Time required to debug a new boat, spares and tools
No matter what the age of the boat, some items will fail and if you are passagemaking you must be able to fix or bypass the system.
We carried a complete set of hand tools. Some out of the ordinary included a couple of strap wrenches and chain vise grips. We also had a very complete set of taps and dies. Several types of files, including needle files.
Propeller puller. Wheel pullers. Sledge hammer, axe, crow bar (36"). Benchtop Work Mate.
I would also put SCUBA gear or hooka as "tools"--in case under water repairs have to be done.
In the power tool section we had a battery operated drill, sawzall, and small circular saw. 110 volt tools included dremel tools, with a very complete set of bits and flexiable shaft, 1/2" drill, saber saw, 4" grinder/sander/wire brush, and a table top drill press. Bench grinder. We also carried a small 110 volt welder and welding and brazing rods. An air compressor was handy. Also had a good size work bench and large iron vise.
We had a propane and map gas/oxygen torch.
For raw stock, we had plates and bars of alumium and steel, we had 36" pieces of threaded rod in sizes from 3/16" to 3/4", we had several rolls of copper tubing, in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch sizes, with fittings and flare sets.
We also had a sheet of 1/4" teflon, multiple sheets of various gasket materials.
There were screws, nuts and bolts of virtually all sizes--mostly in standard, but some fine and metric. I had a very complete assortment of various plugs and valves. Also plastic and rubber tubing in various sizes. Many hose clamps.
In the electrical department, lots of marine grade wire, fixtures, crimp fittings and crimpers. Several soldering irons and solder.
For refigeration; guages and freon in large canasters. Extra dryers and expansion valves--and spare heat exchangers. Seals for compressor.
We also carried epoxy and cloth, including under water epoxy.
The types of things we ran into which had to be fixed at sea: Pick up tube on the fuel tank developed a leak, Heat exchanger on refigeration cooler leaked, automatic transfer valve on water maker failed (put in a manual valve), Starter motor on generator: had to replace the brushes and reture the armature. Ground the valves on the genset. Had to put under water epoxy on a hull surface after hitting an uncharted pinicle rock. Fabricate a number of gaskets. Had series of water pumps fail and used a water puppy pump as an emergency on the genset until parts for a rebuild arrived. Replaced some diodes in electronics. Weld posts and other light weight SS deck fittings damaged in a storm. Minor electrical problems on the genset repaired. Fabricate a new alternator mount. repair refigeration freon leaks.
fabricate rigging fittings.
Not done at sea: Splint a mast (on another cruisers boat--using 3/16 x 1" x 36" steel stock and multiple maching screws into the mast) Rebuild a Transmission (output shaft) Replace engine mount (broken in storm). Replace a cutlass bearng (no haul out for the size of boat). Build a new anchor pulpit grating. Canvas replacment for awnings etc.
Things done by commercial services: Rewound generator, rebuilt generator engine (after a commercial rebuild of the injector pump caused the governer to stick wide open)
These are the things which come to mind beyond the usual rebuilding water pumps.
Bob Austin
Bob, regarding your comments: "I would also put SCUBA gear or hooks as
"tools"--in case under water repairs have to be done."
As always, thanks for your real world insight! I was just in the process of
composing a vessel tools and machinery list, and you've added a number of
items!
A question about the SCUBA gear. Half of my diaphragm became paralyzed
several years ago. As a result, I only have the use of one lung, the other
is collapsed. I've been told I'm unlikely to be certified for SCUBA, thus
limiting my ability to get tanks filled, not to mention the potential
dangers of diving with a collapsed lung. So, I've researched the "over the
side" shallow dive systems. These are air pumps that stay on the boat, and
a 30-40 foot hose and regulator. With this, I can go over the side and
service a fouled prop or stabilizer fin. They are very reasonably priced,
and I think it will be a good alternative. Of course it means I may not
have the range to dive on an anchor, and of course I'll be on a tether, but
it seems like the best option for me, considering my situation. I know your
a doctor, and I won't hold you to a diagnosis, but do you think it's crazy
to consider this with a collapsed lung? Thanks, Scott
Scott Bulger,
Knot@Work, 31' Camano, Seattle WA
The best place to get an authoritative answer on this one is DAN (Diver's
alert network, http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/ ). For that matter, they
are a great resource for a lot of things boaters might encounter, such as
sea life, skin diving problems, etc.
The problem with "shallow" diving is that the worst place for accidents is
the first 33'. I know you don't plan to go that deep, but if you take a
breath and hold it at 33' then surface, your lungs will double in size,
probably rupturing. Believe me, if you have that compressor setup and have
the capability to dive to 80', you're going to be severely tempted. I would
strongly urge anyone using compressed air to dive, even shallow to get
certified for SCUBA or at least the Brownie's third lung, if that's what
you're using. Disclaimer: I'm a certified SCUBA diver, and pretty much a nut
about dive safety. I do keep all the gear on the boat, and have used it a
couple of times to check the prop, rudder, etc. It can be invaluable, but
please don't cut corners with your safety.
Keith
__
"If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to
do is stop digging." - Will Rogers
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Bulger" scottebulger@comcast.net
I've been told I'm unlikely to be certified for SCUBA, thus
limiting my ability to get tanks filled, not to mention the potential
dangers of diving with a collapsed lung. So, I've researched the "over
the
side" shallow dive systems. These are air pumps that stay on the boat,
and
a 30-40 foot hose and regulator. With this, I can go over the side and
service a fouled prop or stabilizer fin.
Keith provided the invaluable advice: "but please don't cut corners with
your safety".
