Wooden mast

During new engine installation, i realized, that i have to do small fixing to the mast, before i can take it with boat to the sea.

I have been so busy with my new engine and engine installation, that i realized only now, that my wooden mast need a new cover. I promised to my self in last season, that i will do a thorough repairing and varnishing it in this year. Now, anyway i did understand, that i have no real time to do this. I decided to do only fixing and cover with new surface.

My mast is 13 m. long and it is made for my boat. It is same mast from beginning, so it is amazing, how these wooden materials holding and how strong they can be. Probably aluminium could last also, but my mast has worked now for 48 years, and still seems to be strong and holding.

I decided to ask help to do varnishing, because i was still doing the engine and other device fitting to boat. My idea to repair mast for this season changed to make only sanding and varnishing, to cover the surface. Only light fixing.

Mast will last this season quite well, because there is no hard sailing on coming. Most of the season i need to make repairing and adding new devices. Reason is, that Covid 19 come and change scheduled workload totally for 2 month further.

For varnishing, i am using this Le Tonkinois, because it is nature product and it give a nice cover with small work. You can add more layers if you like, the more you add, the better surface will be.

Next season i have to upgrade electricity

Mast need also new wires, so this all will be changed in next season. Still wondering, can the led light be seen as far than originally incandescent lamp.

After sanding and cleaning, we added a 2 layers of Le Tonkinois varnish. There was a quite good surface from last season, so this 2 new layers would be enough

The weather at evening was not too warm, but small concern come, that there was a possibility of rain. If there is no rain, it take still more time to dry, before can add new layer of Le Tonkinois varnish.

After few evening, mast was ready and needed to be check before it can be lifted to its place. This varnishing task was made with help, because time to set boat to water was closing and i had still many things to do.

During all other work, the rain finally come to clear air and wash dust from surfaces. What i did discover, the boat was leaking a quite good from deck, hatch and windows.

This could be also problem.

Exhaust hose

After installing the engine to boat, i got feeling, that most of the job is now done, and i am able to take boat out and sail far far away. Of course, this was only imagination in my mind

Engine was in place and now i have to make exhaust to fit with this new measurements. Because the old exhaust hose was in good shape, i try to reuse it and fit it with new engine. This was bringing some small issues, like i have to change place for water lock and outcome for the fumes. Nothing special, nothing difficult ..

With full positive attitude, i start to build up a new exhaust system for the boat.

Vire 12 engine is easy to lift and move, because it is not heavy engine. During installation i had to move engine also, because hose did not want to bend to planned place easily.

Water lock

To change place for waterlock is not very difficult, but to find a place that fit and where water lock is working properly, is a more hard task. There is not very much extra room around Vire engine, and Vetus Waterlock is not small device to move around engine room.

Water lock was originally installed beside engine, but with new installation, it is impossible to bend exhaust hose so tight, so i had to move Vetus to back end of engine compartment. There is a lot more place, but angle may be wrong.

By moving waterlock to back end, i got more place for other connections, but at same time, i find out, that exhaust hose is too short if i cut it, and make it to fit. If it is too short, then it is really impossible to bend and fit it in right angle. So i had to change place for Waterlock.

Here it can found, that angle is even now too tight to get hose bent and set in its place. So, i had to change a place for Vetus waterlock, and try to fit the hose again. This was not going to end well, i think. Frustrating. I decided to learn more about Vire 12 exhaust system, because i really need to find a solution for this game.

Vire 12 does not need external water lock for exhaust

I read articles and search internet for more information about Vire engines and how to make this installation to work. I was looking from many place, how to build exhaust right for Vire 12 engine. I find also, that i can get new or renew parts from vireengines.com and that was a very good news. Vire is old design and still i get support for engine. Then, finally, i did find out, that Vire 12 have waterlock build in own system, so i do not need to add extra water lock for exhaust hose. Case solved, easy to install. peace of cace.

This was a very good news, because i use more than three days to find out, how to set up exhaust for my new engine and boat. This is very well planned engine. Now i am so sure, that i have made the right decision, when i change from Diesel to Vire 12 engine.

Auxiliary engine

During the last season, 2019 i have had a few issue with my Diesel engine. Well, who haven´t, but when you are out on sea, and you have not a smallest clue, what is going on in engine pit, you feel your self a very helpless.

