Replacing paddlewheel

[pvb]

You need to lose your fear of taking out the impeller. A few pints, or even a few gallons, will not sink you. The paddles are however very vulnerable to heavy lifting strops sliding along the hull at launch/liftout time. You may get away with slings 5, 10 or 20 times, but sooner or later it will cost you a new log impeller. In Falmouth mine seems to need taking out at least weekly in the season.

In the past, I've had a paddlewheel ruined by lifting slings, so I now always remove it before having the boat lifted. As for having to take it out frequently, simply painting it with antifoul a couple of times a year should resolve that.

 

[James_Calvert]

The worst that can happen
The transducer can be pushed up into the boat breaking the securing ring, have a softwood bung handy :encouragement:

Wow, wouldn't want that to happen! Food for thought. But I wouldn't want the forward sling loading up anywhere near my transducer position either - the sling ought to be positioned by the root of the keel, not a couple of metres further forward.

 

[sailorman]

Wow, wouldn't want that to happen! Food for thought. But I wouldn't want the forward sling loading up anywhere near my transducer position either - the sling ought to be positioned by the root of the keel, not a couple of metres or so further forward.

all depends on underwater profile

 

[ghostlymoron]

Why risk that when you can easily remove it and put the cap on?

The worst that can happen
The transducer can be pushed up into the boat breaking the securing ring, have a softwood bung handy :encouragement:

 

[eddystone]

Can always rely on this forum for wise advice. I hadn't really thought about the lifting strops sliding up and taking out the paddlewheel. The idea of an errant strop pushing the whole thing up into the hull is a bit scary!
Checking, it's an Airmar ST800 transducer and the info sheet says the valve housing as a sort of flap valve to mitigate water incursion when the paddle wheel and blanking plate are swapped. Think I will practice while it's out of the water all the same as access strictly one handed.

 

[sailorman]

Can always rely on this forum for wise advice. I hadn't really thought about the lifting strops sliding up and taking out the paddlewheel. The idea of an errant strop pushing the whole thing up into the hull is a bit scary!
Checking, it's an Airmar ST800 transducer and the info sheet says the valve housing as a sort of flap valve to mitigate water incursion when the paddle wheel and blanking plate are swapped. Think I will practice while it's out of the water all the same as access strictly one handed.

i removed my ST60 transducer prior to hauling this Saturday, expect to replace it in the skin fitting when afloat Wednesday