Nothing is more important on our Catamaran // Safety on a Catamaran. Ep319

[@MVSheKon]

Every square millimetre of that boat shows your pride Rosco. Nothing there to be ashamed of mate. You're a legend. Cheers!

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks Rick, following in your footsteps mate,

[@Equine_moon]

You haven’t lost that seat, it’s just waiting… some years from now it might be somebody’s favourite spot to cosy up right behind grandpa when sailing.

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Haha, you never never know, we seem to be heading towards that phase of life.Rossco

[@latitudeash]

Let there be a little bit more light….lol. Ross it’s coming on. Love the ahead previews 👍🏼

[@crzy11000]

Ross a quick suggestion(even though I know it is too late) is you don't have to have the pipe to the roof in the middle of the seat. Move to right hand side no head banging for the small person sitting below the seat and then you can also reverse the back of the seat and face the back of the boat. 2 wins with one move.

[@martinneubert4068]

Very nice work as always Ross Its getting close, your catamaran will be able to withstand all the seas can throw at it. Take care, and have a greate weekend. All the best.

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks Martin, Trying to make it as safe as possible as well as functional. Have a great weekend buddy. Rossco

[@1svsoulmate]

The settee upholstere came out wonderful, and the boat looks beautiful. You must be thrilled with the progress. As always, thanks for sharing! My heart goes out to you all for the senseless trouble in Sydney. Unfortunately we know this kind of thing in the USA all to well!

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks so much Daniel. Has been a shock to all Aussies, mental health issues seem so prevalent now with no system to back up the ill.Sad stuff. I trust you are moving into some warmer conditions after a long winter.We are enjoying some respite from the heat this month.Getting on with the outfitting, very satisfying work of late.Ross

[@ronkluwe4875]

Ross - I appreciate you are trying to take proactive action against a major leak at the rudder post, but I am going to say to you what I say to everyone who is going offshore. Please get rid of those toy bilge pumps and replace them with real commercial grade bilge pumps. It may seem like overkill at this point, but if you are offshore and the rudder were to break in such a way that the post got taken out, then you must have a pump that can keep up with the amount of water that can come in through that hole. This is your worst-case situation (short of massive damage to the boat) that you should be prepared for. I have lost track of how many boats I know of that were lost due to small bilge pumps not being able to keep up with the water inflow from a below waterline leak. Even with the secondary measures you have in place (and good on you for already thinking of them), you still need time to set them up and having the correct sized bilge pump can be the difference between saving the boat or losing it. Just my two cents on this. Otherwise, the boat is really starting to come together and Janet and yourself are really going to have something special at the end of this effort.

[@2oqp577]

The kind of damage that Orcas do off the coast of Portugal/Northern Spain.

[@normanboyes4983]

Agree in principle but this is rather less than practical in smaller vessels. Leak stopping materials and reducing the rate of flooding is a more effective strategy. But yes that pump is way too small.

[@benmac940]

If that whole rudder stock was to fall out then a bilge pump big enough to keep up would be far to big for that size boat. Good idea just not achievable

[@ronkluwe4875]

@@benmac940 Ben - agreed. The idea is to try to move enough water so that by the time you get the hole plugged, you are still afloat. Assuming the rudder point of entry to the hull is about 1 foot below waterline (at start), this calculates to about 650 GPM of water inflow for a 6" shaft opening or around 500 GPM for a 4" shaft opening. This rate will increase as the hole goes deeper into the water and at 3 foot depth, the inflow is about 1,200 GPM for 6" shaft and 1,000 GPM for 4" shaft. This is a rate of about 2 tons per minute up to 4.8 tons per minute of water ingress and it doesn't take long to overcome the floatation ability of the boat at those rates. Your typical over the counter bilge pump from a marine hardware store does about 20 to 60 GPM of output. These bilge pumps are not intended to deal with a hull breach, as stated by the manufacturer(s). They are only for nuisance water. A 2" hull breach opening will still start at about 75 GPM at 1 foot depth and ramp up to about 200 GPM at 3-foot depth for the opening. For offshore boating, my rule of thumb is to size the bilge pumps(s) to keep up with your most typical leak (say 100 to 150 GPM) and to give you enough time (say 10 minutes) to get a really big hole (such as a rudder shaft) plugged. May still be a whole lot of water in the boat, but no sinking. The main thing I look for is if the typical water inlet on your boat lets go, the bilge pump(s) can keep up with it for a period of time without any significant water intrusion (i.e., you get the alarm notice and can get to where the boat is moored before it is under water). There are 4000 GPH commercially available bilge pumps and they typically cost only about $100 to $150 more than the typical boat store bilge pump. Four of those (two in each hull side) is 16,000 GPH of pumping capacity, or about 265 GPM. These pumps cost about $200 each and are cheap insurance for an offshore boat. Apologies for the long response, but as a retired engineer, it amazes me how people ignore what is really required for one of the most critical components for saving their boat and/or their lives, especially for offshore boating. What may work for occasional boating in protected waters has no place in real offshore boating.

