Well, Eric the Shaman has not yet been able to free up enough time to install the new fuel pump and check out the system. I have gotten to the point of accepting that it will happen when it happens and when it happens, that will be fine . . . as long as it is before Columbus Day Weekend when I have to head up the Connecticut River for the winter.
I was able to work on the bilge pumping system.I found the leak was actually two holes in the same pipe about an inch or so apart. I had to clean the pipe of all grease, oil and dirt, a lot of rubbing and scrubbing with DAWN, the ultimate grease & dirt cutter. Then it was 30 minutes of rubbing 80 grit sand paper on the area around the holes to get it down to the bright and shiny bronze. Once it was sparkling and shiny, I then had to mix up some liquid epoxy and slather it on the spot and let it begin to cure. Once it stiffened, I mixed another small batch and did it again. Hopefully, the two batches will cure completely and adhere to the pipe and so fill and fix the holes. If it is possible to do so easily, I will replace the pipe with plastic hose come the fall haul- out or in the spring before launching. The bronze pipe is old, 40 years or so, and the area around the holes had pink corrosion. Green corrosion on a bronze pipe is OK and natural. It does not affect the strength of the pipe. However, when the corrosion shows a pinkish color, then the corrosion is affect the strength of the pipe, and the the area around the holes in the pipe showed "pink." It will be better to engage in preventative maintenance than to wait for another hole, especially if it is in a less than accessible location.
I tried to find out when the auto switch on the bilge pump is not function but trying to follow the various wires, which looks like a bowl of spaghetti, gave me a headache. It means that I will have to spend more time doing a "follow the wire" project once ABISHAG is hauled. When I first got ABISHAG, I ripped out yards of wires that served no purpose. Previous owners, when adding new electrical items or replacing old ones, rather than replacing the old wiring, simply disconnected the old added more new wire. I have hesitated because the boat's electrical system is voodoo for me. Normally, each system on a boat has its own color and size of wire, or is supposed to. However, it is rarely the case. Most people, including yard guys, tend to grab and use whatever is available. This can make following a line of wiring a bit of a mystery. A wire begins as one color, goes through a hole in a bulkhead and changes color at a connection. To make it all the more fun, one is often in a twisted position when trying to do the job.
AH! THE JOY OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!!
Thursday, August 23, 2018
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Getting The Engine Fixed . . . DAY #3
One of the most difficult things to do when you want something done "right now" is to trust other people or depend on someone else to do it. But such is life, you can't do everything yourself that you want done especially if, like me, you lack the skills. So ti is that do to circumstances beyond my control, ABISHAG is still without an engine with out a functioning fuel pump and so an engine that will not run. SIGH!
I'll call the Shaman tomorrow while I am at work and perhaps he will show up, install the fuel pump and all will be right with the world. . . . that is if the non-functioning fuel pump was the one and only problem. Whenever the Shaman shows up, everything will be checked out and I just hope that there is only the one problem.
I found the leak in the bilge pump system. Most of the piping is rubber hoses but there are some sections of bronze. And in one of those sections, after some 41 years, a hole, actually two holes right next to each other, developed in the pipe.To make it even more fun, the water from one sprayed onto an electrical connection. I am not sure which one it is, but quite possibly it is connected to the bilge pump and the bilge pump switch. The pump won't operate in "automatic mode," a new trick it recently learned, so it may be that the electrical connection is connected to the bilge pump switch system.
To fix that switch, I first have to fix the leak(s) in the pipe. That will take a fair amount of cleaning of the pipe, sanding it down so that it gleams, meaning that there is no grease or dirt to be found. Then I will mix-up some five minute epoxy, fill the holes, cover the rest of that section of pipe and let it harden. Following that, I'll test it out. If it doesn't leak, all is good. If it does leak a little, or a lot, then I'll apply more epoxy until it leaks no more.
Once that is all squared away, I'll have to take the time to figure out what the electrical connection is and if the water has done it an injury. And then go after the bilge switch problem. And who knows what other problems may rear their ugly heads. AH, THE JOY OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!
