Anonymous
01-21-2003, 11:52 PM
ghost
normal member in standard member. 1. Exhaust Failures
I see a lot off discussion on the replacement of the orginal exhaust tubes. Are other Shamrock Owners experiencing common failures of these gal. tubes?? I know quite a few people with Shamrocks and I have never heard of a single failure. My own boat is an 84 with orginal tubes.
Date: 09:07 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 2. Re:Exhaust Failures
Ghost - the tubes rot out from the inside as they are always half-filled with water. Do yourself a favor and replace them with copper. You are already well past the life expectency of galvanized pipe in this application. Unless your boat lived on a trailer its whole life, (And maybe not even then) those pipes will fail. The results of this type failure are catastrophic. Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 09:58 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Gonzo
3. Re:Re:Exhaust Failures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leprechaun (03-15-2001 09:58 a.m.):
Ghost - the tubes rot out from the inside as they are always half-filled with water. Do yourself a favor and replace them with copper. You are already well past the life expectency of galvanized pipe in this application. Unless your boat lived on a trailer its whole life, (And maybe not even then) those pipes will fail. The results of this type failure are catastrophic. Rgds, Leprechaun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lep...at what time should we replace those pipes to avoid failure? 10 yrs.?12yrs.? my boat is kept in wet slip...Thanks
Date: 12:31 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 4. Re:Exhaust Failures
Gonzo - my personal opinion is that 1 day is too long to have galvanized iron pipes (or anything else) in the bilge. Whoever specified this abomination at the original Shamrock should be taken out and shot. As far as life expectancy, who can really say? I would assume that would vary with use, salinity of location, how wet the bilge is and who knows what other factors. Copper pipe is the way to go. And the sooner the better. I will always come out for the more expensive but safer course of action. I've only got one motor and one life. Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 01:16 p.m. on 03-15-2001
capt_D
normal member in standard member. 5. Re:Exhaust Failures
I'm curious if all models have this pipe you are refering to? On my 89 22' Preditor i have hose going to the fiberglass muffler with a short elbow that appears to be stainless. Is the pipe from the muffler to the transom? I have a single exhaust after the muffler but not sure if i can see it without removeing the floor?
Thanks, capt_D
Date: 03:58 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 6. Re:Exhaust Failures
Capt. D - I don't know for sure, but that exhaust sounds like an owner add-on after delivery. Any other 22 owners out there with a stainless elbow and SINGLE port exhaust? Leprechaun
Date: 06:24 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Cap'n Ron
normal member in standard member. 7. Re:Exhaust Failures
Lep,
Where did you get your copper tubes? Fabricated or commercial? Would fiberglass be an alternative or are the gases too hot?
Thanks, Ron
Date: 08:12 p.m. on 03-15-2001
boxing dog
normal member in standard member. 8. Re:Exhaust Failures
I have a 1989 22 predator with the single exhaust Capt D speaks of. When the weather in the north east permits I will remove the deck and take a look. I am repowering and would like to be certain of a safe exhaust system. I agree with Lep "better safe than sunk".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See you on the water!
Patrick
Date: 08:31 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 9. Re:Exhaust Failures
Cap'n Ron - Go down a few threads on this "Mechanic's Corner" board to the "Mufflers on a 26' Shamrock" thread. More there than you can stand on the subject of copper exhaust. Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 09:47 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Larry
normal member in standard member. 10. Re:Exhaust Failures
Ghost:
I think we have the same model (old 20' pilothouse) and mine has the original pipes. I am going to change them out eventually, but I'm in no rush because I keep my boat on a trailer (don't need to worry about it sinking at the dock). If a pipe was to go while I was out running around I have 2 pine plugs that are cut to fit the exhaust outlets. I keep them strung on 30lb mono under the gunwale back at the transom. Also have a bilge alarm back by the tranny. If a pipe blows out while you are running- you'll hear it, and if it blows out while at anchor it will set the bilge alarm off. I keep my scuppers plugged so I don't think I would sink in the 30 seconds it would take me to detect the leak and plug it. I also have two 2000 gph bilge pumps on the boat.
