Log mystery

[mick]

I am having a persistent problem with the paddlewheel log on my Sadler 26. I have removed the wheel and spindle and cleaned them thoroughly and still it refuses to work. When I remove the transducer and spin the wheel by hand the speed registers on the unit but put the thing back in the hull and-zilch. All comments gratefully received.

 

[ParaHandy]

Assume you're in the water? Push the transducer in as far as it will go, twist it, and try again. Might be weed (tho' would need to be a lot to not get anything) covering the aperture.

 

[halcyon]

Does the paddle come throught the hull? silly point.
Can you reach the paddle wheel from the rubber duck and feel if it will move and is in clear water.

Brian

 

[philip_stevens]

It is very possible, though a bit early in the season, to have weed fouling around the aperture for the log. The weed fronds will flow back over the paddle wheel and prevent it from rotating.

This very instance happened to me last year, and I had to dry out to remove all traces of weed from around the aperture through-hull moulding. I scrubbed the weed off and rinsed it with neat bleach to ensure it had all been killed.

The through-hull moulding was not antifouled at the time, but was subsequently. Still, when I came out at the end of the season, there was more weed attached - along with barnacles attached to the paddle wheel.

regards,
Philip

 

[homa]

Had a similar problem with my Navico last year.
After launching found the speed in error by about 50%
Realised that the paddle wheel could be set at different levels. In fact it was protruding too far out of the hull.
By experimentation whilst underway found the correct position to be in the upper position. I.E. when the paddle wheel was half protruding through the hull.
Hope this helps, Just remember not to pull it all the way out, or you'll get a face full of oggin..
Happy paddlin
homa

 

[yoda]

I had a similar problem which seemed to be resolved when I removed the rust that had built up on the small metal bits in the paddle wheel. I still don't understand why they were exposed to the sea in the first place and indeed why removing the rust made any difference. Regretably shortly after achieving sucess the main unit failed and I bought a Navico unit!

Yoda

 

[rex_seadog]

Often have exactly the same problem with my Echopilot log. The following procedure usually gets it working again. With the boat underway and with the log installed through the hull I loosen the locking cap slightly and turn the unit a few degrees one way or the other until the helmsman tells me it's working. Exact orientation seems to be very critical. Re-tighten cap.
Sometimes this technique works when minor clogging of the paddle wheel is suspected by turning the unit through 180 degrees and then back again. Alternatatively a few seconds flat out in reverse will often have the same effect.

 

[DoctorD]

Mick,

Have you tried spraying the wheel and shaft with a lubricant so the friction really is low? It should be really easy to spin the wheel with your finger. I had this problem last season and it was because I was leaving the impeller in the water when I left the boat. Even though I cleaned the impeller regularly there were obviously little nasties getting in there. It would become fouled with little creatures and other stuff even after only a week. Now I remove the impeller whenever I leave the boat, and re-insert when I go back to the boat. This season I've had no problems.

Graham

 

[rex_seadog]

I have also considered leaving out the impeller when away from the boat. However, I am concerned that the nasties will get up the tube and interfere with the seal especially if they are sharp like barnacles. It amazes me how quickly these things take up residence. Unfortunately distractions such as work sometimes prevent me from getting down to the boat for several weeks and any non antifouled surface then looks like a plate of fruits de mer! Perhaps a liberal coating of silicone grease would prevent this?