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Pete McCrary

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Everything posted by Pete McCrary

  1. For the aft locker I didn't want to fool with a gasket. Usually, rainwater (Chessie in driveway) doesn't pool inside the hatch UNLESS there is a wind-driven rain pushing the water past the edges of the hatch cover. Small amounts will drain over the rabbit edge that is cut into the aft bulkhead. However, with a driving heavy rain or any rain on the highway, the wind can force the rainwater past the rabbit's edge on the hatch opening.. To avoid that I've filed weep holes on each side of the hatch hinge and installed "gutters" on the inside of the hatch cover. Notice the blocking that backs up the hinge screws -- the blocking extends higher than the edge of the rabbit, which allows water to flow past the edge and into the hatch. The gutters should carry any water [that is] forced past the cover's edges down and outboard of the blocking and into the footwell thru the weep channels. Gutters (1/2" thick) glued to back of hatch cover. Weep channels filed into cover at each end of its hinge. Ready for reinstallation. Hopefully, it will work. In warm weather it will be rain-tested either on the water and/or highway -- or with a garden hose. Results will be reported.
  2. Steve,... Paige had a sister (same litter) -- and the sister (Laurie Dehu) was quite a bit larger, black all over except bright white for boots & mittens, throat, chest, and between hind legs. A really beautiful cat. She was a hunter and wouldn't stay in the yard and after about two years, she got run over returning from a hunt. One time she brought home a rat that was almost her size. Paige was the runt of a 6 kitten litter, and has always been shy and skittish and never leaves our 1/3rd acre yard. And now she's almost 13 yrs old. She has "lost her white mittens," and is all black (even her whiskers), except for small white patches on her throat, chest, and between her hind legs. I say that she's modest -- and the white blazes are her necklace, bra, and panties. The biggest game she catches are small moles. Thanks for suggesting "Catnip."
  3. So far -- the choice of the family (just Annie & I) is strongly leaning towards Steve's suggestion: "Catnip." It's a short, one-word name that's apropos for the "tender" of the lead ship "Chessie." Lucy Paige The family kitties, Lucy and Paige, have access to the garage and find comfort there at night. Even in the coldest weather! They are company for me in the shop and are very curious. Chessie's winter "slip" is on her trailer and in my garage/shop where the kitties like to explore all over my boats, work benches, etc. Lucy is friendly to everyone. But Paige hasn't been seen by anyone except Annie and me. From inside [the house] or out, she can hear the door bell ring or a car door close -- and she immediately hides until the "coast-is-clear."
  4. So far -- I'm liking the "meester's" suggestion: Caboose But that's not final. Maybe "Echo" or "Moonbeam" ? More suggestions, please.
  5. Checking my notes concerning the check-ride for the Tohatsu 3.5 (with new fuel pump) shows distance covered at 21 nm, 4.9 hrs running time, and using ~ 2.4 liters of fuel. (NOTE: the estimate of 2.4 liters is WRONG! The measured number is 2.9 liters). Typical speed ~ 4 to 5 knots, rpm ~ 3,000 to 4,000. Fuel rate ~ 0.4 liters/hr (error, should be .6 liters/hr). Mileage ~ 8.75 nm/liter (error, should be 7.24 nm/liter). But the running time included about 15 minutes of dockside idle -- so the traveling fuel rate and mileage were actually higher. EDITED ON DECEMBER 13. Note corrections shown above. Fuel rate: 0,6 liters/hr Mileage: 7.24 nm/liter
  6. Checking my notes concerning the check-ride for the Tohatsu 3.5 (with new fuel pump) shows distance covered at 21 nm, 4.9 hrs running time, and using ~ 2.4 liters of fuel. Typical speed ~ 4 to 5 knots, rpm ~ 3,000 to 4,000. Fuel rate ~ 0.4 liters/hr. Mileage ~ 8.75 nm/liter. But the running time included about 15 minutes of dockside idle -- so the traveling fuel rate and mileage were actually higher. On a lighter and slightly frivolous note ... we've been considering various names for Chessie's tender. She will be the micro+ nesting tender, a pram designed by Graham. The "+" indicates that it's 6" longer than the original design. The partially completed kit will be my major winter project. Some names have already been sugessted: Minnie, Pluto, Skipper, Pam, etc.. Her mother ship, Chessie was named for our Chesapeake Bay and the C & O kitty: Maybe Chessie would like to have a little mouse nearby -- so, how 'bout Micky Mouse's girl friend, Minnie. Any and all uggestions for the tender's name will be welcome.
