[Ben Frothingham]

Chuck mentions that the V-drive is a noisy piece of equipment. I just bought hull 81 in September, now named Papaya, and I have limited sailing time. I agree, the V-drive is noisy when free-wheeling. The question is, what does it sound like new? Is it noisy when new? or is mine just worn and I'm hearing bearing noise that should not be there?

Thoughts?

[Ben Frothingham]

Thanks to all on the prop and shaft brake issue. I will either bite the bullet and get the max-prop or I will get a shaft brake.

I have an interesting situation with respect to the V-drive. When I took ownership the boat and headed up to the Chesapeake from Beaufort in September, the engine was running a little hot. Turned out to be that the water jacket in the V-drive was almost completely hard packed with some kind of black muck. Since I had to go back to work I never saw this stuff as the yard cleaned it out and restored proper raw-water flow.

When I first got her, having never had a V-drive, I checked the oil daily. It looked nice and clean. After the yard cleaned out the jacket I kept checking and noticed it getting milky – uh oh, emulsified oil. Did the yard puncture? was the muck plugging holes? I don't know but made a decision not to get into a battle over it….karma and all that.

So, I'm thinking it's time to get this rebuilt and called Walter Gear in NJ about their rebuild service. They said if the jacket is leaking they won't touch it. The rebuild of the RV20 would probably cost around $1,500 – a new RV20 would cost around $3,000.

I asked the Walter guy about running it without raw water cooling because of the many testimonials from other owners that they bypassed the cooling system and it was fine – he laughed and said terrible idea – if they didn't need cooling they wouldn't build them that way, great way to start a fire, etc… Sales pitch? liability avoidance? Who knows!

So, now I have a V-drive that the cooling jacket is likely compromised and is noisy when free-wheeling. I also have a spare that came with the boat – it aint pretty but I'm completely uncertain of internal condition. And now, Rich mentions using the RV26 to change the reduction from 2:1 to 2.5:1.

Any great ideas? Sorry for the long, rambling post.

Ben

Papaya (#81)

[Ben Frothingham]

Papaya has a 2006 (?) 4JH3-TE Yanmar 75hp. with about 800 hrs.  Since I just got her I'm not sure how she performs in a variety of conditions but the hp definitely seems adequate and I am thrilled to have a newer and quieter engine, in comparison to my historic ownership of older engines of various types.

I am more concerned about the prop selection. 

 – She came with a 20″ 3-bladed fixed prop. 

 – I really don't like the free-wheeling under sail – just seems like a lot of unnecessary wear and tear on the running gear.

 – Plus, the V-drive (at least I think it's the V-drive) is noisy when free-wheeling, which I suspect means I am heading for a rebuild.

 – I would like a max-prop but boy are they expensive.

 – I am curious about shaft brakes but don't have direct experience – reliability, cost, installation hassles, operation hassles etc.

Happy to hear from anyone on these subjects as well.

Cheers, Ben

[Ben Frothingham]

Dennis – thanks for that pic. I just purchased Hull 81 and the horizontal windlass is aft of the locker, which I think is less than ideal. I was contemplating buying a new vertical windlass to fit forward of the locker but now that I see how yours is installed I will likely go that route. Any other suggestions other than angle the tube aft a bit more? What did you do to protect/prepare the bow area below the factory chain locker?

Thanks, Ben (Papaya)

[Ben Frothingham]

Papaya (Hull#81) will likely be in Woods Hole this summer and would be interested in joining a get-together.

Cheers, Ben

[Ben Frothingham]

Quick update on the hull registry – 

“Thisisit” Hull #81 became “Quarter After” out of Oriental, NC and was purchased by me in August 2016 and is now “Papaya” hailing from Woods Hole, MA. She is currently on the hard in Cambridge, MD. Nice to join the group and learn more about her. Love the boat so far (photo attached to email – not sure if that works). Cheers.

Ben Frothingham

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