know your boat
Just a little story about the importance of knowing abit about your vessel and carrying a basic tool kit onboard
I experienced some fuel flow issues whilst out from Hillarys on Sunday. The motor was starving at anything over half revs and was taking alot of priming and cranking to re-start. In my situation I know my vessel inside out as I rebuilt it and I always carry a basic tool kit in the console. I dropped anchor and was able to identify a blockage in the fuel line coming from the bow tank. It was crap collected on the eb side of a brass fuel line joiner. I cut the section of line out and rejoined it and got the primer bulb good and hard again and off we went.
Now I wasn't in any real danger as it was perfect conditions, shallow enough to anchor and there were other boats around me but the same problem could have happened along way from all of that security.
My point is I think it's invaluable to know a bit more about your vessel than just how to start it and power off etc. Know where your electrics are run, fuses, isloators, the same with fuel lines and always carry a tool kit to help you out of the shite should it happen. Cable ties, duct tape or electrical tape, a shifter and interchangeable screw driver, pliers and spare fuses...you never know.
I was very happy I didn't require a tow in with the Hillarys boat show punters for an audience!
dant
Posts: 504
Date Joined: 13/03/13
Good Read thanks Joodles, im
Good Read thanks Joodles, im sure the new boaties out there like myself really appreciate any little bit of information thats provided from the experienced boaters on the forum.
Keep em coming
Thanks Again.
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
good post
A simple reminder of the basics like what you posted are of benifit to all
sea-kem
Posts: 15028
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Yeah good Post Joodles. I
Yeah good Post Joodles. I always carry spare fuses, shackles, wire and joiners etc just in casey.
Love the West!
makai
Posts: 459
Date Joined: 28/10/08
Agree entirely
Having a tool kit, some basic spares and the knowledge of what goes where is essential. You may not be able to fix the complex, dramatic or terminal issues, but its often the little things that can spoil your day or put you in serious trouble.
Fish13
Posts: 56
Date Joined: 24/07/11
I think its also a good idea
I think its also a good idea to replace the whole electrical system if you are unsure of it and use waterproof connectors not Automotive ones.
Agree on carrying a small toolkit and knowing your boat.
Michael Yoni
Posts: 603
Date Joined: 02/01/11
Good points, my brother
Good points, my brother actually did a basic motor repair (or something) course when he first got his tub.
Saved him several times out there.
MY
Rob H
Posts: 5808
Date Joined: 18/01/12
How right you are!while
How right you are!
while modern engines are ever more complex, "usually" its the anciliary equipment that lets you down.
3/8" socket set, prop nut socket and ratchet, shifters, pliers, screwdrivers, multimeter, fuses and wire, tape and hammer plus torch.
Noone is immune to a failure and NOTHING mechanical is bullet proof but youd feel pretty silly being towed in cos the fuel line was kinked etc
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
dant
Posts: 504
Date Joined: 13/03/13
further to the articles -
further to the articles - what are the most common problems that you all of have come across, was there a quick fix?
im thinking of hiring a machanic for few hours to give me the run down, and some helpful tips of what to look for if anything goes wrong.
Joodles
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 19/11/10
I reckon sea rescue will
I reckon sea rescue will tell you the most common problems encountered by trailer boats at sea are fuel and batteries. You need both to get home!
learn your dual battery system and when to switch batteries if you have a manual system. If your fuel gauge is showing full does that mean it is? Have these things checked along with routine maintenance on your motor and batteries should see you happy boating I reckon.
sea-kem
Posts: 15028
Date Joined: 30/11/09
I usually run out on one
I usually run out on one batt and switch to the other on the way home. Or alternate days if I'm fishing consectutive days.
Love the West!
Rob H
Posts: 5808
Date Joined: 18/01/12
those with smaller electric
those with smaller electric start outboards, next time your sitting round having a beer near ya boat have a go at starting with the emergency cord that some have under the cowl.