  7. The selling dealer was Cabelas Sporting goods. Very busy with only one guy as mechanic, parts man, and shop foreman. And they had at least 3 salesmen pestering him to prep their sold-boats and ATVs for delivery. When I told them of my motor problems they should have known, considering the recall, the cause right off. It took them two weeks to figure it out, and then another two weeks of not even ordering the replacement pump. I took back the motor and another dealer (Backyard Boats in Woodbridge, VA) got it all done pronto. Right from the beginning, the motor was hard to start and really hard to restart. But once it got going, it seemed to run ok. But after three trips on the water (total running time about 3 hrs) -- it just wouldn't idle and was spitting oily or unburnt gas with the exhaust. Clearly, symptoms of fuel pump problems if you really knew the engine and its characteristics. I think the fuel pump diaphragm probably had a very small crack in it (at the start), and it rapidly got worse with use. Now it runs like the other outboards that I've had.
  8. Tohatsu 3.5 proof of repair cruise. The motor started just fine and ran like a "top." And restarted without any problem. The fuel pump was replaced under warranty at no charge for labor. We cruised from Leesylvania State Park (Virginia) up The Patomac River to Gunston Cove -- about 12 nm (24 RT). Speed at about 4.5 to 5 knots at ~ 3500 rpm. Used 2.4 liters. An enjoyable day, temps 50 to 60 degrees. Calm in the am, about 8 knots in the afternoon. I now have confidence in this motor and hope to be cruising "Chessie" early next year. We saw several eagles. Brenda, my occasional helper and crew at the helm. Chessie, resting for lunch. Brenda taking a brake in the easy chair. The old man at the helm. Chessie is now in the garage waiting for her electrical systems.
  9. I've actually done what Alex suggested when finding the travel limits for the rudder-tiller assembly. However, without building a mockup, I've made a "stick-figure" of a six foot sailor [to scale 4:1] and positioned it on the 4:1 drawing as if reboarding. Here's the sketch: It's my opinion that reboarding for me (age 84) will be a challenge. Perhaps the toughest part would be placing one foot on the bottom step while holding onto the transom lip. I envision being in the water in a near veriticle position and holding onto the top of the transom with both hands. Then trying to place one foot on the bottom step. Could I raise myself up with my arms high enough so that I could flex my leg (again high enough) to place one foot on the bottom step? Maybe. Once a foot is in position on the step, the next problem will be to stand upright. At my age it is very difficult to stand upright (sometimes I just can't do it) from a squatting position using BOTH legs. However, if I can have a "hand grip," that little extra leverage will get me up. The buoyancy of the water will help some -- but what if "Chessie" is floating high? The real-life dynamics is really hard to predict. I'll just have to build the prototype and try it on-the-water. But as a precaution, I think I'll add a back-up folding third step (shown on the drawing in green) that will be about 4" lower than the present bottom step and probably make reboarding much less problematic. What do you think? Has any reader had actual experience with a ladder with this approximate configuration? Am I making too much of this "potential" problem?
  10. Thanks, Alex, for the comments -- all of which, in one form or another, will be incorporated into the final version. However, as a lover of wood, I'll probably stick mostly to wood and fiberglass, limiting the metal parts to the hinge and SS rod. I will strengthen the rod-hinge assembly with more robust framing, including epoxy filled over-size holes later drilled for the SS rod. I'm also thinking of some scuba diving weights into the bottom half of the bottom step. Of course, all outside edges will be rounded off with [as large of] radii as possible to soften human bumps and mizzen sheet entanglements. Note that the inside surface of the transom is already reinforced with 3/4" yellow pine blocking from the chine to the side of the aft locker. Hete's a sketch of my concept for the "deployable" Gin-Pole. I think it's a feasible concept that would greatly air reboarding. At the top-right I've shown a plan view illustrating how I would tilt the pole a bit aft. However, I need to better understand the ergonomics before final details are settled. Maybe a person would get more useful purchase with the pole tilted forward? I have a hand-grip above my bathtub just above the tub's top edge. It's almost useless because at that level (it's too hard to push-up) -- however, if it was higher (i.e., at arms length), I'd have much better leverage to pull-up my entire weight. Skip, I think you are right to lower your ladder. You'll get an easier to mount bottom step and less entanglement of the mizzen sheet. But I have to thank you for the pix you posted last year. I couldn't have conceived this design without the ideas that it provides.
