So what plans does everyone have for there boats this year?
I'm hoping to use Blue Swell more this year and hoping a date with a big needle, a theatre and consultant comes soon.
Been discussing with some friends a Channel islands trip this summer but is far from even the planning stage.
Apart from some general maintenance and a lift and hold late May/June everything is currently ok. Ive been doing some little updates in recent months and the heads is the next on the list i think.
Insurance company have change T's and C's and now request a survey before next renewal but a phone-call has allowed an agreed date before renewal Nov 2014....Result ! so will be having a good look around the engine and ancillarys over the season.
Don't like the sound of the 'big needle, theatre and consultant' though, but wish you well for that!
Get the planning for the channel islands going.......you will enjoy it and the fishing is good too......although I haven't been for several years now, we had some fantastic catches. By the way, you will need a few chips to go with that nice cod you have there!!
Had a bit of a rough 40 mile trip to plymouth recently on 'Sorcerer' which certainly slopped the fuel tanks around. The boat behaved impeccably as you would expect, but the fuel bowls were half full of sludge when I got there. I know they were clean when I left because the engines had just been serviced, so I will be having words with my only fuel supplier seeing as the tanks had to be cleaned out by a proffessional company costing me almost 600 quid!!! They also told me this is happening more and more with 'dirty' fuel.....GREAT!
I also hope we have a better season than last.
Regards.
Dave.
-- Edited by fingers crossed on Thursday 3rd of January 2013 08:44:34 AM
Dave sorry to hear your fueling problems, certainly have a word with your supplier but it sounds like the dreaded ''bug '' to me. It always sinks/forms at the bottom of the tank then it can get sloshed around if there is a lot of it when underway causing it to be drawn up into the filter bowls. I have meticulously cleaned everything I can find in my fuel supply but still use Soltran with every fill up as a precaution. One thing I found out when chatting to the engineer is the amount of fuel that goes to the engine then is spilled back as excess into the tanks. He was telling me that with some engines the amount of fuel is so great they have had to fit fuel coolers because the fuel gets so hot. Warm fuel will no doubt breed more bug too!
New engine still on order, other jobs decided on are moving the Racor filters, apparently they are mounted too high. New fuel lines from all tanks to be replaced.
Good luck with the Channel island trip, I have a mate goes every year from Weymouth and says the fishing is superb. He goes with Clem Carter used to have a Lochin 38 now has a South Cat I think.
Fuel bug is a menace, Premier marina's fuel has Soltron in it so hopefully reduce problems that arise. Martin you are correct some modern diesels do have fuel coolers and it is very surprising how hot the returned fuel to the tank is, throw in the marine environment and i can quiet understand how this may aggravate the Diesel bug situation.
My Channel Islands will need some careful planning, Was thinking a realistic figure about £1k for diesel although this may be excessive but plan initially was to fly back then have summer 2 weeks out there before returning.
Are you sure you don't have some water in the bottom of your tanks ? This water can come in in several ways, but mostly by condensation of humid air above the fuel, so keep your tanks full. (less air above the fuel )
Presence of water in the tanks encourage the growt of fungi or bacteria witch live in the tank water bottoms and feed on the fuel, these bacteria can double in number in as little as four hours. To the naked eye, these bugs show up as slimy mats of substance and can have any color. The by-products of there fuel consumption is very acidic and can cause pitting, even in stainless steel tank bottoms.
You can use a biocide to control microorganisms in the tanks, but regulary removing the water is the most effective way to prevent this, as they need the water to live in.
Thanks for all the information.....I think i will be using Soltron in the future! Trouble is I was advised that the fuel additives sometimes do more damage than not having anything in the tank.......think I'll risk it in future, it will be cheaper than having the tanks cleaned every couple of years!
Anyway, sad day for me today. 'Sorcerer' is sold and headed off to her new owner in Canvey Island by lorry. Sorry to see her go but the 40 sportsfisherman is the next project. I wish Gary and Sandra, the new owners, all the best with her.
The new boat is scheduled for start the end of february/early march.....more photo's to post on her progress later but here is one of my final pics of 'Sorcerer' on the lorry about to go.
A sad day but fantastic news that Socerer is sold, enjoy planning your next project.When do you think your Lochin 40 will be finished and what are you going to do with all that space
Congratulations to the new owners of your Lochin, are they intending using her commercially or privately.
so will be having a good look around the engine and ancillarys over the season.
