Un-fouling the log paddle

[woodjenny]

We have to do this frequently (Stowe paddle wheel type impeller). We always get a lot of water in the boat. Does anyone have any solution or suggestions for reducing this?

 

[pvb]

Antifoul it...

I too have a Stowe paddlewheel log. I find that antifouling both the impeller and the inside of the impeller housing keeps it clean for about 6 months.

 

[smb]

Funny enough, flicking through some back issues yesterday (pbo444) I saw just what you need. It involves a strip of waterproof canvas suspended from both toe rails right under the boat, covering the impeller. Much the same as you might try to patch a holed hull with a sail, or so the books say. It might not stop the inflow altogether but it should reduce it.

I planned to make one up for our boat but now we are in the Med a snorkel and pan brush is much simpler.

When we were on the Hamble we used to remove the log every time we left the boat as the fouling was so bad. A liberal coating of teflon spray seemed to reduce the fouling slightly.


Steve

 

[RupertW]

Do you have a dummy impellor to cap the hole when you're cleaning the real impellor? With a bit of practice you end up with very little water coming in as you swap between them.

Otherwise I'd consider using a wooden plug but sod's law says that that will either get wedged in too hard or fly off when you're in the middle of things.

 

[cpedw]

I made a cover along the lines describe din PBO. A square of fabric (about 6") with dowels on 2 opposite sides to keep the shape. Long lines from all 4 corners to convenient fixed points on deck (I use stanchions) and measure and mark them when the fabric is spot on while the boat's ashore.
It takes 2 people and a fair bit of persuading to get it into position when afloat. We start at the bow and drag/cajole it slowly back until we can fasten the lines in their places. Once it's in situ, there's less than a teaspoon comes in when the log is removed. No need to put the blank in if you're just cleaning the impeller. I t did once go wrong- twisted I think while putting it into place. Quite a disappointment...

Derek

 

[Cactus]

Re: Antifoul it...

be quick.

 

[LORDNELSON]

Keeping your boat on the Hamble provides lots of practice! I have two large floor cloths and the blanking cap handy when I do clean the paddle. Procedure is to remove the paddle gently and slap and hold one of the cloths over the hole. Then wangle the blanking cap over the hole and screw it home. The other cloth is used to stop the water that does get in flowing along the bilge. I normally have to bale out the equivalent of about one inch depth in the bottom of a bucket.

 

[cindersailor]

To halve the amount of water taken onboard during the cleaning exercise get a second impeller unit and simply replace the fouled one with the 2nd (clean) one. This avoids going through the panic of having a fountain of water inside the boat twice during the process. The cables can simply be joined with standard crimp connectors, at least this works for my Smiths system for which impellers are periodically available for about a tenner on e-bay.

 

[michael_w]

If you have reasonable access and are just cleaning the impeller, Whipping the thing out and then standing on the hole can't be beaten for minimum water ingress. You also have both hands to dig the kuck out. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Mirelle]

Do you have a clamshell valve on the skin fitting?

I've got a Stowe Dataline system which uses this type of impeller - the nylon clamshell valve which screws onto the through hull fitting is absolutely worthwhile and cuts the water flow down to about the volume of a domestic tap, rather than a young Niagara.

(I also fitted the thing in the seaboot locker, which was one of my better ideas...)

 

[woodjenny]

I like the idea of a strip of waterproof material which you persuade to slide along the the hull (with pairs of lines to both sides marked so you know when positioned correctly). Our impeller is forward of the leading edge of the fin so this might work. Will do a bit of experimenting while the boat's out of the water. Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

 

[Stork_III]

On the rare occasions when the Log impellor sticks, I find rotation through 180 deg (on the vertical axis that is), clears whatever. Frequent use of the boat also helps.

 

[Seal_surfer]

My log is under the fwd V berth moulding. I have this idea that of a stub of ~ 6 or 8" dia plastic pipe would be fitted vertically over the skin fitting (scribed to snugly fit and glassed or fillet bonded to bilge). This would extend just above the WL, and even if it fully flooded, would contain the water, for easy mop up afterwards.

BTW, I do have a very shallow draught/bilge - ~ 1 foot.

Just an idea - but could eliminate the finger in the dam scenario!