Engine broken - Champagne et Burgogne Canal

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Windy_Stu

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Hi all,

Looks like our engine has given up the ghost - think we've lost one cylinder - we are 4km north of Joinville on the Champagne to Burgundy Canal (Canal de la Marne a la Saone). Does anyone know of a mechanic (English speaking) who could help or any other suggestions gratefully received. Where can we get the boat out of the water? We suspect that we will need a tow, again any suggestions.

Thanks,

Stuart
 
Thanks for the ideas... yep i have a 5Hhp which i will try to lash on.... or maybe simply tow with tender.... not sure where to tow to at the moment :-).... anyone know where i might find a yard along here??

Engine is a Westerbeke 30 ( 3 cy mitsubishi based unit ) looks like a bit of the air box has broken and got sucked into the engine... sounds like a bag of spanners and wont rev more than 1700... i am trying to find a mechanic to have a look, but i fear it might be terminal
 
France has lots of mobile mechanics, car, agricultural and commercial vehicle, all capable of sorting out a diesel. Just ask in your local village marie or tourist information if they have a phone number for the local mobile mechanic. There rates are far cheaper than any boatyard or marine mechanic who are realy expensive. I called one (ok nine years ago), who normaly worked on tractors, he took away my heat exchanger end cover (I had removed it and found it cracked) brazed repaired it, brought it back, refitted it for me so it could be tested, and charged only 45 Euros. 5 years ago one, (mobile car mechanic) charged the boat I was traveling with only 285 euros to remove and fit a new alternator (The cost of a new alternator from a UK dealer just to buy would have been £187 just to buy). OK it was not a genuine Volvo, but it worked just as well. In towns there are big garages like UK. But rural areas and villages no longer have a garage, just mobile mechanics. Last winter the French boat two down in my marina had his 4 injectors taken away by a moble car mechanic, refitted and replaced for 200 euros. The boatyard quote had been 560 euros. He just had to make sure the marina did not know.
 
Use the OB to get to a comfy mooring.
Ask locally for anyone who can fix the motor for you.
There are plenty of diesel mechanics in rural France, look @ all the tractors.
Your lack of French should prove little handicap - just try..., If it's really bad they'll find someone to translate.
I've used a 3.5 OB to move a boat on 3 occasions, in the open sea and for up to 6-7 nautical miles. In confined waters, Dink on front, OB in reverse boat helm lashed, if single-handed. Use dinghy to steer and stop.
Worst that can be the problem is a jammed inlet valve - 4 hrs work to replace.
 
Thanks for the advice chaps...

on a nice comfy ( and free ) mooring.... rung up the local tourist office for a bit of help.... blow me down the guy drove to our boat to check we were all right... brought out a local mechanic to help sort engine... looks like a bit of the air box has broken off and been swallowed by the engine and bent an inlet valve... mechanic is doing his best to sort it

I've got to say we are still stuck, but the help from the guys here has been supurb... the guy from tourist office has even volunteered to take us to the local supermarket for any heavy stuff we can't get on the bike... I am very impressed... not sure I would get this level of help in the UK... makes you wonder why I am trying so hard to get back :-)
 
Found this time and time again, wonderful friendly and helpful people in France.

Windy_Stu said:
Thanks for the advice chaps...

on a nice comfy ( and free ) mooring.... rung up the local tourist office for a bit of help.... blow me down the guy drove to our boat to check we were all right... brought out a local mechanic to help sort engine... looks like a bit of the air box has broken off and been swallowed by the engine and bent an inlet valve... mechanic is doing his best to sort it

I've got to say we are still stuck, but the help from the guys here has been supurb... the guy from tourist office has even volunteered to take us to the local supermarket for any heavy stuff we can't get on the bike... I am very impressed... not sure I would get this level of help in the UK... makes you wonder why I am trying so hard to get back :-)
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