Yanmar Diesel 8 HP and leaking stern tube

Good with Diesel is, that when you get it to run, it does run.. until it does not. We are used to think, that only real engine for sailboat is Diesel engine. Why is that?

There is a whole load of great petrol engines to use with your boat and they are much more easy to maintain.

I think, that i have to understand my engine. it can not be very complicated. if the engine is broken, and as long as there is a wind, i can reach the port, but in harbor may come other problems without auxiliary power. Diesel engine for me is too difficult to repair during the sailing.

Vire 12

i decided to change my engine at the same time while i was going to repair the leaking stern tube. i had to lift the previous engine out from boat anyway, so .. why not?

This new engine was made in Finland somewhere in beginning of 1980. It is a single cylinder, two stroke gasoline engine By Valmet. It´s made for marine use. Vire 12.

Decision was easy to take, but the task was more complicated, very interesting anyway.

Engine room was left in pretty good shape after the previous engine.

There was a small difficulties with installation and some of parts need more violence than other, but most of the time, installation was very interesting and rewarding

So, i had made boat ready to get a new auxiliary power in to engine compartment.

Stern tube and flange in sailboat Westwwind´s engine compartment

Vire engine is a small, probably smallest marine inboard engine in the world, that have been made. Engine is water cooled with integrated gearbox, and still it is shorter than engines without gearbox.

I had to rebuild engine bed, because the Vire 12 motor is smaller than Yanmar diesel engine was. Vire 12 engine weight only 63 kilos in full drive condition, but it was very difficult to try to bring it alone or with help in to the boat. It was easier to bring a truck to place, and to lift engine up without any broken bones.

Engine switching operation is not a light work, even engine is not very heavy. There is many small things than must be completed right, or there will be difficulties ahead.

Mounting engine to correct level from bilge, can be difficult, because you have not a good vision to shaft. There was a plenty of things of similar issues to think about during this installation. Electricity and water income did change the place also.

Vire 12 engine front of engine compartment

Engine needed to be lifted several time out and back from it´s place, so it was good, that engine is not heavy.

Slowly and surely Vire 12 found it´s place and start to look like it belongs to this boat and has been here all the time.

Engine fits in place very well and looking good. Small balance issues had to fix still and connections to do, but basically, heavy work was done. From here it would be easy and nice job to set up engine for use. Really peace of cake.

But as we know, so often things want to go different way ..

Leaking stern tube

Stern tube was major problem in season 2019. West Wind did sail most of the time with the wind, but also many miles with engine, auxiliary power. This was all the time a bit irritating, because of leaking stern tube.

Westwind is a sailboat with inboard engine. Originally she was build with 6Hp 2 stroke petrol engine, but later some owner have change it to Diesel and choose 8Hp Yanmar. This has caused a problem, that shaft must be shorter and stern tube connection have to be fixed to the right length. Because of these changes, tube is very hard to keep waterproof.

Stern tube is tallow tape model, and is working very well, when all components are in good shape and user remember to add grease every now and then. If you find small tiny leaking, it is normal, but it have to be a very small leak.

Repairing stern tube

By removing old rubber tube from stern tube and searching for a new and make it to fit, took a while more time than was expected. First it was not so clear what kind of material is accepted to use here, but most of all, what could last enough long and be trustful.

The rubber that was strong enough, is also used in tractor engine. It is strengthen with metal wire, so it will tolerate more small bending. This part will keep the sea on the other side of the hull.

This repairing will be confirmed as success, when boat is lifted back to water. Only then we can be sure, is this leaking or is it made properly. I believe, that i have made it right. Hopefully.

Shaft flange does not fit

Stern tube with tallow tape chamber and Flange

Shaft is 25mm thick and flange is maid for 25mm shaft. What was wrong?

It was a huge operation to get it to fit, because tolerances was extremely small in this installation. My engine, what is going to be as new for me, was delivered with own flange for engine and shaft was self made. First installation for these was ended in failure, so i removed all parts and walk to car repair shop and let them put Flange to lathe.

I could not use any heating option inside the boat, because part of shaft is still in “use” and to keep environment enough safe for fire working, was not easy task.

