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My Horror Story

28K views 190 replies 52 participants last post by  wind_magic 
#1 ·
I am so anxious. I feel as though a panic attack could happen at any moment.. I have never had a panic attack. I was less anxious after fighting off a home intruder who came into my house with a pistol and tried to execute me in the back room by the closet when he told me to get on my knees... Its that bad.

It started when I attempted to move my 1979 27' AMF PY26 from the Ortega Yacht Club Marina In Jacksonville to New Smyrna Beach FL.

I left on a nice breezy day early in the morning. I cut out under the Ortega draw bridge and headed toward the I-95 interstate bride overpass.
First off I ran aground for going on the outside of the channel marker. I have to spend an hour trying to get off before I hail a boat to pull me off. My boat is a centerboard and as I try to lift the board in the cabin with all my might the shackle breaks on the post leaving the only way to pull up the centerboard being direct up vertical. Wasn't going to happen. Great start.
I sail about a few hundred yards from under the I-95 bridge and cannot make any more forward progress. I have never tired to sail this route and so did not realize the strength of the incoming tide through the bridge. I could make no headway. I decided to try to motor through. Well folks let me tell you that a 1979 YSM8 is worthless. Especially when it RUNS AWAY AT CATASTROPHIC MOMENTS.
So there I am direct under the bridge at 3000 RPM NOT MOVING. sitting still. I see other boats motoring through all around me, sailing included. I call a sail boat on channel 9 and find out the current is 1.5 knots at least and I will not make it through the bridge until the tide falls.
Great. So I sail a few more circles then decide to move over towards shore and drop anchor a few hours.
Eventually the tide changes and I raise anchor and try again. I aim for the middle passage under the bridge and start a tack so that I enter the bridge on the port and come out on the starboard. Well I start sailing under with motor and I am being pushed by a lee current towards the bridge wall. Im making it making it and I am coming out of the other side when a jib line catches on the very most aft light on the bridge walls side. Immediately I undo that jib lines bitter end knot so that the line rips out but then the spreaders catch and I round up into the bridge and begin banging on pilings.
Thank god a boat had came though right before me and I hailed them down. The immediately came to my aid and helped me hold the boat so I could climb on the bridge and untangle the rigging before backing out.
So now I am under the I-95 bridge in that little lagoon before the old railroad bridge and main street bridge.
I am already stressed to hell and beat to hell. I do not really remember why, perhaps it was still so early in the day I do not know, but I decided to proceed down river with the tide.
The route through the railroad bridge takes you right by the shore through the opening. You are supposed to sort of loop around the side of the lagoon and ride through the opening. Well apparently I did not angle my approach right. Also, again, I got to close to the bridge and the water current begin sucking me towards the bridge. I was guaranteed to slam on the bridge on my present course, though it would take a few minutes. My only scary ass option was to gybe directly into the bridge and hope the engine and wind would push me out of the currents. Let me freaking tell you people I came within 10 feet of the bridge after the gybe. So there I am water sucking me back and my 8 HP engine freaking gunning harder than I ever pushed it.. the boat was in immediate danger of being lost. I am motoring so hard core I make it about 75 feet off the bridge when without warning the engine runs away.
OMG.
Tiller left unattended, I jump into the cabin and cover the compression hole with my palm. Takes at least 15 seconds for the engine to die. I jump back on deck and have about 20 ft again.
God saved me.
He sent me a sustained gust of wind that allowed me to pull away from the current. He saved my boat. It was lost.
Man i feel so anxious writing this, my eye just misted.
So I make it away and attempt to drop anchor. the water is too deep. The anchor begins to drag back toward the bridge. I cannot pull the anchor up. My muscles give out. It takes every thing I have, I almost throw up from exertion.
I somehow get the anchor up, those it gets incredible tangled and is now useless if I need it again. I sail directly for the closest dock. I miss the first dock but make the second, slight collision.
I tie up for the night and collapse on the boat.
About an hour goes by a knock on the boat. Some guy tells me this is a private dock and I must move. I explain the situation and tell him I plan on leaving at first light, he doesn't care. Move or the cops are called and they will tow the boat, i cannot afford that.
I have no energy to sail. I tied three lines together and try to 'walk' the boat to the other dock climbing over the rocky shoreline. Of course the boat gets stuck. Bystanders help. Another hour passes. I have to stay in the water pushing the boat off rocks toward the other dock while another guy tows the line.
Eventually we make it and I tie up for the night and go to sleep.

