATER OUT...." because that's what I meant...

eherlihy · #5 (**permalink**) 02-14-2012

Wood backing plates!?!?

D- that's so '80s

Brent Swain · #6 (**permalink**) 02-14-2012

I once read about some people who had severe blisters on their boat , in Vancouver. After pricing drying her out , a horrendous expense, they headed for Mexico, and put her on the hard in Guaymas. After a year in that desert climate, she was as dry as a bone, for a fraction the cost of drying her out in Vancouver.

Flfishindude · #7 (**permalink**) 02-15-2012

Please tell us more about getting water out of the rudder and keeping more from getting in.

deniseO30 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-15-2012

Flf, How long has your boat been in the water? Simply drill holes in your rudder! The bottom first. if the water coming out is clearish, then the foam hasn't started to rot. If it's brown like syrup.... Not good. The rudder post in my boat gets a condensation drip into it from the deck plate over it. All rudder posts (imho) should be capped at the top.

If the rudder is still solid and not de-laminated the longer you let it "dry" the better.

Here's another thread that discusses the topic http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-m...ng-rudder.html

eherlihy · #9 (**permalink**) 02-15-2012

I simply dropped my rudder, and poured the water out by inverting the rudder.

The liquid (I hesitate to call it water) was yucky and black, but there is no obvious delamination, or other issues with my rudder.

The leak appears to have been a crack in the external shell of the spade rudder at the top. I cleaned this area out with a Dremel, and plan to fill it with 5200. I'll let it set for a week before I install. It should be good for another 10 years.

Flfishindude · #10 (**permalink**) 02-15-2012

g10 ordered...thanks. Are there any pockets in the hull that can be drilled to let water out? Our 31 "Just Sayin" has been in 4 years since her last bottom. We have the bottom done every 90 days by a diver and zincs changed as needed. The better half of mine just received her Captains license and we plan to do some sunset charters this summer. It is a trip plus to pull and want to get as much done as needs to be. Thanks to all for your input.