This weeks blunder

[hertfordnc]

After a busy weekend of everything BUT sailing, we decided to take a quick trip Sunday afternoon. THis would be our first experience sailing with our teenage daughter.

I sounded my tank at the pier. 7" of fuel on the stick. Off we go. The plan was to just motor around a bit.

About 15 minutes up the river the engine quit abruptly.

What could it be? Check the RACOR- no fuel comes out. Clogged line? Follow the lines- there's the problem-

The tank has a six inch sump BELOW the fuel pickup and directly under the fill cap where I sounded the tank.

How did I not see this before?

We sailed back to the marina, dropped the hook, got a ride in to get fuel and spent the next hour or so bleeding the lines.

One more painful lesson. Wife and daughter mostly enjoyed just hanging out while muttered to the Yanmar.

I tried to explain that every time we (I) make a mistake in the safety of the river it makes us more ready for that vacation around the Chesapeake.

[rheaton]

Did you check the on/off value on your fuel supply.

[teshannon]

We've all done things like that, that's how we learn. Enjoy the season.

[chucklesR]

Isn't learning your boat fun?
I spent 15 frustrating minutes this Sunday morning trying to start my engine after a night on the hook, first time out for this year.
After 15 minutes of staring at the engine, muttering bad things about it's parentage and future prospects - I turned around and pushed the fuel cut off valve down, then started the engine.

[capttb]

Everyone here who hasn't tried to back away from the dock with the shorepower still attached like a drunk at a drive-in movie raise your hands. Nobody ?

[teshannon]

Originally Posted by capttb

Everyone here who hasn't tried to back away from the dock with the shorepower still attached like a drunk at a drive-in movie raise your hands. Nobody ?

Hey,
I haven't done that YET.. I have however attempted to leave with the bow lines still attached to the dock which is comparably dumb.

[CharlieCobra]

I've done both, once! Having asked the crew to let slip ALL bow lines, I didn't double check, bad me. Same crew, different day. Made sure the lines were off but neglected that bright yellow thingy right under my nose.

[MIKEMCKEE]

THis goes to the topic, (Put on your reading glasses)
I always check the fluids prior to lighting the fires and kicking the tires on my boat. When I went down to check them I forgot to bring along my reading glasses. When I looked at the oil dipstick, it looked as if the oil was low, so I proceded to add a bit of oil. Well this was just enough additional oil where the engine wouldn't start. I was using the KISS method and started to ask myself, what is different since yesterday? You added oil. Well low and behold that was the cause, BUT I didn't have my oil changing tank on board, so I had to take a long rubber tube and SUCK out the excess oil. Needless to say I was a mess, but as soon as I got the correct level of oil on the dip stick, she started as if nothing happened. I'll have to find the picture of me my wife took with a face and mouth coated with oil.
Yes we sailors do learn something everytime we go out. Sometimes good and sometimes bad.

[poopdeckpappy]

Everyone here who hasn't tried to back away from the dock with the shorepower still attached like a drunk at a drive-in movie raise your hands. Nobody ?

I have however attempted to leave with the bow lines still attached to the dock which is comparably dumb.

I've done both,

I've also turned around a walked off the end of the dock, thinking I had more dock than I did

[teshannon]

I got you beat on that one. When I had my first boat (over 30 years ago), shortly after moving it to the new marina, I dropped my car keys overboard at the slip. Being the jock that I was, I immediately donned my wet suit and scuba tanks. pulled my mask down and jumped over the side ready to explore the depths. That's when I found out I was standing in 4 feet of water! Oh crap, those were the good old days.