cliffdale
Active member
I think i have the first MoodyS31 built in 1994. I also think the following problems will become your problems given that my boat is probably the oldest in the run of S31 and Excel31.
What has happened to me is likely to happen to you!
1) I noticed that filling up the water tanks had slowed down to a dribble. By taking off the water sensor which is located under the starboard tank and peering into the tank, I could see that no water was getting into the tank when filling up.
Water was only trickling into the port tank. I thought that my little girl had pushed something down the filler hole for it to become blocked. Or, I filled up using well water in France one day and maybe some leaves got into the system.
The blockage was found to be that the Glands entering each tank are made of steel and had become completly rusted up so that water could no longer flow in or out of the tank. I had to have some stainless steel fittings made to replace the rusted out fittings.
There is absolutely no evidence that rust was a problem. Infact, externally the skin fittings looked perfect.
If you are filling up slowly you need to take a look.
The rusty water had coated the water sensor and destroyed it.
Is your water gauge working as it used too?
2) I reckon that i am the first to change the sail drive seal being a 1994 boat. The engine will not come out and go back in place again without cutting away some of the engine housing. We ended up cutting away the white GRP behind the steps to the cabin to get the engine out. This made the changing of the sail drive seal a major job.
3) The keel bolt washers are made from steel and they need to be replaced. They have almost completly rusted away.
Any good solicitors out there to let me know if Moody's are liable for the bill Im going to pick up?
Cliff Dale
If you want some suggestions for removing the engine, i will send you some pictures of the part of the steps i removed.
The result was neat and hidden from view.
CD
What has happened to me is likely to happen to you!
1) I noticed that filling up the water tanks had slowed down to a dribble. By taking off the water sensor which is located under the starboard tank and peering into the tank, I could see that no water was getting into the tank when filling up.
Water was only trickling into the port tank. I thought that my little girl had pushed something down the filler hole for it to become blocked. Or, I filled up using well water in France one day and maybe some leaves got into the system.
The blockage was found to be that the Glands entering each tank are made of steel and had become completly rusted up so that water could no longer flow in or out of the tank. I had to have some stainless steel fittings made to replace the rusted out fittings.
There is absolutely no evidence that rust was a problem. Infact, externally the skin fittings looked perfect.
If you are filling up slowly you need to take a look.
The rusty water had coated the water sensor and destroyed it.
Is your water gauge working as it used too?
2) I reckon that i am the first to change the sail drive seal being a 1994 boat. The engine will not come out and go back in place again without cutting away some of the engine housing. We ended up cutting away the white GRP behind the steps to the cabin to get the engine out. This made the changing of the sail drive seal a major job.
3) The keel bolt washers are made from steel and they need to be replaced. They have almost completly rusted away.
Any good solicitors out there to let me know if Moody's are liable for the bill Im going to pick up?
Cliff Dale
If you want some suggestions for removing the engine, i will send you some pictures of the part of the steps i removed.
The result was neat and hidden from view.
CD
