The process of problem solving began with the easy stuff and then ramped up.
1. Check the ball valve.
I had been manically cleaning and had opened and closed the various thru-hull ball valves in the process. A routine procedure to ensure they don't seize up. Perhaps I'd left it closed? Twist this way and that. Seemed OK. No change. Next ....
Cut-away view of ball valve components:
1) body 2) seat 3) floating ball 4) lever handle 5) stem
2. Unscrew the top of the hand pump and check for obstructions.
Bingo. A bit of weed caught in the workings. Bound to be the culprit we thought. Screw everything back together. Too easy. Check for pumping action. Disappointment. May be an airlock? Nope. Next ...
Pesky bit of weed (L) was only part of the story
3. External obstruction?
Getting serious now. Marina water is cloudy. There have been shark sightings and the water is alive with fish. Rosslyn Bay is the first place we'd seen crocodile warnings. The Bloke nervously reached below the water with a stick hoping to feel the water intake thru-hull. Diving in was beyond imagining. Even a couple who'd dropped a ring of great sentimental value overboard during our last stay here, didn't resort to a dip with snorkel and goggles!
4. Obstruction was already inside the pipe?
Much very 'blokey', hard pumping had been performed. If what you are doing isn't working try harder! Initially it was exploratory but later in rage. This could easily have pulled in whatever it was that was causing the blockage - small fish, jelly fish, more weed?
Much consultation occurred along the jetty. Someone even had a hose and fitting for exactly this type of event to flush the pipe out and free an obstruction. You'd be surprised what cruisers keep as 'resources'!
Through it all, The Bloke kept cool and even stopped for a coffee with Pierre and Anita, fellow cruisers that we first met in Port Stephens. This would not defeat him. His mantra was "I am a human being and this is just a toilet".
The cabinet was removed to reveal the sanitation pipes.
Gosh, more mildew too... where's that spray bottle of clove oil?
Food colouring was poured in to check for a blockage. Inconclusive. Eventually a hose was pushed down as far as the hose connector and ball valve. The hose is not completely opaque. Still no joy. Miraculously, The Bloke left The F@#k Box alone and was resolved that it may come down to a failure at the ball valve. By now it was the only answer. Now I was staring at the The F@#k Box! You are rarely going to fix a ball valve with the hull still in the water (although we actually have which is another whole story) and the thought of an unscheduled haul out (think cost, time, shipwrights, drama etc...) was unbearable. Could we not just limp along with a the bucket of water work-around until haul-out time?
Friends wanted to lend us a SEABUNG to secure the hull
while we swapped out the ball valve!
The Bloke, like the champ he is, wouldn't be defeated. He fiddled and fiddled and confirmed the problem was indeed the ball valve. When I'd done my routine opening and closing of the ball valve, the stem connecting the handle to the ball must have sheered but not cleanly. The slight resistance I'd felt was to be expected of a ball valve infrequently jiggled. Luckily it had sheered in a jagged way. This allowed the two bits of metal just enough purchase, if squeazed together, to allow the ball valve to be rotate. Phew! In actual fact, we normally only close it when we are leaving Zofia on a mooring or marina when we go home, so being unable to close it is not a big deal. It being in the closed position was the big deal!
Given that The Bloke kept a cool head and did not resort to The F@#k Box and has returned the heads to full operation he is truly the Head Meister!
Replacement of thru-hulls and ball valves are on the agenda for our next boat lift - LOL!
No comments:
Post a Comment