[PeterM]

Hi all,
I will add my starter motor story for what is worth…
We burned the starter motor out because the key switch did not spring back to the run position. The diesel started and ran fine, but the starter ran also, and the next time trying to start up, the solenoid clicked, but nothing else.
Our engine panel is now a pushbutton for the starter, so I think this is less likely, but a cautionary tale…
and of course we were in a really remote location for getting parts…
since then we have carried (the rebuilt) spare starter motor everywhere…

Peter M

[PeterM]

Some photos:
The cushions form around the new pipe location.

underneath is a wood block protruding into the opening. it sticks up slightly into the cushions…
the block has a bottom that keeps the tube from falling down.
the locker cover has a notch cut away…

the chain then falls far enough aft to make a bigger pile before it clogs the tube.
I cleared the area and pushed the rest of the chain forward and to the sides when 90 ft was out. I found that this amount can come and go many times without flaking.

I think you could go a little further aft with this, but you would need a longer tube. (the chain goes down the angle no problem.)

Peter M

[PeterM]

Yes, the foc’s’le one leaked horribly two years ago, and was taped over for the last part of the season.
I knocked it off with a wood chisel, bit by bit around the edge. it was attached with polyester putty which was quite brittle, and the underlying gel coat did not chip. It was a bit disconcerting hitting it hard, but worked out well.
the baffle was also connected with this putty and was disconnected on one side, perhaps from hitting it, so needed repair.

-Peter M

[PeterM]

Duncan,
I changed the angle on the plastic pipe guiding the chain to make the chain fall into a deeper wider area of the chain locker. the locker lid was modified, and a wood support for the bottom of the pipe protrudes into the locker opening by about a pipe diameter. the chain slides down the pipe smoothly at this angle. the cushions had a notch for the pipe each side and now the pipe pushes between them, it does not look perfect, but lower on my list…
I am now able to let out 90ft of chain and pull it back in without “flaking” the chain in the locker. I find if you need more than 90ft of chain out, it is best to stop at the 90 ft mark and clear an area in the locker for the pile to come. If cleared out properly the 90ft comes and goes without trouble.
I have the 5/16″ BBB chain.
I am generally happy with the arrangement. I was tempted to angle the pipe further, but it would have needed to be longer, and would have closed off access to the chain locker (two lids one each side?)

Peter

[Author]

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