  11. A reboarding ladder. Here's my preliminary design sketch based on photos provided by Chick last year. The next step will be to make [to scale] a "stick figure" of an "overboard sailor" and try to visualize her grabbing the transom lip and placing her (right ?) foot on the bottom step (~ 16" below the DWL) -- and then leveraging herself up (high enough) to get her (other) foot on the top step (~ at the DWL) -- and her torso over the transom onto the aft deck (~ 25" above the DWL). I'm trying to keep the stowed system entirely below the top edge of the transom -- and deployable by a tired sailor in the water. And that would include the "gin-pole" (stowed inside the coaming) described below. I'm thinking I need something like a removable "gin-pole" that could be something like a 1.25" wooden dowel sticking up thru a hole in the top of the cockpit coaming and held upright with a "step" at its base. The gin-pole could be stowed inside the coaming and deployed by the overboard sailor by reaching it thru the aft opening of the coaming. Instead of [it] standing straight up (providing only vertical leverage), the gin-pole could be made to also provide some horizontal leverage by arranging the hole (in the coaming) to be on the cockpit-side of the coaming so that it would stick out at about a 45 degree angle and a little aft. Rigging the gin-pole into its opening [and step] could be a problem and something the sailor should practice. Maybe tomorrow I'll try to sketch the concept on paper. Critical comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
  12. Thanks, David. I sent the link to the local Tohatsu dealer's mechanic.
  13. I bought my ethanol-free 93 octagon fuel from a Steil dealer whose customer base is mostly rural. Their tank is above ground and about 500 gallons in size. It turned out to be contaminated with water. That can happen if you happen to be getting your fuel load from near the bottom of the tank. Especially if the dealer has a fairly low sales volume of that gas. The tank can be half empty for multiple cycles of temperature & humidity variations -- causing condensation. And the tank was not under cover, which would exacerbate the temperature daily highs and lows. I got rid of all the e-free gas that I had.
  14. The Suzuki ran just fine at the Messabout. Turns out that both engines suffered from some bad gas (water!). Wanting to avoid the ethanol problems, I bought several gallons of ethanol-free 93 octagon gas from a Steil dealer. At the MASCF when the Tohatsu wouldn't run right, I took it to a marina mechanic [who] discovered water in the gas. But he still couldn't get it to run properly. It took the dealer to find the hole in the fuel pump diaphragm. So, I got rid of all the ethanol-free gas and am now using regulars gas with a stabilizer additive. That made the Suzuki run like a charm. Also, its short shaft didn't cause any cavitation -- maybe because I always had the ballast tank full and at least a crew of two adults (myself included). In that configuration the hull speed was almost 5 knots. If there is little or no cavitation when I'm solo with full BT, then I'll keep the Suzuki and sell the Tohatsu.
  15. Some may know that the Suzuki 2.5 cavitated excessively as "Chessie's'" OBM on her maiden voyage [empty ballast tank & solo crew]. So I replaced the OBM with a Tohatsu 3.5 hp longshaft which was hard to start, wouldn't idle properly, and ran poorly and was generally unreliable to the point that I didn't dare join in the water events at the MASCF. We think the selling dealer's mechanic has discovered the problem. A small hole in the fuel pump's diaphragm. The pump gets its energy from the negative pressure in the intake side of the carborator-- which [hole] allows some extra gas to enrich the mixture beyond what it should be causing unburnt fuel to exit thru the exhaust and generally poor running. This diagnosis will be confirmed after installing a new fuel pump. A trial run on the water will be proof. The mechanic says that some OBMs power the fuel pump with exhaust pressure -- which wouldn't have any effect on the mixture, but [probably] would cause other problems. Has anyone else had a similar problem with a new small OBM?