I'll call the Shaman tomorrow while I am at work and perhaps he will show up, install the fuel pump and all will be right with the world. . . . that is if the non-functioning fuel pump was the one and only problem. Whenever the Shaman shows up, everything will be checked out and I just hope that there is only the one problem.
I found the leak in the bilge pump system. Most of the piping is rubber hoses but there are some sections of bronze. And in one of those sections, after some 41 years, a hole, actually two holes right next to each other, developed in the pipe.To make it even more fun, the water from one sprayed onto an electrical connection. I am not sure which one it is, but quite possibly it is connected to the bilge pump and the bilge pump switch. The pump won't operate in "automatic mode," a new trick it recently learned, so it may be that the electrical connection is connected to the bilge pump switch system.
To fix that switch, I first have to fix the leak(s) in the pipe. That will take a fair amount of cleaning of the pipe, sanding it down so that it gleams, meaning that there is no grease or dirt to be found. Then I will mix-up some five minute epoxy, fill the holes, cover the rest of that section of pipe and let it harden. Following that, I'll test it out. If it doesn't leak, all is good. If it does leak a little, or a lot, then I'll apply more epoxy until it leaks no more.
Once that is all squared away, I'll have to take the time to figure out what the electrical connection is and if the water has done it an injury. And then go after the bilge switch problem. And who knows what other problems may rear their ugly heads. AH, THE JOY OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!
Sunday, August 12, 2018
GETTING THE ENGINE FIXED - DAY 2
There is a good thing about getting a mechanic who's good at what he does and there is a not so good thing about getting a mechanic that is good as what he does.
When you find a good diesel mechanic, one that knows what he is doing, the good thing is that he is going to fix the beast. He will check the whole engine out, learn what needs fixing and then fix it. He is not going to fix the doohickey and have you pay for it if it doesn't need fixing. What needs fixing gets fixed correctly.
The not so good thing about getting a good diesel mechanic is that he name has spread far and wide and everyone want him to work on their doohickey and, as a result, he's busy. Busy! Busy!! Busy!!!
When it turned out that problem was not biological but mechanical, it meant that I would run up against Eric the Diesel Engine Shaman's reputation and the demand for his services. Thus it is that as this Sunday passes away, ABISHAG's engine is still not functioning as Eric has been unable to find the time to fix the doohickey. I am hopeful that Monday will be a different story.
AH! THE JOYS OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!!!!!
When you find a good diesel mechanic, one that knows what he is doing, the good thing is that he is going to fix the beast. He will check the whole engine out, learn what needs fixing and then fix it. He is not going to fix the doohickey and have you pay for it if it doesn't need fixing. What needs fixing gets fixed correctly.
The not so good thing about getting a good diesel mechanic is that he name has spread far and wide and everyone want him to work on their doohickey and, as a result, he's busy. Busy! Busy!! Busy!!!
When it turned out that problem was not biological but mechanical, it meant that I would run up against Eric the Diesel Engine Shaman's reputation and the demand for his services. Thus it is that as this Sunday passes away, ABISHAG's engine is still not functioning as Eric has been unable to find the time to fix the doohickey. I am hopeful that Monday will be a different story.
AH! THE JOYS OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!!!!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
GETTING THE ENGINE FIXED - DAY1
Dealing with mechanical things for me is right up there with dealing with electricity. Eric, the Engine Shaman, came by today after deciding last week that the problem was " a biological infestation" of the fuel system. Dosing the fuel with magical potions and letting them mix with the fuel should solve the problem. I did that last week and when he was able to come by today, I expected that the engine would fire up with no problems.
After examining the engine and tinkering here and there, Eric sprayed the air intake with another magic potion, "starting ether" I believe, we made five attempts to start the engine and get it to turn over. No joy, despite many invocations and incantations. This caused eric to do some more tinkering.
