Launch aborted

[john_morris_uk]

For the first time ever for us, we had an aborted attempt to launch yesterday due to a newly installed seacock leaking. We were lowered into the water and I ran around below as usual checking for leaks and found water dribbling in from around the newly installed generator cooling water intake.
We were lifted out again and the offending article removed. It came off all too easily to reveal a lack of sealant. The hole was slightly oversize and I remember having to fiddle about with is to line up the ball valve handle so it could be operated (it’s through the hull close to the prop shaft deep in the bilge). Obviously my fiddling had unbeknownst to me lost me lots of sealant.
I’ve reamed the hole out slightly and gone up a size in skin fitting from 1/2” BSP to 3/4” BSP. (Genuine bronze) Lots of Sikaflex. Because the hull is so thick I’ve had to do without a backing plate, but my logic is that hopefully it doesn’t need one on GRP that’s over 5 cm thick. There just isn’t room to fit a backing plate, retaining nut and have enough threads left to screw on the ball valve.
I pick up the new ball valve today but I’m struggling to find a 3/4 BSP to 1/2” hose tail off the shelf in Portsmouth. ASAP have them but with the removal company booked for Monday and us needing to launch and get onboard, timing is tight.

 

[mikegunn]

For the first time ever for us, we had an aborted attempt to launch yesterday due to a newly installed seacock leaking. We were lowered into the water and I ran around below as usual checking for leaks and found water dribbling in from around the newly installed generator cooling water intake.
We were lifted out again and the offending article removed. It came off all too easily to reveal a lack of sealant. The hole was slightly oversize and I remember having to fiddle about with is to line up the ball valve handle so it could be operated (it’s through the hull close to the prop shaft deep in the bilge). Obviously my fiddling had unbeknownst to me lost me lots of sealant.
I’ve reamed the hole out slightly and gone up a size in skin fitting from 1/2” BSP to 3/4” BSP. (Genuine bronze) Lots of Sikaflex. Because the hull is so thick I’ve had to do without a backing plate, but my logic is that hopefully it doesn’t need one on GRP that’s over 5 cm thick. There just isn’t room to fit a backing plate, retaining nut and have enough threads left to screw on the ball valve.
I pick up the new ball valve today but I’m struggling to find a 3/4 BSP to 1/2” hose tail off the shelf in Portsmouth. ASAP have them but with the removal company booked for Monday and us needing to launch and get onboard, timing is tight.

These things do happen and I‘m are that lessons have been learnt. Can you not fit the hose tail after launch, or will you need to run the generator immediately?

Mike

 

[LittleSister]

In my experience ASAP have always got stuff that's ordered early afternoon despatched the same day.

 

[penfold]

It's a hose tail; you don't need it to launch the boat.

 

[Jacana139]

For the first time ever for us, we had an aborted attempt to launch yesterday due to a newly installed seacock leaking. We were lowered into the water and I ran around below as usual checking for leaks and found water dribbling in from around the newly installed generator cooling water intake.
We were lifted out again and the offending article removed. It came off all too easily to reveal a lack of sealant. The hole was slightly oversize and I remember having to fiddle about with is to line up the ball valve handle so it could be operated (it’s through the hull close to the prop shaft deep in the bilge). Obviously my fiddling had unbeknownst to me lost me lots of sealant.
I’ve reamed the hole out slightly and gone up a size in skin fitting from 1/2” BSP to 3/4” BSP. (Genuine bronze) Lots of Sikaflex. Because the hull is so thick I’ve had to do without a backing plate, but my logic is that hopefully it doesn’t need one on GRP that’s over 5 cm thick. There just isn’t room to fit a backing plate, retaining nut and have enough threads left to screw on the ball valve.
I pick up the new ball valve today but I’m struggling to find a 3/4 BSP to 1/2” hose tail off the shelf in Portsmouth. ASAP have them but with the removal company booked for Monday and us needing to launch and get onboard, timing is tight.

Vitesse Marine in Fareham might have one.
www.vitessemarine.co.uk

 

[Jacana139]

For the first time ever for us, we had an aborted attempt to launch yesterday due to a newly installed seacock leaking. We were lowered into the water and I ran around below as usual checking for leaks and found water dribbling in from around the newly installed generator cooling water intake.
We were lifted out again and the offending article removed. It came off all too easily to reveal a lack of sealant. The hole was slightly oversize and I remember having to fiddle about with is to line up the ball valve handle so it could be operated (it’s through the hull close to the prop shaft deep in the bilge). Obviously my fiddling had unbeknownst to me lost me lots of sealant.
I’ve reamed the hole out slightly and gone up a size in skin fitting from 1/2” BSP to 3/4” BSP. (Genuine bronze) Lots of Sikaflex. Because the hull is so thick I’ve had to do without a backing plate, but my logic is that hopefully it doesn’t need one on GRP that’s over 5 cm thick. There just isn’t room to fit a backing plate, retaining nut and have enough threads left to screw on the ball valve.
I pick up the new ball valve today but I’m struggling to find a 3/4 BSP to 1/2” hose tail off the shelf in Portsmouth. ASAP have them but with the removal company booked for Monday and us needing to launch and get onboard, timing is tight.

