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Messages - ghebbns

#1
Main Message Board / bad starter?
September 02, 2023, 05:03:25 AM
Hi all,
Had a situation yesterday that I would appreciate your thoughts/opinions.

The boat was at the mooring so I went out to bring it to our dock.  Started no problem.  Later in the day, I took my son and his friends for a sail.  Again, no problems starting.  Upon return to our cove, I tried to start the engine and it was a no go.  Sounded like low batteries - not enough juice to turn it over.  This was strange as I only had the radio and GPS on for about an hour.  I tested the batteries and they were fine.  Tried several times, but no luck.  Fortunately we had a northerly wind (not typical) and I was able to sail to the dock.  We arrived safely (thanks to the help of a neighbors) but that is another story :) .

I tried a few more times with no luck.  Even though the batteries were fully charged, just not enough juice to turn it over.  At this point I thought it might be a bad starter and I would contact a mechanic after the long weekend.

Fast forward to this morning.  Just for the Hell of it, I tried again and it started first try.  No hesitation whatsoever.  This made me think it might be a connection issue.  While the engine was running, I tested the batteries and one had a good charge from the alternator and the other a low charge.  I cut the engine and cleaned all the battery connections.  They were a little "gummy".  I also cleaned the engine block ground (although it seemed fine).  After reconnecting everything, I started the engine (again no problem) and tested the batteries.  This time they both were showing good charge from alternator.

So my question is, can a bad starter be intermittent? Is it most likely that I had dirty connections and should be fine now?  It is a 1990 C34 with a Universal 25xp.  Anything else you can think I should check before I get a mechanice?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
#2
Main Message Board / Re: Barnacles
December 23, 2021, 03:26:34 AM
We get similar growth in Nova Scotia.  I find that if I leave them over the winter, they get brittle and scrape off rather easily in the spring.
#3
Main Message Board / Re: Inline starter fuse
June 27, 2021, 07:12:41 AM
Thanks all for the advice.  I do have the original harness but have replace the gummy connectors.

I was able to replace with a Blue Seas 20amp fuse and it seems to be working fine.  Not sure if that was the cause of my previous starting problems, but time will tell.
#4
Main Message Board / Inline starter fuse
June 23, 2021, 09:50:54 AM
Hi all,

I have searched through the forum and see lots of discussion about the inline starter fuse, but not specifically how to replace it.  I have had very intermittant starting problems where I have power at the engine panel but when I engage the starter button - nothing.  Usually I just turn off the key and then try again and it starts no problem.  I have cleaned all the battery and ground connections so looking at the next likely (and easiest to fix) cause of the problem which I believe is to replace the inline starter fuse (pretty sure it is the original so probably fairly corroded.)

This is not my area of expertise so any suggestions on how best to replace would be greatly appreciated.  Do I just cut out the old one and connect in a new one?  Anyone have a suggest of the best one/type to use (I believe it is 20amps?)  Anything else I might be missing?

Thanks,

Greg
#5
I had a similar problem.  When on the hard, I could spin the wheel and it would register.  When in the water, if I removed the transducer and spun the wheel, it would register.  But underway, I got nothing.
Turns out the hole on the paddlewheel (not sure the technical name) was worn enough that when in the water, the wheel floated up enough for the paddles to catch on the hull of the boat.  When on the hard, gravity allowed the wheel to stay down enough to clear the hull.  Replacing the paddlewheel solved the problem.
#6
Just a little warning.  My throttle cable "exploded" out of its cover this summer and I lost the ability to shift gears.  Luckily I was just coming into the mooring and was in neutral, but if it happened at a different time, it could have been a very bad scene.