As I mentioned, dealing with things mechanical is not high on my list of fun thing because there are parts, lots of parts. And with lots of part, most(all) of which I don't understand, there is the potential of something going wrong with them. SO naturally Eric discovered that the exhaust system was leaking exhaust. Of course, it wasn't out in the open, rather it was a piece of pipe wrapped in insulation tape. He discovered two wires, unconnected to anything, just there! He thought that possibly, maybe, they were connected to ignition system and were part of the shut down (kill) system for the engine. Turn out not so. We also discovered a leak in the discharge hose for the bilge pump. It is small and I wiill fix it tomorrow, but when the pump is used, it does spray water in various places. And soooooooooooo that has got to be fixed.
As I said, lots of parts, and the one I thought was the fuel pump wasn't. Eric finally figured it out and , crawling over the top of the engine, discovered the "real fuel pump" on the unexposed side of the engine. He had to get into the "in-law apartment" ( cockpit locker), lift up the floorboards to get at it. It was/is mechanical ( of course) fuel pump that is at east 20 years old and looked it. Based on all he had discovered and how the engine reacted, Eric deduced that the fuel pump was shot and had to be replaced. Of course.
After discussing it with Eric, we decided to replace it with a new fuel pump, electrical not mechanical. He will attach it to the fuel system leaving the old one in place until it is absolutely clear that the old pump is the problem. He will make the attempt at the fix. I am certain it will be fixed as Eric is one of those guys that hates to fail.
AH, THE JOYS OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!
After examining the engine and tinkering here and there, Eric sprayed the air intake with another magic potion, "starting ether" I believe, we made five attempts to start the engine and get it to turn over. No joy, despite many invocations and incantations. This caused eric to do some more tinkering.
As I mentioned, dealing with things mechanical is not high on my list of fun thing because there are parts, lots of parts. And with lots of part, most(all) of which I don't understand, there is the potential of something going wrong with them. SO naturally Eric discovered that the exhaust system was leaking exhaust. Of course, it wasn't out in the open, rather it was a piece of pipe wrapped in insulation tape. He discovered two wires, unconnected to anything, just there! He thought that possibly, maybe, they were connected to ignition system and were part of the shut down (kill) system for the engine. Turn out not so. We also discovered a leak in the discharge hose for the bilge pump. It is small and I wiill fix it tomorrow, but when the pump is used, it does spray water in various places. And soooooooooooo that has got to be fixed.
As I said, lots of parts, and the one I thought was the fuel pump wasn't. Eric finally figured it out and , crawling over the top of the engine, discovered the "real fuel pump" on the unexposed side of the engine. He had to get into the "in-law apartment" ( cockpit locker), lift up the floorboards to get at it. It was/is mechanical ( of course) fuel pump that is at east 20 years old and looked it. Based on all he had discovered and how the engine reacted, Eric deduced that the fuel pump was shot and had to be replaced. Of course.
After discussing it with Eric, we decided to replace it with a new fuel pump, electrical not mechanical. He will attach it to the fuel system leaving the old one in place until it is absolutely clear that the old pump is the problem. He will make the attempt at the fix. I am certain it will be fixed as Eric is one of those guys that hates to fail.
AH, THE JOYS OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
IT COULD BE WORSE . . . . .
We spent a beautiful day on my mooring, enjoying the sun and the breeze and the sea and, of course, not moving except to swing with the wind and the tide. One tends to do that even when on a cruise. After all,part of the reason for the cruise is tyo enjoy wherever it is you drop your hook.
I took the opportunity to take care of a couple of easy things that needed to be fix. They were not particularly important, but now that they are done, there are less thing on my "to do" list.
Eric the Mechanic, who works on the club launch, stopped by having been called by several people in the club even before I got the chance to do so myself. After a five minute discussion, he said that the problem wasn't the injectors. The problem was bacteria. There is some bacteria that lives in petroleum products, like diesel fuel and when pump from a marina's tank into a boat's tank, they go along for the ride. If there is water in the fuel in either tank or both, and there always is some from condensation, it starts to grow and grow and grow. If not biocided it can get sucked up into the fuel lines and and any piping and hoses the fuel passes through. According to Eric, this is what happen, blocking the flow of fuel from where it needs to go and so it starves the engine. So Eric came up with a plane.
