The Ballad Exchange

I've re-designed my blog, hopefully making it easier to navigate, and to see a lot more posts per page. For example, the entire Ballad Rescue Project is accessible from the front page. Any feedback is welcome.
Thanks!
Peter.

Hi Mark,
Would this do the job?

Thank you all for your kind comments. Bob, I must have had some wet core as water was leaking from some areas inside the boat, through the underside of the side decks. A summer in the sunshine and wind probably helped to dry them out a bit, before I over-drilled and epoxy filled every hole in the de...

Hi, I'm interested in an alternative location for the manual bilge pump outlet. The original setup where it Tee's into the port cockpit drain probably won't pass muster at survey time. Higher up would be better, and I thought of putting an outlet higher up on the transom, but because of the reverse ...

I have the white flex tube too. It looks "original", and after some diligent scrubbing cleaned up well. Also, it's a metric size so imperial inlets/outlets don't fit too well. There's no blower on mine, although that might be a good idea. I used 2" sections of pvc pipe, split, as hang...

Bob, it sounds like an HVAC guy once owned your boat! My vents: 1st transom vent goes to the engine room by hose. 2nd transom vent ventilates the lazarette (no hose). vent in cockpit goes directly to galley bulkhead by hose. I had one of these in mind to protect the cockpit side vent hole: http://ww...

Hi, A quick question: On the fresh air inlet, aft of the engine control on the starboard side of the cockpit, is there some kind of cover over this to keep water out? I have a round opening with no way of closing it off. At the other end, in the galley, there's a cover that spins shut. I was thinkin...

Hi Miguel, The 3GM20 is a three cylinder engine, which might be a bit of a squeeze to fit the Ballad. I Googled "3GM20" and came up with some specs: ======================================================================================================= GM/HM Introduced 1980-81, completely ...

Bob, My thoughts on the brass: An exhaust riser is a "consumable" item, like tires or brakes on a car. When it wears out I'll replace it. I might try stainless next time. I'm not a stellar welder either, although I have good equipment. I usually do the fabrication myself, tack it together,...

Congratulations on getting the boat home. she looks good. I had a similar raw water intake, complete with Vetus strainer, in the bilge. The Vetus info says the strainer must be at least 15 cm (6") above the water line, which makes sense. I glassed over the keel water intake and knotmeter impell...