Inpection Ports ETC

[Toso]

I recently bought a 75' DSII. I'm new to the DSII but quite familiar with the DSI. I realize that one of prices you pay for a self bailing cockpit is the relarive inaccessibility of the inside of the hull. I know that owners install inspection ports near the stern and in the cuddy. So are there any recommendations as to location?

It also appears that the author of the DSII book and CD is no longer around. Does any know where I might otain the book?

Thanks
Toso

[GreenLake]

Hmm, I don't know what gave you that idea. Looking at his profile, I find his latest post was earlier today:

http://forum.daysailer.org/forum/viewtopic.ph ... ght=#13016

Check the sticky post at the top of the DSII forum, he gives an e-mail alias in it.

[Roger]

Yes the book and CD are still available. Shoot me an e-mail at roger02 att mts dott net or as another poster suggested, check the sticky at the top of the DSII forum for ordering information. Without blatently advertising, I have lots of books and CD's available. Sales are fairly consistent througout the year, but it does pick up with spring fever.

[Alan]

My 1980 DSII has two round inspection ports just aft of the cuddy door, one on each side of the centerboard trunk. You can buy them at D&R Marine.

I'm able to inspect the bilges with a small towing mirror from an auto parts store and a flashlight (actually, two flashlights, one in the inspection port I'm not looking through, aimed in the direction I'm looking, and the other shining directly onto the mirror).

I think the boat came from the factory with these, but despite having read everything I can find on it, I don't actually know.

[talbot]

Yep. They're original. I used to be shy about installing inspection ports. But I n owhave installed several, and I think the benefits of being able to service the jib tracks, cleat mounts, etc. is worth violating the integrity of the hull. Just do a good job. Cut carefully with a good jigsaw blade and use the right adhesive for plastic.

Once you have access, you can do other things like install oarlocks or place reinforced control fittings on the otherwise thin surface of the hull liner. Oh, yes, and find old screw drivers that you dropped between the hulls years ago.

[mistermoon]

What are the recommend locations?

I'm going to add eat least screw out ports on my DSII:

1 pr immediately abaft the jib tracks for service of same and to install oarlocks.

1 pr just about even with the stern cleats because I want to install spin hardware.

1 on the bulkhead at front of cuddy to allow inspection and service of forestay attachment.

Should I plan on any more or less and where?

[Roger]

I placed inspection ports in many of the places you did. The ones that were particularly useful were the ones that accessed the stemhead/boweye, the jib tracks, and one in the cuddy floor near the mast to access the bilge under the cuddy floor.

[mistermoon]

Good idea, I think. It would facilitate adding tie downs to cuddy floor as well.

Here's the plan:

1 pair 5" ports on the inside cockpit coaming immediately abaft the jib tracks for service of same and to install oarlocks.

1 pair 6" ports on the inside faces of the seats just about even with the stern cleats because I want to install spin hardware.

A single 6" port on the bulkhead at front of cuddy to allow inspection and service of forestay attachment.

A single 6" port on the cuddy floor. Where exactly I don't know.


FWIW, I've stuck a digital camera in the existing ports to do an inspection. Worked pretty well, too. I can't find the pictures right now, otherwise I'd post one.

[talbot]

Check your photos for the cuddy floor placement. There are a couple of reinforcing ribs that you want to avoid. I think the most important place to see is between the CB trunk and mast step. That would allow serviding the mast step and uphaul/downhaul fittings and would also (if you ever need it) allow reinforcing of the hull just forward of the CB trunk, which I understand is vulnerable to damage in serious groundings that slam the CB against the forward edge of the trunk.

[Roger]

mister moon, shoot me an e-mail and I will send you a sketch of where the ribs are under the cuddy floor. You don't wan to cut through those.

my email is roger02 att mts dott net

Also you speak of putting an inspection port in the cuddy bulkhead to access the stemhead. Instead I would place it on the bowdeck about a foot behind the stemhead. You want to be able to stick in your arm to the elbow and be able to reach all aspects of the stemhead and boweye, so adjust the distance from the inside of you elbow to your wrist.

[Toso]

As a new (to the DS II) owner, I'm amazed. I now have a pretty good idea of where to put my inspection ports and some innovative ways to check the bilges. This is obviously a very involved bunch of sailors.

The DS II is a different (positive) experience for me as a downsizing sailor. All those things I don't have to worry about again and, believe me, that counts for a lot.
Toso