Dropping Things

Engines, Drive trains, Propellers, Steering, Ground Tackle and other mechanical system
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rbpfyo
Posts: 82
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:58 am

Dropping Things

Post by rbpfyo »

I can´t be the only guy ever to have done this

(in fact, judging by the screwdrivers, bolts, hose clamps, cables ties and unidentifiable other debris and crud I already pulled out, everyone´s sub-engine bilge must be a graveyard of tools and supplies)

but I dropped the cap to the raw water strainer, and I *can´t find it*, even hanging upside down, fingers brushing bottom, snaked around the transmission - there´s *got* to be a better way

magnets? drain snakes? something curvy that wraps around the engine bottom and can scoop everything forward to a collection spot?

has anyone ever installed screening to catch stuff as it falls??

I have vacuumed out as much fluid and gunk as possible, trained klieg lights on the area, searched around all the nooks and crannies on the way down - thankfully have a week away from the boat to gather my wits and cool my jets

any thoughts much appreciated

tnltracy
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2014 10:45 pm

Re: Dropping Things

Post by tnltracy »

It's in the lazarette...

but seriously, I feel your pain. things seem to migrate once out of sight, especially in the engine room/ bilge area.
1984 Freedom 32 #28
Warwick Cove, Greenwich Bay, RI

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VeloFellow
Posts: 129
Joined: Tue Dec 24, 2013 9:41 pm

Re: Dropping Things

Post by VeloFellow »

You put it back on...


When I was going through spares I found an extra set of screws for the pump impeller cover. I will bet there is another set at the bottom of the bilge. I know where the socket 1/4 " adapter is...

I lost a pair of sunglasses. Spent some time in the grunge....Nope I put them in a parts box of seldom used electric connectors before I buried the box.

So many little places to hid things.

Mike
Mike
s/v Clave'
1981Freedom 28 #112
Currently sailing Tampa Bay
Buit by Fairways Marine Hamble England
cat ketch, centerboard , wishbone booms, tides track slides
yanmar 2ym15 2blade prop

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Rick Simonds
Posts: 144
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:49 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Re: Dropping Things

Post by Rick Simonds »

About a year ago I taped together a goofy collection of PVC pipe and elbows and used detergent and a shop vac to clean out the smelly and nearly-impossible-to-get-to spot in the bilge under the engine. It sucked up something pretty solid that clogged the vacuum hose. After much digging the clog turned out to be my father's wrist watch.

He passed away in 1998 so it had been there for something like 20 years.

Not much help with your problem, but you never know what you may find!
___________________________

Rick
Tallahassee

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gulfcoastsailor
Posts: 73
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 2:43 pm

Re: Dropping Things

Post by gulfcoastsailor »

Rick, my question is... was it still running? ;)
Chip

"Encore"
Freedom 32
1985 #72

rbpfyo
Posts: 82
Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:58 am

Re: Dropping Things

Post by rbpfyo »

got it
yecch
lowest point of the tranny bilge, under a greasy black tube snake
5' reach, upside down - which means this boat has 11' of headroom, if I tear everything out
(and I might just do that)

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Rick Simonds
Posts: 144
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:49 pm
Location: Tallahassee, FL

Re: Dropping Things

Post by Rick Simonds »

Tried a new battery but, nope, it's a goner.
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Rick
Tallahassee

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