I am currently sailing on SPIRIT GUIDE, a 2002 Super Maramu #348 (ex-
CHANCE), owed by Matthew and Lori Moore. We have just started
experiencing a problem with the drop and lift motor of the bow
thruster. The bow thruster won't go down by itself after operating
the cockpit switch unless we give the lift motor/electrical box a
sharp tap then it operates as usual. It also sticks in the down
position. We have checked all the wire terminals in the attached
control box and believe all the wires to be OK and the connections
good. The motor itself seems to require special tools to check the
brushes.

We suspect either the motor brushes or relay in the control box to
be the problem.

Has anyone else expirienced this type of problem?

Steve Leeds
Yacht MACCABEE
Sharki #121

Steve,

We had a similar experience a year or so ago with our SM 336, MALAIKA II. It
turned out that one of the microswitches had slipped out of adjustment causing
the safety interlock to stop the bowthruster motor from operating. AMEL sent
us a series of patterns for the lights on the sensors (fully up, raising,
lowering, fully down) and we were easily able to readjust the switches.

Good luck,
Charlie
S/V MALAIKA II
Marina Port Vell
Barcelona, SPAIN

Greetings to the Amel network

May we, as hopeful purchasers of a Supermaramu, ask if anyone could assist us with the purchase price in 1994 of a new (standard) Supermaramu.

We'd be most grateful for any assistance you might be able to offer.

In anticipation -

The McGuires

25 Feb 2005

Thanks to everyone who ordered impeller pullers. I have had a bunch
made up and will be shipping them shortly. Please let me know how
these work for you or any ideas for improvement. I am sending one
to Joel to see if he could have them made in France and provided to
each new Amel owner. I have also fabricated some thumb screws for
the impeller covers so that the cover can be removed by hand without
having to fumble with tools. I'll post some pictures of those as
well.

Regards, Gary Silver s/v Liahona SM # 335

My first Oyster 435 was severely damaged in Hurricane Bob in 1991 in
Newport,Rhode Island.Unfortunately it did not sink as that would
have simplified the insurance claim and saved me nearly two years of
aggravation. If I had had a high output automatic bilge pump it
would have saved the engine etc PERHAPS because....
The boat dragged its mooring across the harbour and ended up
crashing on a pontoon and pile which holed the hull near the
toerail.The ingress of sea water coupled with the fact that the
crashing and the water opened drawers and lockers releasing paper
towels,toilet paper etc and the resulting papier mashe would almost
certainly have clogged any bilge pump.
Perhaps the moral is to have a high output elecric pump and auto
switch permanently secured and plumbed in the engine room and never
to leave paper towels etc anywhere where they could break loose in
such an event.

Best wishes, Anne and John

Just a thought, The engin driven sea water pump will fail if run dry , which could happen if the action of the pump is not carefully watched, and the last thing you need in such conditions is a failed engin,

Edson make a shaft driven high capacity pump which might help if the wayer is getting deep in the engin room.
There is an article in this months "Blue Water Sailing" Magazine on just this subject

Geoff Tyers s.v."Lionheart" Sharki #127

"Paul S. Fruehauf" <fruehaufps@frue-engg-svcs.com> wrote:
To all,



As I mentioned in my last note my boat is new to me and I have many
questions about how to best equip the boat. We plan to do some extended
cruising this year and next. I have found the archives of this group to
be very helpful.



The discussion on bow thruster leaks reminded me of a modification I
have been considering making on my boat. I attended a seminar on
off-shore sailing and the speaker (Roger Marshall) strongly recommended
some sort of emergency bilge pump be available. I believe he mentioned
that some sort of engine driven pump is a good option. I researched
this further and found an article that suggests using the engine raw
water pump. I am considering adding a Y valve between the sea chest and
the pump inlet along with a hose and strainer that will draw from the
bilge. Has anyone done this? Has anyone come up with other solutions?
A problem with the above modification is that does not help if there is
a leak in the front, main or aft compartment. One idea would be to rig
a DC motor with pump and hoses that could be used anywhere. Lastly,
perhaps in an Amel the need for an emergency pump is less urgent because
of the water tight compartments. Any help on this topic will be greatly
appreciated.