I cannot stay here. Have to keep moving. So new day and I again head out this time making sure I follow the correct path to the bridge opening. I make it 2 times and each time I am lined up to go through, a train comes and they lower the bridge. The third time, 2 hours later, I start to go through and even on a low tide it seems like I am being pushed back. I motor out of the two bridges so that now I am by the Landing facing the main street bridge. The bridge operators tell me I am moving too slow for them to shut the bridge traffic, my mast height is 36, bridge clearance is 39', Ive got to run it or stay inside.
I tack towards the bridge and set a tack so that I cross under the bridge direct under center. It works, the top of my antenna bent under the bridge. Two feet or less to spare, less as I fall off the center.

I do make it and continue sailing two miles to a very nice anchorage behind a small island.
I have left the boat there 4 days. It is behind the little island right by the Mathews bridge. I am expected to sail this thing out of the river to st Augustine then to new Smyrna beach. I am freaking out because the engine is unreliable and too weak for snuff. The currents in the river constantly work against me as well as the wind. I also have no idea where to anchor once I leave this spot and head towards the beach. Im like 4-5 miles out and no idea where to stop or anchor or what. I have to plan my coming in to st aug on an incoming tide bc my engine will not motor through an outgoing tide.
Im really just feeling scared and anxious and so stressed out. This is not usually my character. I grew up in a very violent area and have been in dangerous situation numerous times without such feelings of panic as I feel now. I do not know what to do. I live on the boat and I have to make New Smyrna because thats where my family lives and my job is. I would love to just go down the ICW but with my engine motor sailing is not an option so how would I make it down? Everyone also tells me i would run aground at least once- that makes me feel no better.
Then the though of sailing offshore is not so bad until the afternoon thunderstorms and my lack of any jib besides a 98% hank on and one reefed main, doesn't have a second reefing point. Jib has no reefing point. Winds out of South, current out of south, so I would have to beat upwind the whole time. I feel safer in open water. If a storm was approaching I think I would bare poles it and float with the current bc motor sailing is not an option.

Basically guys I am feeling so stressed out and feel like I have no options because I have a time set to get to where I need to be.. about 10 days. I planned on going out to the boat in a few hours and attempting to sail down river to someplace near the beaches. Does anyone have recommendations?

This experience has been enough to make me want to not sail. I think the engine is the main culprit. I have put 2 grand into the engine and it stills runs away. nothing shore of a complete rebuild will fix the problem, though it will not add HP. It freaking almost kills me on a regular basis and as a single handler not having a reliable engine is terrible. Even if it worked its so weak its almost worthless besides getting in and out of a slip. Lawn mowers have more powerful engines then my 8000 pound boat does.

The boat is rigged strong and true, but the captain is not feeling up to snuff and really needs some support to make it through this. Right now this sucks. I feel like a coward and want to hide somewhere. The boat wont moves its self, and do not even think about telling me to hire a skipper on my budget.

Ive got 5 miles between me and the beaches and 80 miles to New Smryna. I have brand new north sail made sails but as I said, only one reef on the main and one 98% jib.

A part of me feels like this is not going to me for me, this stressful existence. I own the boat and love living on it but sailing the damn thing seems to always have a hitch. I think when I make New Smyrna I will just keep the boat moored and live on it until I sell it. I mean if I do go that route at least I did it. bought a boat, rebuilt a boat, learned to sail a boat, and sailed that trip-- that might be enough for me if this stressful existence continues.

Also, I feel like my knowledge of sailing is adequate. These experiences are causing me to have self-doubts EVEN THOUGH when emergencies have happened I have responded in the correct, and sometimes only fashion, that would save me and my boat. This is especially true when I made the decision to gybe in to the bridge and risk hitting it, or holding my course and "hoping for the best,' which would have resulted in catastrophe as I slid farther and farther. I do act, inaction is not my problem. This means I know what the right decisions to make are, but the boat will not cooperate.

