New to Forum - New to Sports Boats - In fact just new

[Matteeboy]

Hi All,

Newbie here so forgive utter stupidity, naiveness and general lack of knowledge.
Just bought a Salcombe Flyer 440 (14'6") with a Mercury 60 (2 stroke) - Goes like the clappers and great for skiing but the boat is several years old with a 2 year old engine.
Grown up with boats (usually Boston Whalers) but could do with some sort of guidance on maintenance and repair - An engineer by degree so vaguely practical.
The engine has cut out a couple of times when running - I'm convinced it's fuel/air related - do you leave the air valves open on the fuel cap (5 gallon) when running or close them?
I've heard of outboard maintenance courses but my local training centres are useless - Any recommendations in/near Cornwall?

Cheers all and great website!

 

[jhr]

Hi, Matteeboy, and welcome.

What I know about engines can be written on the back of a postage stamp, but the air valve on the fuel tank cap should remain open and may, indeed, be why your engine is cutting out after a while.

Salcombe flyers are excellent little boats.

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]
but the air valve on the fuel tank cap should remain open and may, indeed, be why your engine is cutting out after a while.

[/ QUOTE ]

I concur. Did it myself on Sunday when out in my tender. Fuel needs air pressure to feed out of tank and unless there is air to replace the vacuum forming in the tank, you get an airlock.

 

[Fire99]

[ QUOTE ]
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but the air valve on the fuel tank cap should remain open and may, indeed, be why your engine is cutting out after a while.

[/ QUOTE ]

I concur. Did it myself on Sunday when out in my tender. Fuel needs air pressure to feed out of tank and unless there is air to replace the vacuum forming in the tank, you get an airlock.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll third that. Did it on my first 18ft boat with a 40hp outboard.
The symptom of leaving the valve shut is a) the engine will cut out and b) if its a plastic tank and the lines are in good condition you may see the tank try to suck itself inwards.

Anyway, check that first. Then if the valve is well open but still getting cutting out issues, check the basics first.

Check your fuel lines are in good condition and the priming bowl (which you'll probably have on the line) isnt split causing air leaks.

When was the outboard last serviced? An annual service is mandatory IMO for things like water pump impellar and general tuning.

regards,

Nick

 

[Matteeboy]

Cheers all - the odd thing is that the other tank (we have two 5 gallon tanks) also cut out once as well but we think the fuel line may have been squashed on that occasion.
Serviced last year but plan to get one done at the end of the season (Sept/Oct) when we pull her off the mooring.
Certainly been a learning experience - Our last boat, a 17ft Coble (classic sailing boat) needed very little looking after but was veeeeery slow!

Bulb and pipes all okay as far as I can see and the engine is in very good condition and always starts fine.

Got an awful pic from last week - apologise for the figure on the left - only pic we have so far!

 

[Kawasaki]

[ QUOTE ]


I concur. Did it myself on Sunday when out in my tender. Fuel needs air pressure to feed out of tank and unless there is air to replace the vacuum forming in the tank, you get an airlock.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a shame.
Especially after slotting "Kingo" in Her berth perfectly.
Sorry will have to Recind the Ticket. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Hey! Mateeboy Welcome!
Tiss good on ere.
Liisten up Matee we,ve all done it.
Plus , leaving the bung out
Running out of fuel.
Hitting the Putty.
Etc Etc.

Hitting the Putty!!
My boast is-- I know every bit of My area.
I,ve hit all the sticky out bits!!
Well ,it has taken 25 years and I,m just about sorted (touch wood)

Yer boat looks a bit quick!
K

 

[Matteeboy]

Kawasaki - We've done our fair share of errors - Left the bung out on our Coble (sailing boat) - almost sank. Grounded on sand banks, crashed into trees on a river, etc, etc!

Wife's an ex waterski instructor and gained the nickname "sandy" for hitting the sandbanks of Rock so often - no damage, just embarrassment.

We live and learn - sort of!

 

[Kawasaki]

"sandbanks of Rock "
That confused Me for a Mo (doesn't take much) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and would have confused Me even more.
If I had not watched a Doc/ Tv programne about Rock and it's house prices and Developement only Yesterday.
Flip, what a nice looking place and fun area to go afloat.
Local Plod were clamping down on Young Hooray Henry's getting too merry on the beach.
Well 14 year olds getting too much alci down them is not a good start to life I suppose.
Seems You have quite a few VIP's visiting from time to time.

Lot's of Cornwall looks a bit like My bit of North Wales it seems.
I was fascinated by the Prog.
Never heard of Rock before!
Must get out more. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Property prices, Phew!!!
Suppose the Lady who has just won the £35 mill on Euro lot, could afford a Couple of "Desirable Houses" and have a bit of change left! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

Like swmbo nick name.
Is She an ex instructor because of the collisions! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
K

 

[Matteeboy]

Kawasaki - She only taught for a season and they kept asking for her to come back - Sand bank grounding is all part of life there.
Her folks owned a nice place there, sold it and made a nice bit. Her grandparents still have a place (and a 5 acre plot) there - must be worth millions.
A house has just sold for £6.2m - it went on for £4.75m - Crazy crazy prices.

Been up your way before - very nice indeed - just not as much surf (my first love is surfing) although Abersoch area isn't bad for waves!

Just ordered a flush kit, had the Mercury manual delivered (the guy couldn't find it at first!) and ready to do some man stuff with the engine!

 

[Kawasaki]

Good for Her.
That they wanted Her back.
Sandbanks! tell Me about them.
Sat on one not far away from Abersoch a couple of Months ago.
Place called Portmadoc.
Had an interesting hour or two admiring the Scenery thereabouts!

The only Surfing I can do is on the Net.
Maybe able to help You if the engine gives a glitch.
Quite a few good bod's on ere ref outboard diagnosis etc.
Hopefully You won't need any advice!!

Blimey 5 acres down there.
That's a nice chunk to be sitting on.
I thought Property prices on the banks of the Menai Straits were daft.
Actually, look quite sensible compared to Rock!

 

[Matteeboy]

Kawasaki - Not Porthmadog is it?
Had an account very near there when I was a surf rep (Rip Curl) - Called West Coast surf I think - very pretty area but quite a mission to get to!

May be asking for engine tips shortly - thanks!