Best regards,



Paul S. Fruehauf "Faraway Eyes" SM 215








Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
document.write('');

---------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/amelyachtowners/

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
amelyachtowners-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

To all,



As I mentioned in my last note my boat is new to me and I have many
questions about how to best equip the boat. We plan to do some extended
cruising this year and next. I have found the archives of this group to
be very helpful.



The discussion on bow thruster leaks reminded me of a modification I
have been considering making on my boat. I attended a seminar on
off-shore sailing and the speaker (Roger Marshall) strongly recommended
some sort of emergency bilge pump be available. I believe he mentioned
that some sort of engine driven pump is a good option. I researched
this further and found an article that suggests using the engine raw
water pump. I am considering adding a Y valve between the sea chest and
the pump inlet along with a hose and strainer that will draw from the
bilge. Has anyone done this? Has anyone come up with other solutions?
A problem with the above modification is that does not help if there is
a leak in the front, main or aft compartment. One idea would be to rig
a DC motor with pump and hoses that could be used anywhere. Lastly,
perhaps in an Amel the need for an emergency pump is less urgent because
of the water tight compartments. Any help on this topic will be greatly
appreciated.



Best regards,



Paul S. Fruehauf "Faraway Eyes" SM 215

Hello

Dimitris

The adjustment to the bow thruster is quite simple. Observe the unit
going up and down and you will notice that there is a triangle shaped
piece of metal riding up and down a metal rod. This triangle shaped
probe pushes the cut off switch of the bow thruster. By using an
allen wrench and making minute adjustments you can get a good seal on
the unit.

Good Luck

Vito

Wanderer ASM # 283

--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, "edmund_steele"
<edmundsteele@e...> wrote:

Hi Dimitris,
I had the same problem with SM#331. Under passage to Isla Mujeres
with contrary winds and current, I was forced to motor-sail into a
short steep sea for several days. I was horrified to find 6 inches
of salt water in the floor space adjacent to the forward head. I

too

tracked this down to the bow-thruster seals. The bowthruster
retaining pin was in place but each time the bow pitched down, a
small quantity of water would squirt past the upper seal. I

replaced

the upper seals (the original seals looked fine) while at anchor in
Mexico but it did not solve the problem. I found it was still
necessary to bail the water daily from the floor space into the
shower sump when under passage. When I arrived in Raiatea in French
Polynesia, I had "DoodleBug" hauled and while on the hard,
the lower seals were replaced. The technician told me that the seal
design only works when the lower seals are compressed. He adjusted
the
position of the drive unit upwards to compress the newly installed
lower seals. The bowthruster "door" no longer fits flush in
the hull
as before – it is indented by maybe 3/16ths. inch but the rate of
leakage has dropped dramatically. The bowthruster will still leak
slightly as the bow pitches, when for example, we are sailing close-
hauled into rough seas but it is now sponge work instead of bailing
bucket work. As you pointed out, it is a really good idea to check
floor spaces on a long passage. Hope this info helps.

--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, Krassopoulos Dimitris
<dkra@p...> wrote:

Dear All,

I am very happy with my SM but you have to be prepared for a

problem I faced

with the bowthruster.

I found out sea water ( and it was sea water) in the compartment

between the

forward cabin out side of the forward bathroom. When I was

sailing

to

windward I noticed more and more water. I tried to find out from

where the

water was coming. I thought that the water was coming in from the

speed

meter ( I have the Raymarine instruments) . When sailing to

windward with

high seas I always put the safety pin in the bowthruster but

there

was still

water. So after trying to find out from where the water was

coming

when I

was sailing with a friend I opened the bowthruster leather

coverage and the

wood floors to find out . As there were big waves I noticed that

with every

wave water was coming in the boat from the bowthruster flange,

even with the

safety pin there was water coming in. I was terryfied but you

always feel

better when you locate the problem at least you know the weak

point. As the

boat is now out of the water I removed the bowthruster in order

to

change

the oil and found out with surprise that under the sponge flanch

in the boat

there is also a plastic ring with metal the same as in the

propeller to

prevent the water to come in the boat this ring is held in place

with two

small wooden screws. This plastic ring was dry and propably

damaged and that

was the reason that the water was coming in the boat. I think

that

all Amel

owners have to take a note on that and change this ring whenever

they find

water in the forward part of the boat. I plan to install a small

bilge pump

in the depthsounder compartment in case I have again the problem.

