Less than Perfect Day on the Water

[ebs001]

November 19th, departed Brunswick, Ga. on an overnighter to St. Augustine, Fl. arriving at first light to get through the Bridge of Lions at the 0730 opening. Good so far, because if you miss the 0730 opening you have to wait an hour. Refueled at St. Augustine Municple Marina, washed the bird poop off the deck and head out for Daytona Beach. All going as planned. Got about a mile up river and the motor stopped. I know that 99.9% of the time it's a fuel problem. Dropped the anchor and called TowBoat US. While I waiting for them I discovered that I had left the filler cap off. Removed the Racor....nothing but water. Tried pumping from the tank with the fuel pump..water. I knew this was more than I could handle. Got towed back to Comanchee Cove Marina where First Mate Marine Services, great guys Jim and Jeremy, ended up pumping the entire contents out of the fuel tank, because it was an emulsion of water and diesel fuel, flushing the tank (algae), changing both fuel filters and purging the system of water. Motor then started like a charm and is probably running better than ever. So I'm not entirely sorry it happened. The Lord looks after fools and drunks.
Bottom line $600, including fuel and spare parts.
Moral. Don't forget the filler cap and check your Racor often.

[sailaway21]

Ouch!
I was all set to begrudge you your newly acquired southern clime, while us stalwarts brave the impending winter back up north. (read idiots for stalwarts) But apparently Murphy hitched a ride south with you. $600 is about what I'd figure the amount to be that will ensure this will never happen again, to you, or anyone within hearing for the next decade or so. I am most glad it turned out well with no more serious incident, enjoy the rest of your "winter". (see, i'm back to resenting already-g)

[sailingdog]

ebs-

The Racor probably saved you an expensive mechanic's bill.

[PBzeer]

Just missed you I see. I went by Brunswick the night of the 19th, enroute to Jacksonville from Charleston. Might catch up later as I'll be going offshore next week. Good to hear things worked out well.

[ebs001]

Dog, the water actually made it through the Racor and the secondary filter but the motor stalled out on the water. But you're right it could have been a lot worse.
PB, I am currently just south of Titusville heading to Lake Worth and should be there on the 26th or 27th. Hail me if you get to Lake Worth.
A friend of mine gave me a good definition of a good boat: a good boat is one that waits to break down until you are in a place where help is available.

[PBzeer]

If the forecast holds, I hope to make Ft Pierce by Wednsday, which would put me at Lake Worth Thrusday. You anchoring there? And if so, which area?

[sailingdog]

EBS-

Your friend's definition sounds good to me...

[Giulietta]

Ebs, I think yours is a very very good post that conveys a lot of usefull information. Quick concise and explanatory.

Very good thank you.

[Valiente]

It occurs to me that deck fills for water and fuel are an idiotic convention, just like vent openings just under the gunwales/toerail. A better solution would be a gasketed, locking "fill box", either on deck or molded into a cabin top, that was entirely sealable from seawater. Another approach, applicable to pilothouses, would be to have both a fuel and water fill standpipe, perhaps with a flexible gooseneck, under the pilothouse roof.

I am currently designing a way to vent both my exhaust anti-syphon loop and all tanks, water, fuel and holding, up through brass pipe "grabrails" in the pilot house that will either exit via goosenecks in the pilothouse roof, or via goosenecks in the sides of the pilothouse (less reason to put holes in the roof). These ideas aren't remotely new: they are common venting features of tugs, workboats, and warships...get the vents high and put in some sort of a loop to resist taking on water in all but a complete and sustained capsize.

Some sailboat cruisers of note in the past vented up into the mizzen mast or out the top of a stanchion. Others have high coamings appropriate for the job: You don't need to be that high to avoid the worst of the water, but if you don't get the rails under, you aren't sailing hard, in most cases, and in most cases, this can put the tank vents under and at speed.

Stories like this only seem to back my contention that certain aspects of boat design are institutionally wrong-headed.

[sailingdog]

Valiente-

If I get the rails under... I'm f*cked... That doesn't mean I'm not sailing hard.