New P365 owner here, with loads of questions about work I'll be needing to do. After deconstructing the insane sanitation system and replacing it with something sound enough that I can pump out its 19th-Century contents...
Next thing is repairing the wiring and having a good look at the chain plates, stanchion backings, etc. Looking for the first time, seriously, at the head liner, it appears to be impenetrable. What's the secret to getting behind it to access through-deck hardware, wiring and plumbing? I've heard grumblings, but is there a way?
Stwagstaff,I have maintained Incommunicado for a long time and access under the headliner hasn't been an issue.It seems the wiring is run in and through cabnets and along the sides of the headliner.As for getting to chainplates,cleats,stanchions,jib track,winches,bowsprint bolts and anything else there is access in lockers behind panels,access plates in headliner and what ever else.Some of these places are a bit tough to work in but doable.Do like most of us has done start taking things apart to see what is back there each time you will learn something else.I don't see how you can do any serious harm.Good luck and enjoy there are worse ways to spend your time.If you run into something you don't understand someone else has already run across the problem and will be glade to give advice. Welcome aboard. Allen
I totally agree. The only way to learn these ole gals is to dive in. They are sturdy simple boats. Can't really hurt them. Each time I remove a panel, I learn something new.
Cheers
Wow - another new owner with a head with ancient contents. It seems to be a pattern.
My boat had a type 1 MSD - illegal to use in most of SF bay and certainly in any marina. I now have a holding tank. Installing it was a MOST unpleasant experience! I pulled out the old unit myself but left the rest to a professional.
Allen is absolutely correct, everything is acessable one way or the other and nothing much is entombed in the headliner. It may be helpful if you had small detachable hands.
Move checking your deck drain hoses up on the list. The mid two are in the side lockers and the aft two are in your cockpit lockers. While you are in the cockpit lockers check your cockpit drains as well. They all were a black rubber concoction from the factory and tend to get brittle and rot to the point you can put your fingers through them. Being hull #8 yours, if they have not been done are way due. Also check to see if the clamps are still there.
For its time the boat was well wired. The wire gauge is more than sufficient for the loads. By today's standards unless you are staying bare bones, there is lots of room for adding additional wiring. 90% of all the wiring runs along the outside of the boat up each side using separate feeds.
Dale Tanski
One of my side deck scupper drain hoses is swiss cheesed. When I wash down the deck, a lot of water ends up in the bilge. All those old hoses need checking.