Sunday dawned beautifully sunny and warm
with a cloudless sky. David was hoiked out of bed so we could set off bright
and early with a scratch breakfast – I was so keen to get going there was no
time for cooking, for heaven’s sake! Do the engine checks, warm the engine,
engage the alternator to top up leisure batteries, wait a few more minutes for the
engine to settle with the alternator going (it draws quite heavily), untie the
roles, push off, and, hell and damnation!!! - pretty much no
acceleration. So as we coast at a crawl past a former bridge hole (handy
place where the cut is only about 8 foot wide), David leaps off and pulls the
boat into the side, we tie up to sort out what to do. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!
Check weed hatch (we know how to do that!)
– nothing there. We belong to RCR (River & Canal Rescue) sort of like the AA
in NZ, so we phoned them. Of course, it is Sunday morning early, so we get
their answering service who were very helpful, told us that they would pass the
info on to the engineers and that they would call within 30 – 45 minutes of
their arrival. The answer service phoned back about 15 minutes later to say
they have passed the info on to the engineers who will be with us by 11 –
11.30. Double AAARRRGGGHHH!!! The sunny day is sunny and we are not boating.
So, let’s make use of the waiting time. Do
I feel like polishing the brass mushroom vents? No. OK, I will make a chocolate
brownie. Comfort food sounds like a go. David is sorting something on the
computer so I try to remember the recipe but have to interrupt him to check it as
the mixture doesn’t look right. Remedy the quantities, but too late to get the
order right for mixing sugar, oil, eggs first. Drinking chocolate will have to
do as we have no cocoa powder; mmmm not sure how that will work. Into the oven
it goes – I don’t understand gas mark temperatures – you’d think I would, given
we lived here for 4 years with gas ovens but no. I forget to consult the
Edmonds cookbook (what NZ woman between 40 and 80 doesn’t own one? Or their
kids who’ve been given one by their mums before they leave for their OE?) which
has the conversion, so make a guess. Inaccurate, as it turns out. The top cooks
to a crisp, and effectively wipes clean the little sharp knife I use to check
if the middle is cooked. Out it comes looking particularly pallid – that
drinking chocolate … Smells good though. Leave it to cool while mixing the
bread. Keep busy, that’s the way!
In between this, Mick, the guy from Planet
Boats who had rescued us when we lost electrics on Sunday, came past with a
boat load of young people on a 30th birthday weekend cruise. He
stopped to have a look, and his crew had a look through the boat. Lovely
people, liked the boat, thought the chocolate brownie smelled good – yes it
did, but smells can be deceiving. Mick couldn’t see anything obvious, so on
they went.
Set bread out to rise, and I have meltdown. In
the nick of time, preventing full scale marital discord caused by thwarted
intention and unfulfilled expectation, the RCR guys arrive on time at 11am - Kerry and Luke.
They ask all the questions, get all the
answers, go through a logical and thorough process. They tighten the engine
mounting bolts (loose, and the engine bounces around at low revs). They comment
on the size of the alternator for the leisure batteries (150amps) in relation
to the size of the engine (36hp) and use the word 'over-engineered'. (Gulp ... sounds expensive.) The engine
is started, run for a while, then the alternator is switched on and forward
gear engaged, engine goes into a decline and no propulsion.
Kerry tells us his opinion – that our
laggardly progress (my words, not his) of only 14 miles in 6 days with 4 of
those days stationary means that, in spite of running the engine each day to
top them up, the batteries have got low enough that the power from the engine
required to bulk load them using the 150amp alternator means there is not enough
power to also make the boat move; that we need to be cruising more or be hooked
to shore power to keep the batteries up. AAARRRGGGHHH!!! All is not lost though
– we can cruise, but without the alternator running.
He checks the air filter, finds that it is
black as the inside of a cow and needs replacing. I walk back to the van with them, purchase
another one, come back to the boat and fit it. Decide if I am going to be down
in the engine compartment much more, I need to lose weight and get more limber
– my body just doesn’t do folding up anymore.
I think a piece of chocolate brownie might
be the best solace. NO, WRONG, CRAPOLA. It is crisp on the top, uncooked on the
bottom. Thwarted intention, unfulfilled expectation AGAIN! I can’t cruise
without problems and now I can’t even cook! AAARRRGGGHHH!!! Breathe, take more
magnesium.
We put the engine cover back on, and decide
to set off – David thinks, silently, that I ought to eat and get my blood sugar
up before doing so, but is sensible enough not to say so. I know I need to eat,
so put some eggs on to boil – hard boiled eggs can be eaten one handed while
steering.
I put on sunscreen, get my cap on and off
we go, but the clouds immediately obscure the sun – I am sure there is a direct
causal relationship between these activities. But, bravely and with strength of
mind and purpose, I am not deterred. We decide to head for a marina for the
night, we know we need water (have not showered for a couple of days but have
used a fair amount of water cleaning the cratch cover and washing the sides of
the boat).
David phones ahead to Barton Marina and books a mooring. He is
lovely.
6 comments:
I'm not sure if I agree with RCR's assessment. We have a Beta 43 engine (43hp) and the engine is fitted with both a 175A and 50A alternator. How old is the engine?
The engine is green, Tom, and it's a Lister. What more info is required? Seriously though, I will go and check and come back to you shortly. Cheers, M
Hi Tom, I have checked on the engine and found the serial number 4500974LPWS4A047; I have looked at the engine manual supplied with the boat - it is labelled 'Edition 14: January 2006.
Does this provide any clues? I will look in the survey document and see what it says. I will be back!
Cheers, M
Tom, I've have looked in the survey report. It provides no more information of use.
What is your thinking re asking the age of the engine? I was under the impression that Listers went forever (a bit like the Toyota Corolla is the ad on NZ TV ...)
Cheers, M
Marilyn
The boat should have come with a comprehensive Owners Manual. Inside should be the make and model of the engine. However I think you wrote it produces 36hp which isn't much different to ours (43hp) and our engine drives two alternators (175 & 50). Hence my questioning the problem being an "underpowered" engine!
Hi Tom, We are booked in for a service and review week after next (Scotland to look after grandchildren next week, then Aqua Narrowboats will do the biz when Ian their electrician and engineer is back from leave.) It will be cheaper to replace the 150 amp alternator than replace the engine, so naturally that would be our choice if it comes to that!
Make and model of engine are in the manual but not year of manufacture.
When we went to Aqua yesterday, Ian easily replicated the problem where, on full revs, the engine just went 'blah' when the alternator was 'engaged' - in fact the other engineer facetiously asked 'is that a 2 cylinder or a 4?'
I think the fact that the boat was a liveaboard and didn't travel much in recent years is something wer had thought was a plus, but actually may not have been.
Still and all, it's a lovely boat, and once these issues are ironed out it will be much more peaceful.
Where are you now? We'll be in Mercia till at least Tuesday 24th. So if you are coming past, give us a yell. 07474 247857
Cheers, M&D
Cheers, Marilyn
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