For the past year and a half, Pacific Cool (SM 141 built in 1995) has had a port side genoa winch that works electrically, but is drawing 160 amps versus 30 amp for the starboard winch. Technicians in Cape Town and Trinidad tried to remove the gear box with a hydraulic puller but it would not budge.  Recently, I removed the motor which drives the gearbox and it seems to be in good condition, so I assume its the gearbox which has a bad bearing or is really gunked up.  There appear to be four nuts holding the gearbox to the underside of the winch and a gear inserts up into the winch which prevents complete disassembly of the winch itself.  Two days ago the winch stopped working electrically, but I can hear the motor turning with no movement of the winch.  It still works manually.  I checked with AMEL in Martinique last year and they had no clue what to do.  

At this point it seems the best thing to do is sell the boat.  But hopefully someone has a good idea on what to do.  Any ideas welcome.  I am currently in Guadeloupe.  

Best Regards,

Bill Shaproski

S/V Pacific Cool

Pacific Cool is currently in Guadeloupe and as I was picking up a mooring in Les Saints, a big cloud of black smoke gushed out of my exhaust.  I also noticed black particles floating on the water.  It lasted about 10-20 seconds and then everything seemed to return to normal.  I.E., water temp seemed normal and the oil pressure was a bit low but increased to 1.5 Bar when I increased the RPM.  I let it run for a few minutes and got into the engine room to loom and listen.  All seemed normal.  I need to get off the mooring tomorrow.

Does anyone know what might have happened?  I have a Volvo Penta 22 TMD which till this has run perfectly.  After being on the hard in Trinidad for 6 months ending on 05 Jan 2018 it started immediately.  I plan t have a mechanic check it when I get to Pointe-a-Pitre.  

Regards,

Bill Shaproski

S/V Pacific Cool

Hi Woody,

The swelling and cracking in your picture sure looks like a classic case moisture having gotten to the steel backing into which the bolts are fastened. The backing, which Amel buried in the fiberglass layup during construction, then rusts and when it gets really bad the rusting metal starts to expand and bursts the fiberglass structure, along with the gelcoat. 

No amount of cosmetic repair will fix this - one needs to cut the fiberglass open, remove and replace the steel and reconstruct the toe rail. You will develop excellent fiberglassing skills by the time you are done and drilling out the nylon screws will be a minor step. 

I would recommend not embedding the new backing in the rebuilt fiberglass, but putting it on the underside, exposed to air, and using stainless steel (lest you have a repeat performance at some future date).  

This is a common problem that has been discussed often on this forum, with trouble areas being the engine room and other hatch cover supports and hinges, stanchion bases and so on.

Optionally, just live with it for a few seasons. It will slowly get worse but won't present a structural problem nor make the eventual repair work much more difficult. Use some hydrochloric acid to wipe off the rust stains now and then, put in some cosmetic fill that will last a while and when the toe rail actually cracks open, you can tackle the repair. 

Cheers,

Craig Briggs, SN(G&T) 68, Sangaris

Hello all,

It appears as though our main and mizzen sails were either cut or rigged incorrectly (won't raise to the top of the mast).  I made an attempt to fix this myself, finding out along the way (yes, the hard way) that the mizzen halyard is about 15 feet too short to allow the sail to be dropped.  Now I think (and my wife knows) it's time to get some expert advice.  Do any members of the group know or have used a sailmaker in The Bahamas?

Thanks,

Mark

Lulu, SM #391

Great Harbor, Berry Islands

Hi all..

The family and I (3 kids) are now six months into owning and living aboard our 1997 SM#189 in Lefkas, Greece and getting our teeth into lots of maintenance! First of all I'd like to thank all those who have contributed to the forums both here and on Facebook.. it's been very informative and immeasurably helpful and I fully intend to contribute my own insights/photos/videos.. when I get a moment!

So first off.. after copious amounts of rain over the last few months I noticed this swelling and cracking of the gelcoat and what looks like rust marks on the toe rail under the genoa track. The underside of this is at the back of the galley cupboard (left of the microwave).  

A couple of opinions/insights please, before I go at it like a bull in a china shop:

• What's the best way to remove the lining from the back of the cupboard to inspect the underside of the toe rail - just peel it all out or cut the area I need to inspect ..?
  
• What is the best way to remove the nylon screws from the track without stripping them - tried screwdriver and they're stuck fast ..?
  

Thanks in advance..

Woody

https://www.youtube.com/c/mothershipadrift