Accessibility for repairs in monohulls

[njoynthewater]

Hi,
Newcomer to forum so apologize if this topic is previously covered but so far haven't found it. I am trying to find detailed information & possibly drawings of the hulls on individual mono hulls. For example I would like to find out how to remove the tanks in a 39 foot Hallberg Rassey or similar size Island Packet. Does that information exist on line or in print?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, njoynthewater.

[Sailmonkey]

You mean like a chilton manual?

No such thing

[fish53]

I'll try to help although my experience is limited. I doubt you're going to find any drawings or plans that show any real detail beyond simply location. I'm afraid crawling around with a flashlight a tape measure are going to be most effective. You may have luck online with photos of work others have done. Good luck.

[Badsanta]

Repost with the question first. More people will see it.
For the Island packet check out the "island packet home port" for information

[TrentePieds]

Iss a puzzlement! Why would you want to pull your tank(s) out???

Has your hull been damaged in such a way that repairs are only possible with the tanks out of the boat?

What you are asking for - in your first post yet! - will raise more eyebrows than just mine. Lotsa people with lotsa experience here who are more than willing to help, but you'll have be a little more expansive in letting us know what your problem is. Or what you think it is :-)

TP

[njoynthewater]

I am looking for the information regarding access to systems in side the hills of monohull sailboats as part of my search for a boat. As part of the decision making process if one manufacturer has designed and built a boat that allows access to some or all internal systems and a comparable manufacturer does not I will be in a better position to make an informed decision.

[skipmac]

The information probably exists online but not in one place, one book or one web site. As far as I know the only way to get that type of information is to research and/or ask online forums based on the exact year and model boat and the exact information you're seeking.

Example.

I have a Pearson 42. Pearson made two versions, the 424 and the 422 and variations in each depending on the year. Most 422s have two fuel tanks, 40 gallons each under the settees in the main cabin. By removing the top of the settees you can remove the tanks and take them out through the main companionway. The 424s, most have a single fuel tank installed behind the engine. To remove that tank you have to pull the engine or cut the tank into pieces.

None of this information is in the brochures, manuals or other literature from Pearson but easily found on the Pearson 42 owners forum or probably on Cruiser's Forum archives.

I think you will find this to be the case for 99.9% of all similar questions for almost any brand and model of boat you can name.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by njoynthewater

I am looking for the information regarding access to systems in side the hills of monohull sailboats as part of my search for a boat. As part of the decision making process if one manufacturer has designed and built a boat that allows access to some or all internal systems and a comparable manufacturer does not I will be in a better position to make an informed decision.

My suggestion would be to go view boats that interest you. If you like the boat, then spend more time looking at things like tanks and what would need to be destroyed to remove them.

My particular boat requires the removal of the engine to remove the fuel tank......However I can have the engine sitting in the salon in less than 4 hours if I'm really motivated, so no biggie. The water tank is another story. It's beneath the cabin sole that will need to be cut out to replace the tank. However it's over 40 years old now and doesn't show any signs of it's demise.

[Dave22q]

Originally Posted by njoynthewater

I am looking for the information regarding access to systems in side the hills of monohull sailboats as part of my search for a boat. As part of the decision making process if one manufacturer has designed and built a boat that allows access to some or all internal systems and a comparable manufacturer does not I will be in a better position to make an informed decision.

I'm afraid that just like today's auto manufacturers, modern boat builders treat maintenance as an after thought if they consider it at all. Good luck with your search anyway.

[InTheDish]

Island Packets are notoriously bad for systems access.

[lifeofreilly57]

I tried to get prints for my boat, a CHeoy Lee Pedrick 47, Cheoy Lee no longer had the build prints, but they've been really excellent on other requests, so no complaints there.
Pedrick said they'd "look" for $140.00 an hour.
Needless to say, I can measure and draw prints myself for much less.
Way back when I owned a "pedestrian" Catalina, anything you need they'll work with you, most times you'd get the guy who built it on the phone!
Some builders are more customer service friendly than others, you might just try the factory, sometimes they can be very helpful. I ought to know, I was the international service manager for an OEM, the original management team felt customer service was important and would supply info for equipment going back to the 1950's, the new management team decided to take the screw the customer tack, they have seen a 40% drop in sales in 4 years. Go figure.
Any boat worth buying should come from a company who backs their product, and the people who own them.
If you haven't bought the boat take a look at one your looking to buy, it's not rocket science to measure and figure.
Mines a center cockpit design, after an hour of measuring I figured out what had to come off the engine to slide it out into the salon and then pull it through the hatch. 6 hours of disassembly, 45 minutes to get it through the hatch and on the ground.
How handy are you?

[njoynthewater]

Thanks to all those that took the time to share their knowledge and insights.

[hpeer]

My advice is to sort of make a check list of things to consider in order of importance.

For example.....
Are through hulls easily accessible?
How hard is it to change the oil?
Can I replace the shaft/change a cutlass bearing without pulling the engine?
Can the engine be pulled in one piece? Without serious furniture removal?

Make a short list, it may grow as you look at various models.

At least it will help get you through the worst of the most common problems.

Good luck. And please report back your findings.