Oh bugger.. she's out!

[Lynda]

Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

I know it has to happen, but it doesn't make it any better, she was hauled up yesterday and thats it til' next year, what am I going to do?

In my new found "single" status, I don't know how to amuse myself for the long winter months - yeah all right - but apart from that....

Income now reduced, I could do without paying vast charges to have the engine winterized. Being the capable person that I am, an instruction on what I need to do would much appreciated, Duncan, Barry & Steve, you've all been most helpful with advice - can I prevail upon you again? I used to feel quite ok with asking for advice, but following a certain recent thread, I feel a bit of a "tedious newbie" for asking, but hey what the hell, I will anyway!

There is no "course" for experience and only a fool would not appreciate that!!

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[BarryH]

Re: Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

Basic commonsence stuff really. Run the engine up and flush through well with frsh water to get rid of the salt in the cooling. Disconnect the petrol line and let it run out. Remove plugs and a quick squirt with 2 stroke oil in the cylinders. Turn the engine over to distribute the oil over the cylinder walls/rings.

Grease the propshaft and any grease nipples you find on the lower unit and power trim. Leave it in a lowered position to protect the piston rod/s in the ram/s. Grease up all the linkages under the cover and where the control cables connect. Worth spraying the powerhead and electricals with duck oil or similar.

Wash down the outside of the engines and give it a coat of wax. Disconnect the battery/s and store them fully charged at home or under cover. Don't stand them directly on the concrete garage fllor though. Theres probably one or two points that I've forgoten, but some one will chip in with them.

Just got back from Poole. Went to have a look at a Sunseeker. It were'nt worth the asking price though and he wouldn't budge. So I buggered of in the boat round to Swanage and then into Studland. Brilliant conditions on sat, bit choppy today.

I'm down next w/e packing the van away, give me a shout if you get stuck.

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[ccscott49]

Re: Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

Only a few things I would add, change the engine oil and filters now, and run the engine for a few minutes to distribute it, before pulling the plugs. then you leave nice clean oil in the engine, instead of the nasty acidy oil thats in there now. Also when you flush the engine, the last few gallons of water should be with antifreeze in it, as some water will reamain in the system and you dont want it freezing. If you can find some, soluble oil in the last antifreeze mix, will help to protect the innards of the cooling system, it also helps. Sometimes it would be nice if we could be like bears and hibernate! Spend the winter finding somebody to share your time with!

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[Dave_Snelson]

Re: Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

Why lift out? I have decide to stay in until early December - but that's mostly 'cos I have had to do a lot of repairs that cost a lot of money!!

Now that the October gales seem to have blown themselves out, I am hoping for a couple of reasonable weekends in November.

We had a great weekend just gone, with sunshine and temperatures at 19C. Two trips out on Sat & Sun. The boat is running fine now (touch wood).

Anyway Lynda, you'll be able to some work and tinker with your boat and that's as nearly as much fun as using it. Stay on this forum - we'll keep you company

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[powerskipper]

Re: Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

We leave ours in all year, had one of our best days out on new years day one year.
When she does come out it is only for the minimum time possible and we wonder around like a dog that has lost it bone,

Ps always someone here to chat to or insult or wind up!!!


<hr width=100% size=1>Julie

 

[duncan]

Re: Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

unfortunately (for the advice anyway) Lynda's got a 2 stroke outboard so it doesn't have any acidic oil or cooling liquids hanging around. Absolutely agree that it's one of the cardinal sins on an inboard - changing the engine oil at the beginning of the season or not running it v briefly with the new oil.

Lynda I would also check your anode on the OB - given the problems you have had with the ram etc you may have left it in more than normal and eaten up the anode. Also clean off any barnacles etc that may have accumalated for the same reason.
The juries out on the need to change the gearbox oil in the bottom of the leg if the engine is lightly used. For the sake of a few quid I would personally do it, and definitely use the best oil available as a replacement.
How are you going to deal with the ram issue? If you are going to convert to 'always in / fixed trim' then I would pay extra attention to the OB leg, clean up and then prime and antifoul well a month before next season - although I don't know why you are taking out your boat now when the bassing is at it's best and the flounder after that?

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[BarryH]

Re: Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

Oh I thought the ram was sorted. Might as well get that done while its out. I've used hydraulic hose and seal people in the past to source any bits. Same stuff at a much more wallet friendly price.

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[perlonious]

Re: Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

hihi i lifted out for the first time last month...antifoul....polished....anodes...and sevrviced engine....now all spick and span and back in the water after only 3 days.

i know they say that you should be out for 3 months etc etc but i think you are safer in the water with the gales and bad weather rather than out.

and as someone else has said you can have some lovely sails around new year..

p.s don t forget to change the water pump impeller

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[Lynda]

Re: Oh bugger.. she\'s out!

Thanks to all again for the much needed advice, I'll follow what you've said, sorry should have mentioned it's two stroke O/B.

I left my first boat in the first year and in December of that year I got an urgent phone call at work following a particularly windy storm telling me she was about to sink, and if I wasn't quick she'll be lost!

I called my biggest brother (I've got four) and we went to the rescue, didn't have the little aux, tried to row out, got swept away and ended up eventually on a private jetty clinging on for dear life. Two boats either side had already sunk, the mooring is very exposed and very tidal, so although I really don't want her out for the winter, I'm too worried about the same thing happening again.

Going to sell/exchange the Shetland for next season, I want a diesel, haven't decided what yet, I quite like the Hardy, but will no doubt be asking for more advice when I start looking!

Currently busy trying to find a new home, once that's sorted, new boat will be my first priority!



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