Recent posts

#81
Scuttlebutt / Re: Forum back again
Last post by UP - November 10 2025, 19:21
A big thank you to the people behind bringing the forum back, cheers!
#82
Thank you, Happy Sailor, for the considerations.  Yes, the aft locker is and it may be a better solution than i had considered.  More pondering.....ironically, the magical capacity required to avoid cayastrophe is no more than 7 US gallons, feed line included, meaning, the further away the deck/transom fill from where big tube meets holding bladder, the less space we will allow in the bladder, as 7 hallons is our max.  When yhe fresh water pump stops pumping, its time to pump out.  These measurements are time proven and have never failed/caused flooding.

All that being said, im also adding a watermaker this winter which will require some thru hull modification, a lift pump and a strainer.  That project is coming along well (maybe a separate post).
#83
I find it quite daring to drill holes into the structure of the boat which originally were not intended to be there. Now it has been completely sealed and laminated and this is destructed when holes are drilled, potentially creating a new issue for the future with a solution for now. Yes, later boats have tubing into the ships stringers and webs, but these have been part of the boat from construction. So strenghwise it would not be a too big concern.. but moist and no drainage from non accessible points?
(Is your deck storage locker on the same side as your head?)
#84
After a lot of probing, it seems i have found my solution, though id like to run it by the rest of you.  Under the navigation desk is a floor panel that is approximately 24x24 inches and appears deep enough to hold my 35 liter Plastimo water bladder.  The only problem is i would have to drill a few holes in the stringer grid to run source and use water lines.

Specfically, i believe id run the inlet up to a deck fill above the nav station.  Maybe forwar and join one of the holes for the bilge pump or diagonal under the cabinet.  The 1/2 inch line could go the sameindirect way or aft, under the shower pan and aft, to a mini, wall mounted pump switch behind the head.


Besides the pros and cons of fresh vs saltwater flushing which isnt up for debate (though i appreciate thekind and well intended ideas) are there any thoughts about placement of the 35 liter bladder, deck fill, cut-outs and pump?

Photo 1 is bladder resting in well. Photo 2 is the empty well and photo 3 is how we have managed sourcing fresh water flushing with gallon jugs in the shower stall.
#85
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Lower bearing ball stuck
Last post by Laysula - November 07 2025, 22:47
Do not use copper based antifoul in the vicinity of the rudderstock or bearing housing. This is the cause of the corrosion.
#86
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Corrosion rudder stock. Do...
Last post by Viviane2000 - November 07 2025, 01:10
Yeah, I won't go the Belzona route. At least now I'm reasonably confident I tried the repair possibilities on Curacao, and it seems not feasible on the island.

The repair has to be at original strength.
#87
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Corrosion rudder stock. Do...
Last post by Happysailor - November 06 2025, 18:53
Ahh, Belzona will dress the surface but will not give it the strength for torque you will require with the rudder. Big ships rudder pins have sufficient material for torque forces, hydraulic cylinders are loaded longitudinal and only require a smooth surface for sealing. I am afraid this will not be the trick for you..
#88
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Corrosion rudder stock. Do...
Last post by Viviane2000 - November 06 2025, 14:35
Quote from: Happysailor on November 03 2025, 17:49What a pity! Getting local help at least to assure this meandering cracks have not taken place would perhaps help you to get the boat to a better place to repair or to start your journey while ordering and shipping out a replacement to a next convenient spot to receive the goods (flights/ customs etc etc) Good luck and hope the locals will be supportive to guide you to someone to help you out!

6 months ago we crossed the Atlantic with this rudder. It should be good for some downwind, short hops until we have a new rudder shipped to us.

Quote from: Viviane2000 on November 03 2025, 16:01I've also contacted https://www.turbomachineshop.com/, maybe they can help

According to Turbo: big ship rudders, prof shafts and hydraulic cilinders are all fixed with Belzona. Some sort of industrial JB Weld.
The shaft can't be welded without losing it's strength, since they can't heat treat it (on the island?).
#89
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Lower bearing ball stuck
Last post by Viviane2000 - November 06 2025, 14:18
Quote from: Yngmar on November 05 2025, 23:33It's self-aligning but only really does that when inserting the rudder and then it stays put. So it did move once (it has to be rotated after inserting into that slot after all), but no longer needs to. Usually they're stuck with swelling, corrosion on the housing and calcium deposits and not going to be removable the way they went in. Once you've cut it out, clean up the housing so the new one goes in smoothly.

Thanks! If the new one will get stuck over time as well I'm not in a hurry to replace this one. The steering worked smooth enough
#90
Bavaria Yacht Help! / Re: Lower bearing ball stuck
Last post by Yngmar - November 05 2025, 23:33
It's self-aligning but only really does that when inserting the rudder and then it stays put. So it did move once (it has to be rotated after inserting into that slot after all), but no longer needs to. Usually they're stuck with swelling, corrosion on the housing and calcium deposits and not going to be removable the way they went in. Once you've cut it out, clean up the housing so the new one goes in smoothly.