Verboaten

I've been absent for a while due to circumstances changing in my personal life, this meant that getting to work on the boat was mainly done by my father with me joining him when I can. For those that remember us, Hello, love the new site look, to those who are new, we are based up in Norfolk by the Denver Sluice and are by our own admission, complete novices! We own a blue and white 23ft Cabin Cruiser called Shenni-Lee, she's tatty and basically made up of leftover parts (old BMC 1.5 Petrol engine, hydraulic MGA slave cylinder gear system etc). Background story: We took our boat on a maiden voyage down the river (Great Ouse) and stopped for lunch at The Ship, a few miles away the boat appeared to perform well albeit with some steam from the rear exhaust, this had been how she had run for months so we thought nothing of it. After lunch we turned her around and headed home unfortunately this is where our fortunes changed and Shenny-Lee began billowing white smoke from the engine bay, we managed to navigate her into a private mooring before losing all power/steering, other boaters were around and gave us the number of the mooring owner, who after hearing our predicament not only allowed us to moor our boat up there until we could fix/remove it, but also called us a taxi back to our home mooring to fetch our car. We decided to try to move the boat and so purchased a small outboard we would use to power slowly back to our home mooring, sadly we managed to get 500 yards up river before this too died and left us drifting, we were pulled into moor next to a boat club who a few weeks later and for some beer vouchers, towed us back to our home mooring. After listing our issues to these guys we were told it could be the weed trap blocking water intake, we eventually found this but found it clear, so next step the dreaded impeller. Thankfully someone sent us a manual for our engine so we were able to distinguish exactly where this part was located, after eventually getting it out we found that it had disintegrated into a giant O-ring! We took the broken impeller to a chandlery and were supplied with another, we headed up there the following weekend but the part would not fit, we took the shaft out and went back to the chandlery to get a replacement, it was the wrong impeller. I fitted the new impeller this weekend just gone, not knowing if what I was doing was correct or not, we turned her over but she wasn't going.. we decided to swap out all the spark plugs and take the battery home to charge it. Another fortnight passed and I was back at the boat, and after correcting a loose battery terminal and connecting some jump leads for some extra power, we turnt her over again, this time she fired after a few splutters... and she runs, some smoke at startup (burning off old disturbed oil I suspect) but after a few minutes no smoke, no steam, she sounds beautiful, the best she ever has. We decided to cast off and head down the river to see how she was under load, she performed impeccably, going into gear without issue. It appears the Shenni-Lee lives again!!!

Thanks for all the help. Just a few answers. Yes it's a petrol BMC as it has spark plugs and runs on petrol. Yes the fuel mix was right on the outboard. Will give these things a try when back at the boat!

Not new, preowned outboard, just hoped it would of run/lasted longer than 500 yards. The inboard is a BMC 1.5 petrol engine, will get pictures and update the thread, or try to trace pipework.

It has a separate tank, air screw was open, no tank on the motor. This is a direct drive, direct fuel fed air cooled motor, it does not pump water (at least that's what i was told?) Thanks for the suggestions! We will take a look next time we are at the boat.

