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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 18:13:36 GMT
I was in a rather pleasant little MI6 operations vessel today and despite my extensive knowledge of boat systems I was rather baffled by the electrical switch which said "stern tube pump" under it.
The vessel in question has ordinary screw down greasers and well designed stern gear on both sides. There does not appear to be anything there which could be a pump but I did not look that carefully.
The bilges are completely dry and look like no water ever been in there.
I should be on board again next week when the vessel is brought down to my operational area by road. Then I can have a proper look and light the fire.
Meanwhile I am rather baffled.
Anyone know what it is ?
Stern tube pump which needs an electric supply...
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Post by kris on Oct 5, 2019 18:24:56 GMT
Sorry i dont know about a stern tube pump,cant the previous owner tell you? But well done with the boat. You will be able to play with cranes to your hearts content.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 18:26:55 GMT
Previous owner not sure what it was. The old git who built the boat probably does but sadly he's got Alzheimer's and parky so not really there any more.
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Post by kris on Oct 5, 2019 18:30:49 GMT
Im sure youll work it out.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 18:32:09 GMT
I'm wondering if it was originally done with forced oil lubricated stern tubes which someone has converted to screw down greasers.
It's built like a ship so it's definitely plausible.
Quite intriguing really. Needs more investigating.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 18:35:59 GMT
Well as the stern tube is one of the most likely sources of a leak on a boat, I’m guessing someone has replaced the words ‘bilge pump’ with ‘stern tube pump’...then again, there is also the well known ‘weed hatch pump’...
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Post by kris on Oct 5, 2019 18:53:30 GMT
I'm wondering if it was originally done with forced oil lubricated stern tubes which someone has converted to screw down greasers. It's built like a ship so it's definitely plausible. Quite intriguing really. Needs more investigating. How long are the stern tubes? The stern tube on my boat is about 4ft, so i got rid of the pathetic screw down greaser. I replaced it with an mod landrover grease pot. It means its easier to keep the tube full of grease.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 18:55:34 GMT
Having done some research I think the boat probably has a normal stern gland (grease) and additionally a oil filled area with lip seals where the props come out the back. So I believe this pump thing is to top up that little chamber with oil. There are two mystery tanks with fillers beside the wheelhouse. I had thought these were extra water tanks but now think they are oil tanks for the stern tubes.
It's quite a technical little boat. That's why it's going to be ideal for MI6 ops as it also has a "no radar" switch so can be used undercover comfortably.
Plus the two cranes can be used to drag two stupidly large magnets along beside the boat.
Not done any magging for ages. Everyone is doing it now so maybe it's time to reinforce my superiority in this respect.
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Post by metanoia on Oct 5, 2019 18:55:46 GMT
Stern tube "pump" - possibly a euphemism for them too posh to screw …..?
met x
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 19:00:17 GMT
I'm wondering if it was originally done with forced oil lubricated stern tubes which someone has converted to screw down greasers. It's built like a ship so it's definitely plausible. Quite intriguing really. Needs more investigating. How long are the stern tubes? The stern tube on my boat is about 4ft, so i got rid of the pathetic screw down greaser. I replaced it with an mod landrover grease pot. It means its easier to keep the tube full of grease. Didn't really get that good a look at the actual length of tube. It definitely looked quite interesting down there. The boat isn't going to sink but I will need to do some investigative work and get things organised. Good news is engines are sweet and clean running direct cooled on welded keel cooler boxes. No exposed pipes. Seems to be well designed. MI6 won't let me do high speed ops anyway so it will be mostly used a very low power output. Another Good Thing was there are weed hatches to deck level on both props with bolted down plates so you don't fall in the holes in the deck. Weed hatches is a pretty wicked thing to have specially ones which are not capable of sinking the vessel... Made me realise how sensible it would be for narrow boats to be built with a weed hatch which comes up to stern deck level and provided with a tool for hooking the crap off the blade. No more cold hands and no chance of sinking the bloody thing.
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Post by kris on Oct 5, 2019 19:13:25 GMT
Sounds like a really unusual boat. Should be quite economical to run with 1.5bmc's. Where are you planing on going on it?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 19:18:16 GMT
I will have to kill you if I tell you.
However as I know that the SIS do not monitor this site it is going to be used for observations operations on the tidal and non tidal Thames. We did look into the option of canal useage but it's a little draughty and we heard on the grapevine that the canals are nackered anyway.
Can be used on London canals provided no lock passages take place.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 19:30:18 GMT
It's a "make me smile boat"
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Post by peterboat on Oct 5, 2019 20:42:49 GMT
It's a "make me smile boat" Ditto it is a lovely boat
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Post by thebfg on Oct 5, 2019 20:50:14 GMT
Did I miss a thread? Looks lovely. Any more pics
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