Help me regain my confidence sailnet.
 
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#65 ·
Harborless,
You got some solid and sound advice above. Take it as it is intended, as good sound advice to assist you.

Staying inside sounds like a good plan. I and many others on this board have travelled the area you are traversing both inside and outside and there is a LOT of experience at your command here. I travelled the inside between St. Augustine and Jax NAS last year, aside from the river through downtown Jacksonville it was a pleasant trip and simple navigation, plenty of anchorage around St. Augustine watch out for sunken, unlit sailboats just north of the bridge if you come in after dark! Ask me how I know...

Hopefully you can take advantage of the down time to make repairs, regroup, get your head together and go on your voyage. Try not to get ruffled on the insurance discussion as I am certain it is intended in the same manner that trip planning, maintenance, and understanding navigation advice is given, to help you along your way by offering up the combined centuries of experience for you to learn from and lean on.

Keep us posted and best of luck!
 
#66 ·
Is this crazy season or what? Maybe it happens every spring. I just got a PM from someone setting out on their first cruise with what looks at first blush like reasonable practice and preparation. However, they are going to dock every night because they have never anchored the boat!

One of the docks they were planning on stopping at is a boat killer that I sheered away from with my 40+ years (24,000 nm in the last five alone) experience. What would they have done it they got there late in the day with good anchorages not far away? What would they have done if they had an engine failure in current with no wind?

I strongly suggested they spend the time completing their basic education and practice.
 
#67 ·
Here is an easy and cheap way to clean his bottom and prop enough for him to get where he wants. This is what I do when I am too far from somewhere with haulout facilities. Go to Home Depot and buy a long handled tool that looks like a garden hoe but has a straight blade. I am not sure what most people use em for but I use it to clean my hull from the dock as it can reach waaaaaaaay down in the water. I can also use it to clean my prop from the dock EVEN IN MURKY WATER.
In the morning, before the water gets stirred up, you can generally see your prop from the dock and you can use this thing to clean it. If you really want to do it right, you can lower your boarding ladder and stand on the bottom rung and do it from there and then you can also do the aft turn of the hull.
 
#68 ·
Actually, an EPIRB is after all an EMERGENCY positioning beacon, and it is supposed to be used for emergency and distress purposes only.

Being inconvenienced, aground in a harbor, is not an emergency and is not distress. So tripping an EPIRB in that situation, when there are other alternatives (like, wait an hour) qualifies as a false distress signal and if you catch someone in a less than generous mood, they'll send you a nice bill for that.

All more reasons to take some basic boating safety course.
 