It's been a while but I am back and begging once again (sorry!) and apologies for the long post, i'll put a short version at the end for those that TLDR Our Shenny-Lee 23ft Cabin Cruiser was recently taken on its maiden voyage from the Denver Sluice down to The Ship pub a few miles down river, she performed impeccably, pumping out water and with no sign of burning fuel, we stopped for lunch before hopping back onboard and heading back up river to our home mooring. Sadly we barely managed to get past the first bend as I noticed we were no longer pumping water and the engine was overheating with smoke coming out the engine bay. We managed to moor up at a private mooring and topped up our oil which was still within limits so the engine had not seized, it restarts but will overheat due to not pumping water. After speaking with the mooring owner he mentioned it was highly likely to be a weed trap blocking the water flow, although we cannot find such an item on our boat nor could another boater who took a look, he was happy for us to moor up there temporarily whilst we try to get our mechanic to take a look, a call to our mechanic found that he is off work seriously sick (sods law), a taxi back to our car and a long trip back home. Fast forward to another fortnight when we can get back to the boat and we made the decision to buy a small direct drive outboard (Crescent 5hp) to hang from the outboard bracket and slowly get us home. After some fettling we had the outboard fitted and running with a few teething issues trying to steer (the outboard bracket is offset meaning it pushes the boat from one side) we finally had her straight and moving for about 500 yards until the revs dropped and the outboard died, I figured this was due to weeds wrapping around the prop and so cleared it off the best i could, but the outboard will not fire again. We spent the next 10 minutes drifting down river desperately trying to get the outboard restarted, at this time two boats approached from behind, we attempted to flag them down to request a tow but the first didn't acknowledge us at all and the second simply shook his head, apparently a boat drifting unpowered in the river is not worth stopping for. As we drifted closer to the row of boats at the nearby boat club, fortunately a member had seen us and came to grab a rope to moor us up at a spare unkempt mooring for which we were very grateful, he looked over both engines, could not find the weed trap either and after checking the outboards spark plug determined it was not getting fuel, which is surprising as it was running fine. This is now where we are moored and are desperately seeking methods to get us back up river to our home mooring so we can begin to troubleshoot both of our engine issues. In short: Main engine is overheating and cannot be run for longer than a few minutes, it does not pump water. Auxiliary outboard (Crescent 5hp) purchased is now not getting fuel. Our home mooring is next to Jenyns Arms. We need a tow back up river to Denver Sluice and a boat mechanic to help diagnose the fault. We asked around denver sluice but fellow boaters either did not have a mechanic or were using the same one as us who was sick. Anyone able to help? Thank you!

Thank you, thats a great suggestion!

Original post edited.

Hello all, I was hoping you guys can help me with this one before I send a very angry email to our dear Environment Agency (EA). One of our boats is moored on the Great Ouse navigation, on a private (paid) mooring with the EA, around 7 months ago or so we had a big Freeman boat moor on the 24 hour public moorings located next to our private mooring, we never saw the owners but I was sure it was a vessel that was usually moored further down the bank. It had moored fairly close, in fact it is encroaching on our paid mooring, making mooring up difficult for us relatively new boaters, but being a 24 hour mooring we presumed it would be gone within the day. The next week it was still there, and by the following week EA enforcement notices had been stuck to it stating it was unlicensed, had been moored there for too long, had no BSS, no insurance etc etc. This has created huge issue for us as although we are infrequent boaters, moored behind us is a very expensive sunseeker speedboat which we have to try to avoid when trying to 'parallel park' our vessel on our mooring. This continued for the past 7 months with new notices just being stuck on the boat, no signs of the owners, only curious members of the public coming to check the notice, no enforcement action seems to be being taken against the vessel or its owners, the last notice dated 9/12 stating it was now being considered abandoned and would be moved! Fast forward to yesterday when my father visited our boat to find the other boat was STILL there and worse still that the moorings for this 'abandoned' boat had loosened and the vessel was now colliding frequently with our own, how long it had been doing so is impossible to say, I haven't seen the damage myself yet but I am understandably furious. Edit: My father remoored the other boat to prevent further damage, I forgot to mention we had moved and tightened its moorings previously. My question is where do we stand with this, do we claim against the environment agency for damages due to the lack of action in the 7 months to date? Do we have to claim against the owners of the other boat (if we can find them)? Your help is appreciated.

Hi guys, Thank you for all the replies, I've now had the chance to get back down to the boat and get some more pictures. From my investigations It appears the engine is a 1978 Mercury 402 40hp 2 cylinder, 2 stroke Short Shaft outboard. I've linked to pictures of the condition below, my aim now is to remove the engine and sell it privately as spares/repair and replace it with a (hopefully) 4 stroke 15hp+ unit.

