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rand24

randall saunders
new board member here - have been working with some friends to upgrade a 382 that we share and this year have redone the running rigging and lifelines, purchased new sails, added a new luff track to the mast, a rigid vang and redone the teak toerail to help with some moisture. The sailing season is almost done here and so we are contemplating the winter project list as the work this year seems to have reinvigorated the crew. In a "stone soup" kind of way we have a few duckets to spend and are thinking of:

- enlarging the rudder
- max prop or similar
- removing a bunch of non-functining gear
- cockpit gelcoat quite crazed
- teak work..its silver now (sorta like it)
-more foam in cooler area (its not a fridge)
-some concern on age of electrical panel
-slight coolant and oil leaks from engine
-the head smells

I know that last one is a huge can of worms and I have spent a lot of time on this site for that project in itself - I am frankly unsure anything can be done...

She's a great boat and more than up to our needs ...a cruise from Ct. to Maine would be the outside bounds of our adventuring but am happy to spend a few dollars to get her operating and looking as good as she deserves. Any input at all is much appreciated as to these or other projects that bring smiles to the sailing experience. Gracias
 
Randall
Welcome to the board. There is a wealth of info on the board and searching the archives will help with many of your questions and concerns. Regarding the smelly head area, check the heads discharge hoses. Waste hoses after a time become permeable and the smell comes right thru the hose wall. There is a white hose made by the Shields company that greatly reduces this problem. Look for a. Commercial hose company in your area instead of giving your money to West Marine. Speaking of your area, where in CT do you and your crew sail out of?

Jim
 
Jim's right, your head doesn't have to smell unless your aim is bad.

I unbolted the head and took it home. CLR'd it for a day or two, scraped out the lime scale out of the bowl, installed a rebuild kit, gave it a thorough scrubbing with a non-environmentally safe cleanser. Scrubbed & cleaned the head area too. New shiny washers & nylocs to hold it down. Some of that nice white head hose is a bit easier to install when the head isn't in the way)
Dave
 
The white hoses are easier to install by using a heat gun or dipping the hose in very hot water wearing gloves to protect your hands from the heat. Check your vent in the loop also.
 
Randall, welcome aboard!

Regarding the head... replacing the hose is a good first step. use plain old vinegar to de-lime the bowl (let it soak overnight). Use a first rate sanitary hose (I like Trident Hoses - but $$$).

To save money, I source all my materials from the internet, NOT the local West Marine - can usually save a significant amount for the same item. Especially for well-planned Winter projects, you won't need it immediately, and can order it ahead of time.

What non-functining gear would you remove?

Installing more foam in cooler area will make a very small difference. I did it, and didn't notice a significant improvement. The problem is the original construction was 30 years ago...

As to the electrical panel - I ended up replacing mine and re-wiring it (and the whole boat, ex cabin lights). Happy to share what I learned the hard way.

"Slight coolant and oil leaks from engine" - is it a Perkins or Yanmar?
-the head smells
 
Diesels, especially Perkins, leak. If it is lube oil and only "slight," you are lucky. I would deal with coolant leak.

Rudder: Lots of stuff on the site about that. Two options--the standard 383 change and the Maluhia change. Maluhia is the only one I know if that did what Jim has. I don't know I would start at this point, but others may disagree. Lots of boats have never had rudder alterations.

Max Prop would be nice, but expensive, and only important in very light airs. My 392 is remarkable fast in light airs, and I have a big old 3 blade.

If you are going to consider foam in the cooler, read the posts about adding it behind the walls where the old foam may have disintegrated.

Welcome to the Site.
 
Randall,

All these guys are right.

My two cents: I have never had a folding/feathering prop, but I know of no cruisers that have one.
If you are "club racing", it is the difference between winning and losing. If you are cruising, it might get you to the anchorage before dark. However, the maintenance while cruising does not appear to be worth it.

I replaced the insulation in my fridge including the weird stuff that was already there. At the same time I reduced it to about 4.5 cubic feet. Total amp-hours for the fridge per day is now about 50. However, I really did not know what it was before except that my batteries were near death every morning.

I replaced my panel with a Blue Sea panel. However, other units like Paneltronics might save you some money. The wiring in my boat was not great, like it was wired from scraps.

Heads, and plumbing, are the same problem for all boats. There are solutions.

OK, that's enough from me. I cannot tell you how valuable this board has been to me.

Tim
 
Hi Randall,
Welcome to the board. The only one of the projects that you mentioned, that I addressed was the electrical panel. The survey prior to purchase pointed out some problems, and since it was a safety issue, that was the first thing I replaced. I also went with a Blue Sea, and had it professionally done.

My priorities are:
1) safety
2) comfort, convenience
3) speed, performance

All the best,
Helene
 
Thanks for the input....the diesel it's a Perkins ...runs great otherwise...with regards to the equip we may remove the two main things are an old autopilot and a diesel heating system....the autopilot hasn't worked in forever ...I'm not even sure of the brand but it was not a name I recognized from the last twenty years or so...the radar has been removed as well...head hoses have been redone 2 seasons ago and bilge is smelly so I have serious fears that is more of a hassle than worth dealing with...crew is scattered but the boat is near stonington....judging from it input so far I will move the electrical panel up the list a bit and concentrate on the top sides as the big ticket item for the winter....we'd also like to lighten/spruce up the salon a bit...there is no fridge, just a cooler. Oh yeah pulpit needs addressing I think...all in all tho she goes good and pretty with the new zsails...ahem.
 
Randall
Don't trash the diesel heating system just yet. We installed a Espar hydronic heat system and it's wonderful. See if you can make yours operate, you'll get a lot of use out of it. Say hello to Chris Wentz at Zsails for me.

Jim Cleary
 
Update here,

We've done a lot - new running rigging all the way around, new lifelines, rigid vang, new sails, some engine work and carpentry.... the hull is blue ..the rest white - all the white needs addressing all of it - we are having fun getting the boat in shape and I think as a group want to have the decks and cockpit done - If I was confident of a great job for 5k I would pull the trigger but its scary given the varying level of satisfaction here and the general admonition "never paint"...then you have to choose a yard...then hope... thoughts?

anyway thanks all just wanted to update.
 
Randall - I have no idea when the PO had my boat topsides painted with a non Imron/Awlgrip white substance. Lets call it 10 years ago. I wish he hadn't. I can do nothing to the paint except watch it chalk. Worse than gel coat actually.

Painting's all in the prep work and for $5K these days I am not sure there will be a lot of spyder crack remediation, filling and fairing et al. The cost of materials alone is big $$$$. Try to live with it?

Have you tried a light marine buffing compound to see if you can bring it back?
 
They still make Imron Marine but not for public sale.
If you can get a strip job and prime and paint for 5k you must be related to the guy ?? I'm just saying.
The grinding and prep of the spider cracks is weeks. Than to fine a expert sprayer guy .
Just the top sides ?

Get it all in writing.................!
 
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