#70 ·
As a number of you have taken up a particular interest in these postings I will attempt to articulate a response thorough enough to conclude the situation at present. Now, as I begin I would like to remind those of you familiar with my postings that I have been sailing since a small boy. I began on SunFish in the Bahamas at the island of Man-o-War often racing my brothers and cousins in races around the Abaco sea, and when older, the island its self. Graduating on to the Hobie 16 when I was old enough I became familiar with the concept of a multi-hull and jib. I will say that I never took it upon myself to learn its use enough to sail it solo, or even as the dominate captain.
Move forward.
I have a blinding revelation, I should become a sailor. How else could I travel and live the life of a freeman in this age of economic slavery.
I spend the next year reading every posting I can find. I join Sail Lazer Jacksonville and go sailing every day there is wind on SunFish, Lazers, Beheas and Hobies. Solo. Had a bad day one day, check the posting- demasting I think it was. buy chapman’s, blue water cruisers handbooks, how to inspects the boats guides and join any number of dedicated sailing forums. I look at thousands of boats online all the time. Tartans, cheoy-lees, the beautiful constellations- imagining what I would make my own. What should I acquire I wondered? Sloop rig? Spaded or finned? Inboard or out? I study designs, plans, features, books, marinas, docks, anchorages looking. Learning. Waiting.
I find her. She sits at the Ortega yacht club marina. A beautiful specimen really, clear as chalk and marked with the loving tlc of a Florida climate. Yet, I could stand upright in her cabin, stretch out fully in her bed. I could crank her iron genny and she appeared to have a real working toilet. Whats that you ask? Only $2900.00? Hahaha my good man I am taking you up on her.
I own a 26’4” 1979 AMF Paceship Py26 at the age of 23. Yay to me. Time to get to work.
Where’s that old inspecting book at? Oh here it is. Page one.
Well… The build begins. The keel seems okay, but better haul her to make sure.
Boat is hauled, scraped, sanded, painted, seacocks removed, seacocks put in (my lads, you think I can afford labor at $75 per hour, I laugh at you once more. This work is being done by me, the 23 year old irresponsible crap o person) Marlon is nice. My study of the properties of the composites led me to choose it over my favored traditional brass cousins who are so prone to the ravages of electrolysis. Not very expensive either. I am the penny pincher, as you all seem to know so well.
Seacocks put in, all of them. All parts included. Starboard makes good backing material. Of course I reinforce everything I install, what am I an idiot?
Engine blows up. Crap. Don’t know anything about that. Better download the manual.
Hmmm…. Seems I need to dissect this further. Need to get towed back to marina, cost money to sit out of water.
Removed mounting bolts, they seem loose. Remind myself to get bigger mounting bolts and go deeper upon reinstallation. Engine removed. Start with clutch, move to transmission. Manual specifies bell housing unit B to be the culprit. No spares, discontinued since 1992, Damn you yanmar!
What to do. Buy a whole new transmission. Said transmission arrives, said transmission is installed. Problem fixed. Yay to me. Why does she not drive at all however? Because the prop is completely ate through of course! Electrolysis! Replaced. Better do the anodes while I’m add it, there cheap anyway. Replaced. Hmm, seems to me that stuffing box material is not in good condition. Replaced. Lets take her out for a go. Running away? But how? Not sure… Too advanced for myself, not the right tools. Back to Sadler. Old man will shows me the deal. Take off the engine face plate, remove governor mechanism and fuel rack assembly. Clean and polish. Remove engine crud. Refill and reinstall. Works for awhile, then runs away again one day. No method or timing, just madness. How to diagnose? Very expensive to hire. Read manual again. Must be internal chamber valves allowing oil or gas? Exaust maybe? Mixing elbow? Checked, fixed, replaced. Nope not it. Guess Ill have to leave it for another time. She always runs at least 5 minutes before running so for the time being this will have to suffice.
Back to work. Lights don’t work. Replace. Wires not marine grad tin, rectify. Wires ran through bilge, nonono. Reroute through bulkhead and then direct into mast- that took awhile. No more water logged wires. Battery old? Ditched, three replace it. Need power? Install 80W solar panel on stern rail with custom built design. Fabricated on docks of said marina by said self. Installed. Regulator installed. Inverter installed. Outlets installed. Now Im getting self sufficient.
Lines rotted through. Shrouds strands showing. Spreaders dust. Mast corroded at bottom. Nothing works at top. Mast must come down. Mast comes down, is chopped sheathed and reinserted. While this is done I replace entire rigs standing rigging and lines including all shackles and blocks. Wire mast lights. Make sure you use tie cables that stick out to fill the void in the mast to avoid pesky sound of wires hitting metal. Nice touch, thanks I know.
Antenna replaced, mast head light replaced, anchor light replaced. Spreaders replaced. Mast dropped back in. Now what? Leaky port holes, need to fix. Bought, installed. Water intrusion under the toe rail? Need to remove toe rail, fill with epoxy, rebore and reset. Done. Whats that? Light ports on bow leak? Replaced. Solar vent installed. Latches for hatches replaced. Compass mounted. Instruments mounted. Engine start up panel destroyed. Need to install new one. Done. Install new fuel cut-off. Replace old circuit breaker, rewire. Reinstalled.
Rotten wood under toilet? Sink too? Torn out, replaced. Nice trim added, gives clean touch. Toilet leaks. Too old. New toilet purchased. Works great. Need y-valve however, don’t like to be irresponsible and pump waste overboard. Try to be somewhat responsible. Y-valve installed, exit valve installed. Pump-out now possible.
Water tank replaced. Water hoses replaced. Water pumps sinks sink faucets replaced. Do you see where this is going? I am not even HALF WAY DONE YET YOU PEOPLE CONTINUE TO PRESUME. I have not even made it to all of the addiotnal safety devices installed nor have I begun to cover the barometers, thermometers, clocks, compasses, hammock nets, grills, stoves and everything else you have to have to live someplace. Dishes, soap, cleaning products, sheets, towels, pillows; everything you have in your house I have acquired and put on my boat. I even bought an inflatable dinghy so I can anchor out and avoid paying dock fees. Am I not self sufficient? I have rain catchers, solar vents, solar panels, four anchors, 45’ chain, 250’ line plus however many other spares pieces of line I have. Tiller locks, extra belts, impellers, oils lubes.. Anyway you get the point.
So. I have not liability. Well then I will continue to be the irresponsible dimwit you all seem to know so well. If an insurance guy REALLY knew his sh!t he would not require an additional haul out and out of water survey to insure a 30+ yr old sailboat worth less than 10k with simple liability when I have DOCUMENTED RECORDS AND PICUTRE EVIDENCE recording almost all work done.. But he does, and IM NOT BITING!!!! Enjoy my future postings.
The entire time this is happening the boat is being sailed when possible. Almost every time out disaster is averted. Chain plate pops in 25 knots, anchor line breaks lose, main sail rips, engine runs away, rocks get close, muddy bottom gets closer. Hit the dock a few times coming in, just a scuff. Glad I read all those stories of disasters at sea so whenever disaster tried to happen to me I immediately acted. Solo sailing the st johns is not bad. Never tried to sail OUT OF THE ST JOHNS until now, boat was not ready, being rebuilt. Forgive me for the learning curve. I KNOW I need offshore experience, I know I need practice. I will continue to get both now that my boat is ready( or almost, damn diesel)
Diesel will not make it. I cannot handle stress. Damn it I need to fix the diesel. So what am I doing? I just had the boat towed to a marina where it is being worked on by a diesel expert. My gold membership to tow US is a plus. I am glad I listened to this advice.

