FreedomYachts.org

Randy, I have not been up to masthead. Take my observation with a grain of sea salt. Bought the boat used. Inherited an ensign raising 'halyard' of thin cordage that is secured at the toe rail. Strangely, it appears to be attached at the fore and aft protrusions of the masthead, though has to be on ...

This will seem common sense, but no one told me... Comments in this thread speak to using the flat of your hand to seal the thru-hull. Yup. Do it in one motion. Don't sneak in from the side. Why? What happens when you put your thumb over a garden hose. Jet stream! And that's what happens when you a...

Anytime I remove glue, caulk, sealant, Loctite, etc., heat is #1 step, unless the materials don't allow. Heat should break down or make gummy enough that it no longer bonds.

https://www.boatus.com/magazine/2014/ju ... ttings.asp

You don't mention it so I'll ask,

Did you use a heat gun to loosen the caulking?

Apologize for not following up... Thanks to all for advice. Took the boat out again for a 1/2 run and no squealing. But there is some play in the shaft/seal, collar (not boot) is warm to touch and I'm not experienced enough to judge the tactile empirical measure versus written word. We're out, heade...

Asking this at 6am, so if I am not clear, consider the hour.

As there is no water delivery to what I am looking at, assume I have a dripless seal? This is a rubber boot immediately after a small bit of shaft exiting the transmission.

Thanks C for the advice. I remember reading something akin to your idea. Kind of the way this goes. Read a lot, forget most, then the disaster occurs. Mind scrambles to find the engrams that have that apply.

Now I have to figure how to get that rubber gizmo up on my shoulder to burp it.

Enjoyed a day on the bay Saturday until... A squealing that I cannot reproduce. Only made noise when transmission engaged, so assume it to be from there back. Nothing I can readily access has a lube fitting. Will take the boat out again this weekend to ascertain what's up. Sail it until it breaks no...

Our schedules are currently free. Add one Freedom.

Weather wimps that we are, alternative to sailing was shopping--Blue Pelican, West Marine--and walking the docks in Alameda. Saw a needs-some-help Freedom 32 at Farallone.

You both have mapped out some of the issues, but we're interested.

Thought about anchoring for New Year's Eve and watch midnight fireworks. Carole said, "Too far, too cold." She wasn't wrong based on what we saw on TV that night.