First, put a large amount of bio-side into the fuel to kill the bacteria and literally melt the bio-masses. Secondly, load the fuel with "CETANE," a fuel additive that raises the octane level of the fuel. Thirdly, use a fogging agent in the air intake and start the engine and keep trying to start the engine until either it starts or we need to charge the batteries. He says that this should work. It should blow out any problems and the engine will run fine. It will be interesting to see if it works.
AH! THE JOY OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!!!!!!
I took the opportunity to take care of a couple of easy things that needed to be fix. They were not particularly important, but now that they are done, there are less thing on my "to do" list.
Eric the Mechanic, who works on the club launch, stopped by having been called by several people in the club even before I got the chance to do so myself. After a five minute discussion, he said that the problem wasn't the injectors. The problem was bacteria. There is some bacteria that lives in petroleum products, like diesel fuel and when pump from a marina's tank into a boat's tank, they go along for the ride. If there is water in the fuel in either tank or both, and there always is some from condensation, it starts to grow and grow and grow. If not biocided it can get sucked up into the fuel lines and and any piping and hoses the fuel passes through. According to Eric, this is what happen, blocking the flow of fuel from where it needs to go and so it starves the engine. So Eric came up with a plane.
First, put a large amount of bio-side into the fuel to kill the bacteria and literally melt the bio-masses. Secondly, load the fuel with "CETANE," a fuel additive that raises the octane level of the fuel. Thirdly, use a fogging agent in the air intake and start the engine and keep trying to start the engine until either it starts or we need to charge the batteries. He says that this should work. It should blow out any problems and the engine will run fine. It will be interesting to see if it works.
AH! THE JOY OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
That Was A Short Cruise
Fred and I left TYC about 9am Saturday morning for the run to Newport and the Folk Festival. There was no wind to speak of and since it was a 42 mile trip give or take, it meant that we had to motor. Everything went well until we were off of Point Judith RI. The sea had been rather choppy and we bounced around a lot, rolling side to side as well as up and down and off of Point Judith, the engine started running rough and loosing power. Eventually it stall out and would not run. I checked the fuel filter and found that it was clogged. I got out a spare and replaced the clogged one and ABISHAG started right up.
We rounded Pt. Judith and had been headed up the Bay when the engine started acting up again. Eventually after about and hour she shut down again. I checked the filter and it was clogged again. Since there was was only one more spare filter, I knocked the filter against the side of the trash can and knocked out as much of the "grunge" that I could. I put it back in and we decide to let it run a bit. Good thing too as the dingy we were towing turned turtle: ie was upside down. I had borrowed a dingy from a TYC member and it was a hard, sailing and it had shipped water and that put it out of balance and it went over.
We dropped anchor, in the fog and in the middle of the channel, and spent an hour righting it and getting the water out. It required that I actually get in the water to accomplish this amazing feat but we got it done, a lot of straining and swearing later. The engine had continued to run just fine so rather than go into Point Judith, I decided that we would head off to Newport. It was about 6 miles away and I had spent $160 for a mooring for two nights at the Ida Lewis Yacht Club. Right off Castle Rock Light, about 3 miles from Ida Lewis, the engine quit again. By this time the wind had picked up and we raised sail and went forward that way.
I contacted the members of the cruise and they promised to send some dinghies to guide us in and help us moor. Did I mention that the Newport Folk Festival was going on at this time? There were boats anchored all over the place listening to the music and drinking was too much. With Fred at the helm we had to weave our way though the anchored boats to find a clear spot in the channel where we could wait for the dinghies to show up. Which they did. They latched on and propelled us to out mooring as neat as you please. We were finally safe at 7pm within spitting distance of the New York Yacht Club "Clubhouse." While Fred cooked I took the launch in to register and get ice ( which we had forgotten leaving TYC.) After dinner and wine, we were not moving, even though the members of the cruise gathered for a gam on VOYAGER. we were just too beat. We tried starting the engine with no joy, so we went to bed.
I figured that the crap that usually resides in fuel tank had been stired up and that a night of not moving or rocking would settled it back down. I tried starting again in the morning but again nothing.