Flange is in bad shape after two try to fit it on the shaft. Now, the only option was to make it to fit, and so did happen. Thanks goes to Matinkylän Auto Oy, where they have knowledge and talented people in work.

Finally, stern tube was fixed properly and flange installed to the shaft. Thank you me.

Now, i was able to move further with scheduled workload for boat before season.

Holiday

This winter and spring was a a quite stressful because of restrictions and lock-down. Good thing was, that i had a lot of time to think what kind of fixing boat is going to need and what to do if have enough time for all planned repairs.

Boat was clean up and ready for coming renewing.

Railing

To get Railing fixed, there is a many small details to do, before you can get in to right place and position, where you may fix broken teak deck.

Water is going between hull, fiberglass, plywood and Teak. Interesting to repair.

There is and was tens of screws to open and then again, more of them. They just keep coming like tax bills continuously does. it took a 2 days to get under the right position and open the bolts and screws. Nothing is more interesting than sailing with old boat.

The more you open and inspecting, the more deep you go and more problems pop up. When i open the roof from starboard, the issue escalated immediately by half more. i had to open all railing bases because of leaking issue. This was surprise.

This leaking issue start to escalate more and more, so i decide to move this problem fixing further. i have to repair stern tube leak also, and this is big repair too. i want to get this underwater things done, before set boat to sea.

Sterntube

Yanmar engine is big engine to this boat. it is not by power by its size. Designed place for engine is very tight and from this picture below, you can see, why i have to fix the Stern tube problem. Shortly, you can find out, that to repair stern tube, i need to do some preparations. On more difficulties is, that engine have to be moved out from it´s pit.

Engine room

So, i have to remove engine, before i can start to repair stern tube leaking issue. This process starts by opening propeller shaft from engine in place, where it is hard to see. It is not that place, but it is behind engine.

I was lucky to have help from my son, because he have a longer arm, he could bend himself a bit more than i could. Sometimes big things needs a small moves.

Some obstacles where more difficult than others. There was a need to see behind the engine more detailed, so have i to make a hole in the wall. Very interesting day, indeed, but finally 3 bolts got open, one was lost. Not bad for one day.

Lifting

After opening nuts..bolts many screw and cables, Yanmar engine was finally ready to be lifted up. This operation took all hands, so unfortunately, there is no documentation of it. All was happen fine and nothing went broken. Engine look fine and have no problem.

From here i could now concentrate in to the real problem, leaking stern tube

Here, please find a video from season 2020 in Youtube

Spring

This year after winter was long and less interesting. Most of us did keep distance with everything and could or did not want to spend time outdoors. i agree, that it could be vise decision for many of us too. Spring was not so colorful at this year, a bit grey

Boatyard looks more like a graveyard. Westwind was also waiting to get out from cover to get sun and air. Long and wet winter was not good for interior and she had to be cleaned and fixed

Westwind after winter and season begining — Westwind in spring after cover removed

This always look worse than it is. Had to inspect, what did happen during winter. at least she needed a lot of air, brushing and TLC.

First serious wound after winter on hard

This is more serious than it looks. It looks like it can be filled with teak gasket, but the more you inspect, the more you find. Would be vice to suspend for searching for more troves from the deck.

Day was very hot and beautiful. Slowly, brush after brush, there could be found a nice and clean sailboat, that need to be fixed and get out to the sea.

A lot of small details have to be fixed, so lets start season with real good retouching.

Sailing at Home

Lately i have been sailing from the sofa. i am waiting for this coming sailing season a little more than any other season before. Last winter, i bought the sailboat MP27, designed by Matti Pulli, and this boat has that kind sailing features that you would not want to come back to the harbor. The boat is beautiful, and the beautiful boat sails beautifully. So I look forward to the coming season with great expectations and hopefulness.

My First Blog Post

Launching

“For some there is no need to explain, for some it is not worth to.

May find also from Facebook and Youtube

West wind – Westwind

Westwind or West Wind may refer to:

IAI Westwind, a business jet
Westwind (Honduran presidential plane), an IAI Westwind used as the Honduras Presidential Plane
Westwind, a call sign for WestWindAviation, an aviation company based in Saskatoon
USCGC Westwind (WAGB281), a decommissioned ice breaker that served the United States Coast Guard
MP27 Sailboat by Matti Pulli