But do not presume that my boat is not seaworthy or the captain an idiot. I have seen island packets less seaworthy than my Strong Back. And I BUILT HER WITH MY HANDS.
I will get the experience. I will make it. I will not lose my boat and I will not hit yours. Stay out of my way those of you on the other end of this discussion. I have nothing further to comment to you.
Harborless, OUT!
 
#93 ·
....................... Boat is hauled, scraped, sanded, painted, seacocks removed, seacocks put in ...................... Buy a whole new transmission........................ the prop is completely ate through of course! Electrolysis! Replaced. ...............Works for awhile (Engine), then runs away again one day................ Damn it I need to fix the diesel .............
I've no interest in judging you, but I am interested in the puzzle you've presented with the performance of your engine. How much time in the water was there between the prop replacement and the current loss of performance? Is excessive growth on this new prop a potential cause of your lack of performance? You didn't mention a cure for the "runs away" problem and I'm not sure what "runs away" means. Could the engine be "running away" because it's not under load? ...the the transmission becomming disengaged?... Is the shaft turning at these events? Is the new prop properly fixed to the shaft? I'm presenting these questions in pursuit of problem solving only, not to imply any incompetence on your part. Good luck and I hope your future adventures are not all repair!
 
#71 ·
That li'l YSM8 is a simple engine and should be ultra-reliable.
Describe "running away" Does it happen only in gear or does it ever happen in neutral?Could it be a situation of the shift button jumping back into neutral and then speeding up cuz no load?
Why doesn't your choke cable work to shut her down? Even if the cable doesnt work you can go in the cabin and manually do it rather than putting something over the intake.
Get to know yer engine and eventually will fall in love with it for what it is, a simple piece of equipment that works most of the time with the right maintenance. Be sure you know how and why to bleed the fuel system. Do it numerous times so you know what to look for with air on the lines. Be sure you know how to change your intake impeller (it has been changed hasn't it?) and take a spare impeller. Take a spare water pump /alternator drive belt (they are prob separate). When starting up, ALWAYS look behind for the cooling water coming out the exhaust. What color is your smoke?
 
