Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Access Panel Part 1

 

The access panel from the head to the engine room is shown on the picture toward left. Notice that the panel is that dry, starting to flake, oak veneer.

The build is a foam panel with laminate on both sides. The trim is glued to the edges over the veneer that is glued to the panel. I have already removed the trim and the oak veneer from the panel. I discovered that the top and bottom of the panel has wood block that is app 5. x .75 x 2 inches in size. I am unable to separate the wood block from the back of the trim. Therefore I shall need to make a new wood block, which is really a spacer for the panel to ensure a tighter fit into the passageway.


Notice the opening into the engine room from the head area. Rather than having the original oak look on the panel I plan to have it white veneer to match the wall. The trim will be painted flat white paint.

In order for me to get myself into the engine room I place one leg in while going in backwards. Once I have a foot on the floor in the engine room I am able to lift my leg and then bring the rest of myself into the room. One needs to sit down when working in the engine room. 

Once in the room I can easily work on the water pump, change the fuel filter, check the belts, and check the level of the coolant in the Yanmar GM20VF engine. Also located in the engine room is the water pump for potable water, and the battery charger, the diesel fuel tank. There is plenty of space for storing items. Not many 33 foot sailboats have a separate engine room. Often the engine is sort of in the cabin and in a very tight enclosure. I have never been a fan of engines just under the stairway on account of the mess it could potentially make in the cabin, the limitation of access in and out of the boat as a result of the engine work in front of the companionway, the noise and heat closer to the cabin -  well if one is testing and running the engine it is basically running while its in the cabin, the odor in the cabin, and the tight enclosure.