I decided to take the day off and head up to the boat for some work. The boat splashed last Friday and a week had gone by since I went up that night and checked the lines. I was looking forward to getting the boat ready to sail again.
I packed up in the morning and drove to Haverstraw. If was the first day of the boat show and everyone was setting up. I arrived on the boat and immediately went to work on the engine. I take my time getting the engine ready. I am really anal about the engine, but the boat has turned over in under 2 seconds for the last three years. Here is the routine:
- Hookup shore power and begin to charge the battery. The charge was good, so I started at a trickle.
- Plug in a portable heater and blow hot air into the engine compartment. A warm engine starts with less effort.
- For the next hour or two, I work on the topsides. More on that later.
- After the engine is warm I disconnect the heater. I also bring the charge on the battery from 2 amps to 10 amps. This will leave the battery at peak voltage before turning the engine over.
- Now I work on the engine. This year I did not have to replace the impeller. Next year I will.
- I open the sea cock for the raw water.
- I open the compression levers at the top of the engine and spin it a dozen times or so. This helps move the oil around the pistons and stuff. (Don't know much about engines) Then I close the levers. Very important.
- I check the oil to make sure water has not made it too high.
I tighten the belts. I used a car device for belt tightening. It fits on the belt area and is much easier and safer than using a screw driver to torque it. This is a tough tool to find. I highly recommend ordering one. It may save your belts. Click here to view.- I make sure the diesel is in the secondary filter. I unscrew the top screw and pump the fuel manually until some comes out. In the video below, you can see the oil rag I left around it in the top left. I had to replace a washer since diesel leaked. I had the replacement on hand. It is helpful to keep the heavily used engine parts in a kit.
- I unhook the charge on the battery.
- Finally, I go topsides and turn the engine over. It should start right away. If not, do not turn for more than 10 seconds as you may flood the engine with raw water.
- I check the exhaust for color and to make sure the water is going through.
Now I let the engine run while I work on other stuff. After 15 or 20 minutes, I kill it and check the oil level.
While the engine was being heated, I took care of the following:
- Hook up main and lazy jacks.
- Hoist and roll jib.
- Clean compartments and fill with crap.
- Put speedo into the water.
- Empty bilge.
- etc.
Now it was time to go out on the river and give the engine a nice little run. I motored out past the breakwater and the wind was dead. One other boat was out floating. The current was ebbing over a knot, so I unfurled the jib and had just enough breeze to stay put in the current. I cracked a beer and decided I would go back in and clean the topsides.
A moment later, I looked to the south and saw the sea breeze working up river. I scurried about to get the main up before the breeze hit. It came in at 10 knots steady. I was now sailing upwind at 5 knots. It was perfect. My work day had ended and sailing would occupy my time for the next three hours. The wind eventually freshened to a perfect 10-14 knots from the south. I blast reached across the river a few times. It was nice to see all the familiar spots again. It was a great feeling to have the boat sailing after the long winter.
Looks like red 26 outside the harbor was replaced. Notice the lack of seagull shit.
After a while I reluctantly docked the boat and headed home. It was a great day. The morning was calm and cool. Perfect working conditions. The afternoon was breezy and the perfect excuse to blow off the rest of the work and sail. I was very happy to get out for the unexpected sea breeze. Hopefully it will be the beginning of a great season on the water.
