Bunch of complete nooby questions...

[Jungleboat]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

I've often thought that a boat importing business could take off here, seeing as how so many use boats for transport.

When I enquired about importing I found it's certainly not economical for a single boat. A couple of containers though, jammed full of some old 15 to 20ft boats, could be worthwhile...

Have just read there's some dolphin-spotting to be done on the river, if so I'll send pics



JB

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

That prop height looks decent to me...the cavitation plates are even with the keel, which is correct. Probably a 20" transom(standard long shaft) so it looks like you're all set.

I agree that the seat pedestal/kicker motor bracket needs some tweaking. That is not the best way to go but probably worked so far. They make adjustable ones that would keep the tiller within reach and allow the motor to be adjusted vertically for correct prop height.

Good luck with the purchase

 

[boatflipper]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

I must say that this is one of the most 'unique' threads I have ever read here on iboats!! Very interesting!!
Seems like you are getting much better input than I could give so I will stay out of the way
I will, however, be following very closely!

 

[Jungleboat]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

*waves at Boatflipper*

OK, one of my really nooby questions:

Been thinking, about reducing the weight of the extended cabin roof...

We're not going to be climbing on it or anything and 1/4 inch ply will be plenty strong enough. So I was wondering, can I just give it a few coats of resin, then paint over it?

I can sand and smooth the joint with some fiberglass "filler" I've found, though the bonding will be epoxy resin.

If I'm not making any sense I'll try again - if I don't need the strength I don't need the glass fibers, right? Or would it still need some glassfiber to prevent cracking or something?

Would a single sheet of thin/fine/light or whatever, fiberglass be enough?

See, I see people building boats like this:

http://www.boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=370

Apparantly without any fiberglass?


Secondy nooby question... if doing the pretty wood effect, what type of stain or varnish or whatever would one use, that wouldn't prevent the expoxy from sinking in and waterproofing(ish) the wood?






JB


PS Yes, the boat was delivered and is currently taking up most of my front garden!

 

[Jungleboat]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

Well after 5 weeks of sweat, blood, tears and itchy fiberglass, launched the thing today!

My house is a mess, as is my yard but the maiden voyage (for me) went OK. Apart from drifting down the river trying to start it up - but she fired up in the end.

Only went a short distance, maybe 20 minutes, to the boat club. Then another 20 minute trip towards, but not to, the sea. Just for fun, before mooring her up.

Now I have to catch up with my copywriting work...

Piccies attached



JB

 

[Jungleboat]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

Note the fitted toilet

Also added benches/lockers, raised the roof by 9 inches, moved the windscreens forward, added a roof rack thingy for a life preserver, fitted a new fuel tank, plus bilge pumps front and rear.

Lots of fiberglassing inside and out, including repairing a deep gouge in the hull.

The trailer was so rotten I honestly thought it wasn't going to make the 30 minute journey - in fact I hear it fell apart on the way back, without the boat on it. I think the only thing holding that trailer together was the boat!

My intention is to stick to the rivers and estuary, no deep sea stuff. On the way to the boat club hit some bow waves from a large barge thing passing. Boat reared right up and come down with a big "booosh!" for 4 or 5 waves, with no harm done. If she can handle that then should be OK for the little bobbing about on the river she'll be doing.

Rear stringers are deffo new, as is the transom. I didn't rip out the floor to check the front ones - but as I say, she survived the trip along the coast so I'm sure she'll be OK for the river. Having said that, the rivers here are large, seriously large...

Anyway, she looks great, goes OK and I can finally relax and get on with things.

I do however have a question... you knew it was coming, right?

I noticed she pulls strongly with small throttle movements - but open her up and the engine races, without the boat going much faster? After awhile she seems to catch up but I'm just wondering if that's normal?

If it were a car I'd say for certain the clutch is slipping - but do these engines have anything like that?

I can understand the water doesn't give 100% traction but I'm still a little concerned at the roaring engine and lack of acceleration.

