Recent content by Frank Langer

On my 1984 E30+ I have never noticed air either when burping the shaft seal, just a quick rush of water. I'm not sure that one would ever be able to hear or notice air--I think the amount of air to be displaced by water is small. Frank

Lots to think about! Regarding the engine alignment, there are good you tube videos showing how to check and adjust alignment. But a simple way to do a quick check is to spin the prop shaft either inside the engine compartment or at the prop in the water. If it spins easily, the alignment is...

I'm sorry to hear of your difficulties when it seems you've tried to do everything right. The combination of squeaky sounds and jerky performance may be a challenge to solve, so you may have to check various things. Having the boat sit unused for seven weeks is also not usually ideal (though...

I've also noticed this on hinges on our boat, so checking them has become part of my regular maintenance routine-- at the locker covers, anchor well, etc. The ones that concern me even more are clevis pins that secure blocks, which can be very problematic if they fail. Frank

I also have that same shelf in my 1984 E30+. As far as I can tell, there is no opening to that area, and I've been very reluctant to drill a hole into it to see what it contains. If you do check into it with a camera or some other method, please let us know what you find. Frank

I have read that the cable should be able to deflect about 3/4" at its longest point. On my boat that feels snug but not really tight, and my steering is easy and smooth. Mainly you don't want it so loose that it can come off the quadrant or slip, but not so tight as to strain it. Frank

If you decide Porlier pass, check your charts carefully for the reef and use the buoys to guide you. Not a bad option, but be careful. Frank

Hi, We live in Nanaimo, BC just across the Strait of Georgia from Vancouver, and have crossed the Strait often. It is not difficult if you take reasonable precautions. As you are a bit inexperienced, I would not cross if wind is above 15 knots (though we have done it often above that). Check...

I wonder if it slides in a track, perhaps part of the outhaul system in the boom track. Just a thought...

My initial thought was a clevis pin, but I think it's a more unique piece, specific to a certain function on the boat. So I would encourage thought about what that might be. I considered a pin on the gooseneck, but mine is different, but I think it might be something like that. Frank

Thanks Dave! That's what I needed. Frank

Does anyone know the size of the nuts on a one inch stainless steel keel bolt on an E30+? Frank

Although a whisker pole is better for sailing, I single hand alot and for whatever reason, have decided that a whisker pole is extra work that I don't need. So I often sail 'wing on wing' downwind and even sail with my spinnaker, without a whisker pole. It takes constant attention to avoid the...

I also put a bead of sikaflex 291 around the bottom of the rudder gland, at the top of the white section in the post above, to be sure it wouldn't leak. But adding the zerk and grease as suggested will also likely solve a leak there. But better to be sure, especially when it's water coming in...

Make sure that your engine alignment is good before you declare the transmission failed. Mine slipped and made a terrible grinding noise until I figured out that my engine alignment had gotten worse, putting too much stress on the transmission. When I corrected the alignment, the transmission...