AusCan
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2012
- Messages
- 3,218
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Kokanee
- Vessel Make
- Cuddles 30 Pilot House Motor Sailer
Last weekend the weather was great for a winter cruise. On Saturday I went for a solo run out in the gulf. The morning was calm, so I decided to do some speed checks at various rpm.
875 rpm. 3.0 knots
1000. 3.6
1250. 4.5
1500. 5.2
1750. 5.7
2000. 6.2
2250. 6.7
2500. 7.1
2750. 7.3. (WOT)
Looks like she does a bit better than the theoretical hull speed with a WLL of 29.5 feet.
A light wind picked up in the afternoon so I sailed her back at a relaxing 3.5 knots.
Sunday was dead calm again so set off with the admiral and my nephew. Idled from the slip to the lock. Shut off the engine while waiting for the lock to equalize. Sea gate opened and I went to start the engine........... nothing.
Quick check of connections etc but still no life from the starter motor.
As we were holding up pedestrian traffic with the sea gate open,we pushed the boat out of the lock and contined to faultfind.
A hint of a breeze started moving us towards the breakwater so it was time to slightly panic. There was an old wharf about 150 metres away, but we were slowly drifting the wrong way. I dug out my emergency tiller and started "paddling" the rudder. We slowly made headway towards the wharf. After securing the boat, we confirmed that the 30 year old starter had died, and we would be spending the night here.
Next morning we found out the nearest replacement starter was in Germany, but found a guy who rebuilt the solonoid while my wife waited, and we had the boat back in the slip before noon. I've since returned the starter motor to him for a full armature rewind and pinion gear rebuild; just to be sure to be sure.
875 rpm. 3.0 knots
1000. 3.6
1250. 4.5
1500. 5.2
1750. 5.7
2000. 6.2
2250. 6.7
2500. 7.1
2750. 7.3. (WOT)
Looks like she does a bit better than the theoretical hull speed with a WLL of 29.5 feet.
A light wind picked up in the afternoon so I sailed her back at a relaxing 3.5 knots.
Sunday was dead calm again so set off with the admiral and my nephew. Idled from the slip to the lock. Shut off the engine while waiting for the lock to equalize. Sea gate opened and I went to start the engine........... nothing.
Quick check of connections etc but still no life from the starter motor.
As we were holding up pedestrian traffic with the sea gate open,we pushed the boat out of the lock and contined to faultfind.
A hint of a breeze started moving us towards the breakwater so it was time to slightly panic. There was an old wharf about 150 metres away, but we were slowly drifting the wrong way. I dug out my emergency tiller and started "paddling" the rudder. We slowly made headway towards the wharf. After securing the boat, we confirmed that the 30 year old starter had died, and we would be spending the night here.
Next morning we found out the nearest replacement starter was in Germany, but found a guy who rebuilt the solonoid while my wife waited, and we had the boat back in the slip before noon. I've since returned the starter motor to him for a full armature rewind and pinion gear rebuild; just to be sure to be sure.