Scotty_Tradewind
Well-Known Member
Having had the news that Betty had been put in yesterday, we decided it would be 'peace of mind' to go check her out after finishing work. Eighty miles later and having arrived at the yard, we motored the inflatable out to the mooring. There we got all our gear unloaded, checking that the waterline looked where it should be and things wern't awash inside, we had a relaxed chat to other folks afloat whilst dusk turned to night.
When all was sorted and before relaxing with a hot drink, I thought I would do a quick yet more serious check on all things, especially since I had fitted new stern gear etc this winter.
Guess what, bilges full to the brim but not over the sole boards! .......Yikes !!!
After a lot of checking and searching, in not quite panic mode, Linda then asked if it was salt water. A quick dip in with finger and a lick... ...fresh water???
One of the last things I did on Monday prior to launch day, was to fill the water tanks and purify them with tablets. There must be a leak between filler and tank.
But why hadn't the auto electric bilge pump taken the water straight out?
I then found the flipper switch was off its hinge on one side and so stuck in the off position.
During the winters efforts ashore, I had re rooted some pipe work and put a new through hull fitting in the transom for the bilge pump. At some time I must have pulled the pipe too hard and it had damaged the flipper switch which was in the pipes path.
I hand pumped with the fixed bilge pump and then after a couple of hours of working upside down in the bilge (thankfully smelling of Bilgex) I had managed to 'jury rig' the flipper and got it working again.
I checked all other means of possible water ingress and found her dry , including the new stern gland .......thank goodness!
Phew!!
The ride home was far more relaxed than the last 2 hours had been, even though it was 0100hrs as we entered our village and then to be in the office as usual later this morning.
The joys of owning a yacht!?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The small bilge pump (non descript) and a small Vetus flipper switch. These are 'made down to a price' being flimsey and easily damaged if disturbed.
In a small area, what make and model of small bilge pump and flipper switch can stand the odd knock and movement of things around it?
When all was sorted and before relaxing with a hot drink, I thought I would do a quick yet more serious check on all things, especially since I had fitted new stern gear etc this winter.
Guess what, bilges full to the brim but not over the sole boards! .......Yikes !!!
After a lot of checking and searching, in not quite panic mode, Linda then asked if it was salt water. A quick dip in with finger and a lick... ...fresh water???
One of the last things I did on Monday prior to launch day, was to fill the water tanks and purify them with tablets. There must be a leak between filler and tank.
But why hadn't the auto electric bilge pump taken the water straight out?
I then found the flipper switch was off its hinge on one side and so stuck in the off position.
During the winters efforts ashore, I had re rooted some pipe work and put a new through hull fitting in the transom for the bilge pump. At some time I must have pulled the pipe too hard and it had damaged the flipper switch which was in the pipes path.
I hand pumped with the fixed bilge pump and then after a couple of hours of working upside down in the bilge (thankfully smelling of Bilgex) I had managed to 'jury rig' the flipper and got it working again.
I checked all other means of possible water ingress and found her dry , including the new stern gland .......thank goodness!
Phew!!
The ride home was far more relaxed than the last 2 hours had been, even though it was 0100hrs as we entered our village and then to be in the office as usual later this morning.
The joys of owning a yacht!?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
The small bilge pump (non descript) and a small Vetus flipper switch. These are 'made down to a price' being flimsey and easily damaged if disturbed.
In a small area, what make and model of small bilge pump and flipper switch can stand the odd knock and movement of things around it?