In the afternoon, having had several members in the fleet come by and make suggestions that also didn't work, I called tow members whom I knew were very knowledgeable about diesel engines and their secrets. They came by and worked for two hours but even they couldn't get it going. They came to the conclusion that the injectors were clogged and that the fuel was not getting to the piston chamber. It was beyond their ability and tools to work on them, especially since they might have to be replaced.
After a steak dinner and several glasses of wine, I decided to call BOAT/US for a tow back to New London. I pay $149 a year for unlimited towing and I haven't used it since the ICW, so it was tome to use it. I called and set up a tow for the next day. I would get towed out into the Bay to a place where there was wind that would allow us to sail. If there was no wind, the tow would take us all the way to TYC. It would cost $3,000 . . . . if I didn't have the towing insurance, but I did, so it was FREE and I went to bed and slept the sleep of the just.
Next morning, the tow boat showed up at 8:45, hooked on and towed us to the wind, which turned out to be all the way down at Point Judith. We were able to sail all the way Watch Hill where the wind died and I had to call BOAT?US again. They towed us the last 8 miles to TYC and again, by 7pm, we were safe on a mooring, my very own mooring.
Tuesday will be boat cleanup day, contacting a diesel mechanic, and spending a lot of time in prayer that I have the funds to cover the repair, whatever it is.
AH!, THE JOYS OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!!!!!
We rounded Pt. Judith and had been headed up the Bay when the engine started acting up again. Eventually after about and hour she shut down again. I checked the filter and it was clogged again. Since there was was only one more spare filter, I knocked the filter against the side of the trash can and knocked out as much of the "grunge" that I could. I put it back in and we decide to let it run a bit. Good thing too as the dingy we were towing turned turtle: ie was upside down. I had borrowed a dingy from a TYC member and it was a hard, sailing and it had shipped water and that put it out of balance and it went over.
We dropped anchor, in the fog and in the middle of the channel, and spent an hour righting it and getting the water out. It required that I actually get in the water to accomplish this amazing feat but we got it done, a lot of straining and swearing later. The engine had continued to run just fine so rather than go into Point Judith, I decided that we would head off to Newport. It was about 6 miles away and I had spent $160 for a mooring for two nights at the Ida Lewis Yacht Club. Right off Castle Rock Light, about 3 miles from Ida Lewis, the engine quit again. By this time the wind had picked up and we raised sail and went forward that way.
I contacted the members of the cruise and they promised to send some dinghies to guide us in and help us moor. Did I mention that the Newport Folk Festival was going on at this time? There were boats anchored all over the place listening to the music and drinking was too much. With Fred at the helm we had to weave our way though the anchored boats to find a clear spot in the channel where we could wait for the dinghies to show up. Which they did. They latched on and propelled us to out mooring as neat as you please. We were finally safe at 7pm within spitting distance of the New York Yacht Club "Clubhouse." While Fred cooked I took the launch in to register and get ice ( which we had forgotten leaving TYC.) After dinner and wine, we were not moving, even though the members of the cruise gathered for a gam on VOYAGER. we were just too beat. We tried starting the engine with no joy, so we went to bed.
I figured that the crap that usually resides in fuel tank had been stired up and that a night of not moving or rocking would settled it back down. I tried starting again in the morning but again nothing.
In the afternoon, having had several members in the fleet come by and make suggestions that also didn't work, I called tow members whom I knew were very knowledgeable about diesel engines and their secrets. They came by and worked for two hours but even they couldn't get it going. They came to the conclusion that the injectors were clogged and that the fuel was not getting to the piston chamber. It was beyond their ability and tools to work on them, especially since they might have to be replaced.
After a steak dinner and several glasses of wine, I decided to call BOAT/US for a tow back to New London. I pay $149 a year for unlimited towing and I haven't used it since the ICW, so it was tome to use it. I called and set up a tow for the next day. I would get towed out into the Bay to a place where there was wind that would allow us to sail. If there was no wind, the tow would take us all the way to TYC. It would cost $3,000 . . . . if I didn't have the towing insurance, but I did, so it was FREE and I went to bed and slept the sleep of the just.
