Sealine 218 idiosyhchrasies i.e is this normal!

[celtictemple]

Hi Guys
It's been a couple of months since I was last on the forum-and I would like to say thanks to all members for their advice over the past months which helped me get my boat in shape and in the water at the beginning of April. It was so successful, you can read about it in the Confessions page of the July MBM-say no more!!

Out in the boat today with a friend who was a helmsman for the lifeboat-so should know something about boating. We headed out to the Lynn of Lorn where the weather was not that great-F3/4?, headwind and tide against us. Before reaching the worst area, we were planning about 20Knots-pretty rough so we slowed down and headed for Oban harbour. However, when we tried to get back on the plane, we couldn't get above 3000 revs and 10 knots. The engine sounded laboured and I naiveley suggestyed it was because the tide and wind were against us. My friend said this should not have affected our speed in water so I'm at a loss what happened. When we got to more sheltered and smoother water, she suddenly took off again as if nothing had happened. She obviously didn't like the rough sea! Anyway, is this normal or what?

Secondly, the sterndrive seems to have a mind of its own. Today I had it fully down (11 or 12 on the display) but after a hard astern, it went up to 48 and you could see it had risen. Then on going forward it slowly made its way back down again. I have noticed that sometimes if I have it at level 17-20 on the display, it goes back down to 12 if going fast or on the plane-without me altering it myself. Is this a gremlin or a fault or does it think for itself??

Cheers

Stuart

 

[Wiggo]

If the drive is moving up when you go astern, it sounds like the hydraulics are leaking, to be honest. It's a while since I've looked at these things, but the drive will climb up in reverse and push its way down going ahead unless the hydraulics hold the rams in place...

 

[celtictemple]

Thanks, Wiggo. Would this account for the oil I have found in the bilge under the engine? I know it is not from the engine or the powersteering and thought it may have been spilled by the engineer who serviced the engine and changed the oil. But now you mention it, this may be what it is. I assume I need to take the boat out to get it repaired. What will happen if I leave it-will there be permanent damage?

 

[colingr]

Probably yes, that could explain the bilge oil and yes you should get it repaired as son as poss as you are putting strain on areas that shouldn't be strained. Sorry but it's time for a lift out and repair job.

 

[malcolm2]

Surprised someone more knowledgeable than me has not replied by now.

But here goes........ On the assumption that it has Volvo drive........
And going from very distant memory. I think you will find that the leg has what is known as a reverse latch. In essence this is a mechanical device that allows the drive to kick up if hit a large object whilst going forward. But when you engage reverse it locks the drive down. Thereby stopping its natural reaction to kick up when going in reverse. If said reverse latch becomes stuck due to weed growth etc it will not engage.

Also I'd be surprised if 11-12 degrees is the correct reading for fully down ie trimmed right in. Should be zero when "normal" and maybe -4 when trimed right in. This might just be the calibration on "sender" unit on top of the drive.

Does power trim reservior look full. ? This fluid (I think its generally red) will be a different colour from engine oil. If yes to both then be surprised if anything to do with trim hyd.

If not Volvo then forget I said anything. And ill go back to sleep.!

 

[celtictemple]

Thanks Malcolm. Yes it is Volvo and yes the powersteering fluid is red and full. I am beginning to think it is the 'reverse latch' although I know nothing about it or how to access it or how to test if it is this. I assume I will hjave to take boat out of water!

 

[whisper]

Oh Dear

Don't wish to worry you but we had the same problem last year - saga reported on here.
The problem was caused, in our case, by the presence of scoring on the surface of the trim rams/pistons. Apparently this is not uncommon but if following Volvo's advice it can be very expensive to repair.

I hope your situation is simpler, preferably a minor leak between pump and rams.

Good Luck.

PS. As mentioned above when fully in the trim gauge should read about -4 and when the leg is vertical it should say 0.
When fully out/up I think ours says about +30