Conference unifix::sailing

Pull the transmitter/paddlewheel/whatever from inside and put the plug 
in. With a little practice, you shouldn't get more than a quart of water 
in the boat. Even if you don't put the plug in, you'll still have time 
to clean the paddlewheel and replace it before your boat sinks.

      I've always removed the transmitter and plugged the hole as quickly
    as I could.  Usually, I don't get any more than a cup or two of
    water.  It's a lot faster and easier than going over the side.
    
 	Wayne

      Thanks for the info. Is it a common problem for the paddlewheel
    to get clogged up with junk? I don't think i have any more then
    25 hours use on it.
    
      Well at least it sounds like a chance to try out that brand shiny
    new bilge pump:-

    Another common problem is putting the paddlewheel in the wrong way.
    I've seen quite a few go in sideways, allowing the water to flow
    thru and not turn the wheel.
    
    Before you do that make sure you double check the wiring inside
    the boat.  A loose connection can be the culprit also.
    
    Rick

    I don't think that the hours of use has a lot to do with the clogging
    up of the paddlewheel.  It's more likely to be length of time in
    the water and the amount of crud you sail through.  I've had to
    clean my present unit once in three years (not counting when she's
    hauled for the season).  That once was due to seaweed getting caught
    in the wheel.
    
    	Wayne

  I replace my paddlewheel with the plug anytime I expect to let
  the boat sit for more than a few days. The gushing water is very
  dramatic but usually amounts to little more than what it takes
  to get your hands wet. No big deal. Several times when I've
  forgotten to pull the wheel and I note that it's fouled shortly
  after leaving the mooring then pulling, cleaning, replacing is
  still a snap.
  I find that lining up the holes to replace the pin is sometimes
  time consuming, but no water is coming in by then.
  
  John

    My last boat used Kenyon instruments. The instructions cautioned
    against putting any antifouling on the paddlewheel.  I found it
    regularly fouled with slime and barnicles, and needed cleaning
    about once a week in midsummer if the boat was idle during the 
    week.
    
    The Datamarine on my present boat came already Micron'd and has
    never fouled in 2 seasons.
    
    Both are easy to remove however, and I would opt for the inside
    removal given a choice.
    
    Walt

    
    One more note on using the plug. Mine (datamarine) has 2 rubber
    o-rings to make the seal water-tught. I find that lubricating them
    with  petrolium jelly (or even sun-tan lotion once!) helps
    make the plug insertion go a bit easier than when the o-rings are
    dry. Don't worry, like the dentist said, "it won't hurt a bit".
    
    ps. I haven't forgotten you Rich. still thumbing through the practical
     sailors for the write-up on inflatables.
    

     Well i pulled the paddle wheel out this weekend and the meter
    now works. The gush of water was nowhere as bad as it looks. it
    is a bit weird at first but really very liyyle water ended up
    in the boat. Thanks for the Info.
    
     rich

    I need some troubleshooting advice on a Datamarine knot meter. I
    pulled the plug and inspected the wheel. No crud. The transmitter
    is epoxy filled, so I can't inspect the connection. How can I check
    the output ? the meter continuously reads 0.0.

    I had the same problem when I put the boat in the water last week.
    There is a procedure that is easy and worked for me.Give me a  call
    at dtn 237-2208 or you can order the manual from Datamarine which
    is worth only for this trick as I am concerned.
                              

    Re: .11
    
    	Mike, sorry I have not followed up on your advice till now.
    You were right, there was another connection between the transmitter
    and the meter. Clean the connections and the meter is working. Thank
    you for the help.
    
    	Now for the next question
    
    How can I tell if the read out is correct ? is there a procedure
    to calibrate ?
    

re .12:

The usual procedure is to motor between two buoys (or whatever) a known 
distance apart at constant speed and measure the time required to cover 
the distance. Do this in both directions to eliminate any effects from 
currents. Speed = Distance / Time. Average the results. Then twiddle the 
calibration adjustment on the knotmeter until the display reads
correctly (about 10% greater than reality is thought by most sailors to
be the correct reading, he said whimsically). Pick two buoys fairly
close together (half mile maybe). 

    Bob,
    Alan,s reply is correct....as usual :--).However I suggest that you
    follow the instructions on their(Datamarine) manual since they are
    talking about when to turn the switch to cal,and don't touch this
    after that etc.I can copy mine and send it to you if you want but
    it will be after the next week end,because I am not going to R.I.
    this week.By the way my padleweel died and I had to get a new one
    from Datamarine for $75. I have not yet calibrated and I blame it
    on the Loran.
    P.S.  My drawing :--)is correct.I do have a big nose.
    
                                       Happy sailing

    Anyone have a 1.75" hole saw I can borrow for a day or two to install
    a knotmeter? I'd hate to drop $18 for 35 seconds of use. I'm in the 3M
    area and will pickup and return.
    
    Please send mail to (stowoa::kalinowski)
    
    
       thanks
    
        john   

John,

If its for a knotmeter, then I will look when I get home. I have a hole saw 
set and I am pretty sure that 1 3/4 " is included.

Do us both a favor and give me a call 7-8 time frame and make sure that the 
mass of jelly tween  my ears has worked long enough for me to remember. (that 
I am sposed to look)

Fred   Who-would-love-to-know-just-how-fast-ERNA ANN-is-going!!!   :^)