One MAN engine fails on last day end last trip of our summer holliday’s

[jimmy_the_builder]

Hey Bart

Well, good news about the new engine, and well done for dealing with all those relentless issues, it can be a bit wearing after having put all your energy into the winter project. I think you'd pretty much already decided to rebuild the old engine, so in a sense, this last issue has just proved that your instinct on this was correct. Well done to you and E for figuring out the single-engine stern-to mooring technique. Very inventive! Good luck for this winter's rebuild of the old engine.

 

[rafiki_]

Hi Bart. Many thanks for the informative update. You are certainly living through many trials and tribulations, and you have my sympathy for the engine seizure. More pain over the winter, but you know what to expect. I guess the situation is not helped with your home being so far from BA, that you cannot check all the work, hence the teething problems following the installation. I look forward to the next installment.

 

[Pinnacle]

Fingers crossed you have as successful an outcome with #2 engine as you have had with #1 engine. I bet it all adds up though! :hororr:

As you have/will have spent so much on BA, has E asked for any new small sparkly things?

Its about 2 weeks until we go and visit MapisM and S, so many thanks for arranging the original introductions!

 

[Divemaster1]

Great update.... Sorry to hear about 2nd engine requiring re-build. Good that it did not stop you enjoying your holiday though...

 

[AndieMac]

Have been wondering about how Bart's summer cruise has been going, I knew the Balkan temperatures have been consistently high since June.

I was really hoping your story was going to get better (boat wise) as it progressed, but no luck unfortunately.

There is a constant with most of your cruising, maintenance reports, and that is how swimbo (E) gets involved in the action, much like MapisM and S really, good on both of you for working through it together!

 

[AndieMac]

?......Its about 2 weeks until we go and visit MapisM and S, so many thanks for arranging the original introductions!

You've been looking at the photos and reading the stories about CF over the summer, it's nearly time to experience it for real! Half your luck...

A bonus will be if P & S's friends are still around on the island, tremendous company and lots of fun.

 

[scubaman]

Bart,

Sorry to hear about the problems, not something you wish to be thinking of while on holiday, but good to hear you got to enjoy good times as well.

Great also to hear that the newly re-built engine performed well. All the best with the forthcoming re-build and looking forward for updates.

 

[longjohnsilver]

Bart, how many hours had the 2 old engines done before seizing? You've certainly had your work cut out over the past year or so but good to read that you had 6 great weeks of good weather. As I'm typing it's another dull drizzly day here in Dartmouth, one of the worst summers I can remember. But we have managed a few windy weeks in Scilly and a week or so in the CIs but hot sunny calm weather would have been great!
Good luck with the rebuild.

 

[MapisM]

B, you never fail to amaze me with your capacity of overcoming troubles and enjoying BA against all odds, well done! :encouragement:

Anyway, you might be wrong on this account, if you wish:

This is the end of this season, luckily we were in our last week

As you already know, if you and E can find some days for a late season break, you're always more than welcome down here.
Mi barco es su barco, to paraphrase an old saying!

 

[petem]

Glad you made it through the season Bart. At least the re-build of the second engine should be less stressful than than the first. And at the end of it you'll have two motors virtually as good as new. And these problems will no doubt have increased your knowledge. As the old saying goes ... "everyday's a school day".

 

[kashurst]

at least you planned on a rebuild, and it didn´t ruin the summer. Good luck with the next rebuild and please keep posting.

 

[BartW]

thank you all for the sympathy and kind words,

one of our guests was questioning how I could remain calm and positive in those conditions,
at least it appeared I was calm ;-)

but the long list of issues might give a wrong impression,
the general feeling is that we had fantastic holliday's , guests with tears and all that....;-)
ones again we had a fantastic week with our 4 kids (21/22/24/26 yo) we are so fortunate that they still like to spend some time with mum and dad.
None of our plans was compromised, we didn't really 'lost' much boating time, and we have done the cruising that was planned,
only the last week a few day's with limitations.
Despite some moments of frustration or stress or unhappyness, we still feel very fortunate to be able to experience this kind of pleasure,
The cruising in south Croatia is much better than SOF is our general feeling.
after 5 seasons we still enjoy this boat as on the first day, or even more with all the usefull modifications;
(rear steps, hi-lo platform, transom door, stabilisers, big tender, ....)
not to forget the NEW 150m SS anker chain (more info about that later in another post

we didn't plan more holiday's this year, because in a few weeks E and I will become grandma / dad,
and in september I have some important work commitments

I had in mind to go to the boat end september and agai beginning oktober,
the purpose of that visit is now changed, from relaxing to engine repair planning

 

[BartW]

Well done to you and E for figuring out the single-engine stern-to mooring technique

for those interested,
here is a brief description of what we did,

we place the boat in front of it's mooring place, stern at about 60m (roughly 3 boatlengths) from the quay
thats doable just using one engine in forward, and using the bow thruster while making a 180° circle, in front of the mooring position.
Then we drop our anker
one guest brings a rope end to the marinero's on the quay with the tender, and they fix it opposite our starboard side,
the rope comes through a fearlead on stern / port side corner.

