SeaAndSea
Well-Known Member
Our boat has problems. We knew the fuel in the tanks wasn't brilliant as we've got a rusty hole in the top of one and this is the reason for taking the boat to Ipswich, to get the tanks replaced. We have however we've been using the boat up and down the crouch with no issues. When it came to departure time on Wednesday, one engine wouldn't start. After an hour carrying out various checks, we found water in the injectors, water in the fuel and Racor filters. at this point we decided the fuel/tanks couldn't be trusted, so 2 230L drums were strapped inside with new fuel lines run. we took another 125L of fuel in 25L cans also. We set off Friday morning, around high tide, did a leisurely 5kts up to Levington, arriving at slack tide and had a great passage. 2 chart plotters failed very early in the journey and we ended up using a mobile phone and paper charts.
We had a great and supportive crew, and a couple of friends advising and helping the the fuel mods... this would have taken a lot longer without their help.
Things we've learnt/taken way from this experience
1) We already know a lot about out boat overall, and fuel consumption in particular, so next time we're told we can't do 35miles with 460L of fuel, we will be confident in our knowledge and experience. We used 90L in the end.
2) have a plan B and plan C when route planning
3) know the marinas along the route along with their service and any entry restrictions
4) Don't assume all the electronics will work perfectly, have some redundancy.
5) Have paper charts and understand them
6) Day skipper will be helpful
7) Our Cat 3208s are resilient beasts that looked after us after we looked after them
8) Of course we lack experience in so many aspects of sailing/cruising, but we can do this, slowly and safely.
Thanks for all of the above comments, they all helped in some way
Colin & Chris
We had a great and supportive crew, and a couple of friends advising and helping the the fuel mods... this would have taken a lot longer without their help.
Things we've learnt/taken way from this experience
1) We already know a lot about out boat overall, and fuel consumption in particular, so next time we're told we can't do 35miles with 460L of fuel, we will be confident in our knowledge and experience. We used 90L in the end.
2) have a plan B and plan C when route planning
3) know the marinas along the route along with their service and any entry restrictions
4) Don't assume all the electronics will work perfectly, have some redundancy.
5) Have paper charts and understand them
6) Day skipper will be helpful
7) Our Cat 3208s are resilient beasts that looked after us after we looked after them
8) Of course we lack experience in so many aspects of sailing/cruising, but we can do this, slowly and safely.
Thanks for all of the above comments, they all helped in some way
Colin & Chris