Next morning, the tow boat showed up at 8:45, hooked on and towed us to the wind, which turned out to be all the way down at Point Judith. We were able to sail all the way Watch Hill where the wind died and I had to call BOAT?US again. They towed us the last 8 miles to TYC and again, by 7pm, we were safe on a mooring, my very own mooring.
Tuesday will be boat cleanup day, contacting a diesel mechanic, and spending a lot of time in prayer that I have the funds to cover the repair, whatever it is.
AH!, THE JOYS OF BOAT OWNERSHIP!!!!!
Friday, July 27, 2018
WIERD DAY
The day before our departure for the cruise to Newport, I had the 9 to 5pm shift running the launch. I knew that it was going to be a strange day as I arrived at TYC and couldn't see a single boat nor the end of the dock. There was serious fog as well as several people waiting to go out to their boats. wisely, none of them asked for a ride out to their craft. And it was hot. And it was humid. I didn't like the "omens."
The one thing I wanted to do today was to bring my boat into the dock so that friend Fred could come down and load all the food and supplies for the cruise and have a place to sleep for Friday night. There were a couple of boats at the dock and throughout the day they kept being replaced by other boats. I had to get one of the other launch drivers to drive the launch for about 15 minutes of my shift so that I I could go out to ABISHAG, rig the dock lines, drive her to the dock and tie her up, and then get back to my shift. Whenever a spot at the dock opened up, it became incredibly busy and I couldn't make the change-over. Three of the launch drivers are going on the cruise and we were all trying to finish up loading and preparing our boats for the cruise. Trying to find the right moment was almost an exercise in futility. It literally took 5 hours to get it done but got it done I did.
And then there was the heat and humidity. Boy, did it suck all the energy out of me. Humid? I drank so much water and juice and despite all that went in, apart from the sweat, so little came out. It was tough to make the 100 yard walk from the club house to the launch and back again and it got worse during the day. Transient boast whop came in last night and now wanted to spend an extra day. we ended up playing a lot of "Musical Moorings" as we had more boats coming in today and we had to match moorings with boats based on length(Swing radius) and displacement (weight) with what a particular mooring can reasonably hold. It is no fun dealing with a "guest," who is on a mooring you need, who is in no hurry to leave or change location. And then there is the heat and humidity. ARGH!!!!!
My shift was to end at 5pm but my replacement was late! Isn't that always the way? I was too exhausted to complain. But tomorrow, I will be off on the cruise and I won't have to even think about driving the launch let alone driving it. Huzzah!
The one thing I wanted to do today was to bring my boat into the dock so that friend Fred could come down and load all the food and supplies for the cruise and have a place to sleep for Friday night. There were a couple of boats at the dock and throughout the day they kept being replaced by other boats. I had to get one of the other launch drivers to drive the launch for about 15 minutes of my shift so that I I could go out to ABISHAG, rig the dock lines, drive her to the dock and tie her up, and then get back to my shift. Whenever a spot at the dock opened up, it became incredibly busy and I couldn't make the change-over. Three of the launch drivers are going on the cruise and we were all trying to finish up loading and preparing our boats for the cruise. Trying to find the right moment was almost an exercise in futility. It literally took 5 hours to get it done but got it done I did.
And then there was the heat and humidity. Boy, did it suck all the energy out of me. Humid? I drank so much water and juice and despite all that went in, apart from the sweat, so little came out. It was tough to make the 100 yard walk from the club house to the launch and back again and it got worse during the day. Transient boast whop came in last night and now wanted to spend an extra day. we ended up playing a lot of "Musical Moorings" as we had more boats coming in today and we had to match moorings with boats based on length(Swing radius) and displacement (weight) with what a particular mooring can reasonably hold. It is no fun dealing with a "guest," who is on a mooring you need, who is in no hurry to leave or change location. And then there is the heat and humidity. ARGH!!!!!
My shift was to end at 5pm but my replacement was late! Isn't that always the way? I was too exhausted to complain. But tomorrow, I will be off on the cruise and I won't have to even think about driving the launch let alone driving it. Huzzah!
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