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 Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society

Dedicated to Preserving our Shipwrecks and Maritime History
"From Prevention to Preservation"



HomeRV Preservation Work Weekend 2015
 
 
The GLSPS Research Vessel the "RV Preservation
Preparation Weekends 
 
The Month of May was very busy for GLSPS Members,
Preparing our Research Vessel the RV Preservation
for the Upcoming 2015 Season of Diving Projects
 
 
 
 
RV Preservation 2015 
  
 
RV Preservation Sitting at the Dock at Spirit Lake Marina
  
RV Preservation Refueling at Lake Head Marina
 
It took a lot of dedicated effort from a few volunteers, but  the RV Preservation hit the water, early June 7 ready
for the 2015 Diving Projects.
 

 
If you have followed the TO DO list as to what we were planing to perform on the boat to make ready for the upcoming season, you would have noted items being checked-off each weekend.  We feel good about what was accomplished by a few talented members.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Launch weekend went quite well!  We have a few minor details to finish.                                                                                                                                           

The weather for this Year's "Membership Appreciation Boat Cruise and BBQ"
was amazing.  The "PRES" hit the water in the morning Sunday June 7, 2015.  While a couple of us took it out for a short shake down cruise, the rest set up canopies and tables and set up for the BBQ.

The food was great and the Sun made the cruise spectacular!!!!!!! 
 
Those who didn't attend, missed an awesome time on the water with the Duluth Harbor cruise and a trip out to the "WILSON"!!!  It was the same date "June 7" as to when the WILSON sank in 1902. (113 years ago). We all gave her a solute and a tip of our hats.
 
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Ken Knutson.  His contact information is below.
 
We hope to see some talented and new faces this year.

See you on the "RV Preservation"
 
Ken Knutson
RV Preservation Boat Chairman
612-578-1551612-578-1551

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Each Spring the GLSPS performs a comprehensive list of action items to service the RV PRESERVATION  for the upcoming season of projects.  This list usually includes some adjustments or refinement issues noted from the previous seasons operation.  By completing this service the boat will be reliable and safe for this years projects.  Each Spring we also propose a "Dream List" to design new systems to make our trips more pleasant and comfortable.  Please review the: "To Do List" and "Dream List" to see if there is anything that you could help with.   We invite you to join with us and get to know more people in the GLSPS and share a weekend (or two) of boat-work and camaraderie.

Please see 2015 Project Reports for completed tasks per work weekend.

  

R/V PRESERVATION : To Do List


Please Note:  Tim Pranke is a wealth of info on painting projects on the RV Preservation!   Please check Painting Instructions and procedures with  Tim before starting.   Thank You!

Painting/Projects:

1)  Pressure wash entire outside of boat.  (Required each year!)

2)  Grind/clean and repaint all pealed/rusted areas.  (Annual process!)

3)  Check the top of the Pres (White roof areas). (Completed 2014 - Verify good coverage?)                        4)  Clean interior walls and repaint if needed.  (Annual process!)          

5)  Reseal rear wall and door.   Clean and paint wall etc.  (Needs Analysis?)

6)  Clean bilge areas in all compartments.  (These high-moisture areas may need some paint work or primer applied on if bare metal areas are noted?) 

7)  Clean and paint the rear deck.   After paint, we would like to install a new rubber deck mat.   (Tim noticed some deck supports had been cut - probably to remove the fuel tank.  We hope to weld them prior to painting.)



Mechanical:

 

1)   Check the rear fittings on the new hydraulic steering.  (Reported to have slight weep at a fitting last season?) 

2)   Remove, rebuild and re-install the port transmission.  Transmission Parts Ordering Info:  Spent 262.00 in parts.  Replaced, Commutator bushing, 4 steel discs, 4 friction discs, seals and gaskets.  Parts and Labor Donated by Tim Pranke.  Thank you very much Tim!

Chris Jones Marine
301 Lancaster Road
Summerville SC 29485
Phone: (843) 822- 1019

chrisjonesmarine.com

cejones1956@gmail.com


Marine Transmission & Repair. We carry New or Used Parts Plus Units.

3)   Replace starboard transmission output shaft seal.

4)   Replace both prop shaft seals

5)   It was discovered the shaft taper and prop taper were mismatched?  (Our machinist is correcting this issue!)

6)   In checking for vibration source we have been noting, we discovered the transmission to shaft couplers were in need of repair!  (The couplers are being worked on!) 

7)   Analyze seal leak on rear shaft of starboard engine fuel injection pump.

8)   Fix slight leak in starboard engine oil changing hose/fittings. (Worked on 2014?  Needs fix?)

9)   Install wet muffler for scuba compressor.  (Can be installed with the compressor!)

10) Install new horn!


Annual Maintenance - Engine

1)     Change oil on both engines.

2)     Change diesel fuel filters for both engines and fill with fuel.

3)     Change oil in both injector pumps.

4)     Repack all white lithium grease mechanisms on freshwater engine cooling pumps.

 

Annual Maintenance - Boat

1)     Grease both rudder post.

2)     Check both main batteries - add water if necessary (distilled water only).

3)     Install both brass props - (stainless steel keys are stored in orange case - in Head)

4)     Check wiper blades and wiper motor operation

5)     Replace drinking water filters and prepare system for season.

6)     Prepare head system (chemical toilet) for season.

7)     Replace batteries in CO sensor, smoke detectors, bilge heat sensor and digital clock.

8)     Inspect all fire extinguishers - Date and sign tags.

9)     Inspect and install all safety equipment on boat including: First Aid bag, AED, O2 pack &

        extra O2 bottle.

10)  Insert legal paper-work, license, registrations and insurance info in designated areas.