I couldnt get my F115 going with it, but then again like the proverbial "frightened man with a bailer" I guess if you were drifting onto a reef you'd gather some extra muscles!
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
uncle
Posts: 9493
Date Joined: 10/02/07
easy to pull start
a ninety yammie
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
uncle
Posts: 9493
Date Joined: 10/02/07
its easy to pull start
a ninety yammie, last time had to remove 2 plugs and pour in a bit of go go juice!
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
Rob H
Posts: 5808
Date Joined: 18/01/12
2 or 4 stroke?We definitely
2 or 4 stroke?
We definitely gave it a good go, and your right, a couple of plugs out and fire it up would be the next step.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
uncle
Posts: 9493
Date Joined: 10/02/07
2 stroke
we took the plugs out poured in a bit of petrol,put the plugs back in and pulled
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
carnarvonite
Posts: 8673
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Twist of the wrists to start
Watched a marine mechanic hand start a 140 Evinrude with just his hands on the flywheel, get it on compression and a quick flick and away it went. Tried the same technique on my 60 Etec and goes each time. Just have to make siure the finger tips are clear of the ring gear / starter cog
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
Hmmm definitely gonna give
Hmmm definitely gonna give the hand start a go... I've got a bay hunter with a 40 merc on the back running off a single battery...
sea-kem
Posts: 15028
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Hey Stevee how big is your
Hey Stevee how big is your Bay hunter? How do you find it? I'm doing one up at the moment that was written off. Have just secured a DF70 for it so that should push it along just nicely.
Love the West!
sstevee
Posts: 472
Date Joined: 15/11/11
Hey mate, mines a 97
Hey mate, mines a 97 4.75m... Pretty certain it's not a millennium hull... To be honest I'm probably not the best to say how it is as I've only just upgraded from a dinghy... In saying that I've found that as long as I play around with the trim it rides reasonably for an Ali... As I say it's only got a 40 pushing it but its one of the 4cyl 2 strokes and while its not a rocket ship it still moves along quite well, the build plate on mine states a 60hp max and when the time comes that's what I'll be going for...
Is the DF70 a four stroke? Would be keen to see how it goes with the weight of a 4 stroke on the back
Joodles
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 19/11/10
How is that project of yours
How is that project of yours coming along Andy?
sea-kem
Posts: 15028
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Have managed to rip all the
Have managed to rip all the gunnels off finally. The hull virtually popped back into shape. Had fun trying to chase down the gunnel extrusion but finally got something close from Bluscope. Ive sorted a motor DF70 Suzuki. I'll post some progress picks soon. How's yours going?
Love the West!
Joodles
Posts: 362
Date Joined: 19/11/10
Sweet, always like pics of
Sweet, always like pics of people's work. Mines done for now, there's ways something that you want to change or improve but I'm more interested in getting it wet now. Spare time is precious!
sea-kem
Posts: 15028
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Ha ha don't I know it mate.
Ha ha don't I know it mate.
Love the West!
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Install a water seperator
Install a water seperator fuel filter. check it often!
marrisy
Posts: 205
Date Joined: 08/09/11
Especialy the olde ones.
Spent yesterday in a14ft Quintrex that wouldn't plane with 3 adults in it, 25 hp johnson. The owner had it from 2008, and used it 3 times, so his wife says. It has had so little use the paint is still on the flywheel ring gear . the owner has had it properly serviced each time before use. Having owned several of the old johnson 25's , we poped the cover and checked the carby. Sure enough, it was only opening half way, 10 seconds with a flat blade screwdriver, and away we went. Most older owners of these dinosaures know the carby push rod clamp sometimes slips.
damo6230
Posts: 2029
Date Joined: 07/06/08
2 x Add fuel filter
Pretty hard to deal with Shite fuel when your 80km from the ramp. You dont get a look when you fill the tank up.
Easy to drain the crap out and always carry a spare filter and filter wrench.
Cant afford to jump out in the shallow water and fix, to easy for a croc to say hello.