Nirvana 1941 Chris Craft

[Bob Vic]

I don't know the age. I suspect that it's new old stock as that specific impeller being Sherwood B isn't currently available. My best guess is that the rubber has "aged" and fallen to pieces with some work. Although I have an unused Sherwood B impeller in hand, I'm not game to use it. I have a brand new impeller from Cassell on the way.

[Alan]

Yes, the old how long has this "rubber" been stored saga. Sure can get you into hot water

[Darren]

Yes agreed guys, rubber is not good with aging even if unused.
It will soon return to it's natural state.
Brand new (fresh) best way to go

[Bob Vic]

Finally got around to having a cover made for Nirvana, getting ready for the trip to Narrandera. When I picked up the boat from the trimmer in Sale(excellent job BTW) the trailer wouldn't roll up to the car. After crawling around the brakes and some head scratching trying to figure out the problem, it was eventually evident that both pistons had seized. Bugger. So to get home I used a trolley jack and tools at the trimmer to remove both brake calipers. Bloody boats and water!

[WoodRay]

That's a bugger wit the brakes Bob. What was seized? The pistons or the sliding pins?
The cover looks top notch. Looks like I'll be using them too after seeing yours.

[Bob Vic]

Pistons were both seized. Rusted in situ. I never leave the brake locked on while the boat is in storage for this very reason. Given a choice between having the brakes not working, but the wheel turning.... versus the brakes not working but the brakes locking up the wheels, I'll take the former every time. Very happy with the boat cover, it's a work of art and IMO very good value.

[Bob Vic]

Hmmm... the definition of insanity? Replacing Chinese crap with more Chinese crap.

[Bob Vic]

Very pleased with how Nirvana performed at Narrandera. By way of follow up... after replacing the water pump impeller before the weekend, the engine was still overheating. Craig found some small pieces of the old impeller vanes stuck in the inlet to the exhaust manifold... and overheating problem solved. Then on Saturday a vibration developed in the low to mid rpm range. The prop was dinged on one blade, with the tip bent forwards. So post Narrandera I need a prop repair and a fresh gasket in the water pump plus a check on the prop shaft for run out. Given that the weekend was the first decent run, I'm very happy with the boat.