now by using the single engine on SB side, for going backwards /to port side,
and alternating, Elly pulling the long rope with the winch, for going backwards / to SB side,
and me simultaniously lowering the anker (from the helm)
and using the bowthruster when needed,
we approach the quay,
until a remaining distance of about 4...3 meter,
from then it is just normal procedure; throw the normal big ropes to the marinero's on the quay.
and take away the long rope.

that long thinnner rope is the one (or two) we very regulary use for moorings in cove's, with stern rope, as explained in the Sardinia thread.
we are used to that / very comon in Croatia,
But it goes smoother or more relaxed when having both engines working

unfortunotly no film nor pics from that procedure

 

[BartW]

I guess the situation is not helped with your home being so far from BA, that you cannot check all the work, hence the teething problems following the installation.

I try to go there at least ones a month, as I did last winter, for followup on the works, and secondly because I just like to be on the boat,
the connections are not too bad, flights to Tivat (only in summer) 2hr flight time + 5minutes by car/taxi, or
Podgorica (Ryanair) 2hr flight time + 1h50min by car, and Dubrovnic 2hr flight time +1h35min by car
especially the latter I like when I can combine that with a quick stop in my favourite place in the med. Cavtat near Dubrovnic airport

but you're right, you need to be there an follow up closely to get things done the correct way, and in time, (as everywhere I guess)

 

[BartW]

As you have/will have spent so much on BA, has E asked for any new small sparkly things?

Its about 2 weeks until we go and visit MapisM and S, so many thanks for arranging the original introductions!

you know E well enough that she's not much interested in "expensive" small sparly things

enjoy your stay in CF !
I would have loved to be there this summer, but it didn't fit with our planning
Very often we have missed the Italian food and Italian way of cooking , and refer to the good memory's we have on this

 

[BartW]

Bart, how many hours had the 2 old engines done before seizing?

Hi John,
both engines had around 3300 hrs (over 1000hrs done by ourselves)
I have been told that the basic engines could normally do at least 5000 or 6000 hrs, without a overhaul
but Ilko showed me wear on the the liners and pistons, that is very visable,
also oil consumption on the new engine is now about zero, (was quite substantial before the overhaul)
and smoke is a lot less, not much more than a modern engine

now I see it this way, apart from the engine hours,
there are also other parameters that determine the overhaul timing,
such as number of heating up cycles,
time at planing speed or time at poodle speed, (total fuel burn...)
corrosion of different parts,
parts damaged by vibration
and aging rubber sealings, hoses, ...
much of that is related to age,
and then I conclude it was about time to have a overhaul on both engines,

I consider myself Lucky that I met a capable MAN service guy, in a lo labour rate region.

I hope that after this second overhaul, I'll be OK for a few years,
the lesson I have learned here, is to tackle small issue's as soon as possible, and avoid using a engine with problems / riscs of further damage

 

[BartW]

As you already know, if you and E can find some days for a late season break, you're always more than welcome down here.
Mi barco es su barco, to paraphrase an old saying!

thanks again for the offer P,
as much as I would love to take your proposal,
as usual, you know we are very occupied with our social obligations with family and friends here in Belgium,
and with work,
and now I need some time to prepare myself to sleep with grandma

enjoy the company of P and S !

 

[BartW]

.... And at the end of it you'll have two motors virtually as good as new.
And these problems will no doubt have increased your knowledge. As the old saying goes ... "everyday's a school day".

exactly !
the learning is the fun part of it,
and I feel more comfortable to asses future problems with the engines

we agreed with Ilco to repair and personally test myself all measuring and alarm systems on both engines,
there were a few missings and or shortcuts on that
its all quite easy on these old 100% mechanical engines,
all gauges / alarms are basic electric,

 

[WorstCase]

thank you all for the sympathy and kind words,

one of our guests was questioning how I could remain calm and positive in those conditions,
at least it appeared I was calm ;-)

As you know I have been following your story while looking for my first boat. I read your posts and I am more worried as the size of boats I am considering to buy gets bigger and bigger
Maybe I should put myself under some sort of tutelage to protect my money from myself.

Most boats I am considering are around the same age as BA and generally tend to have the same engines... (footage now got to 80) but didnt win any lottery just yet...
So how much safety budget should one allocate just to be cool when two engines need work in a row?
I mean psychologically... I wonder if I'd take it well

 

[Nick_H]

Bart, if the sound and vision business ever lets you down you should become a life coach! I've no idea how you stay so positive when you get these problems, i'd be bouncing off the walls! When the second engine is re-built you deserve a long spell of trouble free boating, if such a thing exists!

I'm glad to hear you had such an enjoyable holiday despite the technical issues.