I could

not find any description of this in the manual so I believe that

you should

take care of that.

Also be aware as it can become dangerous in an long ocean

crossing.

Best Regards

Dimitris
SM Alma Libre
-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Shepherd [mailto:g4ljf@c...]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 9:27 AM
To: amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Amel Yacht Owners] Waterleak

Hi Dimitris,
I had the same problem with SM#331. Under passage to Isla Mujeres
with contrary winds and current, I was forced to motor-sail into a
short steep sea for several days. I was horrified to find 6 inches
of salt water in the floor space adjacent to the forward head. I too
tracked this down to the bow-thruster seals. The bowthruster
retaining pin was in place but each time the bow pitched down, a
small quantity of water would squirt past the upper seal. I replaced
the upper seals (the original seals looked fine) while at anchor in
Mexico but it did not solve the problem. I found it was still
necessary to bail the water daily from the floor space into the
shower sump when under passage. When I arrived in Raiatea in French
Polynesia, I had "DoodleBug" hauled and while on the hard,
the lower seals were replaced. The technician told me that the seal
design only works when the lower seals are compressed. He adjusted
the
position of the drive unit upwards to compress the newly installed
lower seals. The bowthruster "door" no longer fits flush in
the hull
as before – it is indented by maybe 3/16ths. inch but the rate of
leakage has dropped dramatically. The bowthruster will still leak
slightly as the bow pitches, when for example, we are sailing close-
hauled into rough seas but it is now sponge work instead of bailing
bucket work. As you pointed out, it is a really good idea to check
floor spaces on a long passage. Hope this info helps.

--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, Krassopoulos Dimitris
<dkra@p...> wrote:

Dear All,

I am very happy with my SM but you have to be prepared for a

problem I faced

with the bowthruster.

I found out sea water ( and it was sea water) in the compartment

between the

forward cabin out side of the forward bathroom. When I was sailing

to

windward I noticed more and more water. I tried to find out from

where the

water was coming. I thought that the water was coming in from the

speed

meter ( I have the Raymarine instruments) . When sailing to

windward with

high seas I always put the safety pin in the bowthruster but there

was still

water. So after trying to find out from where the water was coming

when I

was sailing with a friend I opened the bowthruster leather

coverage and the

wood floors to find out . As there were big waves I noticed that

with every

wave water was coming in the boat from the bowthruster flange,

even with the

safety pin there was water coming in. I was terryfied but you

always feel

better when you locate the problem at least you know the weak

point. As the

boat is now out of the water I removed the bowthruster in order to

change

the oil and found out with surprise that under the sponge flanch

in the boat

there is also a plastic ring with metal the same as in the

propeller to

prevent the water to come in the boat this ring is held in place

with two

small wooden screws. This plastic ring was dry and propably

damaged and that

was the reason that the water was coming in the boat. I think that

all Amel

owners have to take a note on that and change this ring whenever

they find

water in the forward part of the boat. I plan to install a small

bilge pump

in the depthsounder compartment in case I have again the problem.

I could

not find any description of this in the manual so I believe that

you should

take care of that.

Also be aware as it can become dangerous in an long ocean

crossing.

Best Regards

Dimitris
SM Alma Libre
-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Shepherd [mailto:g4ljf@c...]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 9:27 AM
To: amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Amel Yacht Owners] Waterleak

Dear All,

I am very happy with my SM but you have to be prepared for a problem I faced
with the bowthruster.

