Volvo 2001 for 12hrs. Is it upto the task?

[Infr137]

Hi all.

I have a Leisure 23SL fitted with a 14yr old Volvo 2001 9HP diesel.

The concern I have is this, we've been using it reliably for getting in & out of harbour, with the occasional brief motorsail on the Blackwater in Essex. We've just been invited to join a cruise from Essex to Calais. But have been told that there's a good chance we'd need to go by motor all the way. (12hrs) nonstop.

Would the 2001 be upto the task? It's just had a srvc, new saildrive diaphragm, engine drive mod. etc.

Any comments, experiences or recomendations would be most welcome.

Cheers

Rob.

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[starboard]

No reason why not....if all things equal the thing should run for a week non stop.The only thing that will stop you is lack of fuel, lack of oil, or lack of cooling. Make sure hese paramaters are maintained and the long run will do the engine more good than harm. I have a 25 year old Volvo MD5b 7hp and if required will run all day long!! Look after your engine and it will look after you!

Have a great trip and hope for fair winds.

Paul.

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[philwebb]

Hi, I second that- I have the same engine as Paul and same age. Last year it took
us from Portsmouth to Cherbourg return twice due to lack of wind. Make sure that
your fuel filters are clean and that you have a spare impeller. Make sure you have
enough fuel for the whole trip ( I speak from bitter experience!) Halfords sell some
black 10 litre fuel cans with a flexible spout -easier than using a funnel in a swell.
A long run will be good for your engine. Enjoy the trip.

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[willothewisp]

and, if I may add, use some Biodiesel on your old fuel, you don't want to be changing blocked filters and bleeding the engine underway.

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[boatless]

My father (RR jet engine designer) always said that the older the engine the more reliable it was likely to be. And now that my Alfa is nearly two, I pray that he was right.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[EdEssery]

I have a 1986 Volvo 2001 mated to a 120S Saildrive in my MG C27. In the summer of 2002 we motored non-stop from Lymington to Plymouth in 22 hours - the engine never missed a beat. In fact, I think it was a bit better after this trip - it's amazing what a good work out does for you.

Last year we motored from Alderney to Yarmouth non-stop in about 9 or 10 hours

Along the way, I would check the oil every 4 to 6 hours and obviously check you have enough fuel. Mine uses between 1 and 2 litres per hour.

I am also a fan of Soltron.

Enjoy the trip.

Ed

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[jeffro]

my friend and i go to holland every year and his 23 has a 2001 and it has never missed a beat in 4 years just make sure it is regualy serviced and keep a spare impellor

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[graham]

The most common problem is dirty fuel after the tank has been shaken up at sea.Spare fuel filters are essential.

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[willothewisp]

That's why you should use bio-diesel beforehand! Eats up all the sludge.

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[Trevor_swfyc]

Rob,
I wonder why you think it shouldn't be up to the job if it has been reliable!
The engine would not know the difference between 12 x 1hr use and a 12 hr run.
I think what concerns you is the what if factor, the difference to it stopping outside the harbour versus mid channel. If you replace any fuel filter or even the impeller run the engine on the river under load to check all is fine and works ok. Visually check all water carrying hoses for any damage and replace, I have mine all running inside plastic pipe for protection from chaffing. Check how much fuel you use per hour and carry at least 50% spare.
Will you be buddying up with somebody with experience of the trip and a similar speed boat ? make sure you have your own route plan on paper.

Enjoy the trip.
Trevor

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[Guest]

Biodiesel ????

Why?? Biodiesel is converted Rape Seed oil and other non-hydrocarbon products to produce a diesel like fuel.

Do you mean Biocide ???


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[BrendanS]

Re: Biodiesel ????

Had the same question. There is a biocide called Bio-Diesel, but biocides don't remove the sludge. They kill bugs in the tank, thereby causing potentially more sludge

<hr width=100% size=1>Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabris, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

 

[ashanta]

Theres no reason why not as long as it is currently running OK without any signs of wear such as smoking. (black or white) Clean oil and filters and an effiecient and clean fuel supply.
I have always had a small tank on my boats and have taken spare cans on board for trips like yours but you will go a long way on five gallons with a single cylinder engine in good nick. Fill your tanks up and take some spare but measure your fuel over the journey. You will get at leats 1/3 gall per hour.

Good luck.


Peter.

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[snowleopard]

i have on occasion run my yanmars for a week at a stretch. no reason why even a volvo shouldn't manage the same ;-)

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