Emsworth - Mechanic needed

[affinite]

Went down to look at my brother in laws new boat yesterday but couldnt get the darn thing started. Its a sea panther engine in a Sadler 32 and just didnt seem to be turning over fast enough to me (even with all three batteries in parallel). Although the most likely reason is that the batteries were cold and very low to start with, we need to have a contingency plan in case a full off-boat charge doesnt do the trick so ...

Can anyone recommend a good mechanic in the Emsworth/Portsmouth area ?

Thanks in advance
Steve

 

[Wansworth]

There is one in Thornham Marina,seems ok ans recommended by friends.

 

[ostell]

There is one in Thornham Marina,seems ok ans recommended by friends.

I'll second that. John Cutler, http://cutlermarine.com/ Used him several times, and recommended by me and several others.

 

[fireball]

-1

I took a broken ignition switch into him from a Volvo MD5a - was told that the best he could do was sell a new engine....
yer right ...

 

[johnwest]

Have used Alan Dibley A.D.Marine for years excellent chap.
02392 465638 or 07802 766738.
Based on Hayling Island.

j

 

[vyv_cox]

Try turning it over decompressed until it gets up to speed, then close the lever. Don't let it turn over for long decompressed as this achieves nothing.

 

[VicS]

Something unusual about the electrics on a Sea Panther IIRC

Uses 24 volt on a 12 volt starter ????? If so don't over do the cranking. Also something to check to ensure that is what is happening if indeed it is supposed to.

Also be aware of the dangers of flooding the exhaust, and then the engine, with water if you keep cranking a non-starter with the seacock open

 

[Lakesailor]

3 batteries in parallel would give 12 volts.

 

[pappaecho]

Yes, if its anything like mine it used 2 x 12 volt batteries via a relay system to provide 24 volts on a 12 volt starter motor. Hence scared the living daylights out of the system hence it always started first go. Never crank for more than 15 seconds as you will burn out the starter motor. Silly question - was the diesel tap on?
would have a look at the relay system to make sure that the contacts are clean, and ansure the batteries are charged. Your third battery is presumably a 12 v house battery

 

[VicS]

See the posts by Silverseal in this thread

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67156

 

[affinite]

Thanks

Thanks all - I think it is the 12v starter version (there are no fancy relay systems to give 24v)
Vyv - Yes I thought of running it decompressed to get it spinning but but couldnt find a decompression lever. Stop lever didnt seem to make any difference to load.

VicS - you have me thinking / worried re the flooding advice

 

[minnitt]

Have used Alan Dibley A.D.Marine for years excellent chap.
02392 465638 or 07802 766738.
Based on Hayling Island.

j

+ 1. And if Alan can't provide an answer he will tell you who can. Michael Minnitt

 

[affinite]

Thats made me think ...

Yes, if its anything like mine it used 2 x 12 volt batteries via a relay system to provide 24 volts on a 12 volt starter motor. Hence scared the living daylights out of the system hence it always started first go. Never crank for more than 15 seconds as you will burn out the starter motor. Silly question - was the diesel tap on?
would have a look at the relay system to make sure that the contacts are clean, and ansure the batteries are charged. Your third battery is presumably a 12 v house battery

Ive never heard of putting 24v into a 12v starter motor until I read the old thread refered to by VicS.

We were not really looking for one but I didnt see a relay; however there was an unattached red wire hanging near the starter motor/solenoid. (As the solenoid was kicking in I assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that this was an original wire from the start key switch to the solenoid and that it had been replaced at some stage but that the old wire had been just left hanging)

Could this have dropped of the relay and the slugishness in turning over was the fact that the starter motor was trying to start on 12v when it wanted 24v ?

Can anyone with the 24 system tell me where the relay is normally fitted ?

 

[pappaecho]

On Silverseal, the relay was positioned in the most inconvenient place imaginable, under the cockpit seating on the inside so weather proof. Only a gynacologist would have been able to get at it.
If your engine is cranking over albeit slowly I think you can assume the relay box ( if fitted) is working. It might be worth getting somebody to crank the engine briefly and measure the voltage at the starter motor.
If the engine is 24 volt start, then it is likely to be a bad connection on one of the batteries, or indeed a bad battery. Checking the voltage witha meter should identify the latter.
If the system is 12 volt, then it could be a dodgy starter motor.
The reason that Ford used the 24 volt bodge was that the engine is based on a petrol Ford 113 engine which was converted to diesel. It therefore had no heater system, and relied on brute force to start the engine, which in the case of Silverseal was near instant.

I do not know the Sadler 32, if the engine is below or near the waterline, then there may be "water flooding issues". If the engine ia above the waterline you will not have and problems. If in doubt start with seacock off

As the boat is a new "old boat" if you can contact the previous owner he may be able to shed some light. Regretfully I sold Siverseal in 2004 and will look in my archives ( old cupboard) to see if I have a copy of the wiring diagram.If I can find it I will PM you.

If you are wondering if I am schizophrenic, I changed my handle when I sold Silverseal

 

[VicS]

I do not know the Sadler 32, if the engine is below or near the waterline, then there may be "water flooding issues". If the engine ia above the waterline you will not have and problems

No sorry that not right.
It is correct if referring to syphoning while the engine is idle BUT all the time you are cranking with the seacock open water is being pumped into the exhaust.

It may take more than a few seconds but in time the exhaust will be filled if the engine does not start then the engine will fill! (It may be worse if decompressed as there won't even be any air flow)

 

[mithril]

One of the engineers from Fay Marine is currently staying on Ti Gitu in Emsworth Marina. Give him a try. paulfay2@btinternet.com

 

[pappaecho]

I have misread your location... I assumed it was Greece. If all else fails I live in Gosport, and would be able to see the boat and make suggestions and conduct tests..

 

[Seajet]

I'm not quite sure how one would go about asking - apart from standing on a chair & shouting, or maybe asking at the bar - but seriously useful boaty people are often in the Lord Raglan & BlueBell pubs in Emsworth, I'm sure a good engineer would be recommended...good luck !

 

[Tidewaiter2]

Ask Sid..

I'm not quite sure how one would go about asking - apart from standing on a chair & shouting, or maybe asking at the bar - but seriously useful boaty people are often in the Lord Raglan & BlueBell pubs in Emsworth, I'm sure a good engineer would be recommended...good luck !

....The Emsworth Boatman for Chi Hbr, when he's in the Bluebell;
There is John Cutler in Thornham, who we use, as previously mentioned, didn't know Paul Fay on B pontoon, EYH, was an actual time served 'lump' Engineer, thought he designed and built whole yachts, as per having a Christmas meal with him & Mo last Sat night- but they are live aboards, so multi skilled by nature.
...You learn something new every day- now I wonder if I can ask him.....?