[C320-list] New Boat knocking noise

[alahlm at comcast.net]

Don't give the dealer a check

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Jerry Brown" <jbrown03 at sympatico.ca> 

> Suggestions Please 
> 
> Our new 320 is sitting at the dealer. From the day of commissioning there 
> has been a loud knocking sound from the stern whenever the boat is motored 
> over about 2300 revs - we were told it would "settle down". In two hours of 
> motoring from the dealer premises to our club the engine moved on the mounts 
> sufficiently that it jammed the engine cover which was free when we left (I 
> checked the oil before leaving). 
> 
> Initially the dealer "blamed" the Kiwi Prop that I supplied, and he 
> installed. He realigned the engine and told me to take the prop off and 
> reinstall the standard two blader. While still tied to the dock we tried 
> the realigned engine (still fitted with the Kiwi Prop) as I was reluctant to 
> move the boat for fear of doing more damage. The dealer also dove under the 
> boat to check that the prop was not fouled and that the blades were free. 
> In that test the engine was moving around sufficiently to open up the 
> stuffing box under load. The dealer then thought that the initial motoring 
> and engine movement might have bent the propshaft. The dealer then arranged 
> to have the boat moved (with minimal motoring) back to his premises. The 
> Kiwi Prop was removed and the shaft and coupling sent to a machine shop for 
> checking. With the boat out of the water it was clear that the shaft was 
> not aligned. 
> 
> The machine shop confirmed that the shaft and coupling are true. The 
> standard prop was then installed, the engine again realigned (the mechanic 
> is getting lots of practice) and the boat put back in the water with 
> assurances that all would now be good. The opposite is true. At 2300 revs 
> the noise is more persistent and louder than with the Kiwi Prop. A 
> subsequent test by the mechanics with the engine covers off lead them to say 
> that, at the point where the noise starts, the motor can be seen to "move" 
> sideways visually. Another symptom is that when the engine is throttled 
> back, a relatively low frequency vibration passes through the hull which 
> can be easily felt at the wheel. The boat almost seems to be "shaking it's 
> hips" There are no abnormal engine noises etc, no black smoke or any other 
> signs of engine problems. It is smooth at idle and when revved in neutral. 
> 
> Having confirmed that this is not a Kiwi Prop problem (i.e. my problem from 
> the dealers perspective) the dealers' next suggestion is that possibly the 
> wrong engine mounting rubber blocks were installed from new. That seems a 
> possibility, but a pretty remote one. I would welcome other theories as our 
> season is rapidly disappearing. 
> 
> Jerry Brown 
> #1137 Indigo 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: 
> To: 
> Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2008 2:40 AM 
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] PHRF Racing Sails etc 
> 
> 
> > Rick, 
> > Our Sailmaker modified the pockets so that we can go with either full or 
> > partial battens. So far our favorite configuration is full for the top 
> > two and partial for the bottom two. 
> > Best, 
> > Bruce 
> > Somerset 671 SoCal 
> > Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T 
> > 
> > -----Original Message----- 
> > From: "Rick Evans" 
> > 
> > Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:46:26 
> > To:C320-List at Catalina320.com 
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] PHRF Racing Sails etc 
> > 
> > 
> > Thanks Bruce I was really curios on whether the dutchman would work loose 
> > footed. 
> > 
> > I'm glad it will. 
> > Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile 
> > 
> > -----Original Message----- 
> > From: bruceheyman at cox.net 
> > 
> > Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:14:41 
> > To:C320-List at Catalina320.com 
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] PHRF Racing Sails etc 
> > 
> > 
> > Rick, 
> > We have a loose footed main and use the dutchman system with no problems. 
> > We like the loose footed main as it seems easier to trim the lower third 
> > of the sail. 
> > Bruce 
> > Somerset 671 SoCal 
> > Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T 
> > 
> > -----Original Message----- 
> > From: "Rick Evans" 
> > 
> > Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:17:36 
> > To:C320-List at catalina320.com 
> > Subject: [C320-list] PHRF Racing Sails etc 
> > 
> > 
> > I just started PHRF racing my c320 in Western Long Island sound. I was 
> > wondering if anyone can give me some advise on cruising/racing sails they 
> > may have upgraded to? 
> > 
> > I got some quotes from doyle but I am unsure what to go with. My main 
> > questions have to do with the main 
> > 
> > 1. Loose footed or not? 
> > 2. Full battens or not? 
> > 
> > I love and want to keep the dutchman and want to know if anyone has used 
> > it 
> > on a loose footed main 
> >