#76 · (Edited)
There is no real exciseable patter to discern. Ive ran the engine hours with no issue. Ive run it two minutes and it run away. There is no pattern other than a flucuating of rpms followed by a sudden and immense upswing in rpms known as run away.
It has happened in neutral as well, which is so much more dangerous since it would rev up until explosion. The smoke starts white and goes grey to black. Also you can smell diesel and see diesel in the water behind the boat. Choke cable doesnt work bc diesles run off compression not injection. Cutting gas will do nothing, must kill air intake. I do have spares for everytinh on the engine so far as filters belts impellers and gaskets. I purchased a complete anmar kit from french ltd motors. I am blessed to have a family member high up in the boating industry. A specialized yanmar mechanic is coming down to find the problem and solution. Family is a blesssing like no other. No worries about the chesapeake, i lived there before. Too cold for my southern blood. Does that mean i can tell you to stay out of fl? I think you get the crap end of that deal..
 
#72 ·
I'll admit, the world looks diff to a 23 yr old (you) and a 56 yr old (me). You are the same age as my son and he won't take my advice either until much later. At 23, I was struggling with every penny too so I do understand. You have the advantage of youth because most of us want to see young people succeed at something like you are doing so we want to help them. By the time you get to my age, people think you should know it by now.
I always thought my son had absorbed the boating stuff he saw me do but I now realize how much he doesn't know he doesn't know. Yesterday we were working on my Tolman Skiff and he held up a bolt and I said, "looks like a 8-32" and he had a puzzled look cuz he didn't even know what that meant.
My sailing advice is to not beat yourself up mentally over stuff you are afraid to do. Most of the time it is your inner common sense operating even if you logically tell yourself you coulda done it.
So, good luck and I hope we do cross paths cuz I want you to succeed.
 
#73 · (Edited)
"Stay out of my way those of you on the other end of this discussion. I have nothing further to comment to you.
Harborless, OUT!"


Harborless, I am on your side.

Google hypomania if you will. Here is a link

Hypomania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I know how it is , I have a touch of it too, but very mild. Some great people have it. There are pills you can take. Please be safe.

Kindest Regards

Sal
 
#74 ·
Nothing better than the poster to prove the point time and time again.

Your title "My horror story". Your words. Almost lost the boat, hit the bridge. Your words. You were shaking. Your words

Good luck to you since you at least have the sense of adventure. With the attitude you have you will have no shortage of adventures for sure. Fair winds Harborless. Stay away from the Chesapeake, we and all of our bridges, boats and environment will all be safe here
 
#75 ·
Harborless, this is a great story.
I for one commend you for putting this out here & being as honest as you've been. I hope you get your boat sorted out & the rest of your trip goes smoothly.
 
#77 ·
I added a fuel pump to remove any air from the lines as well. I just pump it before start up to build fuel pressure and eliminate any air from the lines. I bleed reguarlry. The benefit of this rebuild will be an accuarte log with hours logged for running and maintenance. To this point such knowledge has been impossible to know accurately.
 
#78 · (Edited)
Haha. I love it. Sounds like Chase when i told him you cant jump that far.

Listen, i remember those years. Been there too. I was the guy out sailing hobies too. Been there done that.

I have avoided the insurance thing because i have a slightly different view than my brethren. I really couldn't care less if you carry it for your boat. Your decision. There was once a saying amongst cruisers that you know you were ready to go when you dropped insurance. I just met another awesome couple with kids that said insurance is a joke in s america. They just sailed from sf to marathon with two boys on a catalina 38... So i take them serious. Other friends of ours on a panda 38 (expensive boat) sail without it.... For the moment. Now listen to the caveat:

I have do e this for a long time. The world is changing. Many marinas and even mooring fields require insurance in the us now. The last two we have used even require you to list them as payees on the policy. No kidding. If not, good riddance.

