Flat calm

Steve arrived in his convertible sports car, after negotiating road work diversions and we set off in calm weather for the Noss marina and the boat. With the tide tables on our side for a change the typical fisherman's optimism raised our spirits, but that wasn't to last!

We arrived at the boat, did our normal checks and routines before setting off for a wreck if the sea conditions would allow. It takes about 20 minutes to travel down river to the mouth of the Dart and it was looking good. Steve loaded up a new small multiplier reel he picked up for me in Plymouth (he's good like that) and at the mouth of the Dart the sea was even calmer than the last trip. That was all we needed to know and set the GPS to one of the good Pollack wrecks about 7 miles offshore. With the tide going to slack water around the time we would arrive, or shortly after I increased the throttle and we were soon cruising at 20 knots.

The wind from the North was virtually non existent and we were making good time when all of a sudden the engine started to die. We both looked at each other and I wondered if I had driven over a submerged pot buoy when I brought the boat to a stop. We had covered around 4 miles at this time and when the boat slowed I put her out of gear and revved the engine which she did with no effort. So the buoy looked a good bet. I lifted the stern drive and Steve checked the prop, no damage. He then checked the movement of the prop and she turned freely. I can't say the words I thought as there may be children reading this, suffice to say oops could be one of them!

Engine oil in the bilge!

We then opened the engine cover and were confronted with a lot of oily smoke! Steve checked the oil level and she had plenty but there was oil over the back part of the engine and a little in what little water was in the bilge under the engine. I started the engine and she was revving freely but as soon as she was put into gear, or under load, she seemed to be running on three cylinders. When looking further, there was some oil and blue smoke coming from around the top camshaft cover. We now had a problem! The boat is only three years old and the engine has done under 300 hours, so whilst we have thought about an auxiliary outboard in the past, the boat and engine are quite new (in our minds!). We may have to reconsider that now...........

So it was time to evaluate our choices about what to do. No other boats were around or in sight (well one a long way off already towing...) and we dismissed kitting up the rods to fish ......(although it was close). There wasn't any smoke coming from the exhaust or horrible noises coming from the engine so we checked how much  spare oil (left over from last years service and kept on board in case of emergencies and normal top ups ) we had, which was about ½ a gallon (2 litres for you modern people). The sea conditions were about as good as it gets and we decided to try and limp home, or at least nearer to the entrance of Dartmouth but stopping every few minutes to check how fast we were loosing oil. Fortunately it wasn't loosing a lot of oil but we knew we would need a tow at some stage so we rang  the lads at Noss to see if they would make their way to us in one of the work boats.

Under tow back to the Marina

So at a gentle 4 knots we limped homewards. The oil pressure at least showed on the gauge and with no loud bangs or horrible rattles Dartmouth started to get a little bigger. With fingers and toes (and anything else) crossed we made the Homestone outer buoy and considered tying off and waiting for the workboat when Steve spotted them just coming out of the entrance. 10 minutes later we were safely under tow and we could at least now have a cuppa whilst others took the strain.

On the way back we discussed our next steps would be when ashore. If there was anything good in this situation is was one of timing. In a few weeks the boat was due out for its annual engine service, antifouling and clean/polish. At around £250 for a lift in and out that would have been a bigger kick in the ....buoy's.... if this break down had happened after the service.

So did we catch fish? No. Do we know what's wrong with the engine? No. Do we know how expensive it's going to be to repair? No. But we had good conditions, no one was hurt and we or should I say, Blue Marlin II (and the lads at Noss) got us back to at least write up the log.

Now all we have to do is await the engineers inspection! Watch this space.

Boating products for sale on ebay - lets hope we do not need a new engine!

Walkerbay wb8 rowing boat    £293.00

24 ft norman cabin cruiser    £2,500.00

Broom Capricorn 15ft Rover V8 Jet Drive    £510.00

QUICKSILVER 285 LTD INFLATABLE BOAT    £749.00

Quicksilver 240 Dinghy/Rib with Mercury 3.3 HP Outboard    £460.01

BLUE WATER SAILING BOAT 56 FOOT ALUMINUM CUTTER    £65,000.00

Hartley cabin cruiser 17ft 50hp mariner engine    £4,500.00

speedboat powerboat Planecraft Sabre    £1,200.00

Cabin Cruiser/Fishing Boat    £1,500.00

rowing fishing boat dinghy tender    £210.00

rib osprey eagle 5.8m    £2,250.00

CRUISER 22 foot,, inboard engine    £4,000.00

Cabin Cruiser*Norman 20*on trailer*40HP*READY TO GO    £1,131.00

Streaker 17 speed/water ski boat    £2,995.00

17ft Boston Whaler style dory fishing boat    £3,750.00

Sea Doo Sportster 215hp (2005)    £8,000.00

lovely 17.5 ft sea fishing or river boat    £1,300.00

17ft miro plus 501explorer    £1,000.00

Zodiac Mk2 FR 4.2 Sports Inflatable    £800.00

1979 Leisure 23 Sailing Yacht    £3,000.00

 Ships Log.

Date: Tuesday 23/02/2009

Weather: Wind North West

Sea state: Slight / Calm

Engine hours at start:272.7 

Engine hours at finish:274

Crew: Steve , Mike

Time off moorings: 1030

Tide: Low Water 1100

Author: Skipper (Mike)