I found out sea water ( and it was sea water) in the compartment between the
forward cabin out side of the forward bathroom. When I was sailing to
windward I noticed more and more water. I tried to find out from where the
water was coming. I thought that the water was coming in from the speed
meter ( I have the Raymarine instruments) . When sailing to windward with
high seas I always put the safety pin in the bowthruster but there was still
water. So after trying to find out from where the water was coming when I
was sailing with a friend I opened the bowthruster leather coverage and the
wood floors to find out . As there were big waves I noticed that with every
wave water was coming in the boat from the bowthruster flange, even with the
safety pin there was water coming in. I was terryfied but you always feel
better when you locate the problem at least you know the weak point. As the
boat is now out of the water I removed the bowthruster in order to change
the oil and found out with surprise that under the sponge flanch in the boat
there is also a plastic ring with metal the same as in the propeller to
prevent the water to come in the boat this ring is held in place with two
small wooden screws. This plastic ring was dry and propably damaged and that
was the reason that the water was coming in the boat. I think that all Amel
owners have to take a note on that and change this ring whenever they find
water in the forward part of the boat. I plan to install a small bilge pump
in the depthsounder compartment in case I have again the problem. I could
not find any description of this in the manual so I believe that you should
take care of that.

Also be aware as it can become dangerous in an long ocean crossing.

Best Regards

Dimitris
SM Alma Libre

Hi Rudy,

It is also possible that if you have a rudder post leak, it may only show
when the boat is sailing as the underside of the hull at the stern is
effectively lower in the water.

If you trace the leak to the post stuffing box, it is not necessarily true
that you will have to haul the boat and restuff the gland. Amel told me that
when a leak is first noticed from the post, then you should remove the
locking flange and tighten the large nut under the quadrant by one flat at a
time till the leak stops.

I have to say that in 33,000 nms of sailing my Amel's, I have never had a
salt water leak. What has happened from time to time is that water leaks
from the fridge drain and runs under the companion way steps to the battery
compartment whilst heeled to starboard. This is noticeable when the carpet
gets wet near the battery master switches.
Other than that, she is a wonderfully dry boat.

Good luck

Ian Shepherd SM's 299 & 414 "Crusader"

----------

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.8.7 - Release Date: 2/10/2005

Dear Rudy,



In twenty five years of selling and servicing Amels, I have never

seen a head discharge through hull leak. There is a first time

for everything. The way I tracked down problems like this in the

past was to use talcum/body powder. Dust on a heavy layer around

where the water collects. When the leak comes, the "trails" point

at the direction from which they emanate.



To check on the rudder shaft, take up the bedding and open the

cushion supports in the aft cabin. Have another person power

the boat at full speed (8+++ knots) for a few minutes. Look at

the shaft seal. If it will ever leak it will do it then as the

stern is now very deep in the water and the pressure is the

greatest.



Good luck,

Joel F. Potter, SM # 400 "MARY BROWN"

Hi Joel,
Thanks for the advise.
I have observed the leak while in port over one week, using shower
and toilet frequently, nothing happened. So I do believe that it
should not be from that side and most probably from the rudder

shaft. Only one thing I take also in consideration is that, that I
have the feeling to have detected a small crack at the place were the
toilet outlet is going trough the shell (maybe only in the paint).
Do you think, this may could be a possibility too, as this hole is

slightly above water level when idle, but well in water when sailing
on bordside?



--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com,

"Joel F. Potter" <jfpottercys@att.net> wrote:


Hi Rudy,

I have SM #400 and had a similar experience.

First, be absolutely sure it is salt water.

I say this because on my previous

Super Maramu, I had a small leak in the hose from the

shower sump. The water tasted salty but it was actually

soap residue and other funky bilge residue. If it is

salt, it can come from three places, the portholes and

hatches, the salt water feed to the toilet, or the rudder

stuffing box/shaft gland. The last is unlikely and will be

obvious by a salt water residue trail from the rudder shaft

forward. It's probably the salt water feed to the toilet.

That's what it was with my boat.

Good luck,

Joel F. Potter SM# 400, MARY BROWN

--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, "Joel F. Potter"
<jfpottercys@a...> wrote:

Hi Rudy,



I have SM #400 and had a similar experience. First, be absolutely

sure it

is salt water. I say this because on my previous Super Maramu, I

had a

small leak in the hose from the shower sump. The water tasted

salty but it

was actually soap residue and other funky bilge residue. If it is

salt, it

can come from three places, the portholes and hatches, the salt

water feed

to the toilet, or the rudder stuffing box/shaft gland. The last is

unlikely

and will be obvious by a salt water residue trail from the rudder

shaft

forward. It's probably the salt water feed to the toilet. That's

what it

was with my boat.