[@benmac940]

@ronkluwe4875 I'm not a fucken idiot I have been living and working on boats and ships for the last 20 years. I have practical training in damage control and leak stopping. I also know what is available, and I only wish I could get a decent high capacity bilge pump for even close to a hundred bucks. Either way its not feasible to install pumps that size in every compartment on a boat not to mention its still a long way off the amount of water that will be coming in, so unless you are literally sitting there with additional pumps in hand ready to throw in it doesn't really matter.

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi Rossco , where that seat was I was thinking it might be good to have another fridge for the outside for your sundowners, it’s only a thought. Might be a silly thought. Anyway, keep up the good work the seat looks good Cliff from Logan City Queensland Australia 🇦🇺

[@gregworkshop5713]

hi the cat look grate .well dun everyone.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😄

[@Richard-rz8gt]

Ross, it looks fantastic. In a custom build you wear all the hats. Ross and Janet have done exceptional work. Not to mention hours spent thinking of details when ya should be asleep. Not having watertight bulkheads at the rudder post or even the sail drives seems more than error in design, downright criminal. Of all the ways to sink a boat, sticking a sunfish should not be one.

[@steveeinersen9302]

Getting close now Rossco looks great -we can hear the excitement in your voice

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

So close! This is the year.Cheers

[@mcpa2991]

Not my place to say but as a heavier guy I have a bit of a spidey-sense for supports and that 90degree bend in the starboard vertical support of the chair looks a lot like a big lever that will work its way out of the glass it is mounted in. Could it be supported all the way down to the deck (or at least at a second location below the first)?

[@underdogbikes5312]

Impressive progress. You are inspirational!

[@Kezzht]

Well done mate Looking awesome

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks buddy, all good fun.

[@lets_go_see_]

Wow Rossco! The finishing is spartacular!!!! ( a new word combining sparklig and spectacular).. Where is the family today? Ttfn

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Great new word, The family just drift and out as they see fit, they are always busy planning their next moves I guess.

[@brianstyrczula9466]

Way to go Bro, I can taste the salt!

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks Brian

[@Mountain-Bike-Trails]

Hi Rosco great job, can i suggest the upright behind the pilot seat be bent and tucked in rather than a right angle it would look a lot softer and give the elusion of more room.

[@nder12345]

Wow mate. That’s looking spectacular. Bet your keen to get it in the water.

[@rictus7222]

It's really coming together looking good

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Cheers mate

[@garrykennedy5653]

Just a thought about your helm step, a fold up and down step could work well. When we’re travelling we spend a lot of hours at the helm area and something to support your legs is really nice

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks Garry, I will fabricate a folding step, probable use some 316 fold up mast step fittings as the basis, I would like to be able to fold it away.

[@Naplesfrank154]

Hello Rosco, from what I can see (from my family room couch) haha, it looks like you may need one more support for the helm seat. If you can make a modified tee and add one more outlet to it facing down then you can run a pipe straight down and connect it to the fiberglass below. When you have 200 pounds or more in that seat, there will be a lot of force pushing down, especially when you hit waves. I’m guessing that the boat is probably in the water already and if so (or not), I wish you and your family the best of luck and many safe and fun travels on it. You took your time on the boat and it really shows, everything is and looks perfect on it. ❤god surely did bless you with a shitload of talent and it shows. Kudos to all that helped you with the boat. By the way, where has your buddy John been? He seemed like a good old guy and a wonderful guy to have in your friends arsenal. Blessings to you and your beautiful family. ❤

[@steveridge5207]

Just a suggestion for the lost seat. Maybe cutting the top off and raising it to maybe fit an extra fridge, maybe a Wayko or Engel as a standby drink fridge on a slide out.