Thank you so much, I presumed being a big outboard it would be a 4 stroke but I guess twin cylinder 2 stroke is possible. The outboard casing has a blue band around it, I presume that means something? I'm looking at a few other local outboards on Ebay, one of which is a SELVA 2 stroke 20hp which I imagine should be adequate for both river/sea ventures.

Hello all, I have finally had the opportunity to look at my Mercury 40hp outboard and I'm really unhappy with the condition of it, for an outboard that was supposedly serviced this time last year the condition is poor in the sense that the wiring is shot in various places, one of the prop fins has a chunk out of it and it appears the engine had an electric start but the wiring has perished and parts for this have been removed. Also the positive wire appears to be connected by the last 3 strands of it's inner copper wire, so far I have tilted the engine out of the water and removed the spark plugs which are BUHW-2, a design of spark plug I have never seen before. (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NGK-BUHW-2-5626-Spark-Plug-Mercury-Mariner-2-Stroke-Outboard-Engines-4hp-90hp-/181528880213?hash=item2a43f6e455:g:BOsAAOxyJX1TF5M2) I have no idea what model of outboard it is, or it's age, only that it is a heavy unit, I thought it was a four stroke but could not find any oil filler caps so possibly a 2 stroke premix? Knowing nothing of the engine, I am now thinking the best idea would be to have a boat mechanic refurb the engine (rewire, change the prop and service), can this be done with the engine in situ or would I need to remove the unit and take it to a specialist? The good news is that the outboard is currently connected to a throttle/gear control box and steering wheel via a morse cable system, I'm now thinking of replacing the entire outboard and selling off the mercury unit after it's refurb, but are the controls universal and would it be a simple case of disconnecting the throttle arm and attaching the cables for throttle/gears? Thank you!

Thanks for your help, I think I'm getting it but more newbie questions to come! Also I have a mad idea to turn the boat into a single person 'liveaboard'/weekender but obviously space is tight on her, I'm thinking of utilizing an internal pod/pop up toilet tent within the cockpit area that can house a portapotti. So far my ideas are: Secure cabin door using Yale style lock Fit a table leg socket in the floor and create a adjustable table that drops to fill the gap to create a bed when lowered, all without having to be removed. (I am presuming it is safe/ok to cut into the cabin floor to fit the table leg socket?) Cover the ceiling with campervan carpet as advised. Create 12V power through a battery bank, I've currently got a 100ah deep cycle leisure battery that I plan on storing in its battery box inside one of the cupboards. Fit a bigger solar panel to keep aforementioned battery charged when not in use. Fit 12V Led lighting and fuse panel for all auxiliaries. I'm not sure how long the 100ah battery would last hence my battery bank idea, the boat has a 300w inverter fitted which I presume would be ok for majority of things I'd use.

That's a good point, I only said repaint as that is what it already had and what I presumed the previous owner was doing, although I believe he used the boat as a day fishing boat as opposed to the canal cruiser I hope to turn her into. Would carpet like this be sufficient? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ACOUSTIC-CARPET-CLOTH-BASS-BOX-SHELF-CAR-VAN-TRIM-CAMPER-CARPET-FELT-GLUE-/171688478304?var=470657701558&hash=item27f96e4660

Thank you so much for the replies and for confirming what I previously thought regarding the outboard, I'm not looking to head out to sea at any point but more into estuaries and onto the thames. I do not leave any expensive items on the boat and from what I've seen the neighbouring boaters are quick to challenge anyone they do not know, I simply wish to secure the cabin better than an easily removable padlock/clasp combo. I don't believe the cabin is that much of a project that it needs everything doing, short of completing the rub down and repainting I think it is pretty manageable as is, just need to add a few more bits of wood to cover storage holes and a table for the middle that can be dropped to create a bed.

