Welcome to the site.  

Coincidentally, my boat sprung a leak last weekend where the shaft leaves the boat.  It was at the bottom, behind the stuffing box.  I had to pull the boat and repair it with West System Epoxy.  

Back in the water now with no issues.  Might be a weak point in the construction.

Bob

Thanks for the support. It looks like I have my work cut out for me. Additionally, I have a 1938 26' Wood Herreshoff Leeboard with a tabernackle mast. I decided to take a bicycle ride from LA North last Sept. '07, yes bicycle with trailer to see the sights from the side roads. I arrived in Stockton and looked at the old woody, and having been w/o a boat for a few years, my last restoration was a 32 Mariner, still looking for that PD26, and I flipped that for a little profit.
The whole story of my journey is at www.travelpod.com where you can track your travels and other cool features. Look for "stevevall."
The Herreshoff has a great history and I am a sucker for a boat in need.
 Last point, the engine in the PD was submerged for 1 year. But surprisingly, I can turn the crank by hand and there is no water in the oil? My cheap little brain says I can get it running. Any dissenting opinions?

steve vallance

I will give the description a try. I have been using a break-free type oil and I have been able to free up the throttle.
Well the engine seems flat and squat to me. Diesel of course. Looking aft from the cockpit, the alternator in toward the front right, directly aft is a completely sealed start and solenoid. On the left side, starboard is the water pump. The throttle controls are on top off center aft of the water pump. the is what looks like an exhaust pipe coming off the engine cut at an angle, straight up 1" dia. on the crank is a "chain-gear?" Coming off the trans to the prop is a straight forward coupling. The gear shift lever, approx 1" solid metal, protrudes from the port side, makes a bend and extends about 4" where it meets the coupling, which I have not been able to free-up yet. The oil dipstick is on the starboard side across from the trans shifter.

steve vallance

Thanks for the warm welcome, I have wanted this boat for ages. She is cleaning up well. The previous own said that the water leak ruined the engine which turns out to be a yanmar YSE8. I have cleaned it up, no water in either the rear trans oil or the front oil. All the wiring looks like it was never wet and the waterline is far below the engine, I am just cleaning right now and trying to sell my herreshoff woody, which I found is just too expensive to refurbish on my little pension. I have found a few links, as I wan to beef up the batteries. There is a small battery tray on the port side with the idea of two small batteries next to each other. Question, does that tray come out for cleaning, as it looks like water used to flow to the front via a hole through the bulkhead which is clogged. I would like to remove the tray and put a larger one in and and allow the water to flow to the lowest point, which leads me to question 2. Where does the auto bilge pump go? I looked at the link for manuals, but the ones I found failed to mention basics like oil capacities, which type of oil for the Trans gears?
Correction, it is hull number 246, it was crusted over and I misread it

steve vallance

Sounds like the engine could be salvageable.  Good luck with it.

On the batteries, I rebuilt my tray to hold 2 100amp hour gel cells and use them as a starting battery for my Vire BVR as well.  Great luck with them now after almost 5 years.  Charging on the mooring now with a folding 26W Brunton solar panel.  Perfect solution, the panel fits on the aft cabin perfectly. Can be had for 1/2 of list or less on ebay or online.  http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=420

The only issue is that my boat leans to port because of this extra weight and the larger gas tank I put in the boat.  Added more fresh water to starboard side to compensate.

On the bilge pump, after fiddling around with it in the lazarette. I put it in under the step in the forward companionway next to the galley.  Removed the step, cut out the hole to accept a large capacity pump and then replaced the step with a hinged one.  

I have an internal automatic float which I do not recommend.  If you have water in the bilge and the boat is rolling at all it cycles on and off constantly, running down the batteries.  Better to use a separate switch and mount it up a bit higher so that it will go on in an emergency only.  You can open the step and run it any time you want.

Enjoy,

Bob

All the info is great, thanks, I have so many questions. a few were answered already. Bilge pump under the step, is that the lowest place?. The plastic tray for the batteries won't fit anything with juice. was it hard to remove? the boat is livable clean and downsizing from 36 to 26 is a task. I think I mentioned that I do have a YSE8, I think it is ok, once I get the Batteries in. Can I simply cut out the tray. It looks like there is a drainage hole from the batteries to the lower step but mine is clogged. I think removing the tray that was made for smaller batteries will let me clean the gunk out.What is the story with the stock gas tank, not stainless, Do the tanks rust through?
I sold the 36 and then its a haul out. I think I will replace the cable to the keel, as it has not been used in a while.
I have not seen a boat more well thought out and even though I am 6-0, I am not complaining. Last question for anyone, when I haul out am I in for a surprise, is the PD blister resistant, it was out for a repair last year when it almost sank, and the guys here said it looked ok and if there were major problems, they would have mentioned it. This is the first time in my life that I wished I was 5-6. Thanks for letting me participate and I am glad I got to this before it was beyond restoration. Steve

steve vallance

I think I have a rule 1500 with an automatic float switch.  As I said before I don't recommend the automatic switch. I run it and then block it up with a hunk of 2x4 to keep it from running constantly.

I think it makes sense to install the largest pump possible.  I also have a whale gusher mounted in the lazarette which is very effective and quick.

Bob