The cable itselt is a little bit of a bugger to get up the pedastal, but other than that not too bad a job to replace.
#7
Main Message Board / Re: Engine running cool
September 19, 2020, 01:30:08 PM
Hi all,
Just an update. Was getting the boat ready for hurricane Teddy today and took her out for a little spin to get the engine up to temp. I used the digital thermometer and found the temperature on the tstat was 159.2. I would say this is within the proper range. Not sure why the temperature gauge is a few degrees lower than it used to be, but I think things are ok.
#8
Main Message Board / Re: Engine running cool
September 16, 2020, 10:59:45 AM
Thanks for the quick replies.  You are correct - I didn't think about it enough.  I have shut off the water to the hot water heater as I don't use it, not the coolent circulating from the engine.

I have a laser thermometer and will check.  What is the best area of the engine to measure?
#9
Main Message Board / Engine running cool
September 16, 2020, 08:27:08 AM
Hi all,
I have a 25xp in my 1990 Mk1.5.  The engine has always been very consistent at 165 degrees once warmed up.  The last couple of time I have been out, it doesn't quite reach 160 on the gauge.  Everything seems fine - the rpm/speed ratio is still the same.  I haven't done anything to the engine lately except change the transmission cable.  Is this something I should be worried about?

Thanks

Edit: Was just doing some reading and found someone that said by turning off the valve to the hot water heater, their engine runs about 10 degrees cooler.  I did just turn off this valve, so could that be it?  Why would this cause the engine to run cooler?
#10
You are right that you can't get within 6 feet while sailing, but how did you get to your boat? Car?  Did you stop for gas along the way?  What about provisions?  All of these interactions increase the chance of spread.  And the more people that are driving, the greater the chance of an accident which is the last thing our health system needs right now.  I understand that these restrictions may seem overly strict, but ask a nurse or doctor in NYC if they wish that restrictions had been stronger and you may have a different opinion.
#11
Main Message Board / Re: sole: blackened areas
February 21, 2020, 01:58:32 PM
My boat is pretty close to yours (Hull #1040).  I can't remember exactly, but I think I went with the 1/2 inch teak and holly plywood and it has been fine.  It also comes in 1/4 inch.  What someone suggested to me after was to use the 1/4 inch and epoxy a sheet of 1/8 inch plywood to it for an exact fit.
#12
Main Message Board / Re: Starting problem
July 18, 2019, 06:34:54 AM
I have had the same problem.  Cleaning the connections on the battery and the ground on the engine block seems to help.  Might not solve the problem, but is an easy and cheap start.
#13
Main Message Board / Re: Steering wheel shudders
June 17, 2019, 05:03:25 AM
I remember reading some posts on using mylar sheets as shims.  I did this with my Catalina 30 and it did help.  I am sure others will provide some other suggestions.
#14
Main Message Board / Re: Leaking Oil
July 07, 2018, 02:22:26 PM
So here's my update.  The end of the week got busy for me so I wasn't able to get back to the boat.  My son was sailing in an Opti regatta today and we decided to take our boat to see him on the water.  The regatta was about 10nm from our mooring and of course the wind was directly in our face.  Decided to motor against a pretty strong (20 knot) headwind.  After 15 minutes or so I asked the Admiral to take the wheel so I could go check the engine.  I opened up the side inspection door ready to see the oil streaming down my starter - and nothing! Not a speck.  Waited another 30 minutes or so and checked again, and still nothing.  In total, motored for close to 2 hours to the regatta.  Was able to sail back but motored the last 20 minutes or so to our mooring.  After picking up our mooring, I took the stairs apart to get a full view of the engine.  No sign of an oil stream.  There was a very small (maybe 2 inch by 2 inch) oil speck under the engine, but nowhere near what I had been having before.

The only thing I can guess is that the oil switch was the problem and that there was some oil left on the engine from the leak.  When I first started it and the engine warmed up, it streamed down.  Any other thoughts?  All I know is that I motored at least 3 hours today with virtually no sign of a problem so I am happy!!!

G
#15
Main Message Board / Re: Leaking Oil
July 05, 2018, 02:03:18 PM
Thanks Ken, I really appreciate all the help. As I am sure is obvious, I do not have much mechanical ability but I want to try as much as I can before I get a real mechanic ($$$).

G