Drier bilge

[sweetwater]

I was looking through the anchor well on my 28 and noticed that the windlass wires pass right through the floor of the well. The anchor well drains are on the side of the well and are a good 3/8 inch higher then the floor. Sooo all the water from rain, and the wet line drain into my bilge prior to overboard. Today I pulled the wires from the windlass, slipped a stainless flag stantion over them and slid it down to the base of the well. I screwed and siliconed it in place. Now all the water in the well goes out the drains. The water would need to be 2 inches deep to go over the stantion and into the bilge.... Just FYI

[RobS]

Good idea with using the stantion acting as a chase cover. I lined the floor and partway up the walls of the anchor locker with drideck, cheap & easy, helps the locker drain and the rope doesn't sit in the wet

What was the outcome with the tranny? and the wet elbow?

[sweetwater]

Well, the elbow was great and installed easily. Tranny is at LI marine transmissions and while its out, replacing the sloppy cutlass bearing. Hopefully this week it will be installed. How long do you find the cutlass bearings last?

[RobS]

I guess Paul is rebuilding it? What feedback did he give regarding it's failure?
The cutlass bearing life is greater on our boats than a standard inboard with open struts where the bearing(s) would be more subjected to sand, etc.
I guess it depends on proper engine alignment and being sure the water passage through the housing is kept clear. Life expectancy? more than 5, but less than 10years? Maybe a 1,000 hours? It's subjective..
Sounds like a good time to do the shaft seal too.