Vlog 364: Water, water everywhere
The day before I went on my first cruise on NB Gentian, I pottered around the boat doing a variety of odd jobs as this was only the second weekend I’d spent aboard since buying the boat so there was still lots to finesse to my liking. This is the document of that day.
Click here for the video of my first cruise and click here for the video where I fixed my throttle.
David. Breather tube exit for the vent pipe, you will more than likely find behind a small metal plate or cap or removable cover on the “Bow Face” often offset slightly to one side. Behind that lie’s a short pipe or hole that acts as the vent or breather. You should theoretically in practice remove the cover when adding or removing ballast water to stop negative pressure created inside the tank buckling the bulkheads & allow for unrestricted/easier drain flow.
I hope this helps..
Prior builds to 2001, the vent exit was and or is in the gas locker.
Hope this help..
I apologise for the second email.
Cheers Daren but no sign of it either on the bow or in the gas locker!
David, Just incase you have not found the inspection hatch for the bilge. Usually under the cabin floor just inside the front cabin area.
Lift the removable floor panel near the front bulkhead, (Usually just aft of the well-deck area)
Typically beneath that panel is the main bilge void, which as you know, and always hope, is USUALLY DRY unless there is a leak.. (I dont mean the long onion like veg.. ‘leek’ )
Sometimes depending on the boat builder there is a secondary smaller hatch or smaller access panel further aft near the galley or dinette, but this depends on the layout. .
It can be hard to locate as sea otters were designed with no traditional wet bilge, foam or polystyrene insulation under the floor and sealed compartments.. So the bilge is really just a small inspection void and not a long, open bilge channel like on steel narrowboats.
IF your boat is a hull/build number 28 or a sea otter 28 Model, the hatch may be just slightly forward or aft depending on the interior layout, such as dinette vs fixed bed, galley position etc….
I would summise that if you look under the cabin floor, just aft of the well-deck bulkhead.
Step inside from the well-deck and look at the first or second floorboard panel in the saloon area.
1 OF THESE BOARDS IS OR WILL BE LOOSE OR SCREW FIXED & will lift up to reveal the small bilge void.
Remember sea otters DO NOT have a deep wet bilge & it wil be around 4 inches in depth.
I hope you find this helpful, assuming that you have not already found it..
Its nice to be back viewing your videos again..
Best regards and HAPPY NEW YEAR David..
Daz.
Thanks Daren. An inspection hatch for the bilge shouldn’t be at the bow as the stern is the lowest point of the boat and where any water would accrue so I’m a bit baffled by the notion that it would be up at the well deck end! Happy New Year to you.
I think there may be a slight misunderstanding/crossed wires David.. Not to sound pedantic my friend, i did not mean to imply the INSPECTION HATCH was on the bow behind a plate.. That was for the BREATHER TUBE you were/are trying to locate.. .
The inspection hatch for the bilge. Is usually under the cabin floor just inside the front cabin area…. To the best of my knowledge.!
Apologies for any conveyance of misunderstanding on my part.
Regards,
Daren
Hi, thanks but there’s no misunderstanding I don’t believe, however a bilge inspection hatch shouldn’t be at the front of the boat in any sense, it would be at the back bulkhead just ahead of the engine bay.
Hello David. { don’t suppose this is any help locating your bilge inspection hatch, but on our Springer which we once owned, our inspection hatch for the bilge was located under the carpet/floor board at the base of the companipn way steps. Worth taking a look perhaps? Now the weather is warming up when do you expect to resume work on Twiggy?
That’s where the notes on mine say it is too but it isn’t. Cheers!
Hi David,
We enjoyed your doing bits “n” bobs video. We love your unique English and your sense of humor. You frequently make us smile, so much that we wish we could join you for a day cruise or just an afternoon at the dock. We always enjoy your talks directly to us / directly to the camera because it’s like we are actually there with you in person. Thank you Sir!
Hello to you both, it’s so nice to have you “join” me from across the pond. I’m very pleased you feel I’m speaking directly with you because that’s what I always hope it comes across as so thank you!!