Prairie 36 Improvements - Page 10

**FlyWright** · 05-08-2018, 08:43 PM

My PO had a nice berber carpet cut and serged for a tight fit and it rides loosely on what I think is 40 year old felt pad that was stapled down. On that, I've added a few Oriental Rugs to soften the feel.

A few weeks ago, I finally ordered Soundown carpet underlayment. It's sitting in my house guest room waiting to be installed. I've thought about this improvement for a long time and appreciate all the got great help from Keysdisease in the process. Thanks, Steve!

This week I head to the boat and strip the old, clean the deck and install the new. Looking forward to a renewed feel and suppressed sound.

Maybe we should start a new thread for carpets in boats.

FOG · 05-09-2018, 08:31 AM

Al,
I like the carpet thread idea. I would be interested in seeing some before and after photos of your progress. You’ve done a lot of research and I’m sure others would benefit.

Tom,
Don’t give up on the floating floor idea for the saloon. I used a double sided tape and it has worked well through the hot summers and cold winters. One of my earlier projects in this thread.

I did get some cracking around the hatch edges and was going to use some SS or aluminum angle to go around them. However, when the admiral said she wanted a big rug, I made sure it was big enough to cover the hatches. One less project for now.

CaptTom · 05-09-2018, 06:44 PM

FOG, I considered some sort of metal edging, too. A ton of work, but probably necessary.

So, maybe use floating floor material, but stick it down anyway, with glue or carpet tape? Hmmm. I can maybe see that. I wouldn't be able to do a nice edge around the hatches by laying pieces perpendicular to the planking, but I could probably work something out.

As for carpet, I'm afraid I'd be too lazy to pull it up and I wouldn't do my routine engine room checks underway. Already had one major save; an injector pump had sprung a gasket and was pumping fuel into the engine well. Another 15 minutes and it would have been filling the bilges.

FOG · 05-10-2018, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptTom

As for carpet, I'm afraid I'd be too lazy to pull it up and I wouldn't do my routine engine room checks underway. Already had one major save; an injector pump had sprung a gasket and was pumping fuel into the engine well. Another 15 minutes and it would have been filling the bilges.

Tom, so just to be clear, you open the two large hatches in the saloon sole while underway to do routine engine checks? If so, how often is routine?

The reason I’m asking for clarification is that I don’t do it. I just do a check before I start the engines and then rely on the gauges while underway.

I don’t open the two larger hatches unless I need to do some long term engine room work. Otherwise I just use the forward hatch for engine room access.

CaptTom · 05-10-2018, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOG

Tom, so just to be clear, you open the two large hatches in the saloon sole while underway to do routine engine checks? If so, how often is routine?

Opening just one sole hatch allows me to get in and out pretty easily. Using the forward hatch would require removing the steps and two other hatches. Plus it's a somewhat tight and uncomfortable squeeze. I have the full "V" berth forward and galley up, so that might be a difference.

On longer passages, I make it a point to try to do hourly ER checks. I'll look at a belt, feel a hose, check a bilge, and shoot the temperature of some component or other. Just generally poke around for anything unusual.

Closer to home I rarely do that (although I should.) I also sometimes skip a check in rough weather. Even though it's probably more important then, there's the safety issue of moving around the boat, as well as the dangers in the ER itself. Another option is to just stick my head down there, look, listen and sniff, then close it back up.

I started doing this largely to break up the monotony on long trips, but it saved my skin big-time once, and there have been a few other minor saves.

FOG · 05-12-2018, 08:07 AM

Tom, great explanation, I understand and agree on your rationale in doing the routine engine room checks. But I have to admit that I wouldn’t be that prudent.

Since reading your reply I have given some thought to a remote camera. I’ve read of others doing this, but obviously not as good as a personal engine room check.

FOG · 05-13-2018, 08:15 AM

Finished the carpet in the aft cabin. Just put the carpet over the plywood sole, no padding. The Admiral is happy.

**Comodave** · 05-13-2018, 09:58 AM

Looks very nice, but it would not work on our boat since we have a black lab that seems to shed yearlong. We always have to go with dark gray carpet...

siestakey · 05-13-2018, 12:12 PM

Really like the dock boxes for extra storage

FOG · 05-13-2018, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comodave

Looks very nice, but it would not work on our boat since we have a black lab that seems to shed yearlong. We always have to go with dark gray carpet...

That’s funny. We have a white and brown Jack Russell Terrier. I still have to wrap the steps with carpet so he can get up and down without slipping. It’s crazy what we do to make our furry kids comfortable.

**Comodave** · 05-13-2018, 07:48 PM

Yes, we sold a Trojan because we could not get Radar (black lab) up to the flybridge and bought our President. Furry kids is the correct terminology.

FOG · 05-15-2018, 08:04 AM

You know the old saying, "If I didn't have bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck." Or something like that.

I went to flush the newly installed electric toilet and it didn't flush. The motor ran, but water didn't come into the bowl. OK, seacock is closed. Nope!

Opened and closed it a few more times, pressed the button, still no water in the bowl.

All new hose to the toilet, except from the seacock to an elbow that is in the cabinet where it goes through the floor. The plan is to close the seacock, disassemble the hose at the elbow, direct the hose end into the bilge and then open the seacock to see if I get water flow.

After removing the hose from the elbow, I saw something hanging from the elbow. Shook the elbow and this is what fell out. What are the odds?

CaptTom · 05-15-2018, 10:03 AM

Some people just use a rod & reel...

FOG · 05-17-2018, 05:53 PM

Is this a good place to store an extra hose clamp?

Or is it there to help prevent the elbow from kinking and collapsing?

Or is it there for some other reason?

**Comodave** · 05-17-2018, 06:14 PM

Maybe an effort to keep the hose from blowing out? Hose looks very questionable with the cracking. I would store the hose in the trash...

FOG · 05-17-2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comodave

Maybe an effort to keep the hose from blowing out? Hose looks very questionable with the cracking. I would store the hose in the trash...

I agree the hose is not in the greatest shape. But why was the hose clamp placed there is my question? It appears it’s been there for quite some time.

Lou_tribal · 05-17-2018, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOG

I agree the hose is not in the greatest shape. But why was the hose clamp placed there is my question? It appears it’s been there for quite some time.

It is here to act as a cheap support for the hose elbow.

L

**Comodave** · 05-17-2018, 10:22 PM

Yes, I think the PO thought maybe it would reinforce the cracked hose???

FOG · 05-19-2018, 03:09 PM

Getting her bottom painted before we take off on the Great Loop.

A good pressure washing, some scraping and sanding, then 2 coats of paint.

I'll also be making a few other improvements while she is on the hard.

**Comodave** · 05-19-2018, 05:48 PM

Don’t you just love it when your bottom is clean?