PREPPING FOR HAUL OUT, SURVEY, AND A TRIP TO THE KEYS! Fuel Filter Woes and Raw Water Flows

[@stevesilver8276]

Capt Butch.... wonderful videos. 14 year Defever 44 owner here. Just something that might help you out when changing out those pesky impellers, especially on the starboard engine. Instead of those tiny brass screws that hold on the cover plate to the impeller, use 8mm spaded thumb bolts (at Grainger). The are much easier to access and easier to get off than those tiny screws. As you can guess, it wont be at the dock in calm weather when your impellers give up the ghost. Trying to change one of those out at sea underway is a pain. Ive used them for years. They make taking off the cover plate a breeze. Also on your stuffing box cooling lines from the transmission cooler to the stuffing box, I just added a ball valve halfway between the engine and the boxes. That way when I have to work on the cooling system I just close the ball valve and no more water. Good Luck! Steve S. Maya

[@AquaCultured]

Steve, thank you so much. It always means a lot when I find out that I have some seasoned DeFever owners watching my videos. I actually do have those thumb screws, they were on the pumps when I removed them, and then DepCo replaced them with the standard screws when they serviced them. So I will definitely be putting the thumb screws back on when I replace the impellers next time. I did have to replace an impeller in a seaway on my way to key west a number of years ago, and of course it was on the starboard engine, so that was not super fun. That is a great idea about installing ball valves on the stuffing box feeds. I think I will definitely do that. Thank you for that suggestion!

[@BellsRidesAboardSeaBoss]

Another great DIY, we always did our own service but the boat at the time was new and parts were readily available. Great job on sourcing the parts. Thank you for sharing.

[@AquaCultured]

The challenge definitely goes up with a boat that has obsolete parts!

[@399geekfavorites]

When it comes time for maintenance it sure keeps you busy and can sometimes be fraustrating. I'm watching and feel it getting the wrong part, but that seems to be with everything LOL. As always Capt. Butch, thank you and I enjoy the journey.

[@AquaCultured]

You know it! It does feel damn good though when you push through and conquer a pain in the ass project. Much appreciated my friend!

[@davida877]

Thanks Captain another great episode - recently inspected a DeFever 44 here in Melbourne Australia - it sailed under her own from Seattle to Brisbane Aus then to Melbourne- testimony of a great seaworthy vessel - love your work thank you

[@AquaCultured]

Thank ya David! Wow! That’s quite something, I will have to find out who that was! Quite a testament indeed!

[@tamaravolovik9423]

I'm learning from your videos, Thanks

[@helimx]

Ya dude. Glad to see you uploading more videos!!!

[@AquaCultured]

Ya buddy!!! Thanks brother!

[@jeheydt5boys]

Always get great tips from your vids. Barnacle Buster in the heat exchanger! Good one.

[@AquaCultured]

Right on, thank you! Always to love hearing when my videos are a help to others. Thank you for watching

[@jeheydt5boys]

@@AquaCultured btw you definitely need to put some bright light in that engine room. I had those same old dim crappy lights. I put in LED strips and now it’s like an operating room. Lol

[@AquaCultured]

@@jeheydt5boys yeah I have been wanting to improve the lighting in there. It’s definitely not horrible in comparison to what I’ve experienced out there, but I would definitely like to light up every nook and cranny!

[@larrymills4223]

Great Channel.

[@AquaCultured]

Appreciate you Larry!

[@dadejazzba402]

How about "Y" strainers on the heat exchanger water inlets...industry does...(some)

[@AquaCultured]

That’s an interesting thought, I haven’t seen a Y strainer used on a boat. There is a main seastrainer prior to the heat exchangers traditionally.

[@donaldsnow6618]

Racor makes a UL approved brass pet cock for the MA series unit. Much easier to drain. Part # RK 19-492. The plug that came in the bottom of the bowl with your new MA series filter unit fits inside the pet cock for added security. This unit meets all ABYC standards.

[@LibertyTrawler]

Back again, as predicted 😂

[@AquaCultured]

Yewwww! 🤙🤣

[@billverlander2500]

I follow a lot of boat KZbinrs, I've never seen a heat shield on Racors. Also your bowl is below the engine mounts so what is the heat shield really doing?

[@AquaCultured]

I know, it seems unnecessary, but regardless of where they are mounted in the engine room, it is an ABYC requirement and surveyors will call you out on it. Here is a good article on primary fuel filters requirements. www.passagemaker.com/channels/primary-fuel-filters

[@billverlander2500]

@@AquaCultured interesting, I hope insurance companies aren't watching KZbin. Lol I see a lot of non compliant engine rooms.

[@AquaCultured]

@@billverlander2500 for sure! But no worry, the insurance companies are too busy greedily collecting ship loads of money