Gordo-
Polishing the fuel consists of taking the fuel and running it through a set of filters repeatedly to get rid of any contaminants. Best to have the tank cleaned and the fuel polished at the same time... and then you'll have nice clean fuel and no gunk in the tank. BTW, if you have water in the tank, that is reason you get sludge, since the growth only can occur at the water/diesel interface—no water, no growth--=> no sludge.
BTW, one good emergency tactic for a dead engine and lee shore is using your anchor.
The boat is really only in danger if it can hit shore... and if you have a good anchor and can get it down and set... you'll be much better off, since that gives you time to fix the dead engine.
This is one major reason you should always have an anchor close at hand and ready to go... having to haul one out of the bilge and attach it to the rode can often take long enough to leave you screwed.... To drop the anchor on my boat, I have to uncleat the anchor rode, untie the anchor safety line...and lower the anchor.
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Sailingdog
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Telstar 28
New England
You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.
—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)
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