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Doryman
Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 3807 City/Region: Anacortes
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Lori Ann
Photos: Lori Ann
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject: Tool for opening inspection ports? |
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Some of the many round, screw-in inspection ports in my boat either require me to use my hand a very awkward angle, or are very stiff (do not unscrew easily) or both. I strained my wrist and thumb on Lake Powell trying to get the port to the washdown pump valve open. I need some kind of tool to use but have not found anything made for that purpose. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Warren _________________ Doryman
M/V Lori Ann
TomCat 255, Hull #55, 150 Yamahas
Anacortes, WA
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 8650 City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:09 pm Post subject: |
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Warren-
I've had a lot of fun with those screw in inspection ports in small sailboats!
When one gets really stuck, you need a small hammer and a short piece of wood, like a dowel, to urge it to unscrew.
Using a silicone lubricant, like Super-Lube, will keep them from getting too dry and tightly screwed in to remove.
What you need to take the load off your thumbs and fingers is a spanner tool to fit the depressions.
Get two 1/2" 90 degree PVC plastic sprinkler pipe elbows and a short piece of tube. Cut the tube length so that the two elbows will fit snugly down into the depressions in the inspection port covers, then glue the tube to the elbows.
You can drill a hole or two in the set up to attach a small line to hang the tool up somewhere convenient. Filling the tubes with closed cell foam will make it float if dropped overboard. A spiral wrap of brightly colored tape on the center tube part will make it easier to find in the water.
Joe. _________________ Sea Wolf, C-Brat #31
Lake Shasta, California
"Most of my money I spent on boats and women. The rest I squandered'. " -Annonymous |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20875 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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On sailboats we had bronze inspection ports--very similar. I took an 18" piece of SS stock--about 3/16 thick, one inch wide, and drilled, tapped for the appropiate size screw which fit into the holes (I think it was a #10)--lock nuted these screws spaced so that they matched the holes, and there was no longer any problem opening the ports. A similar arrangement can be made for the plastic ports. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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C-Hawk
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 2146 City/Region: Carpinteria / Channel Islands
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Hawk
Photos: C-Hawk
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Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:35 am Post subject: |
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I used a pair of slip joint pliers to open mine the first time. The lid was "glued" on with the expansion foam that is in the v-berth. Now it opens easily by hand- as it should. _________________ Roger
2002- CD22- "Fishtales" returned to factory 2008
2008- CD22- "C-Hawk" Sold
KJ6VVB
A Brat I am, At sea I be
God is Great, Beer is Good.... and People are Crazy |
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