With my redundant lung already failed, I'm VERY motivated to protect the one
I have left. The reality is I can't get a SCUBA tank refilled, and yet I
need this capability. A HOOKA (over-the-side) system is the only
alternative I can think of. I will be very, very careful.
Scott
Scott,
You didn't say (or I missed it) whether or not you have ever been
SCUBA certified.
You say you will be very very careful. But without proper training
(ie, getting certified) there is the grave danger that you won't know
HOW to be careful.
If you are not certified, please reconsider. As Keith has indicated,
shallow dives are in many ways the most dangerous.
-- chuck (also a certified nut :-) )
Tusen Takk
KK42-152
On Sun, 2 Jan 2005 08:52:58 -0800, Scott Bulger
scottebulger@comcast.net wrote:
Keith provided the invaluable advice: "but please don't cut corners with
your safety".
With my redundant lung already failed, I'm VERY motivated to protect the one
I have left. The reality is I can't get a SCUBA tank refilled, and yet I
need this capability. A HOOKA (over-the-side) system is the only
alternative I can think of. I will be very, very careful.
Scott
--
The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man
living with power to endanger the public liberty.
- John Adams
Chuck said: "without proper training (ie, getting certified) there is the
grave danger that you won't know HOW to be careful."
Wow, it's so nice to have folks concerned for my safety! I took a class in
HI and did two dives to 40' for about 40 min. I've also done 3 SNUBA dives,
also to about 40'. They weren't certified dives, they were one-on-one buddy
dives. I'll take your warnings to hart and consider a class, but when I've
asked local dive shops, and told them about my lung condition, they
immediately said they wouldn't take me. I didn't pursue it with vigor,
perhaps my best alternative would be to hire a diver, and get some personal
training. I have great respect for the issues with depth, time, and holding
your breath. I'm just trying to equip myself with the capability to go over
the side of the boat to clear a fouled prop, or inspect the hull if grounded
or striking an object...
Again, thank you for reiterating how important it is to know and understand
the risk of diving, no matter how deep, and the encouragement to get
additional training, I will pursue it!
Scott Bulger,
Knot@Work, Seattle WA
Scott:
Okay, here goes. I will make a few statements meant to
scare you into a certification course. One of the
other
messages stated that that shallow diving is
perhaps the most dangerous. It is.
You can pop the remaining lung just by surfacing
too fast. How fast is too fast? The certification will
tell you the first time you meet. When you are in
the class, they will tell you that you cannot be
s\certified because of your present lung being
collapsed. That is true. I do not think NAUI
or the other groups will give you a certificate to get
a cert. However, you can
and should be able to attend to get the information.
I would take you into a pool that is no deeper than
about 12
feet and getting that deep would require a lot on your
part to even pass my sanity test to allow it.
As someone else on the list stated, go to doc that
is also certified to examine you. Even then I do not
think
he would condone it. That being said, the hooka is a
necessary
item to untangle a prop or a stabilizer. You can even
get
a bloody nose at five feet, Why? Take the course.
Knowing the dangers and the causes will help you.
Just being careful without the knowledge of what
can injure you can cause you grave harm.
Regards,
Rick Redfern
--- Scott Bulger scottebulger@comcast.net wrote:
Keith provided the invaluable advice: "but please
don't cut corners with
your safety".
With my redundant lung already failed, I'm VERY
motivated to protect the one
I have left. The reality is I can't get a SCUBA
tank refilled, and yet I
need this capability. A HOOKA (over-the-side)
system is the only
alternative I can think of. I will be very, very
careful.
Scott
Passagemaking-Under-Power Mailing List
If you want to be scared to death about diver safety, the Navy has a SCUBA
movie (probably on DVD by now) that the Army showed us before SCUBA
certification. YOU WILL remember to breathe out while going up to the
surface. You will also use a diver's card (Keith, is there something new,
now?) to compute your ascent time and holding depths.
It is very colorful to see burst lungs and divers having the bends. You
won't want to make these mistakes. Personally, I'm staying at keel depth
with a Brown type breathing device. Of course, if your anchor is tuck in the
beautiful, clear Caribbean .......
Ron Rogers
Willard 40 AIRBORNE
Reedville, VA
I never had to pass a medical exam to get scuba-certified, but that was some
time ago. Have things changed?
At any rate, taking the classes would certainly be beneficial, even for a
hookah diver.
Hal
Keith provided the invaluable advice: "but please don't cut
corners with your safety".
[This E-mail was scanned for viruses.]
Classes, and ongoing use would be a good recipe. The shallow surface diver
has to be aware of the risks involved. Most folks think " I am only going
to 20 feet", and disregard the rules. Diving can be very safe, but
understanding the rules is critical. A little known fact, and one that
gets folks in trouble is the shallow dive. The atmospheric pressure
doubles every 30 feet roughly, making the 1st 30 the biggest % of change on
the body. Most folks don't worry about the 1st 30 and get a rude, or worse
surprise after the dive because they thought " I was only going to 30
feet". I spent 6 years as a Navy Hardhat and Scuba diver, and can attest
that most "issues" occurred with shallow dives.
I am not qualified to remark on the safety of a collapsed lung and future
diving, but I firmly believe anyone that takes air from a source other than
mother nature should be trained, and practice often enough to be
proficient. Practice reduces panic, which cause a large number of issues.
Mike Cowan
At any rate, taking the classes would certainly be beneficial, even for a
hookah diver.
Hal
Keith provided the invaluable advice: "but please don't cut
corners with your safety".
[This E-mail was scanned for viruses.]
Passagemaking-Under-Power Mailing List
Mike Cowan
MV Sue's Pool III
65 Hatteras LRC hull #2
Off-List email: mikec@wirelessconnections.net