11)  Install and test all electronics to verify proper function!

12)  Verify operation of all switches and indicators on the boat console!

13)  Clean debris out of all deck drains (Scuppers!).

12)  Final cleanup - Clean and vacuum all carpet (Prior to leaving final weekend)!!!!!!!

 

Annual Maintenance - Compressor  (This is Done at Phil Kerber's shop in Corcoran)

1)     Change oil on 5-Hp Honda engine.  (Use AMZOIL 10W-30 Synthetic Small Engine Motor Oil)

2)     Change oil in Bauer Compressor - (Use Human grade Synthetic Oil)

3)     Remove lines and filter canisters and O2 clean them, repack canisters with new chemicals

        on both primary and secondary filtering systems.

4)     Replace O-rings on the inside of Filter Housings.

5)     Check paper air filters at compressor and at air intake on radar mast.

6)     Check belts.

7)     Check all hoses for wear and any damage.

8)     Check CO monitor to see if still showing pink (Pink = ok)

9)     Check all bleed drain valves

10)     clean any debris and dust form external parts of the compressor.

DREAM LIST/Projects:

1)   Make and install rear roof to transom tarp.   (Steve Daniel is working on this.)

2)  Design and build compressor containment for permanent outside mount.  

3)  Install fresh water heater.  (Water lines to engine - 110V to electrical panel and switch.)

4)  Install cabin heater/defroster.  (Water lines to engine - 12V to dash switch.)

5)  Design and install deck anchor roller and latch mechanism.


For most events the GLSPS will require the participant to print, read and sign the Master Liability Release and Waiver Forms.  Please click on this link to print your copy to give to the project or event leader.


As you can see, there is still plenty to do!!!!!!!
Please join us for this rewarding time of working with GLSPS Members on one (or more) of the  work weekends.   Lets get the RV Preservation ready for an exciting season of dive projects.
Hope to see you there,

Ken Knutson
Boat Chairman
Senior Captain
kknutson1@aol.com
612-578-1551
 
_________________________________________________________________
 
RV Preservation
Closing Report
 
 
Dedicated GLSPS members worked long hard weekends to Prepare our Research Vessel the RV Preservation for the Upcoming 2015 Season of Diving Projects  

Now the RV Preservation is mostly complete (except for a few minor tasks) and is ready for the first project of the year.
 
This year we had quite a list of tasks to complete including four huge tasks that took most of the weekends to complete.
 
Here is the list of the largest tasks completed,
 
1. Removed, rebuilt and reinstalled port transmission.
2. Removed both port and starboard side transmission to prop shaft couplers to rebuild over winter
3. Port side Lasdrop dry seal coupler to totally rebuild and replace main seal and install back up seal. Seal part number - 90397 with 1 1/2 inch prop diameter.  If we have to reorder the seal  form "Lasdrop" the part Number is, EX112 The website is www.lasdrop.com. Ph # 800-940-7325
4. Removed starboard side prop shaft to check for straightness.  The prop shaft was OK the coupler was also rebuilt like the port side.
5. Lapped both props to shaft to make sure mating surfaces were in full contact with prop shafts and added new brass keys washers and cotter pins.
6. Rebuild Lasdrop dry seal water coupler and installed the main and backup seals.
 
The above repairs took the lions share of the weekends.  Please check the list on the event page to see what else we did to the vessel to make ready for the season.
 
Here is the link to the last work weekend and the most current tasks list,
 
 
One thing on the wants but not needs list was also completed thanks to Ken Knutson.  Ken installed the hot water heater.  The heater has two ways to heat up the water.  One is from electrical when we are at shore and plugged in and the other is from one of the engines.  We finally have hot water coming from our sink in the galley!  Thank you again Ken!! (CAUTION - AFTER RUNNING STARBOARD ENGINE, WATER MAY BE "VERY, VERY HOT"!!!!!!)
 
After a late launch and short shake down cruise by Ken Knutson, Tim Pranke and Dean Soderbeck, and the rebuilt transmission had it's final adjustments, Ken gave it the OK to give the Members a ride to the Duluth Harbor and back to Spirit Lake Marina.
 
Phil Kerber fired up the BBQ and with the assistance of Craig and Kari David, fed everyone a great meal before we departed at 2:30 PM for a 2 and one half hour cruise.  The members really enjoyed the the BBQ and cruise to the harbor.  Everyone one was so relaxed, many of them fell asleep! 2015 RV Preservation Appreciation Day & BBQ
 
Thank you again to all that volunteered their time and support to prepare the RV Preservation for the season of diving projects.  We all take pride in making sure the boat is maintained properly, be reliable and mainly comfortable for those that participate in the GLSPS Projects aboard the boat.
 
Here is a list of volunteers that helped part of and or all of the weekends:
 
1. Ken Knutson (Boat Chairman, 5 weekends and two times during the week)
2. Tim Pranke (Helped all 6 weekends including the launch weekend).
3. Jim Christenson (Helped all 6 Weekends)
4. Phil Kerber (Helped three weekends including the launch weekend BBQ)
5. Joe Musial (One weekend)
6. Steve Daniel (one weekend)
7. Bob Nelson (One Weekend)
8. Dean Soderbeck (One Weekend)
 
If it wasn't for the above volunteers taking their personal time to prepare the boat for the season, the boat would most likely still be in dry dock and wouldn't have launched on time for the 9th year in a row!!!
 
Thank you all once again!!
 
Ken Knutson
RV Preservation Chairman / Senior Captain
GLSPS Board of Director
Membership Chairman
kknutson121@gmail.com
612-578-1551612-578-1551
 
Phil Kerber
GLSPS President
Safety and Training Officer
pkerber@glsps.org
612-720-2825612-720-2825