Been awhile, and a few (actually many) bucks

Since I returned to work, I haven't posted. But it's not just having less time. 

It was really because I was having engine overheating problems each time out. So I tried a few things. Cleaned out the strainer. Checked impeller. And replaced the thermostat. Still had white "smoke" and what seemed like spotty water discharge. 

I contacted a mechanic, Jeff. His first visit was promising. He had a Flir thermal imaging laser thermometer and saw that the heat exchanger needed help. He removed the whole thing, and gave all the pieces a citric acid bath. That bath ended up being a week long because Jeff kept ordering the wrong replacement gaskets from my local Yanmar dealer, Svendsen's. 

Jeff says the issue is that the main chandlery brought up the schematics for the wrong engine. I told him to go to Dave, the Yanmar expert. But Dave is on the wholesale side. Dave called me twice to tell him what he thought I needed. But since Jeff bought the parts, I wanted to go in with him for the exchange. So we had to wait until I worked from home this past Friday, and got it all sorted.

Jeff worked 6 hours total, which ain't cheap. But he replaced the exchanger, and a few hoses. And now we have good water flow and revving the engine for 15 minutes he didn't get any white smok or heat. So hopefully I'm all set and can get out on the Bay again soon. Well, that is, after Halloween, and my Coastal classes Nov 1, 8, and 9. 

Phew

I went to the boat today to check out the white smoke issue we had last time out. 

I decided I want to change the coolant and change the oil because even if not needed, it's good practice for me.

I also wanted to take photos of all the systems so that I can confirm with our local Yanmar dealer that I have all the sores I need and get anything I don't have.

The coolant replacement was no easy. First I located the clear house coming from the fresh water system, and turned its butterfly valve. But nothing. Not a drop. I finally located another clear house so just had to try its valve. Only that valve was basically underneath the coolant reservoir and extremely inconvenient. Not able to un-tighten it by hand I had to also get a wrench in there which I finally managed with the tiny wrench I have. 

So I was able to get the coolant out. It was of course clean sonreally he whole thing was unnecessary but at least I know he process for removing and refilling it. 

I ran the diesel for 10 minutes after doing the coolant and great news! No white smoke/steam. So could have been that the key was not all the way on so I got an alarm, and the white steam that morning was due to humidity not a mechanical problem. Phew.

I also discovered that the manual bulge pump's diaphragm was cracked so I removed it and just ordered a service kit which will take several days to arrive. 

Tomorrow I'll do an oil change. Slightly more intimidating since the pump is electric and has to be connected to the battery. And the dipstick is very inconveniently located just like the nut for the coolant. 

Just cruising under power

Sometimes, especially with those new to being on board and with kids, it's best to just cruise. But to me that mean under power. In the estuary mostly. With snacks. And beverages. 

That's exactly what we did weekend before last with our friends and their two girls. It definitely makes for easier entertaining. We have the new boat-friendly dining ware from Sea Dog that we really like for its durability, nice appearance, and nonslip bottom ring on everything (http://www.seadogboatingsolutions.com/galley-products.html ). So testing it all out with cheeses, crackers, and various meats was definitely needed. 

The Bay Area weather was slightly cool, but the day was great, and 3-4 hours on the water left the kids feeling sleepy, which is always a great side benefit. 

I'd also say that my docking skills--at least at my side dock with no encumbrances except a Catalina ahead of us to avoid--have gotten pretty good. Using the estuary tide and going against it into the dock is relatively easy. Come in (very) slow, and kick the ass end out at the very end, and drop her into reverse for a little burst, and good to go. 

Can't Motor Without Water

Yesterday, I took my daughter and my wife's Uncle Thom (who is generally the sailing mentor being an old salty dog) out into the estuary to practice motoring and docking. All was going well for the first hour. 

Then we picked up two sort-of cousins who are staying with Thom to motor further down towards Jack London Sq. About a half hour later and past two draw bridges, I heard the tone of the motor exhaust change. Checking for water coming out the back, and not seeing any, I immediately killed the Yanmar. Luckily we were in a relatively wide part of the channel and even though there was a slight tide, there wasn't much wind at all so we didn't have to put in an anchor. 

Thom and I went below, and the cousins (who are in their twenties and very chill guys) played some cards with my kid to keep her busy. 

We localized the problem to the water pump, which I've learned is pretty much the go to culprit. We took off the hoses and pump, after determining that it was further than the intake hose or strainer. The impeller find all looked good and were pliable so the usual broken fin wasn't the issue. 

Unsure how much time we had to test things, we had also called BoatUS, which is the AAA of the water. And just like AAA, they estimated an hour before rescue. Amazingly, our position in the estuary stayed relatively the same. And while Thom and I discussed possible issues,Phil's Vessel Assist arrived. Another amazing thing is that other than sheer abuse of the system, BoatUS has no limit on tows or rescues. Well worth the expense--more so than AAA.

Phil towed us through the two bridge and expertly docked us despite boats on either side of our dock location. Then we called it a day for the boat and hurried to make my daughter's soccer game. 

Then I returned to the boat this morning with Thom, and we got it all figured out. Pulled the pump again and yanked the impeller to learn that the impeller inner ring had somehow disconnected from the rubber fins, so it wouldn't soon. Luckily the previous owner had a replacement impeller and paper gasket on board (I ordered two more of each!). So with another hour on board, the motor fired up and water was expelling out the transom again. Phew. 

(Now, I haven't written about the difficulty in getting the pump bolts off in the first place and my and Thom's idea to start our own YouTube series with tons of swearing and ending with what we expected would be a Yanmar service technician out there finally fixing things. Luckily it didn't come to that.)

I only have photos of the rescue from BoatUS, not the water pump repair. Oh well.

Motor on

So the wind today in the estuary and the Bay was elusive. Which means we got to be motor sailors for a few hours (from 1:30-4:30). Love that Yanmar 3GM30F (at 257 hrs now). Would've preferred sailing but it was still a nice time out. Brought along Uncle Thom, Sophia, my wife Jane, and one other friend Jack. 

We have the cushions out for re-upholstery and I learned that the cabin interior is more than twice as loud as usual with the engine going when there's no sound deadening of the cushion near the running engine. 

Saw a seal and a cool low flying pelican. 

We also got to watch a huge cargo ship being maneuvered by a few tugs in the estuary. 

Well anyway, here are some photos.