Momac
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Posts posted by Momac
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Petrol generator - Impax 1500 from Screwfix , suitcase type, has been okay almost two years old with very occasional use. Now past its one year warranty.
This weekend used it a few hours . As the weather was quite hot the generator probably got a bit hotter than usual . I let it stand to cool after being used, and put it on my boat. Later smelled petrol and found the generator was leaking petrol - quite a significant leak.
I have since run up the generator for a few minutes and no leak when running but starts to leak petrol a few minutes after stopping.
I tried leaving filler cap in the open vent position and the fuel tap switched off - still some petrol vapour and escaping petrol appears under the generator.
Side panel removal doesn't reveal anything obvious. I am thinking the engine got too hot and has damaged/melted a fuel pipe? Or could it be the float valve in the carburettor has stuck ? Any thoughts welcome.
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I have just returned home after visiting Newark by boat for the music festival.
There are some bins in Newark but far and rew between given the number of people at the music festival. We have brought our own rubbish home . However others had abandoned their rubbish where they had sat at the side of the river. I find this practice offensive but it doe s demonstrate whet will happen if inadequate facilities are provided.
If the C&RT remove the bins people will probably leave their rubbish wherever they feel inclined .
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Though not cratch cover as such my canvas on my last boat was replaced after about 8 years old. As has been said it was the stitching that failed, although the windows had also faded.It may be worth trying one of the canvas cleaning products such as Renovo, Fenwicks or Autoglym .
I recently used a steam cleaner on my canvas which , with help from some detergent and a little scrubbing has done an acceptably good job.
If re-proofing try Fabsil Gold (rather than the ordinary Fabsil) . More expensive but longer lasting - my canvas has remained waterproof since treated over a year ago ,despite later cleaning.
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4 hours ago, Calranthe said:
the steering is so responsive that you end up in a very shallow zig zag movement as you keep bringing her back on point and she slips the other way
Under low power the tendency to wander is not unusual for a single engined sterndrive boat . You will eventually learn how to correct it instinctively. When it is safe to do so try leaving the steering alone and the boat may correct itself........ but not always.
A little wind indicator flag on the bow - or even a ribbon attached to the rail- may be a good investment in order to see which way the wind may be taking the bow - all the weight is near the stern so the wind may easily catch hold of the bow.
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On 2017-6-10 at 13:47, David wren said:
Thanks naughty Cal, the name has just clicked. I will give burton waters a ring and see what sort of money we are looking at. Has anyone had this done?. I am just wondering if there are any post op problems. Cheers dave
Thanks Phil
Burton Waters have done and arch chop on a S34 . Enquire about experience with the modification on the Sealine forum - a response can't be guaranteed but wortha try.
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9 minutes ago, Northernboater said:
Just don't buy an old plastic with an old BMC engine in it
Are these same engines not used in narrowboats ? Is there not equal risk in buying an old narrowboat?
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So what caused the engine oil to be lost ?
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This mornings thoughts....
If a sterndrive boat overheats , particularly on a canal, it may be something picked up on the cooling water intake. Something like a plastic bag. . Stopping the engine and the obstruction can fall off.
All then all returns to normal.
Carrying on with the overheating engine may have cooked the oil and caused other damage .
Have the cooling system checked . And, as a minimum , the raw water pump impeller should be renewed as it too will have overheated and may be damaged. The raw water pump should remain cool with the engine running.
Perhaps the fuel leakage is a separate matter.
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12 hours ago, Calranthe said:
the engine was basically out of oil and a small amount of debris in the water filter.
The engine being out of oil is perhaps more concerning than the diesel leak.
If the oil has leaked from the oil filter its an easy fix. If not - has the correct grade of oil been used ?
Sounds like the overheating could be a false reading - a faulty sender ?
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I have only ever worked (professionally) in metric units as long as I can remember. I work in the construction industry. But I am relatively young - only 58 .
The km markers (from Nottingham to Gainsborough) on the R.Trent have been in place a long time . I dont know when the km markers were put in but if anyone does know I would be interested.
However the roads are still signed miles and in MPH. Therefore any speed limit sign in km/hr in the UK does seem a bit odd. I know what the speed limits are so don't really take any notice of the speed limit signs. I have my boat speed gauges set in yet another unit - knots !
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When the tide arrives at Torksey on springs the water level goes up pretty quickly. A few minutes can gain a foot. So getting over the cill 2 hrs before HW isnt far off the mark (in round numbers )
On Neaps its less pronounced of course.
On springs the tide doesn't necessarily go all the way out at Torksey before the next tide arrives .
The tide can be early or late depending on weather conditions. Half an hour late on one occasion when we were out last year.
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5 minutes ago, john6767 said:
. Can you moor overnight at Cromwell lock?
Yes
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pends
3 hours ago, john6767 said:Does it get to a point at low water where you can not get over the cill at Torksey?
Yes - usually. Not always.
this is the thing with the Trent . No rules apply all of the time . Not all rules suit all boats.
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The first think to check regarding the fuel issue is the fuel filter (possibly more than one filter).
As the boat is new to you I would suggest changing the fuel filter elements regardless.
