Beat this for an inexplicable boat problem…

[fredrussell]

I challenge anyone to come up with a weirder boat fault than this, or indeed come up with an explanation for it.

So I’m motoring up the River Orwell when my engine cuts out. After getting a tow (no wind) and then spending a while fault finding I discover that the fuel tank main outlet ball valve lever has moved from horizontal (open) to vertical (closed). This in a completely protected part of cockpit locker - underneath a removable ‘false floor’. This happened after 15 minutes of running engine, and I hadn’t reached in or removed anything from cockpit during this time. Lever operates with usual amount of friction - neither very stiff nor very loose. Never happened before in hundreds of hours of motoring.

Should I get boat exorcised? Get some cctv in there to capture proof of gremlins?

 

[Porthandbuoy]

A change in resonant frequency having the same effect as Doctor Who’s ‘sonic screwdriver.’

 

[Yngmar]

Do you have a cat? Sounds exactly like the kind of thing a cat would do, then pretend it could never do that.

 

[johnalison]

Search for rats.

 

[Refueler]

If so 'remote' ... maybe its been very slowly closing over time with vibration ??

 

[PeterV]

On a submarine the emergency ballast blow back up valves are ball valves. One submarine did an emergency blow and found itself heading down at high speed. The back up valve had rolled shut. The investigation decided that it they’re slightly away from fully open the flow can catch the lip and shut them. They’re now all fitted with quick release straps to hold them in the open position.

 

[Birdseye]

I challenge anyone to come up with a weirder boat fault than this, or indeed come up with an explanation for it.

So I’m motoring up the River Orwell when my engine cuts out. After getting a tow (no wind) and then spending a while fault finding I discover that the fuel tank main outlet ball valve lever has moved from horizontal (open) to vertical (closed). This in a completely protected part of cockpit locker - underneath a removable ‘false floor’. This happened after 15 minutes of running engine, and I hadn’t reached in or removed anything from cockpit during this time. Lever operates with usual amount of friction - neither very stiff nor very loose. Never happened before in hundreds of hours of motoring.

Should I get boat exorcised? Get some cctv in there to capture proof of gremlins?

Maybe vibration / gravity closing the valve. Tighten it up at the gland.

I'll give you a weird one that I never solved. I had a prout cat, Carpeted floor in one hull and that hull havd a convex ceiling ie higher in the middle than at the sides. In the middle of the carpet I kept finding a damp patch when it was raining outside. Nothing under the floor to leak and it would be upwards anyway. Nothing at the sides and it couldnt be from above because of the shape and also the fact that there were no overhead openings.

No cats, no dogs and I am not incontinent.

 

[peteK]

It may of been switched off last time you used the boat and was running on fuel in pipework and filters.

 

[fredrussell]

…The back up valve had rolled shut. The investigation decided that it they’re slightly away from fully open the flow can catch the lip and shut them

I suppose that could be it. I’ve cable tied it open for now.

 

[fredrussell]

It may of been switched off last time you used the boat and was running on fuel in pipework and filters.

For 15 minutes? Seems unlikely to me but it’s a possibility.

 

[Stemar]

For 15 minutes? Seems unlikely to me but it’s a possibility.

I turned the fuel off to fix an issue in Yarmouth and duly forgot to turn it back on. It lasted long enough to take us out of the harbour, get the sails up and turn the engine off, but it refused to start at the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. Fortunately, we'd got the dinghy OB on the transom bracket, so that took us in.

 

[Yngmar]

For 15 minutes? Seems unlikely to me but it’s a possibility.

Ours does. Well, I gave up waiting after 10 minutes. Do try it - shut off that valve with the engine running and measure how long it takes for the engine to stop.

 

[youngwrinkley]

It is really very simple - YOU HAVE A GHOST -- Most boats have one! it is the ghost that turns on the gas tap after it has definitely been turned off. Ditto sea cocks, ditto door locks, open windows etc..... Ours is called Veronica.

 

[Jodel]

Most Piper's and Cessna's have enough fuel in the lines to get you to about 10ft on takeoff with the fuel cock switched off. 15mins at low rev's could well be possible on a yacht.

 

[LittleSister]

Not to mention the well known warp in the space-time continuum on the Orwell.

 

[Biggles Wader]

Not to mention the well known warp in the space-time continuum on the Orwell.

Is that the warp that snags the prop and stops the engine?

 

[penfold]

Ball valves are prone to this if slightly worn and subject to vibration; a swap to a valve with a butterfly handle may solve this, or if possible re-orient the valve so the spindle is vertical.

 

[fredrussell]

Ball valves are prone to this if slightly worn and subject to vibration; a swap to a valve with a butterfly handle may solve this, or if possible re-orient the valve so the spindle is vertical.

Cheers for the tip. For now I’ve just cable tied lever in open position. Pointless of course if the poltergeist/gremlin/agent of darkness has a pair of pliers.

 

[colind3782]

If you see chickens flying around the saloon, it's probably a poultrygeist.

I'll get my coat...

 

[sailaboutvic]

Arr Fred my man I put them ropes I borrowed back in that locker mate thanks.