Sail USA, Inc.

a  501 C3 Organization

Donations are Tax Deductible.

 The page design and content are provided by the youngsters

who were involved with the project.

Project Completed

During the Fall, Winter, and early Spring the program participants constructed two plugs (from Styrofoam and Bondo) which were used to construct two fiberglass molds (Hull and Deck), and then the molds were used to construct a complete racing sloop.

The Project - Overview

The basic concept of this project is for the student to determine, during the disassembly process, the reason this engine would not run.  Then to make the necessary repairs, so that the engine might be placed back into service in a vessel. The second phase involves the participant becoming familiar with the Power Point program so that he may complete a Power Point Presentation of the entire project. The third phase requires that the participant become familiar enough with web page design, so as to complete his own web page using the Power Point Presentation and the  HTML language.

Meet the Crew
 

This crew is made up of one High School teacher and three candidates from the Providence area. 

Is it possible for a person who lives in this country to not know how a typical  propulsion system in our motor vehicles or  vessels operate? 

The Project - Phase I

The basic concept of this project is for the student to determine, during the disassembly process, the reason this engine would not run.  Then to make the necessary repairs, so that the engine might be placed back into service in a vessel.

Now, on to the actual project

Before disassembly commenced a compression test was conducted, and the  group noted that this four cylinder engine had no compression in two cylinders, Number 1 and 4,  and good compression in cylinders 2 and 3.

So,  we thought there might be a problem with the valves or, possibly holes in the pistons of cylinders 1 and 4.

After the valve rocker cover was removed we noted that all valves and pushrods appeared to be operating properly.

At this time the group was introduced to the basic principals of the internal combustion engine.  The group learned that gasoline and air is mixed in the carburetor, and how this mixture is introduced into the combustion chamber,  and how a spark from the ignition system caused the compressed mixture to detonate. The complete cycle of intake, compression, power, and exhaust was covered.

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Meet the Project Director

The Project Director,  a High School student with a couple of years of experience in our Summer Sailing Program, is pictured in the blue shirt. The Project Director is the charge person for this group at the group level. He ensures that there is continuity among the group members and that various tasks are carried out in an orderly fashion.

Meet the Director
 

This is the fellow in the grey hair trying to stick his finger into the engine. Jim is our Director and has been for over twenty years.

Meet our Mechanic

His name is Fred.  Fred's  responsibility is to ensure all concerned that we do not stray too far from real mechanics. Once the re assembly of this engine commences,  Fred  will make sure that all components are assembled in appropriate sequence and that the various specifications (Torque, etc.) are considered.

The workshop

The workshop is an integral part of all SAIL USA programs, in that it is used to support the repair and maintenance of our program activities.