[Rhodes22-list] NEWS ITEM *****FLASH***** Shanghai'd Summer Finally Launched May 25!!

[Michael D. Weisner]

On Friday I picked up the 2-1/2" square 1/4" thick steel tube stock that is now the new extension tongue for my R22 trailer.  After fitting a new coupler and drilling many holes in the steel on Saturday, I pronounced the trailer "launchable" once again.  Sunday morning I removed the winter tarp and checked out the boat.  All was as I had left it last September when we failed to launch due to a collapsed extension tongue at the ramp.  I purchased fresh gas and oil, ran the old Suzuki DT7.5 engine in a garbage can (started on 2nd pull!) and hitched up.

We launched without incident.  Once I was happy that there were no major leaks or problems, I parked the truck and trailer.  We motored over to our mooring to get away from the busy ramp area.  Once safely anchored, we stepped the mast and rigged.  We went for a short sail (2 hours) and came back in to discharge passengers (helpers) and clean up.

I noticed that we had a bit of water in the laz.  We pumped out about a half gallon, total.  We had been in the water for only four hours.  Oh well, she hadn't seen water in several years (I think 3 years of repairs and restoration), maybe some seals had shrunk and would swell when wet.  Reluctantly, I boarded the dinghy and made for land, dinner and some well deserved rest.

The next morning, Sheryl and I went back out and were pleasantly surprised that only about a half gallon of water was present in the laz.  The forward bilge remained dry.

I mopped up the water and found the leak to be coming from the cockpit drain through-hull fitting.  I had suspected this and brought along a wrench.  It was fairly loose so I tightened it securely and the flow is pretty nearly stopped.  I am afraid to put too much torque on the nut since it and the fitting are from 1980 and failure would be catastrophic.  I assume that the sealant (gasket, bedding, etc.) has deteriorated significantly over the years.  At this time, I am afraid to play with it any more than I have until she is safely on the trailer.

Has anyone had experience with rebedding or replacing the drain through-hull fitting while in the water?  Is there a safe method of beaching to access the area below the cockpit drain?  I think that when I service it, I will replace the fitting, the hose and the clamps just to be safe.  Does anyone know the size of the fitting, the hose and the clamps (you needn't run out and measure them - I will measure mine in the next day)?

Is there a way to seal the fitting (temporarily) without removing the fitting, so that it may be done while in the water?  I was thinking about using some duck-seal or similar putty or caulk.

Somehow, while I was rebedding all of the portlights, deck fittings, the seat drains, etc. I forgot about the cockpit drain.  Word to the wise, on a 25+ year old boat, service and rebed everything, especially the fittings below the water line.

Thanks to all on the list who provided information and links to information that helped me learn the art of fiberglass repair.  Probably the best information I received was to purchase Don Casey's books - I now have the entire set, I think.

Even with the slight leak, it is much better to be in the water and sailing, finally ...

Mike
s/v Shanghai'd Summer ('81)
Nissequogue River, NY