Hi All. Looking for advice on removing metal ‘carving and marking’ on the boat. We have tried acetone lightly, applying a metal scrapper under the lettering but it is resistant. Shall stop in to the chandlery on next stop to see what heavy duty glue remover they have. Thanks
Robert & Susan
Knysna 480 #65
When you are looking at stuff to remove glue, be aware that the top coat is 2 pack paint. Awlcraft 2000. You can use a light sand with 1500 and 2000 grit wet and dry. … but not too deep. Then buff.
Awlcraft is a reasonably easy paint to spray, and it’s possible to get a really good colour match if required.
Our boat colour is “bright white” and has sprayed up really well.
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Mike
have you replaced your sail drives ? looks like we might need to replace our SD50’s. any idea of costs?
Carol
Jewel
Yes we have SD50s
I had a leaking properly seal a few years ago. So I did some research.
Apparently the prop shaft is made from a reasonably soft metal. The prop seals will cut groves in the shaft, and cause it to leak. We had our shaft spray welded and re faced. It was fairly inexpensive.
The other issue with the SD 50 is the cone clutch. It’s actually the same tech as a 1950’s gearbox.
The problem is modern oils are to slippery and allow the clutch to spin.
The possible fix is to use gear oil that’s designed for vintage cars. The spec for that is GL4
The final problem with the gearbox is it’s a sealed gearbox. So when it heats up, the air inside it expands, which pressurises the gearbox. If there’s a slight weakness in the seal. Oil will depart the gearbox under pressure. Now when the gearbox cools, there will be a vacuum. This will literally suck water into the gearbox.
The fix for this is to put a long breather hose on the gearbox.
I have done all these things, and so far the gearboxes are working better than ever.
You can Google these mods. They are common fixes for the box.
If it’s just the cone clutch playing up, that’s a reasonable easy repair that takes about 3 hours and just a little bit of valve grinding paste. … literally a 5 dollar fix. (Plus labour 
)
So… in short, I haven’t had to change the gearboxes… yet…
Mike
thanks for the info on the saildrives. Looks like we are getting new ones. If you can use our old ones,let me know. the clutch cones are fine, I think.
Another thing: the lights in our saloon and under the cockpit roof need service or replacement. Each light has 3 wires,I guess because they dim. We think they are Roca brand and are no longer made. We have not found reasonable replacements. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Carol
We eventually borrowed a steamer that took the metal lettering off. Worked like a charm. Decal removal is so much easier
if you can use our SD50s they are being switched for 60s. They have good clone clutches. maybe we can send them to you
Hi, I’m just back in coverage. Had an amazing time out at remote reefs.
Thanks for the offer of the cone clutches. Once my clutches die, I will replace the whole gearbox, like yourself
The cone clutches don’t ware as such, they slip and once they slip, they polish themselves, which makes them slip more.
The solution is just to remove the glaze polish with a tiny bit of grinding paste. It is literally a 2 minute job… Once you have pulled the gearbox apart to get to the clutches.
Our lights failed as well. To be fair, they were getting old, and LED lights have come a very long way since 2012.
Most LED lights are now PWM dimmed. This means pulse width modulated. Previously, lights were dimmed by lowering the voltage. Now, the pulse time it is on for is adjusted. When they are fully on, power is supplied continuously. As the lights are dimmed, a mini computer turns the power off and on really really quickly. The more dimmed, the more off pulses there are. On really low light setting, some people can see the flicker.
So… Modern LED lights only need 2 wires.
I replaced all my lights. And the dimmers.
I also replaced the light above the sink with 3 flat led lights.
And in the bathrooms I put 3 light under the mirrors.
The bed lights and the office light went as well.
It’s been 3 years since we did that, and we are still grinning.
We used little button switches for the new lights.
