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Hauled the Saratogan the middle of April and out for nine days.
Last November I was out on a fishing trip and hit a log, a big log at 17 knots. Just suddenly there, right in front of the boat, hiding in the 1.5 foot chop. There was a thud as it hit the bow, a loud bang as it came up about midships. I yanked the throttles off before it hit the props, another bang.
I still had propulsion, so I circled around and had a closer look. 25 feet long and two feet in diameter. Noted a slight vibration underway, port engine I thought. Considered pulling the boat out right then, but decided to wait for my Spring haul out.
Well, the port prop looked okay at first glance, but pulling it off, noticed one of the blades had been displaced. Moved the whole blade over about a half inch. Still closer inspection revealed the strut was bent outboard about an inch. The shaft turned hard and the cutlass bearing was compressed and binding. I went in and unbolted the coupling. I was bummed!
I have a personal relationship with those struts. Had them custom cast by Port Townsend Foundry. Machined them myself. Took a year and a small fortune. I don't have a spare.
I talked to Mike, the owner of Jensen's Shipyard about it and he said he sees a lot of bent struts. He has developed a way to straighten them. I said I'd sleep on that idea and let him know the next day.
Next day I said "have at it, Mike". That afternoon he and a helper came over to the boat with a big pipe wrench, a four foot cheater bar and a big ball peen hammer. His helper grabbed the bottom of the strut with the pipe wrench and cheater and hauled up on it in the direction it was supposed to go. Mike hit the strut at the bend point with the ball peen. About eight hits and the strut was within a quarter inch of where it originally was. I was impressed.
Next day I realigned the engine to the shaft. The shaft turns easy and smooth. Luckily the shaft didn't get bent. That one is Aquamet 22, the strongest shafting made.
Painted the black trim at the sheer line and cleaned and polished the hull paint. few other odds and ends, zincs and such. Oh, I had ordered a new set of props back in December since I didn't have any spares. I went up an inch of pitch to 22 inches. They were also custom cast by Michigan. Arrived in late February. SPENDY!
Launched April 24th. Second day in the water went down to Jones Island, a five mile run. New props very smooth! Damn, if I didn't hit another log! This one missed the props, thank God!
May fifth, entered the San Juan Island Yacht Club opening day parade. Lots of compliments on the boat and won a prize for third best Classic. Took the folks I had aboard for a short spin around Brown Island. Damn, if I didn't hit another log. This one also missed the props.
So now I'm afraid to put the boat up on plane!
Next new acquisition, NEW GLASSES!
Hope to make the San Juans Rendezvous end of this month.
Hope to see you there.....
Tim aka McSkagit
Last November I was out on a fishing trip and hit a log, a big log at 17 knots. Just suddenly there, right in front of the boat, hiding in the 1.5 foot chop. There was a thud as it hit the bow, a loud bang as it came up about midships. I yanked the throttles off before it hit the props, another bang.
I still had propulsion, so I circled around and had a closer look. 25 feet long and two feet in diameter. Noted a slight vibration underway, port engine I thought. Considered pulling the boat out right then, but decided to wait for my Spring haul out.
Well, the port prop looked okay at first glance, but pulling it off, noticed one of the blades had been displaced. Moved the whole blade over about a half inch. Still closer inspection revealed the strut was bent outboard about an inch. The shaft turned hard and the cutlass bearing was compressed and binding. I went in and unbolted the coupling. I was bummed!
I have a personal relationship with those struts. Had them custom cast by Port Townsend Foundry. Machined them myself. Took a year and a small fortune. I don't have a spare.
I talked to Mike, the owner of Jensen's Shipyard about it and he said he sees a lot of bent struts. He has developed a way to straighten them. I said I'd sleep on that idea and let him know the next day.
Next day I said "have at it, Mike". That afternoon he and a helper came over to the boat with a big pipe wrench, a four foot cheater bar and a big ball peen hammer. His helper grabbed the bottom of the strut with the pipe wrench and cheater and hauled up on it in the direction it was supposed to go. Mike hit the strut at the bend point with the ball peen. About eight hits and the strut was within a quarter inch of where it originally was. I was impressed.
Next day I realigned the engine to the shaft. The shaft turns easy and smooth. Luckily the shaft didn't get bent. That one is Aquamet 22, the strongest shafting made.
Painted the black trim at the sheer line and cleaned and polished the hull paint. few other odds and ends, zincs and such. Oh, I had ordered a new set of props back in December since I didn't have any spares. I went up an inch of pitch to 22 inches. They were also custom cast by Michigan. Arrived in late February. SPENDY!
Launched April 24th. Second day in the water went down to Jones Island, a five mile run. New props very smooth! Damn, if I didn't hit another log! This one missed the props, thank God!
May fifth, entered the San Juan Island Yacht Club opening day parade. Lots of compliments on the boat and won a prize for third best Classic. Took the folks I had aboard for a short spin around Brown Island. Damn, if I didn't hit another log. This one also missed the props.
So now I'm afraid to put the boat up on plane!
Next new acquisition, NEW GLASSES!
Hope to make the San Juans Rendezvous end of this month.
Hope to see you there.....
Tim aka McSkagit
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