  16. Although I like a fast boat -- like Drew, I'm "more aligned to cruising than racing." That's why I like the CS20.3's cabin and big cockpit. it was sure nice to meet so many of my forum friends. Good to place faces to forum names and to see actual boats. I think Chessie was the only CS20.3 present -- but besides myself, present were Steve and Amos, also builders of the CS20.3. Both had a sessions at Chessie's helm which provided a kinda preview of what they could expect [with their boats] in light winds. Saturday afternoon Chessie took on board Amos' wife, Laura, and daughter, Noel. We had a very nice light wind. Here are the best of the photos that I took. Amos at his camp site. Amos and Pete McCrary, Chessie's builder. Saturday morning. I don't know the boat or skipper near the opposite shore. Weren't the stars just brilliant against a moonless night sky? Chessie's cockpit galley. Dockside photos of Chessie. I missed the Sunday sailing because I had to leave early. The ride home to Manassas, Virginia, is 333 miles. I find it a hard and stressful drive. After a total of 6 nights in Chessie's cabin, I find it is quite comfortable. So, next year, I'll plan an overnight stop at a RV campground within about 100 miles of Bayboro. Then I'll be able to sail on Sunday and leave in the late afternoon. See you all next year.
  17. Chessie was at the Mid Atlantic Small Craft Festival this year but had OBM trouble and couldn't frolic in the waters off Saint Michaels. However, she provided lodging for her skipper for Thursday and Friday nights. Here are the best of photos that I took: Chessie on display. Alan, Graham, and Steve messing with Carlita. View of Graham's dodger, from aft. Another view of the dodger. Friday morning. Graham had the prototype of his micro tender on display. Unfortunately, Chessie and I had to leave Saturday morning so that I could have the OBM at the dealer by that afternoon. They have determined that it probably needs a replacement carborator. We'll see.
  18. I managed to get a few more things done for Chessie: Here's a little Tach & Hour meter. The pickup is just a small wire wrapped (~ 4 turns) turns around the spark plug cable. You can see the other end at lower left on the meter. No external power required. I'm told that there's an internal battery (power for low-drain liquid crystal display) with > 10 yr life. A small Ritchie hand-held compass mounted on a bracket just held on the mizzen partner by friction. Proof of concept cabin shelf dry-fitted on the port side. I had a similar shelf on Tattoo -- and it was very convenient and didn't get in the way. My 3-day cruise at the MASCF will be the real test. Chessie is now sporting her "badges." They still need several more coats of clearcoat. Hope to see some of you at the MASCF. I hope to arrive there Thursday afternoon. Probably won't do the Wye Island trip this year. Maybe next year.
  19. Wow !!! She's a beauty and something to be proud of. I'd sure like to come aboard for a sail. Maybe in the right season I could actually come to Australia (never been west of Kwajalien or east of Cape Town, South Africa (or Venice, Italy).
  20. Regarding the bunks. Delivered, they were "pressure-treated" 2 x 6s covered with bunk carpet. They were very heavy and quite stiff. They carry very little load as their main purpose is to balance the boat so that almost all the load is carried on the keel. So, to lighten the total trailer weight and make [the bunks] more flexible, I removed the bunk carpet and tossed the 2 x 6s and substituted [them] with 1 x 6s carefully chosen (straight grain & no ugly knots) from pressure treated stock at Home Depot. So that I could use the same mounting hardware -- I cut short (4 each ~ 16" x 1 x 6) to double-up each bunk end -- and then reapplied the carpets. The modified bunks are quite flexible, but stiff enough so that Chessie doesn't wobble (hardly any) on the trailer when I climb aboard. They were flexible enough so that when fitting them to Chessie's hull, I could push the ends close-up against her bottom (at the ends) so that the buinks' baring surfaces extended nearly the whole length of the bunk -- nicely distributing the load. There are three rollers -- each mounted on pressure-treated 2 x 6 stock. The roller centerlines are about 4" offset from the center lines of each trailer cross-brace. This adds a little "give" to the roller (as the off-center load torques the cross-brace) which softens the ride a little. I wanted to "equalize" the load on the three rollers -- but had no way to measure the load on each. So, with the boat resting on the two aft rollers, I loosely mounted the forward roller on a wooden cross-brace approximately under Blk 2. Then I placed a jack under the keel (near the cross-brace) and raised the boat up a little bit (maybe ~ < 1") -- and then fabricated a spacer under the roller frame such that the roller firmly pressed up against the keel. When lowering the boat the cross-brace was deflected ~ 3/8". The span is about 33". If I stand on a 33" span on a 2 x 6 -- my 200 lb weight will deflect the board < 1/4". So, I'd say that the forward roller has significantly relieved the load on the middle roller and increased it (somewhat) on the aft roller. After about 300 road miles, inspection has not revealed any visible damage to the keel from the rollers. And I've hit some pretty big bumps at highway speeds.
