First time boat owner - First lift into water checklist

Thanks for all the replies.

To answer a few questions, the stern gland is the stuffing box type. I replaced the flax myself. This was a job I wanted doing by a pro, but unfortunately, where the boat is being stored there can be an incredibly long wait! So I have replaced it, but of course because I have never done it before, I am unsure how tight to do it back up. I have read about it, and asked on here, but reading and doing are different things. This will be my first through hull to check.

I have also replaced the water inlet skin fitting, strainer and valve, so that will be checked immediately as well.

I am now going to book my lift with the yard. Why is it making me so anxious just booking the lift :-) haha.
 
stevd said:
Thanks for all the replies.

To answer a few questions, the stern gland is the stuffing box type. I replaced the flax myself. This was a job I wanted doing by a pro, but unfortunately, where the boat is being stored there can be an incredibly long wait! So I have replaced it, but of course because I have never done it before, I am unsure how tight to do it back up. I have read about it, and asked on here, but reading and doing are different things. This will be my first through hull to check.
.
Click to expand...

Tip water into it while ashore to provide a bit of lubrication. Whilst rotating the shaft, tighten the packing bit by bit. Eventually the shaft will tighten, when you should stop or maybe back off a bit. That should be Ok until the engine has run an hour or two, when it may well need tightening a little.

You should be fine with flax and graphite but with PTFE this method has been known not to work well. Nothing terminal but it can run very hot.
 
To stop me starting the engine with a closed raw water intake, I always hung the engine key on one of the wing nuts on the strainer when I closed it.
 
stevd said:
I have heard that they are quite good in the yard. They will wait with the boat in slings until you are completely satisified.
Click to expand...

With the Easter season rush to get into the water there's always a risk of too many boats and not enough water (between tides). At this time in the season you should have plenty of time to carry out as many checks as you need until you're satisfied. Toby and the guys will undoubtedly give you as much help and time as you need.

Relax and enjoy it. It's the start of a new chapter. No longer a shipwright, now a skipper.

As you make your first turn from the slipway and traverse F pontoon on the marina, don't let the prevailing SW wind blow you onto the moored boats (especially mine). :)

Good luck and fair winds
 
davidjackson said:
With the Easter season rush to get into the water there's always a risk of too many boats and not enough water (between tides). At this time in the season you should have plenty of time to carry out as many checks as you need until you're satisfied. Toby and the guys will undoubtedly give you as much help and time as you need.

Relax and enjoy it. It's the start of a new chapter. No longer a shipwright, now a skipper.

As you make your first turn from the slipway and traverse F pontoon on the marina, don't let the prevailing SW wind blow you onto the moored boats (especially mine). :)

Good luck and fair winds
Click to expand...

Haha, I shall keep that in mind :-) Ill be the one with the cold sweat pouring down my face as I am passing, hoping that everything that I have done will be working, especially the engine, please dont conk out on me haha.
 
vyv_cox said:
Tip water into it while ashore to provide a bit of lubrication. Whilst rotating the shaft, tighten the packing bit by bit. Eventually the shaft will tighten, when you should stop or maybe back off a bit. That should be Ok until the engine has run an hour or two, when it may well need tightening a little.

You should be fine with flax and graphite but with PTFE this method has been known not to work well. Nothing terminal but it can run very hot.
Click to expand...


Ah ok, I didnt know about tiping water in it before hand :-S thanks for that tip! So far I have nipped it up so that there is a little resistance in the shaft. perhaps it needs a little more to help 'bed' in the graphite flax?
 
stevd said:
Ah ok, I didnt know about tiping water in it before hand :-S thanks for that tip! So far I have nipped it up so that there is a little resistance in the shaft. perhaps it needs a little more to help 'bed' in the graphite flax?
Click to expand...

I would wait until you are afloat. Very little water comes in, in fact the last two times I have repacked my sterngland the boat has been afloat. Better a little water coming in than overheating. Once you are afloat and things have settled down, aim for dry when the engine is not running and the occasional drip when it is. Don't overtighten at first as you can drive packing too hard into the gap.
 
stevd said:
Haha, I shall keep that in mind :-) Ill be the one with the cold sweat pouring down my face as I am passing, hoping that everything that I have done will be working, especially the engine, please dont conk out on me haha.
Click to expand...

It'll be fine, stop worrying. And if it isn't, you can worry about it then :)

When is launch? Where are you going? Marina or sailing club trots?

Do stop by and say hello. Our kettle is normally close to boiling.
 
Thanks for the help on this. Had a trouble free launch with everything working, much to my surprise :-)

Now bobbing around the marina on row B :-)

If I see you around David, I'll be sure to say hello.

Thanks again
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top