Hello all, Sorry for the long post and the rather basic questions, I am a genius with computers but a complete novice when it comes to boats. I have recently become the owner of another cabin cruiser after receiving a second chance offer on eBay and am after some advice/guidance on renovating her. This was the original advert: 20ft Cabin Cruiser Chenise is a great little family cruiser ideal for both river and sea, she has a forward cabin equipped with sink, work tops, bench seating with storage under, top hatch with integrated fan and two under counter cupboards. The V shaped hull is designed to form a bed with the appropriate cushions and boarding. A 12v inverter is fitted to power 240v equipment via the solar charged battery such as dvd player, radio etc. The rear deck has a full canopy witch has recently been re-proofed, the flooring is decking planks with an access panel to the electric bilge pump. Bench seating with loads of storage under including manual bilge pump. Water from the bilge and sink is ejected via built in ports. Steering wheel and remote controls for the main engine, cabin door with padlock clasp, window and port hole with removable panel. The decks have anti slip plates, bow rails, bow anchor roller, tie off points etc. 2x nav lights and 1x rod holder. Main Engine. Mercury 40hp (pull start) connected to remote steering and controls, last serviced November 2014. Great motor and moves her along on both river and sea. (see below) Auxiliary Motor. Mariner 2hp. Small unit but pushes her along to get you home if main engine should fail. Recent service with new impeller, oil etc. Chenise is a great boat and has given us some good family weekend fishing / cruising etc. She is currently moored at Heybridge Basin in Essex offering great cruising and fishing and access to the sea via the manned sea lock. It is possible to sail to Chelmsford stopping off at supermarkets and pubs on the way for great family days out. (Moorings available) Chenise was bought with the intention of a full refurbishment but enjoyed her so much we never got round to it and just enjoyed her “as is”. We have now purchased a larger boat hence this sale. Bad Bits. Used boat 2 weeks ago and all fine but now can’t start main engine, started to rub down cabin but never finished. Needs some TLC but will come good. Viewing welcomed and encouraged. Was purchased in this location so no trailer. If you buy to remove she will need to be sailed through sea lock to a slip way about 15 min sail at the cost of £30 to use slip way. (aux engine will get you there) Less than 10 feedback score please contact me before bidding! UK buyers only. You bid to buy, not view or haggle so please come and view if you have any concerns as this is now relisted and I really need the mooring for new boat Pictures can be viewed here: http://s287.photobucket.com/user/southeastbikers/library/Chenice?sort=3&page=1 The pictures are from two adverts, the original sale in August, which apparently fell through (and then the Mercury outboard unit stopped working) and how it looks now with the yellow/green interior, sink, and worktop units. She is cosmetically a tidy cabin cruiser but I need help with creating a 'plan' of things required to have her canal/seaworthy as I wish to take her from her current moorings out of the sealock and around to other rivers/routes (she is currently on a 13mile navigation that does not connect to anything else) So far I have secured the rights to her moorings and insured her with AIG (Insured her as a Microplus, although any confirmation would be great!), and thankfully at this stage she does not require a BSC due to being moored at the Basin, but obviously this would be necessary to take her on either the current navigation or any other inland waters. My first priority is to have the outboard repaired and hopefully have this running, having no experience of outboards and limited experiences of boats in general this will certainly be an adventure/challenge, I am currently attempting to contact the previous owner to obtain the 'auxilary engine' mentioned in the advert as this was not left on the boat, nor were any batteries or other marine items. My questions are: The boat apparently has 2 navigation lights but I have not seen a fuse panel like we have on our other boat, infact I am not sure how any of the electrical components are being powered so would like to fit a fuse panel, are these panels difficult to wire in yourself and do they need to meet any sort of requirements? What one would I require? According to the advert, there was a small auxilary engine (which we are still attempting to obtain), other boats we have seen have these mounted on a square block that protudes from one side of the transom, but our boat does not have this, is there a specialist mount we require to mount this next to the main engine? I aim to kit out the interior further, do I require a particular foam/wood for this purpose? I am not a fan of the padlock/clasp cabin lock, are there any issues with fitting a general yale-type door lock to cabin doors? I'm sure I will come across more on a closer inspection over the weekend, but all help for now is much appreciated!