  21. Here's the data on Chessie's trailer: Load-Rite (Elite), Model 5S-172200V Load limit: 2,200 lbs Tires: ST175/13C, 50 psi Widths: Total 90", Between fenders 73" (see Note 1) Length: 18' 10" Weight as finally configured (9/9/2017): 680 lbs, including add-ons (see Note 2) Weight (unsprung): ~ 150 lbs (axle and two wheels & tires) No brakes. Note that Virginia doesn't require trailer brakes for trailed weights under 3,000 lbs. Note 1: Chessie's chines fit between the fenders with just about 2" total clearance (total for each side). That spacing allowed me to rig padding on each side made of 3/4" pine with "bunk carpeting material" attached to the inboard sides. These "cushions" are wired (SS wire) to the trailer frame so they won't float away when down on the ramp. Note 2: Trailer weight as delivered: 500 lbs (includes basic trailer with winch, wheel-jack, and bunks). Add-ons: Guide-ons 20 lbs, three Rollers 30, Spare Tire 37, 3rd roller's support 14, CB Catcher 9, Running Boards 70 -- (sub-total 180) Here are two photos showing the City of Manassas official scale weights for the trailer & Chessie loaded with all cruising equipment including Coast Guard required safety items plus spare gas and drinking water: The first weight (1,720 lbs) was with only the trailer wheels on the scale (tongue hitched to tow vehicle). For the second weight (1,940 lbs), the tongue was unhitched and (wheel jack) dropped to the scale. Tongue weight 220 lbs. That's ~ 11% of the total load. With Chessie (loaded with all sailing and cruising equipment) PLUS the trailer weighing 1,940 lbs, LESS the trailer at 680 lbs, EQUALS approximately 1,260 lbs for Chessie (loaded ...) The tongue weight for earlier configurations (i.e., no running boards) was ~ 180 lbs. For my Tacoma pickup, I'd prefer the lower weight. I might move the trailer axle forward a few inches to reduce the tongue weight. Here's a photo of the trailer sans boat.
  22. Here are some photos of Chessie on the water taken by a fellow boater from his slip at the Sweenen Point Marina on the Potomac's Mattawaoman Creek. Persons aboard are myself, my son Jim and daughter-in-law, Patricia and sailing friend John Zohlen. One really needs a chase boat and or telephoto lense to get good photos of boats on the water. Anyway, here are the pixs: Maybe I'll be able to get some more at the MASCF. I'm presently planning to arrive (with Chessie) on Thursday afternoon, and hopefully, participate in the sail-over to Wye Island.
  23. Q:. Where to stow the Boat Hook? A:. Within easy reach from the cockpit. Here's what I did: The cutout is just over a "half-circle." With a little flexibility [in the wood]] and a little trimming with a file -- the plastic & rubber ends of the Boat Hook "snap" nicely in place. Secure but easily removed. I'd say it's pretty much out of the way and easily accessible. Don't have to open a hatch or go below. However, easily pinched in a parking lot. But it's not "high value" like a cell phone or GPS device.
  24. Don, no checklist is perfect. Opportunities for #£%*? will still exist. But if I waste my limited energy on these "no-fun" tasks, I'll be "too-pooped" to enjoy much of the really fun part. One reason I like the overnight (or several-day) cruises is that once I'm under way -- I'm not concerned about recovery on the ramp, making the rig "road-ready," traffic, etc. in order to get home before dark. I've found that a "solo" day sail (for this 84 yr old) is very exhausting endeavor that can lead to big mistakes at the end of t.he day. That's also often true even with crew, because I've never had crew that I could trust to do the hard part. Now, if my home was on the water with a pier and Chessie kept high-and-dry on a lift -- boy, would I enjoy that! Add to checklists: Deploy and Stow Anchor. Add to Float Plan: Safty equipment: Fire Extinguiher
  25. My present plans are to attend the MASCF with Chessie as an entrant. My Annie will probably be with me. If so we'll probably stay at a B & B. If I'm solo I'll bunk in the boat. BTW, did you notice that I forgot [on the check list] to deploy and stow the anchor? When trailering it shouldn't be in the roller like you would have it on the water.
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