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Great idea but this seat is actually the roof of the aft cabin.I have already sacrificed some cabin space with the helm stair addition so I don't like my chances of getting another mod past the boss.Rossco

[@Degenhardt450]

Your attention to detail has been impeccable, but with your helm seat support, you need to think more outside the box to make an improved compromises.

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks mate, we have rethought it and have a solution.Rossco

[@joesloan1724]

Kill the seat and build a support for helm seat with access for your lines and storage. You have plenty of seating already.

[@hairy8184]

that seat is going to get a workout laterally as well, I'm forecasting gussets. If nothing else they'll stiffen up the frame and reduce the twisting loads on the fixings to glass.

[@normanboyes4983]

All coming together nicely Roscoe. Helm seat looks good - how about a stainless steel hoop to act as a step suspended from your already planned stainless structure? (The rudder compartment bilge pump is too small).😉😀👍

[@jonflanagin6682]

Maybe a dumb idea ,but left side seat upright to hardtop upright for support ,not the one behind the seat.

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

That is exactly what we ended up doing.Good pick up.Thanks

[@gavinferguson]

awesome efforts again .. read about cats having poor bow bouancy and that's led in part to the straight or reverse bow design to pull some volume forward your solution saves having to completely design and new bow as you said, that boat that sank because to the rudder damage might make folk to rethink rudders housings not being behind a seal bulkhead

[@johnbrunet5431]

She’s looking good …. Hoping too see her in the water this year…hope you have her essential electronics and food preparation in order…,how long do you think the mast and sails will take to rig up?

[@leesmith2005]

Hey Ross, have you thought about a hinge step for Janet, that way you can stand up without the step being in the way. Lee (London UK)

[@monomattock1]

Come up from helm step to rear of seat at 60deg to support rear. Would tie in to the step stainless also. Allows sitting bth ways and slide of seat.

[@allan8004]

Hi mate what a totally marvelous job you and your family are doing, all credit to you, Just a thought though about where the fridge is going, do you think you may need some vents around that area to dissipate some heat from the fridge, Al the very best, Al

[@whitneylake2107]

Beautiful !

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks

[@charlesc.6767]

Ross , youve probably already decided how you will steer when not on auto pilot. On my boat i preferd to use my feet while sitting in the captain chair. Long hours its more comfortable. Build accordingly

[@wanderingwombas]

Brace the seat on the left side back to the vertical upright. Place it under the seat coming of the 90deg elbow horizontally to the upright. On the right side do what you have done in the middle of the seat just move it to the right. You could also rotate 90 so it comes out from the arm rest up to the roof.

[@terrystarr3012]

Wow,regards

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Cheers Terry

[@peterihre9373]

Hi, guess you have thought about it but why not put the uprise on the back of helm seat on the right side of the seat? Then you get a good handle when you walk by and when you step up to the helm. You may also be able to use the small seat behind the helm without hitting your head.

[@rolandtb3]

Beefy rudder posts, watertight bulkheads, bilge pumps on each side and if required a larger emergency bilge pump. Being proactive, learning from others' calamities. Any antislip required on the step down treader into the rudder locker? Give it some time and thought on the fixed center vertical cockpit seat support post. Possibly mounting a sliding bracket assembly with a base post from the underside of the seat could work. More esthetic, functional, always loose some of the lower rear seating.

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

I reckon some anti slip on the step us a great idea after slipping yesterday in the rain getting into the hatch.

[@stephenshepherd3171]

Re the pipe at the back, I was going to suggest moving it to the side, but I see that you have moved it. Re the table, is it worthy of making it moveable to relocate it elsewhere in the boat? I do not know where, but you might have a thought on that?

[@gunnarfernqvist4896]

Absolutely beautiful! Looks like she's gonna do a belly splash pretty soon. (All relative to the number of years we've been following your adventure) Wouldn't it be appropriate to schedule a live stream on that very special occasion? It's gonna be a hell time wise for us on the other side of the world, but it'll be worth it.

[@andersonautomotive]

At some point could you give us a tutorial on spraying flowcoat? Specificity, how much to thin for spraying and how to adjust your gun and air pressures. I just sprayed my first flowcoat, and it came out quite textured and I got overspray absolutely everywhere even though I put up much more plastic than you did around your fridge. I spent a whole day wet sanding and polishing the intended spray area, then another day wet sanding and polishing the overspray.