I found liquid PTFE from Screwfix useful with skin fitting to valve alignment issues.

 

[john_morris_uk]

These things do happen and I‘m are that lessons have been learnt. Can you not fit the hose tail after launch, or will you need to run the generator immediately?

Mike

It's a hose tail; you don't need it to launch the boat.

Agree with both of you and that’s our plan. I’ve ordered and paid for a bronze 3/4” seacock from Marine Superstore that I’m collecting today and fitting. Hose tail or not we’ll launch. It would be nice to be able to check the generator as I’ve only run it so far with a hosepipe continuously topping up the strainer, but it’s not essential. We go in at 1700. Fingers crossed.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Vitesse Marine in Fareham might have one.
www.vitessemarine.co.uk

Not according to their website but I’m going to phone and ask as their website isn’t comprehensive.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I found liquid PTFE from Screwfix useful with skin fitting to valve alignment issues.

Thanks. I’ve been using Locktite 577 up to now but I’m running low.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Thanks. I’ve been using Locktite 577 up to now but I’m running low.

John I use locktite 55 tread tape other then it work 100% never had I leak from it , the great thing is you don't need to line u your sea cock valve . If after you tighten them up and you find the level is not correctly in the right you can back the fitting off a half or a turn and it still be sealed

 

[shan]

For future consideration, you would be surprised at what you can find at Farm Machinery stores (hoses, connections, valves, etc). We ended up buy quite a few bits and bobs from Ross Farm Machinery when we had a boat in the UK. Usually a fraction of the price of a marine store (Swindlery)......

 

[burgundyben]

Aquafax in Hamble or the Chandlery Barge?

 

[john_morris_uk]

Update:

Vitesse Marine had the required hosetail. I had enough Locktite 577

launched and ALL WATERTIGHT.

 

[Blueboatman]

Result
On her lines too
Tbh I am as impressed by the thickness of the hull you were working with !

 

[john_morris_uk]

It was rather more nerve racking than normal as I’d replaced or disturbed so many skin fittings and added some as well.

That and new parts for the PSS stern gland and a completely new engine with all new hotwater system . meant that there was a lot to check out as we launched. We had a quick motor up and down Portsmouth Harbour and put the boat to bed alongside a temporary berth we’ve been allocated. Tomorrow I’ve got to complete the packing of my workshop with the removal men arriving Monday to take our house contents into store. Then workshop contents in the hired van to our daughters house and then back to move on board officially on Wednesday. A pontoon party is being planned prior to us sailing into the blue for a year or so..

 

[Robin]

It was rather more nerve racking than normal as I’d replaced or disturbed so many skin fittings and added some as well.

That and new parts for the PSS stern gland and a completely new engine with all new hotwater system . meant that there was a lot to check out as we launched. We had a quick motor up and down Portsmouth Harbour and put the boat to bed alongside a temporary berth we’ve been allocated. Tomorrow I’ve got to complete the packing of my workshop with the removal men arriving Monday to take our house contents into store. Then workshop contents in the hired van to our daughters house and then back to move on board officially on Wednesday. A pontoon party is being planned prior to us sailing into the blue for a year or so..

Very best wishes to you both on Serendipity , don't be a stranger to us lefton here so we can enjoy your new adventures also.

 

[LadyInBed]

It came off all too easily to reveal a lack of sealant

I've just bought a new dinghy, launched, went aft to turn on fuel and it leaked like a sieve through the bottom two engine mounting plate holes. Very spartan on the sealant, a tube of silicone fixed it.

 

[Ribtecer]

Update:

Vitesse Marine had the required hosetail. I had enough Locktite 577

launched and ALL WATERTIGHT.

View attachment 140184

Fine looking vessel, very envious.

 

[john_morris_uk]

I've just bought a new dinghy, launched, went aft to turn on fuel and it leaked like a sieve through the bottom two engine mounting plate holes. Very spartan on the sealant, a tube of silicone fixed it.

I feel your pain.

 

[sailaboutvic]

It was rather more nerve racking than normal as I’d replaced or disturbed so many skin fittings and added some as well.

That and new parts for the PSS stern gland and a completely new engine with all new hotwater system . meant that there was a lot to check out as we launched. We had a quick motor up and down Portsmouth Harbour and put the boat to bed alongside a temporary berth we’ve been allocated. Tomorrow I’ve got to complete the packing of my workshop with the removal men arriving Monday to take our house contents into store. Then workshop contents in the hired van to our daughters house and then back to move on board officially on Wednesday. A pontoon party is being planned prior to us sailing into the blue for a year or so..

Good luck mate ,
A year or two many be 3 or 4