Its possible to get diesel bug which is bacterial growth developing in small amounts of water in the fuel. The diesel should be very clear. The bug can clog the fuel system including filters . If this is an issue its possible to obtain fuel additives to kill the bug . Also possible issue is excessive water in the fuel which may be due to a fuel filler cap that does not seal out the rain.
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My local council waste recycling centre takes waste engine oil. It is not very conveniently placed for anyone without road vehicle.
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We are River Trent based and always wear lifejackets when under way . Like wearing a seatbelt in a car wearing a lifejacket becomes part of the normal routine.
On the tidal Trent everyone aboard should wear a lifejacket . The non tidal river is equally hazardous if not more so than the tidal section yet some people do not wear life jackets . There are very strong currents at the locks that could pull you under. An ex-forces trained diver told me he had been carried off position by a current trapped for a short while under water just below Newark town lock when carrying out an inspection and needed all of his skills and a bit of luck to escape. (Amazingly I have seen people let their kids swim in the river near a lock).
Our boat has a well protected helm - you could not possibly fall in from the helm- but I figure you need to be prepared for the unexpected, such as going to help someone in distress .
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10 hours ago, Lizzy said:
The Trent sounds intriguing, but I am a little scared of tidal places still!
Its perfectly normal and sensible to be cautious of tidal rivers. However with correct passage planning it can be safe. You should not be single handed on any tidal journey, although so do so on the Trent.
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On 2017-5-27 at 00:00, Calranthe said:
Hopefully starting the buying process next week on a 20ft buckingham as per another thread and I will be moving it from sawley to Aston marina via the trent & mersey something like a 3-4 day journey on my own talk about trial by fire, so this is my post asking for advice and ideas.
All of the solo lock video's I have seen are from the perspective of a narrow boat, as some one pointed out to me try not to get into a lock with a narrow boat you are in a plastic boat which will bend and squish especially if up against a steel narrow boat.
So I probably need a lot of advice and if some one a video or some thing, I am all about studying before hand learning before hand so better prepared.
Thank you for any advice given.
Moving the boat yourself by canal will be good training for you.. and a good test for the boat. It would be useful to take a crew member who can operate the locks or share that work with you.
Probably best to avoid sharing a lock with a narrowboat .
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Going upstream out of West Stockwith is easier than going down.
You will exit West Stockwith as soon as there is enough depth which will probably be within half an hour of the flood.
You will probably need to go boldly out of the lock into the upstream flow, which will will take you all the way up to Torksey.
The other week, on springs ,we left West Stockwith and were getting 3.5 knots of extra speed over the ground from the tide , which gradually diminished with progression upstream to Torksey. On Neap tides the free fuel provided by the tide will be reduced.
Bear in mind the tides can be as much as half an hour off the predicted time depending on weather conditions. This is where the experienced lock keepers should be able to help.
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The flood (the time when the tide starts to come in) at West stockwith starts at high tide Hull (more or less).
It runs in for 2 hrs 15mins. So it runs in with considerable pace. You dont want to be trying to enter the lock off the Trent while it is running in fast.
High tide is the best time to arrive when the water is slack but this is difficult to achieve if you are coming from Torksey.
The tide runs out with a fair lick but that is slow compared to the way it comes in. An hour after high tide the flow will still be tolerable even on springs.
In practice you should - must- talk to the lock keeper at west stockwith the day before you wil be travelling and if you are uncertain he will advise you of a good time.
http://www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk/on-the-water/navigation/navigating-the-tidal-river-trent/
http://www.tides4fishing.com/uk/england/hull
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My first boat had a sea toilet. It also had a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate . The outlet from the toilet had a sea cock that could be closed to prevent discharge into the water.
My present boat has a holding tank which has a deck pump out fitting. However it also has a macerator pump and sea cock which allows the tank to be pumped out (below the water line) into the water.
We are perhaps lucky that in our area (River Trent) there are moorings at the locks and C&RT toilets available. It is very rare for us to be moored where there is no shore toilets within a short walk. We use these shore facilities and therefore pee only in the toilet on the boat .
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There is a fairly low wall on the upstream of Holme lock .
A visitor pontoon and a small low section of wall upstream of Stoke Lock
A visitor pontoon between the bridge and the lock upstream of Gunthorpe lock.
A moderately high wall upstream of Hazelford lock and a low section of wall downstream.
A visitor pontoon at The Bromley at Fiskerton.
A visitor pontoon at Farndon.
A visitor pontoon at Newark near the C&RT offices .
A low wall downstream of Nether Lock
A visitor pontoon and a low section of wall upstream of Cromwell.
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My engine is not Vetus but I use Baldwin filters which are not usually expensive. There may be more than one choice of filter that will fit - some have no drain at all.
Do you have a part number for the Vetus filter in this case?
edit ... other posts arrived while I typed !
Portable Generator leaking petrol
in General Boating
Posted
The generator was taken off the boat as soon as possible and is now at home standing outside and well away from the house . It is going nowhere near the boat until fixed.
Added a small amount more fuel and it is peeing out. Fuel tap or pipe between tank and fuel tap could be the source of the leak.