Santana379
Well-Known Member
Re: How to Ruin a Pump Impellor thru\' Automatic Actions
This one should really be in Yachting Monthly's confessions. My boat's Lister 20 engine does not have any sort of overheating warning apart from the gauge.
Some years ago, on a practice weekend for an imminent Coastal Skipper practice exam, I set off across the Deben Bar under power. I had checked the raw water cooling flow through the transom, but the water that was being pumped out must have been the water in the system, 'cos I'd fortgotten to open the seacock. Fortunately I ran aground on the bar (!!), and trying unsuccessfully to use a big burst of power to get off, got some nasty smells/smoke so shut down. We were towed off by a fishing boat, not before the first tow rope parted.
Running aground probably saved the engine from serious damage.
In my defence, (to the running aground, not to failing to open the seacock), I was smack on the leading marks, and they were replaced by buoys in the correct positions the next week.
I always wait a couple of minutes now to check the water flow after starting up the engine.
I am just changing boats, and had the new one has an overheating alarm which came on last weekend. I was motorsailing in something of a hurry on the port tack, heeling at 20 degrees plus. I think that the water flow must have stopped because the seacock is fitted outboard from the centre line, and so perhaps was clear of the water.
This one should really be in Yachting Monthly's confessions. My boat's Lister 20 engine does not have any sort of overheating warning apart from the gauge.
Some years ago, on a practice weekend for an imminent Coastal Skipper practice exam, I set off across the Deben Bar under power. I had checked the raw water cooling flow through the transom, but the water that was being pumped out must have been the water in the system, 'cos I'd fortgotten to open the seacock. Fortunately I ran aground on the bar (!!), and trying unsuccessfully to use a big burst of power to get off, got some nasty smells/smoke so shut down. We were towed off by a fishing boat, not before the first tow rope parted.
Running aground probably saved the engine from serious damage.
In my defence, (to the running aground, not to failing to open the seacock), I was smack on the leading marks, and they were replaced by buoys in the correct positions the next week.
I always wait a couple of minutes now to check the water flow after starting up the engine.
I am just changing boats, and had the new one has an overheating alarm which came on last weekend. I was motorsailing in something of a hurry on the port tack, heeling at 20 degrees plus. I think that the water flow must have stopped because the seacock is fitted outboard from the centre line, and so perhaps was clear of the water.