[@colinwatson5771]

Just a thought on the helm seat. Can you take the vertical support at the back and put it on the front going down. A tee piece will allow a step up for Janet to get onto the seat?.

[@mikeskelly2356]

For the helm, can you make/buy a 'flip-up' foot rest that Janet can use as both a step up and place to rest her shorter (but better looking) legs, and mount it to the seat posts? In the raised position, you wouldn't know it was there, but, when lowered it would do away with the 'highchair' effect that can make dangling legs go to sleep...

[@user-cb2427]

Add foot rest toe bar to pipe work she could use as ladder

[@honeyforce996]

Has the inspection process been completed by this stage? I recall something about building it to a set of standards to ensure insurance or charter was an option. I don't really understand where the boundaries between structure/finish/accessories etc. lay Hope the knee is feeling better

[@graememercer1653]

Janet doing a brilliant job mate 😂 But the boat is looking brilliant just love how you explain why you are doing the job that way . Have you thought of a name for her yet ?

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

We do not have a name, although I have called her many things over the past few years.

[@graememercer1653]

@@LifeOnTheHulls them names cannot be put on here 😂

[@icelandviking1961]

Ross, could you delete the support in the back and go to the overhead support to the side and aft at about 45 degrees?

[@mkllove]

Roscoe, the pipe bracing on helm seat could be rearranged on both back corners using the existing fittings but relocated, and an additional lateral brace on port side rear corner to existing roof brace nearby... This would remove the impediment to small seat below helm by moving it further away and making it more useful as a handhold at corner location at same time... what do you think ?

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Interesting Mike, that is exactly what we ended up with.The centre upright wasn't good plus it looked off.The new arrangement as you said, offered a better handhold also plus much better support.Cheers mate, Ross

[@mkllove]

@@LifeOnTheHulls Great minds think alike ?... he he !

[@fonhollohan2908]

You can chance the upright pipe attach a pipe to the roof of your canopy instead of coming from the bottom of the frame below the seat. Reply

[@pauldixon3677]

Would a foot rail for the vertically challenged ( small people) be handy? Even you might use it, as sitting at wheel, legs will be dangling and that leads to being uncomfortable.

[@niallrath1925]

There doesn’t appear to be enough bracing for that seat? With your weight and that long lever combined with a bumpy sea, can’t see it lasting. Am I missing something?

[@ArcticSeaCamel]

It's kind of weird that there are large "category A" ocean going cruising vessels where rudder post is not separated from the rest of the boat by anything... I think that's total no-brainer! If rudder gets ripped off that's probably the biggest hole in the boat. So that _needs_ to be in separate compartment!

[@CJ-ok7rk]

Could you use an RV/Motorhome/Boat central table mount so you could lower and rotate the seat. The type they use to convert to beds

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

I will likely us a table support like that there are 316 versions but, wow, the price!!

[@CJ-ok7rk]

@@LifeOnTheHulls I know, I feel a con by the manufacturers. They all appear to be the same except use. But second hand one's are more reasonable.

[@stever2583]

What about a flop down step for Janet?

[@jmalte4702]

50.8 mill. 2”

[@nickcooper14]

Relax a bit🤣🤣🤣 did those words come out of your mouth.. mate she is looking sexy. With the helm seat make sure you get a good backing plate behind that end shear mounted bracket. 200kg dropping off a wave is a lot of down force😱🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Thanks Nick.I will be beefing that connector up with a backing plate for sure.Thanks so much for your passion buddy.Love it.

[@2oqp577]

I realize you are not in water yet.....(tongue in cheek) but I propose that you go check out Kev from Salt & Light up in Toyama, JP

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

I actually know Kev and Meg, gave his channel a shout out over 2 years ago.They visited here in late 2020.

[@2oqp577]

@@LifeOnTheHulls Must have missed that episode. I'll look back for it.

[@cw3339]

Don't you wish you could work that fast as in your fast forward, without throwing your back and body totally out of wack! 😅

[@jimdickerson1401]

Add to safety of that catamaran why would you put such a small pump why don't you go ahead and spread your little money and get a decent pump for it

[@LifeOnTheHulls]

Jim, I have 8 electric bilge pumps in the Cat, each compartment is sealed from each other. These are for the stern sugar scoops only, plus manual handpups ,separate, and a remote throw in 3500gph version and hose that can be thrown into any compartment.