Slow_boat
Well-Known Member
I took ownership of my new (24 yr old) Sadler 'White Magic' at the Friday. SWMBO joined on Saturday so we had a couple of days to find our way round her and connect and fill the flexible water tank. Very pleased.
Sunday was blowing a bit but after some consideration we decided to sail to the Crouch, partly because I didn't want to keep paying Shotleys' berthing fees. Started engine (Bukh 20), plenty of water from the exhaust, and waited to lock out. We locked out and motored as far as the third lightship when the engine died and wouldn't restart. Out with the genny, sailed up river a bit and got the anchor down upriver from the Deben bouy. I took the engine cover off and the engine was very hot. Radioed the marina to see about a workboat coming out to give us a hand and was told 'not until Tuesday!' The Felixstow volunteer inshore lifeboat came by and offered to help out by towing us back in. I assured them that we weren't an emergency and gratefully accepted. They towed us alongside and right to the berth we'd left an hour before. They're on my Christmas card list and we made a decent donation to their charity.
An hour or so later the engine started and ran fine, which, to me, points to the thermostat. Unfortunately we've had to leave the boat there while we get the machanic to look at it, all of which will cost a fortune. So it goes, I suppose.
I don't think I can really blame anyone, the survey only covered a visual check of the engine and I did the usual engine checks and ran it up before I took possesion so I guess it's just one of those things.
Then the water tank leaked into the forepeak. I suppose I'd overfilled it Not the best maiden voyage but as swmbo said, it beats the Titanic and we're still alive (though likely to have a severly bruised wallet soon!) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
And next week I've got to figure out how I'm going to sail her round by myself and get back from Hullbridge to Shotley to pick up my car. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Sunday was blowing a bit but after some consideration we decided to sail to the Crouch, partly because I didn't want to keep paying Shotleys' berthing fees. Started engine (Bukh 20), plenty of water from the exhaust, and waited to lock out. We locked out and motored as far as the third lightship when the engine died and wouldn't restart. Out with the genny, sailed up river a bit and got the anchor down upriver from the Deben bouy. I took the engine cover off and the engine was very hot. Radioed the marina to see about a workboat coming out to give us a hand and was told 'not until Tuesday!' The Felixstow volunteer inshore lifeboat came by and offered to help out by towing us back in. I assured them that we weren't an emergency and gratefully accepted. They towed us alongside and right to the berth we'd left an hour before. They're on my Christmas card list and we made a decent donation to their charity.
An hour or so later the engine started and ran fine, which, to me, points to the thermostat. Unfortunately we've had to leave the boat there while we get the machanic to look at it, all of which will cost a fortune. So it goes, I suppose.
I don't think I can really blame anyone, the survey only covered a visual check of the engine and I did the usual engine checks and ran it up before I took possesion so I guess it's just one of those things.
Then the water tank leaked into the forepeak. I suppose I'd overfilled it Not the best maiden voyage but as swmbo said, it beats the Titanic and we're still alive (though likely to have a severly bruised wallet soon!) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
And next week I've got to figure out how I'm going to sail her round by myself and get back from Hullbridge to Shotley to pick up my car. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
