After a brief sojourn in UK to enjoy the beautiful English summer (it rained for 5 months!) I returned here Beginning of the month and got straight back into my A1!!!
Been out fishing nearly every day since the boat sailing like a dream...caught my biggest fish yet (14lb king mackerel) all my rudder problems resolved since I had a brass rudderpin machined for me...everything working perfectly...been extolling the virtues of the craft to all and sundry, a lot of people asking where to purchase the craft and I hear stories of orders being placed, so look forward to some company out on the ocean. Phuket's the perfect place to sail, lots of islands to visit, warm water, nice breeze and plenty of good size fish to catch....and BOY do the Thais know how to cook them!!!!!!
Couple of days ago noticed one of the cams holding the mirage drive in place was loose, so I tightened the hex bolt a little but it still wouldnt hold the cam tight. Today I decided to locktite it down. On removing the bolt I noticed a crack in the deck where the bolt passes down through the drive well and on further inspection inside the hull saw that the plastic column that holds the thread had sheared. Looks to me like a classic case of over tension, but that's the kind of thing I dont do. Go to a reasonable torque and then if its still not right take the whole thing apart and check.
Short of selling my A1 to an unsuspecting, oil flushed Russian (Phuket seems to be full of wealthy, bored, Russians....Glad someones still has money) and making up the difference with my rapidly depreciating pounds to purchase a new A1 is there a Yakaholic, Roadrunner, Stringy, Alohadan fix for my new dilemma. You guys are my port of last call, things are not looking good! Will post pix very shortly
Many thanks
heres the damage