Keep that in mind on your travels. I actually wish you the best. Heading up your way in next 60 days. Hope to see ya out there. Take a deep breath and have a beer. It all works out, bro. Get your boat together and get out there. You ain't the first person that screwed up or had problems. Builds character.

Just don't hit my boat!! (Snicker)

Brian
 
#79 · (Edited)
If your engine is running away and cutting off the fuel does not stop it, it is getting fuel some where else!

Most likely is source of uncontrolled fuel is crank case oil. One engine with an oil bath air filter would run away if the oiler (AKA idgit!) over filled the oil bath air filter.

If the engine is blowing oil out of the crank case vent back into the intake, check to make certain that the crank case is not over filled. You may even have the wrong dip stick in that thing. If the level is OK on the stick, see if you can find another engine like yours and compare them.

Another possibility is the baffle in the crank case vent line may by improperly assembled, parts missing or? Check the parts you have against the manual to make sure yours is put together right.

I have also seen diesels runaway when other fuel is introduced with the air. Natural gas can do it, even paint fumes if concentrated enough. If you are squirting MMO into the intake to loosen stuck valves or fogging oil preparing for storage, know that a diesel will treat anything flammable as fuel if it can get into the cylinder and will burn.

My diesel experience is with heavy equipment and some smaller stationary engines, generators, pumps and such. Over filling the crankcase can lead to a runaway that is only stopped by restricting the air as you say. Some engines have a cable operated emergency shutdown damper on the air intake for just this problem. I have shutdown smaller engines as you did by putting my hand over the intake. Gosh that thing can suck can't it!

Have FUN!
O'
 
#80 ·
Didn't go back to read everything but the runaway may be caused by an accumulation of blow-by oil vapors condensing in a low spot of the breather hose or somewhere in the manifold. Runs ok until enough oil accumulates, the runs away, using the oil up until the next time. Maybe the crankcase is overfilled. A stretch, but maybe your electric pump is "over supplying" the injector pump?

Paul T

Didn't see the above post
 
#82 ·
A little off topic but when was the last bottom scrub? Here in So. Cal. the water is still cold by my standers low 60's, any way I scrub it every 6-8 weeks and by the 8th week its is a little like Finding Nemo down there and the prop O boy their are little fish swimming around it. It looks like a bush around the prop. As others have sail maybe a good scrub will so the trick. Good luck the posts have been interesting.

Brad
Lancer 36
 
#83 ·
Harborless,

I got to give you props for putting all that out there to be viewed, knowing its going to be criticized.

Has many have said, take a deep breath and dont give up. I'm sure many have propsed this already, but try to find someone who could asssit you. First going over the boat, then taking it out even if just to motor around at first.

We have all been there in some form or another
 
#84 · (Edited)
Harborless, some of the things you have done don't make a whole lot of sense- like adding a fuel pump, and then pumping to build up pressure before starting. You don't need to do this.

if the engine runs away regularly, and won't die when you pull the fuel supply cut-off knob, (or kill knob, or "choke cable" as the device is also known) it's getting fuel from an additional source.
Diesels are simple engines, and problems usually occur when people try to overcomplicate them by adding parts they don't need to overcome user error.
Start with the basics- drank your crankcase oil. If it smells like diesel, and it will, you've found your problem.

By pumping fuel under pressure into the system you have likely blown any number of gaskets, o-rings, and seals, and instead of increasing reliability, you have created a problem.
Forcing too much fuel into the engine simply builds a bomb.
The only time you maybe, might, possibly need to pump fuel into the engine is after emptying the fuel filter bowl or changing the filter. this is where a diesel grade hand bulb- style pump is a thoughtful addition to the fuel system assisting bleeding.

Regarding bleeding:
You shouldn't need to bleed your fuel system very often. Bleed it when you change or drain fuel filters, if you run the tank dry, or if you have had to service any of the fuel lines and have introduced air into the system.
That's it.
That's all.
If you feel a need to bleed it more often, you simply aren't bleeding it properly.

You have an engine that is world -renowned for it's simplicity, reliability and grunt. Sometimes they can be hard to start. if you're seeing a ton of smoke, it's time to do a compression test. i bet, just based on the symptoms, you have an engine with low comp[ression due to worn rings, and those smae worn rings are letting the excess of fuel easily into the crankcase, and letting that diesel-enhanced crankcase oil back into the combustion chamber.
 
