A-205 Sirocco

[Jon]

Guys, I am going to replace the gas powered A-4 in 205 and repower with a 10HP Kubota diesel hopefully within the month, and your comments about removing the tank and using a smaller portable tank make a lot of sense.   Rather than post a new thread about removing that gas tank, my I ask.....how difficult is it to remove the inboard tank?

[Jon]

Well, I should know in a few days as soon as that A-4's corpse is removed and I get the engine bay cleaned up.   I can't tell anything about it as she sits.    The cockpit drains on 205 aren't connected and water simply drains into the boat and on into the bilge.    Learn as I go I guess.

[CapnK]

Jon -

You might want to try some citrus-based paint stripper as a cleaning agent. In #422's thread I detailed how I used it to remove paint on the hull, and I have used it since to also clean some particularly nasty spots. I bet it would help in that engine bay, and it's only about $8 to find out for sure... Congrats on the new boat!

Kurt n Katie

[Jon]

Kurt, thank you for the reply.   I bought a bottle of the "green' degreaser and will use that first but I'm 99% certain that there is more than just a bit of grease in that bay.    There are also several nasty spots that I couldn't remove with warm water and soap in the cockpit.    I'll try your method.    jon

[mbd]

Jon, it looks as though Bill may have moved your post here, but let us know if you do decide to go forward with the portable diesel tank. I really like Carl's 'out of the box' idea - it certainly has some merits. But I'll probably be sticking with my permanent installation for the foreseeable future - as much out of inertia as just get what I've got working and maintained properly.

I'll be very jealous of your shiny new Kubota though. If you're having someone install it, I'm sure he'll have his opinions and advice on the matter too.

PS. I like you battery location, low and centered. Mine live in the port cockpit locker next to the engine. I've always wanted to move them lower and forward. Do you have another battery somewhere too?

[Jon]

Mike, I'll will let you know what I do with the gas tank and I'm real excited about the engine replacement.   The guy that owns the marina where I berth recently rebuilt a 32' Endeavor from bow to stern and its a sweetheart.    He's knowledgeable but darn slow.    I'll have to order the Kubota but I don't want to do that until I know when the marina can begin the install.

[Jon]

I've got an update on the work I'm doing on Sirocco.   Oklahoma has been either very hot or very wet since April and because of the weather and a torn right rotator cuff and an arthroplasty on my left thumb, I haven't had nearly the time or physical ability to work on her as I would have liked, but, some things have been done.   The old A-4 was pulled and I've cleaned and painted the engine bay and most of the area under the cockpit seats.   I've also been able to paint about 90% of the forward compartment and pull nearly all of the deck hardware.    The bottom job is about 99% complete and after checking the hull with a moisture meter that pinged hard in several places along the hull, I drilled a hole into the void and found it completely dry.   She didn't yield a drop of water.   Next week she is going into a covered shop for deck recoring, deck paint and non-skid, scratch, nick and gouge repair and probably for new paint above the water line.   Oh, and a new engine with new hoses and electrical, etc.    I might actually have this boat in the water by September.

[Jon]

I failed to mention Sirocco's rudder.   I had thought of replacing it with a new wooden rudder but was unable to find anyone who could build a new one so with the marina's help we are having a light stainless steel cover fabricated for the existing rudder.   I had no idea you could do that....

Anyway, attached are a few pictures of some progress.

[Jon]

Sirocco's navy blue hull above the water line is being sanded in anticipation of repainting and I'm curious to know if anyone has any comments or suggestions on a new color for her hull.   I am thinking of a darker color, maybe a blue/green variant, but I'm wondering if anyone knows if the hull's color will affect the interior temperature of the cabin, especially during the summer?

[c_amos]

Faith has a dark blue hull, and while I have not had her painted any other color I have sailed enough boats painted white that i do not believe that the topsides* make the big difference in interior temperatures that it seems (*hull above the waterline and below the gunwale).
 
  My decks are white and powder blue... a very light blue.  I think the deck color is far more significant then the topsides... And the darker colors just look so nice on these beautiful hulls.
 
JMHO.

[Jon]

Thank you c_amos, and believe me, I appreciate your opinion and suggestions.    I agree with you on a light deck color being cool and Sirocco's topside deck areas will be re-painted white after a few soft spots are repaired.    I had seen a post on the Plastic Classic forum, where some of the members stated that they thought the cabin temps could vary as much as 15 degrees hotter if the hull above the water line and below the gunnels were painted a dark color.    Not to say they aren't right, but I worked on Sirocco a lot this summer during the heat of the midday sun with the forward and cabin hatches open and, even under direct sunlight, it was much hotter outside than inside.   Kinda like I'd imagine a Sioux sweat lodge to be, without the smell of fresh sage.     I'm not wild about yellow, orange, purple or brown, so, other than the traditional white or deep Navy blue, have you any suggestions for the "hull" color.   I'm limited in my knowledge of what other's have done and which colors will make my boat look as great as possible.

[Rico]

I agree in thet the deck color and amount of overall shade is/are a big factor in the interior temperature...

The air temperature will also have a big impact on the interior temperature as well, but the hull color will have a large impact on the temperature of the hull itself in the sun. The angle of exposure, is also important; e.g. the sun at the stern will affect temperature much less than the sun directly on the beam.
You can conduct a test yourself with a few small test areas.

The hull temperature will influence the interior temprerature to the degree that the surrounding air cannot compensate. You can experience the actual hull temperature on any type of boat by touching the interior surface of the hull. (as long as they are not insulated hulls!)

The hull temperature is also important for the longevity of the materials (to varying degrees): Polyester resin hull, gelcoat, paint, etc. which may accellerate crazing, fading, etc.

I wanted to be safe on the Mephisto Cat so I went with a light Gray & White (plus it is a color combination I liked!), but I am also considering many other color options for C-187. You can read some of my color ramblings on that thread.... On the Gallery you can see hulls in Dark green (C-299), Dark Blue (C-227), Red, a very nice light(er) green (C-#65), etc.

Let us know what you come up with!

[Jon]

Rico,

Thank you for that reply.   That's exactly the kind of lead I need to help me direct me to a color.

[Tony G]

Jon

I agree with Craig and others that feel a classic hull in dark colors look sharp.  Several years ago I bought interlux perfection (black) when it was on sale and haven't even opened a can yet!  I turn the cans over once or twice a year when I think of it.  I know 113's hull is going to be less than perfect and the dark color will probably accentuate every flaw but I can live with that as long as she's in the water.  White decks and non-skid.  Originally I was planning on a white mast and boom but I have seen others painted a hue(?)-shade(?) of yellow that looks like perfectly varnished wooden mast....schwinnng!!

Ferenc Mate` had photos of a Sam L. Morse Bristol Channel Cutter named Indigo.  Man what a beautiful boat!

[Jon]

I really like all of those colors.   Lord, what to do?   One color that I'm really impressed by is the Pearl color that you see on a some high end autos, like Lexus and Cadillacs.   I think that the Pearl with a smooth satin finish and a white deck with Pearl nonskid would look pretty sharp and would help address the heat and gel coat imperfection issues.   Has anyone ever seen that color and if you have, where would one find it?   In any event, I'm going to have to decide pretty quickly....an almost unheard of concept since the marina that is actually doing this work, and who was supposed to have me back in the water in June, may actually be moving along toward having her ready to paint in a few days.