Friday came. Being half way to Beaufort, did not happen.
The engine would not crank. It had cranked and fired fine, even on the two coldest days of the week.
We were towed to Charleston City Marina so work can be done- beyond what I did all day Friday and early Saturday morning.
Hip towed to Charleston City Marina
My resources for diagnosis and correction included- Engines1.com’s pdf of Westebekes on Gemini catamarans; a call to an Engines1 staff person who referred me, for phone support, to Atlantic Marine Generators; calls and support from a friend who has a Westebeke and who has kept his engine alive for well over a year of ICW travel; and finally the head mechanic at Deaton’s Yacht Service on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, I did not get a call back from John Deaton on Saturday morning for any last minute insights he might have offered.
Volt meter confirmed power to the pump but something is amiss when attempting to crank the engine
Old and new pumps before installing the new one
The wires were soldered to prevent corrosion
One of two jumpers created to bypass possible culprits
Gary walked me thru how to bleed the injectors if air was the issue
Not wanting to miss being available for a mechanic on Monday morning, we had Boat US contract with Tow Boat US to tow us to Charleston City Marina. I’ve written a work summary for a local marine service company who is to send a mechanic to the boat to resolve the problem. The summary of diagnosis and work done is over 500 words in length- the amount of effort on my part Friday and then Saturday morning was extensive.
Hopefully the mechanic can use the information provided and photos of the engine- so the needed parts can be brought when they first come. If we are blessed, we can head toward Beaufort on Tuesday.
Any way………………
Dinner on Thursday night was grilled chicken. It had an excellent marinade Diann had poured from a bag and mixed with olive oil. We slept soundly until the boat started crying (making sounds that are not routine). Ooops, we had swung out over a shoal and the tide taught us a new anchoring lesson that night about how long scopes can have adverse results. When the tide rose, we floated again. I shortened the anchor rode by 50 feet and we held just fine at a six to one scope.
Friday, after all that engine work and resulting disappointment- we settled for chili and crackers!
Saturday-
Diann and I weren’t happy with having the expense of marina fees and more boat yard bills. But, other than a generator throttle solenoid replacement and a blue wire replacement on the main engine, our repairs at Deaton Yacht Services were minor. All our other expense was for upgrades to the toilet and DC wiring system. There’s no question in my mind that our Gemini catamaran has been used more in the past dozen days than during the previous two years. Some parts just wear out.
It was a beautiful day to be towed.
St John’s Marina on Saturday before our gemini catamaran is towed
Being at the Battery area of Charleston isn’t a bad place to stay if your boat needs repaired.
Sunday-
Being at the dock vs. having remained at anchor looks to have been a doubly good call. The wind is up and adverse storms are passing through.
View across the bow of Yacht A Fun as seen thru the saloon window
A break in the rain storm as seen across the stern
The marina has a shuttle bus which runs every hour. One of its stops is a Harris Teeter grocery store. Of that, I’m looking forward.
Meanwhile Zoey strikes a new resting position.
A new resting position for Zoey
Comments 1
Hope they can get it figured out this morning for you. Oh, by the way, get used to shorter scopes. You will almost never have more than 4 or 5:1 in the Bahamas. The anchorages are too crowded and the water is too shallow. It takes awhile to get used to it and you have to have a really good anchor.
Deb
S/V Kintala
http://www.theretirementproject.blogspot.com