4: LOG
4:1 INSTALLING THE PADDLEWHEEL UNIT
The paddle wheel should be installed at a point in the hull where:-
1) It is immersed at all attitudes under power or sail.
2) The blades of the paddle wheel are presented with a smooth flow of
water corresponding to the vessels speed through the water. On displacement
hulls this is usually about amidships , but on planing hulls it should be as far aft
as possible.
3) It should be easily accessible in the bilges for cleaning and laying up.
A blanking cap is provided to seal the skin fitting when the paddle wheel
is removed.
4) It is not vulnerable to damage from unforgiving surfaces such as trailers and
lifting slings.
Drill a hole of 42mm diameter to take the skin fitting and use conventional methods
for sealing. It is advisable to avoid the use of mastic materials - use a form of propri-
etary silicon sealant. The securing nut has a groove on its underside which should
also be filled with sealing compound. Finger tighten this nut only. After the sealing
compound has enter wipe off the excess and encapsulate the whole assembly in
G.R.P. as shown in the diagram. Take care to ensure that a minimum of 20mm of
thread is left uncovered. The paddle wheel unit can now be slid into the housing,
with the arrow pointing along the centre line of the vessel. It is recommended that a
little silicon grease be smeared over the rubber "O" ring to keep the unit free.
