Well worth it!

Solitaire

Solitaire

Active member
Joined
25 Jun 2001
Messages
6,239
Location
Southampton
Visit site
Just got back from doing the diesel engine course down at Seastart in the Hamble. Really good course, and what's more they do fault finding etc on your own engine. Four other guys on the course and each had different engines in their boats and each one was taken thru likely problems (most common) on each different type. All of us came away feeling that we could now do our own serviceing. Showed just what a rip off basic servicing costs can be! Interesting to note that over 75% of call outs by Seastart of electrical related problems. Whats really good is that Nick Eales does all the fault finding part and belive you me he has seen em all!

Thanks Seastart, a really worthwhile course!



<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>
 
Dave_Snelson

Dave_Snelson

Active member
Joined
16 Oct 2001
Messages
11,618
Location
Porthmadog / Port Leucate
www.makeyourowngarments.com
Hi David - I agree with you. Its essential that you know something about the black iron lumps that make your boat go. The only thing that surprises me, is that you always see diesel engine courses and not petrol?? Given the propensity toward electrical faults, you would think that courses would be available for these also.

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

Solitaire

Active member
Joined
25 Jun 2001
Messages
6,239
Location
Southampton
Visit site
The course is a full day and costs £89 which includes all documentation. It is a recognised RYA certificated course. The courses get booked up very quickly and dates are: December 1st and 11th, January 8th, 12th, 26th. February 5th, 16th, 23rd and March 9th, 12th, 19th. Other dates are ongoing throughout the year. Contact number is 0800 88 55 00.

Engines looked at where Kad 42 annd 43, Yamaha 370 sti and TAM 61 (?). The real benefit is they will ask what your engines are and deal with those specifically.

Seastart's web address is Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun
 
Solitaire

Solitaire

Active member
Joined
25 Jun 2001
Messages
6,239
Location
Southampton
Visit site
See response to earlier post.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>
 
S

SlowlyButSurely

Active member
Joined
4 Jul 2003
Messages
671
Location
Solent
Visit site
Not really very surprising as there are not that many boats with petrol engines and by definition people who have petrol engines are not very interested in things like safety and self-sufficiency etc.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
Dave_Snelson

Dave_Snelson

Active member
Joined
16 Oct 2001
Messages
11,618
Location
Porthmadog / Port Leucate
www.makeyourowngarments.com
That\'s a joke - right?

Not interested in safety and self sufficiency?? How did you work that one out?? I carry myself and 4 other crew (family) and before you say anything else, I have my boat's fuel system safety checked every year (petrol and LPG). When did you last replace the main fuel tank in yours? When did you last have a sniffer on fuel lines? Are you sure those diesel lines don't weep at all?

Not many petrol powered boats?? So what is an outboard then? Most boats under 30 feet are petrol powered - fact.

Given all these facts, would it not be useful to have a petrol engine training course? 'Cos thats what we're saying here. Stay with the program now!

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

andrewa

New member
Joined
2 Nov 2001
Messages
207
Location
UK
Visit site
Re: I hope your joking but incase your not.....

2 x HALON Sea Fire suppression systems, at service fuel system checked right back to the tank and including tank, breathers and pipes, 2 x blowers auto run and CO2 detectors in main cabin just in case problem with generator exhaust. Before moving off I go through a prestart check list and check engine bay visually even after being at anchor. So please don't generalise there are 2 sides to everycoin.

<hr width=100% size=1>
 
S

SlowlyButSurely

Active member
Joined
4 Jul 2003
Messages
671
Location
Solent
Visit site
Re: That\'s a joke - right?

Dave,

I wasn't trying to be provocative but that is the way I see it. The tone and content of your reply indicates that you are indeed very worried about the safety of your petrol engines.

I have witnessed a petrol engined boat going up in flames and very spectacular it was too! I would not want to subject my family and friends to that fate. Safety is absolutely paramount and I would not compromise that.

On boats such as racing powerboats and outboard powered boats, safety and reliability is compromised for the sake of power to weight ratio etc and the risk is either accepted or dealt with in other ways.

I can't think of any reason that justifies having petrol engines on a cruising boat (other than the fact that they are much cheaper to buy secondhand which anyone who has ever attempted to sell one will confirm).

I completely agree that petrol engine courses would be a good idea and I'm sure they would be provided if the demand were there.



<hr width=100% size=1>
 
G

gjgm

Active member
Joined
14 Mar 2002
Messages
8,110
Location
London
Visit site
totally ridiculous comment. All us petrol driven boaters sincerely believe all of those amazing facts that our boats are likely to explode into a fireball everytime we board. In order to balance out these crazy risks, we take double precautions on everything else. Self-sufficiency? I remember one famous chap who was so self sufficient that he never left shore without a toaster.
Of course, your comment is very tongue in cheek. What you mean is that many unlucky sods who are about to see their fuel bills go through the roof realise they cant afford to buy fuel AND fix that overpriced lump of engineering in the engine bay, and are now desperate to abandon those horrendous servicing bills in favour of a tool utility belt from B+Q. Just make sure you dont breakdown in the path of any happily speeding petrol head at the moment of explosion...


<hr width=100% size=1>
 
BrendanS

BrendanS

Well-known member
Joined
11 Jun 2002
Messages
64,521
Location
Tesla in Space
Visit site
Re: That\'s a joke - right?

compared to all the other mishaps that can occur when boating, with a far greater statistical probability, I don't give a second thought to the safety of my petrol engine

This arguement has been done, over and over again, so excuse me if I don't take part in another one

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
 
BrendanS

BrendanS

Well-known member
Joined
11 Jun 2002
Messages
64,521
Location
Tesla in Space
Visit site
gas is a fire hazard, grp is a fire hazard, flares are a fire hazard - I presume you've made sure you have none of these on board.

If you don't like petrol on board, fair enough, but just leave the rest of us in peace and quit implying that petrol boaters are any less interested in boating safety

<hr width=100% size=1>Me transmitte sursum, caledoni
 
jhr

jhr

Well-known member
Joined
26 Nov 2002
Messages
20,256
Location
Royston Vasey
jamesrichardsonconsultants.co.uk
Lots of things on a boat are a fire hazard - gas cylinders, dodgy electrical systems, grp hulls (ever seen one burning?), even, God forbid, diesel. I don't think anyone here denies the risks but they must be seen in perspective. Petrol is relatively more flammable than diesel but they'll both burn in the right circumstances. To label petrol as some deadly, hazardous substance that should never be used in a boat is nearly as ludicrous as denying that it poses any risk, however small.

Grrr............../forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 885 (members: 24, guests: 861)

Share this page

Top