Now, because Lep is probably having a coronary just reading this, let me say that if I kept my boat in a slip I would obviously have to replace those pipes. And I am going to replace them anyway, I'm just taking precautions in the meantime. Moral: have a pine plug cut to fit EVERY underwater tru-hull on your boat, and have them handy at all times.
Date: 08:21 a.m. on 03-16-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 11. Re:Exhaust Failures
Larry's right - wooden "Pound-in" plugs are an excellent idea - especially if you have a big fat thru-the-hull depth finder transducer, like me. Knock that thing off at speed and life gets complicated fast. The only problem I can see problem with carrying plugs for the exhaust cutouts, is if you lose a pipe and plug the exhaust port, you've attended to the immediate problem. Now how do you run the engine to get home? No problem inside the bay, or an area with plenty of traffic/towing services, how about 20/30 miles offshore where nobody can hear your VHF, let alone cell-phone. I like the copper pipes better for heading off exhaust problems.
And funny Larry mentioned coronaries. I have to go for a stress-echo test today for the diagnosis of some upper chest discomfort. Maybe a nice 26 on the market soon? Treat my wife fairly. please! ;-} Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 08:51 a.m. on 03-16-2001
Larry
normal member in standard member. 12. Re:Exhaust Failures
2 thoughts:
1) Lep is right, I won't be running over to Bimini with these old pipes.
2) Hope the ticker thing goes well for you, Pete! We can't afford to lose Shamrock's most staunch defender, not to mention someone who is so helpful to us shamrock newbies.
Date: 09:45 a.m. on 03-16-2001
fishermansconnection
normal member in standard member. 13. Re:Exhaust Failures
Good luck with the test Pete. Do not make plans on selling your 26 yet, I still have to many questions on the boat I want to buy. Hope all goes well.
TIGHT LINES and SHARP HOOKS
Eric
Date: 00:47 a.m. on 03-17-2001
normal member in standard member. 1. Exhaust Failures
I see a lot off discussion on the replacement of the orginal exhaust tubes. Are other Shamrock Owners experiencing common failures of these gal. tubes?? I know quite a few people with Shamrocks and I have never heard of a single failure. My own boat is an 84 with orginal tubes.
Date: 09:07 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 2. Re:Exhaust Failures
Ghost - the tubes rot out from the inside as they are always half-filled with water. Do yourself a favor and replace them with copper. You are already well past the life expectency of galvanized pipe in this application. Unless your boat lived on a trailer its whole life, (And maybe not even then) those pipes will fail. The results of this type failure are catastrophic. Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 09:58 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Gonzo
3. Re:Re:Exhaust Failures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leprechaun (03-15-2001 09:58 a.m.):
Ghost - the tubes rot out from the inside as they are always half-filled with water. Do yourself a favor and replace them with copper. You are already well past the life expectency of galvanized pipe in this application. Unless your boat lived on a trailer its whole life, (And maybe not even then) those pipes will fail. The results of this type failure are catastrophic. Rgds, Leprechaun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lep...at what time should we replace those pipes to avoid failure? 10 yrs.?12yrs.? my boat is kept in wet slip...Thanks
Date: 12:31 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 4. Re:Exhaust Failures
Gonzo - my personal opinion is that 1 day is too long to have galvanized iron pipes (or anything else) in the bilge. Whoever specified this abomination at the original Shamrock should be taken out and shot. As far as life expectancy, who can really say? I would assume that would vary with use, salinity of location, how wet the bilge is and who knows what other factors. Copper pipe is the way to go. And the sooner the better. I will always come out for the more expensive but safer course of action. I've only got one motor and one life. Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 01:16 p.m. on 03-15-2001
capt_D
normal member in standard member. 5. Re:Exhaust Failures
I'm curious if all models have this pipe you are refering to? On my 89 22' Preditor i have hose going to the fiberglass muffler with a short elbow that appears to be stainless. Is the pipe from the muffler to the transom? I have a single exhaust after the muffler but not sure if i can see it without removeing the floor?
