A salutory tale

[ffiill]

About three weeks ago I finally got my boat in the water on the boat yards cradle.
I was taken out to it just as it floated free and just in time for quite a wind to blow up which need several persons to hold it away from the steel cradle as I reversed out.
As a result I had no time to run up the engine before setting off.
I turned on the ignition,gave it 20 seconds heat noting the voltmeter needle dropping as I did and fired the engine.
A repeated cough but no start and I already suspected the cold start but there were two yard staff waiting for me to go so I switched in all three batteries and finally it started.
I then reversed out of the cradle and headed of out of Loch Kishorn towards Loch Carron into to the teeth of very gusty winds and by now quite a swell. I had just cleared the old oil rig yard as I noticed the temperature guage heading for boiling point! I returned with difficulty to the cradle,allowed the engine to cool and checked the indirect header tank-empty.
I filled it up and started the warm engine no problem and took the boat across to my new mooring at Plockton.
In hindsight I realised that when I drained the engine block in the autumn and refilled with antifreeze it had airlocked which is quite a common problem and as during the winter I had only briefly run the engine on several occasions the airlock had not had the opportunity to clear.
(I once did this on my Nissan Terrano and it cost me a new cylinder head!)
As for the starting problem I had during the winter had the heater plugs out to check their operation and when I tested for continuity found I had at best just two working as I hadnt tightened up the knurled power lead nut properly connecting number two to number three and persay number 4 heater. Unfortunately its in a very arkward place behind the inlet manifold.
Solved this issue today in very hot and humid conditions.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Ah the joys of boating, after this lot you will really enjoy your next trouble free outing.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[ffiill]

Ah the joys of boating, after this lot you will really enjoy your next trouble free outing.

Good luck and fair winds.

Looking forward to some fun in your part of the world next summer-yours.
My daughter lives up on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane.
In meantime we have finally got summer temperatures here in Highlands of Scotland higher than the Sunshine coast is at the moment in the winter.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Looking forward to some fun in your part of the world next summer-yours.
My daughter lives up on the Sunshine Coast north of Brisbane.
In meantime we have finally got summer temperatures here in Highlands of Scotland higher than the Sunshine coast is at the moment in the winter.

Fantastic, we just a week down there at our sons birthday party, arrived the day before the big event, pit roast, pig on a spit, back yard full of tents caravans and trailer campers and big old bonfire, well it winter here. Luck he has a large block and some very good neighbours.

I hope you plan to visit the Whitsunday Islands during your stay. a 1 hour and 40 minute flight to Mackay and a 45 minute drive will get you there. only 70 odd islands to explore, most uninhabited, and most of the ones that are have resorts on them. Hamilton Island is a must, fantastic yacht club.

I do hope you daughter is not too close to the coast, it can be pretty load at night, mostly police and ambulance sirens. a visit to the Maritime Museum and South Bank should also be on your ad gender.

We live a lot further North up in the tropics but manage to get down to Brisbane 3 or 4 times a year. I also get to Cairns quite often as the cat up there at the moment, great climate, good fishing, and the Great Barrier Reef is very close to the coast up there.

Flick me a PM if need more info / advice.

Good luck and fair winds.