Muffler

[jimcleary]

This past summer I had a slight dark drip of water coming from under the muffler platform aft of the engine. Having read Rick Dowe's post about seepage from the skeg/shaft log area, I figured that was what I was experiencing. When Dana came out of the water I removed the muffler and the platform expecting to find a crack in the fiberglass that I could grind out and repair.

Behold!!! No crack. The hull beneath that area was solid. What I did find was that the dark drip was coming from the muffler platform itself. Close inspection of the 41 year old VernaLift muffler was weeping very slowly.

Now I could have optioned for a new muffler from Defenders for about $160. But since the muffler is just a fiberglass container that I have done repairs on previously, I decided to make a repair. A couple layers of cloth in epoxy resin on the bottom of the muffler, a couple of coats of Bilgecoat paint and I'm ready to reinstall. I am going to add 3/8" spacers between the muffler and the platform to allow a visual inspection of the repair.

I know it is an awkward area to work in, but if water was leaking from the muffler, then exhaust must have been also. Better safe than sorry.

Jim

 

[jimcleary]

My muffler project is finished and reinstalled on the boat. The muffler was prepped and the bottom reglassed. The area below the muffler was sanded and painted. The muffler and the platform were also painted with white Bilgecoat. I'm posting photos for anyone interested.

Jim

 

[mpearson]

Wow! Very clean & professional looking, Jim. Congrats and thanks for sharing that.

 

[jimcleary]

Mark
Thanks! I think by the time I sell the boat, she will be totally coated in Bilgecoat. I love that stuff!!!

 

[dave_a]

I have bilge envy, Jim. Very nice job. Good idea to raise the muff off the platform so things can dry out.

 

[john Gonzalez]

Nicely done indeed!

 

[rickdowe2]

Your going to make me have to paint my engine room now,sigh. Nice looking Jim

 

[tfrere]

Jim is making us all work harder. It’s called “keeping up with Cleary!”

 

[jimcleary]

Thank you all for your comments. I think I'm at that point in life where I am spending a lot of time doing boat projects just so I won't have to spend too much time doing house projects. Of course I don't let Bonnie know that.

Jim