Thanks, capt_D
Date: 03:58 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 6. Re:Exhaust Failures
Capt. D - I don't know for sure, but that exhaust sounds like an owner add-on after delivery. Any other 22 owners out there with a stainless elbow and SINGLE port exhaust? Leprechaun
Date: 06:24 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Cap'n Ron
normal member in standard member. 7. Re:Exhaust Failures
Lep,
Where did you get your copper tubes? Fabricated or commercial? Would fiberglass be an alternative or are the gases too hot?
Thanks, Ron
Date: 08:12 p.m. on 03-15-2001
boxing dog
normal member in standard member. 8. Re:Exhaust Failures
I have a 1989 22 predator with the single exhaust Capt D speaks of. When the weather in the north east permits I will remove the deck and take a look. I am repowering and would like to be certain of a safe exhaust system. I agree with Lep "better safe than sunk".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See you on the water!
Patrick
Date: 08:31 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 9. Re:Exhaust Failures
Cap'n Ron - Go down a few threads on this "Mechanic's Corner" board to the "Mufflers on a 26' Shamrock" thread. More there than you can stand on the subject of copper exhaust. Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 09:47 p.m. on 03-15-2001
Larry
normal member in standard member. 10. Re:Exhaust Failures
Ghost:
I think we have the same model (old 20' pilothouse) and mine has the original pipes. I am going to change them out eventually, but I'm in no rush because I keep my boat on a trailer (don't need to worry about it sinking at the dock). If a pipe was to go while I was out running around I have 2 pine plugs that are cut to fit the exhaust outlets. I keep them strung on 30lb mono under the gunwale back at the transom. Also have a bilge alarm back by the tranny. If a pipe blows out while you are running- you'll hear it, and if it blows out while at anchor it will set the bilge alarm off. I keep my scuppers plugged so I don't think I would sink in the 30 seconds it would take me to detect the leak and plug it. I also have two 2000 gph bilge pumps on the boat.
Now, because Lep is probably having a coronary just reading this, let me say that if I kept my boat in a slip I would obviously have to replace those pipes. And I am going to replace them anyway, I'm just taking precautions in the meantime. Moral: have a pine plug cut to fit EVERY underwater tru-hull on your boat, and have them handy at all times.
Date: 08:21 a.m. on 03-16-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 11. Re:Exhaust Failures
Larry's right - wooden "Pound-in" plugs are an excellent idea - especially if you have a big fat thru-the-hull depth finder transducer, like me. Knock that thing off at speed and life gets complicated fast. The only problem I can see problem with carrying plugs for the exhaust cutouts, is if you lose a pipe and plug the exhaust port, you've attended to the immediate problem. Now how do you run the engine to get home? No problem inside the bay, or an area with plenty of traffic/towing services, how about 20/30 miles offshore where nobody can hear your VHF, let alone cell-phone. I like the copper pipes better for heading off exhaust problems.
And funny Larry mentioned coronaries. I have to go for a stress-echo test today for the diagnosis of some upper chest discomfort. Maybe a nice 26 on the market soon? Treat my wife fairly. please! ;-} Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 08:51 a.m. on 03-16-2001
Larry
normal member in standard member. 12. Re:Exhaust Failures
2 thoughts:
1) Lep is right, I won't be running over to Bimini with these old pipes.
2) Hope the ticker thing goes well for you, Pete! We can't afford to lose Shamrock's most staunch defender, not to mention someone who is so helpful to us shamrock newbies.
Date: 09:45 a.m. on 03-16-2001
fishermansconnection
normal member in standard member. 13. Re:Exhaust Failures
Good luck with the test Pete. Do not make plans on selling your 26 yet, I still have to many questions on the boat I want to buy. Hope all goes well.
TIGHT LINES and SHARP HOOKS
Eric
Date: 00:47 a.m. on 03-17-2001