Good luck,



Joel F. Potter SM# 400, MARY BROWN

Hi Joel,
Thanks for the advise.
I have observed the leak while in port over one week, using shower
and toilet frequently, nothing happend. So I do believe that it
should not be from that side and moste probably from the rudder
shaft. Only one thing I take also in consideration is that, that I
have the feeling to have detected a small crack at the place were the
toiletoutlet is going trough the shell ( maybe only in the paint ).
Do you think, this may could be a possibility too, as this hole is
slightly above waterlevel when idel, but well in water when sailing
on bordside ?

Hi Rudy,



I have SM #400 and had a similar experience. First, be absolutely sure it
is salt water. I say this because on my previous Super Maramu, I had a
small leak in the hose from the shower sump. The water tasted salty but it
was actually soap residue and other funky bilge residue. If it is salt, it
can come from three places, the portholes and hatches, the salt water feed
to the toilet, or the rudder stuffing box/shaft gland. The last is unlikely
and will be obvious by a salt water residue trail from the rudder shaft
forward. It's probably the salt water feed to the toilet. That's what it
was with my boat.



Good luck,



Joel F. Potter SM# 400, MARY BROWN

I haven't experienced a rudder post leak on either of my AMELS (16 yrs a
Maramu and now 4 years with a Super Maramu), but I have heard it can happen. The
rudder bearing is like a sterngland on the prop shaft. You should be able to
see if it is leaking when you sail. If it is you should repack it at your next
haulout.
Charlie
S/V MALAIKA II
Barcelona, SPAIN

--- In amelyachtowners@yahoogroups.com, svmalaika@a... wrote:

I believe the only place that salt water could enter the boat and

settle aft

of the aft waterproof bulkhead is through the rudder post assembly.

I suggest

that you check that area while sailing. You should also carefully

confirm that

the water is actually salty seawater and not just fresh water that

has

sloshed around the bilge. It is often easy to confuse one for the

other.

Charlie
S/V MALAIKA II

Thank you Charlie for your advise, it is definitly salt water, I

have checked and even tastet it ( with closed eyes).
Do you think it could enter, where the rudder post is going trough
the shell?

Hi All,
on my SM #407 I have recognized during last season a waterleak.
In the box under the floor in front of the aft bathroom, ( between
the aft cabin door and the bathroomdoor and the wardrobe is a a
cover under the carpet ). The water only fills up when I am sailing.
When I am in the port or on anchor, no water comes in. Amel
recomendet to check if it comes from the toilet or from the shower.
All this I have checked without finding the cause. The water is
definitly salty. The leak make when sailing about 1-1.5 liter in 24
hours.
Is anyone, who had a similar experiance and knows how to repair?

For any help I am thankfull, because Amel could not help me further
in this respect.
Rudy of SAMANTHA

I believe the only place that salt water could enter the boat and settle aft
of the aft waterproof bulkhead is through the rudder post assembly. I suggest
that you check that area while sailing. You should also carefully confirm that
the water is actually salty seawater and not just fresh water that has
sloshed around the bilge. It is often easy to confuse one for the other.

Charlie
S/V MALAIKA II

Dear fellow Amel owners.

Please be advised that Jean Yves Selo has earned his well deserved
retirement from Chantiers Amel. He left the company as of January 1, 2005
and we all wish him well and hope his "forever vacation" is as pleasant as
possible.

The new head of the Après Vende/After Sales Service is Olivier Beaute. Many
of you know Olivier from you week long training upon taking delivery of your
new Amel. Oliver is a very capable and knowledgeable young man. We shall
all enjoy working with him. To contact him by email use amel@amel.fr and
direct your inquiry to Olivier Beaute/Après Vende.

Best regards,
Joel F. Potter
SM #400, MARY BROWN"

Hi Paul,

I purchased a range of spare CB's from Amel when I bought my SM. For sure
they will have what you want. Have you tried contacting Yves Selo Amel's
after sales and part manager? (amel@amel.fr).

Good Luck

Ian Shepherd SM 414 'Crusader'