Any clues?


Cheers




JB

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

You have a spun prop. The prop has a rubber hub that is worn out.

 

[Jungleboat]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

Aha.

That sounds suitably technical... sniffing around online it seems the rubber hub is to absorb some of the shock when shifting between reverse and forward, correct?

So if that's worn, the engine would pull fine at lower revs/stress but the shaft would spin faster than the propellor under heavier loads - just like a clutch slipping?

Cool. That sounds a lot less expensive than some automatic clutch deep within the bowels of the V4

I'm not sure this is the right prop' for this boat/engine anyway. The seller gave me two of them. One he says gives great acceleration but not much top speed, the other, the one I used today, gives slow acceleration but higher top speed.

Given the choice, I'd prefer one single prop that I know is matched to that engine...

I presume it also has to be matched to the boat?

Lemme take a look at the spare one... yep, I see the rubber bit. Very hard rubber but I think it is rubber. That one looks in fine condition, so next time I'll swap them over.

OK, thank you.

It's darn scary, taking a boat out when you don't know the boat, don't know the river and coming up out of a bit of hill (swell?) in the water, the engine suddenly races. I thought the prop' had fallen off altogether - then it seemed to pick up speed again, which was a relief!

Oh and did I mention drifting off down the river, without the engine starting?

Yeah I did - but worth mentioning twice...

The "reconditioned" starter motor was hopeless. Before towing it to the causeway I thought I'd start her up, just for a couple of seconds to ensure she fired.

Nope. The starter motor just made a loud and horrible screeching sound.

Looking at it, I wondered "Is this thing spinning the right way?" Figured out which were the two wires for it (not as easy as it sounds, strangely) and reversed them. That just made a clicking sound, so I put the wires back where they were.

Happily, my father in law knew someone who knows boat engines. He came over, looked at it. First thing he said, confirming my suspicions - "This starter motor is spinning backwards!?"

Also turned out the battery was rather flat, hence the "click" when wired the right way around.

I had a smaller battery, purchased new, purely for the bilge pumps, horn and fan. Tried that... more horrid but different noises.

"Starter motor no good, need new"

Joy.

Well for all the "Can't find parts for Johnson around here, oh no, and if you do they're very expensive.." stuff, 30 mins later he comes back with a different one.


He fitted it, turned the key and it engaged but the guy didn't start it. He was however confident it would start on the river.

Mmm.

So you can imagine how I was feeling, after a cheerful little crowd pushed me off the riverbank and I'm drifting downstream..

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr"

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr"

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr"

Oh bugger...

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr whirrr"

I was pumping the fuel line, wiggling the little flappy lever, pushing the key in (I'm told pushing the key in operates a choke of some sort), fingers and eyes crossed...

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr"

Oh unprintable...

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr splug"

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr splugger splug splot"

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr"

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr"

By this time I'm 40 yards from the bank and about 80 yards downstream, surrounded by jungle, heading towards an embankment.

"Whirrr whirrr whirrr"

"Whirvrooooooom!"


Phew.

Splug.


"Whirr whirr whirr..."


VROOM!



Aside from the previously-mentioned "propellor falling off" element, it all went well from there.

OK, next question - any recommendations for a good online place to find the correct pitch or type of prop for a Johnson V4 90HP?

If I need to replace the rubber thingy I may as well get a new prop, and know it's the correct pitch etc, true?

Does the boat make a difference or do I just go by the engine?



Thanks again!


JB

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

So if that's worn, the engine would pull fine at lower revs/stress but the shaft would spin faster than the propellor under heavier loads - just like a clutch slipping?

Absolutely. I had a spun prop last year and that's exactly what it did.

 

[scrawnyronny]

Re: Bunch of complete nooby questions...

Wow. Your thread reads like an adventure novel. I've enjoyed your journey and I hope this all plays out well for you. BTW Doesn't look like the same boat from the beginning. Cleaned up nice.

Ron