Houseboat help

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That is the problem. EVERY company I call will not tell me what size to use, I'm guessing liability. I've asked them what size others have used and they are not sure... Does anyone have any pictures? I can hear everyone groaning from here... They said even 1/2 would be strong enough, something like 20,000 breaking strength.
 
Brett, I seem to remember that the cable is pretty hefty--at least 1-inch thick. I'll try to find some pics of the cable/shackle when I get home this evening. If all else fails, you could always drive down to Wahweap and buy two cables. I think they're $50 each.

Tiff
 
Tiff Mapel said:
Brett, I seem to remember that the cable is pretty hefty--at least 1-inch thick. I'll try to find some pics of the cable/shackle when I get home this evening. If all else fails, you could always drive down to Wahweap and buy two cables. I think they're $50 each.

Tiff
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Thanks for taking the time. Where is Wahweap? I’m in durango like you!
 
Brett,

Wahweap is the large marina at the South end of Powell. It's a nice 4-hour scenic drive from Durango. You should make a day trip down there. If you do go, call Executive Services (928-645-1027) ahead of time to see if they have cables/shackles available. If so, reserve two. While in Page, take the Dam tour at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center.

Tiff
 
Brett Craig said:
That is the problem. EVERY company I call will not tell me what size to use, I'm guessing liability. I've asked them what size others have used and they are not sure... Does anyone have any pictures? I can hear everyone groaning from here... They said even 1/2 would be strong enough, something like 20,000 breaking strength.
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My vote is 1". Check this out.www.engineeringtoolbox.com. If you do go to Page and you have time, the raft trip that leaves the dam is really nice. You will not get wet so a cool day is alright also horseshoe bend and Canyon X are sights to see.
 
I wish I had the time to go for a trip. my daughter is 10 and on the swim team (she was the 4th fastest 9 year old in the state in her best event. Sorry, proud dad moment) and there is really no "free" time for me. It's all about getting her to and from events and practice.

I appreciate the help. Still hoping for pictures though :)
 
If you have to go the Aramark route, bet someone on 5he board can be talked into bring them back on their next trip. May not get all the way to you, but would get them closer. I’m in Denver, with no near term trip planned or I’d offer
 
Brett, here's a pic of how we're attached to the buoy. One of our owners is in Page this week, and I've asked him to get a picture of the pintle hook. So I can post that hopefully soon.

Tiff
 

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Brett, here's how the pintle hook is welded on the front of the houseboat. We only put one on, and it's off-set from center, so it's not in the way of the ramp.

Hope that helps!
Tiff
 

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Step one, new poop tank. Imagine doing this by yourself with it hanging 7’ above the ground...
 

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If that fitting is the inlet then there is waaayyy to much wine drinking on that boat. Sorry I only saw the one on the side, now I see the drop fitting.
 
The smaller axis dimension of the tank is concerning. I hope you do not find piling and back up to be a problem or full flush empty ability. To gain full capacity on lake you may have to add a mercerator pump in loop to liquefy your hold. Make sure to add liquids with solids as solids only take longer to break with enzymes.

Before install in boat, fill tank with water on dock and then pressurize to 3 psi for an hour. Look for leaks at welds as well as micro pin holes, including bottom panel. Do not seal overflow shut with attached garden hose, WAY to much pressure!
 
Pretty much everything has been covered but I just want to reiterate cause I've worked on the lake and seen a lot. Would highly recommend a two cable system. And when attaching the two cables use a shackle for each cable attached to the buoy. Doesn't do much good to have two cables going to the same shackle...then your backup system is irrelevant when the pin backs out and you go floating to the beach. I've never seen a newer cable snap so the only worry with breaking a cable is after a couple years. Inspect your cables and make sure they aren't rusting or fraying. This can be hard if you have the plastic cover over the cable but you can still check for kinks in the cable/plastic or see if you see any signs of rusting on the parts of the cable that are showing at either end. Like others have mentioned, use some nice bailing wire and wrap it through the hole in the pin and around through the inside of the shackle a few times to keep the pin from backing out. In my experience it's about 50/50 old broken cables or a shackle pin that's backed out. Give me a bit and I'll see if I can't find some pics of the hardware and buoy setups we used. It's also a good habit to check the bailing wire everytime you are at the boat and check your shackles and other hardware of the buoy to make sure nothing is getting worn through. Years and years of metal rubbing together takes it's toll!

Also boat poles can be nice if it's decently calm and you have time to slowly approach the ball and haul up one of the cables and attach it while still drifting, but in many cases, especially when doing it alone, we would just attach a 10' or so rope to the front of the boat and loop it through the shackle/eye of the buoy and then tie it back off on the boat. That way you are somewhat secure to the ball while you mess with attaching your hardware.
 
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