#86 ·
In regards to your yanmar running away, I've seen happen a few times. The cause is generally due to the engine sucking in engine oil and combusting it as fuel. That's why the fuel shut off does not stop the engine, it's not running on engine fuel at the time of runaway.
When it happens you will see tons of smoke. Also you'll see raw fuel/oil exiting the exhaust along with all that smoke.

The simplest reason for this is an overfilled crankcase. Check your oil level, the solution might be as simple as draining out some oil to the proper level.

Another possibility is you have an extremely worn engine. It would have to be very far gone to routinely suck enough engine oil past the rings to run away like you say. A compression test should tell the tale.

I'm voting for overfilled engine oil.

Oh, you are right on that cutting off airflow is the only way to stop it. But do consider using something other than bare hand to cover the air intake. Plywood or starboard would be good if you have some scraps.

Ps bravo for putting it all out there.
 
#88 ·
How long were you at Ortega? We bought our boat there in August and spent about 2 months traveling up there to work on her. If you've been there a year, it's likely we met.

We made the same trip you are, from the same marina, with similar destinations and less experience. The boat we bought at Ortega was our first and sailing her south from Ortega was the first time we sailed a boat on our own, so we had some lessons too.

Fortunately for us, the community at Ortega was awesome and everyone there gave us a lot of good advice on planning and such, so we planned our departure to go with the tide, which in our case bought us 2 or 3 knots. Had we not done that, we would have likely made many of the same mistakes. What's worse, the winds were not favorable and we had to motor with our 6hp outboard much of the way (our boat is 27ft, close to 8000lbs). I was a nervous wreck most of the way and found that contributed to a lot of the mistakes we made.

My general suggestion is to chill out and take everything in stride, take a deep breath. We ran aground too, but we saw some cool birds and my wife learned to stay closer to the markers and GPS. Lesson learned.

As I mentioned in your other thread, keep an eye out for the entrance to the ICW, if you take it. Apparently it used to be well marked, I don't know when that was but it wasn't the case when we got there. There is also a restricted area nearby (or was 6 months ago) and submerged rocks. It is not anything to be worried about, but you need to keep a keen eye out and make sure you don't pass it, we almost did. We got there at low tide, I'd imagine most of the rocks would be submerged at high tide, so don't make any shortcuts.

Sea Tow is invaluable, but keep in mind they take 1-2 hours to arrive. We were 5 miles from one of their boats in JAX beach and it took them over an hour to arrive. They were awesome, but don't expect speedy service, I'd flag down another boater while you wait and call to let Sea Tow know you've been pulled off. I'd say with almost certainty you will run aground, more likely depending on what kind of equipment you have. The ICW in that area is not well maintained and you have to use your intuition to figure out how to follow the markers. If you have a GPS and stick to the marked channel, you'll be fine. The Sea Tow captains are also really helpful if you call ahead and need advice on certain areas, which I'd advise prior to arriving in St Augustine, as that area can be deceiving depth wise.

If it makes you feel any better, when we made this trip we almost missed the ICW, ended up doing 3 loops trying to get the headsail down outside the mouth of the ICW, nearly hit a buoy too. On day 2, we ran aground 5 miles from the marina we were at that night. On day 3, our motor died, I freaked out and tossed the anchor over the stern, the current pulled us around and nearly got wrapped around the motor, I had to cut anchor. I learned a lot of lessons in those 3 days. You'll find yourself a lot more relaxed if you just expect things to go wrong and deal with it as it comes.

We stopped at a JAX Beach Marina for the night, everyone was friendly, the accommodations were nice, and the food was decent. When you stop in St. Augustine, be sure to hit up Columbia's downtown.

Have fun and remember you are probably doing more sailing now that many people on this board have in the past year. Enjoy the learning experience, I know we did and still are.
 
#91 · (Edited)
Dude. It's Florida. What are the waves today, .5 feet with 7 knots of onshore wind?

You don't get killed running aground in a channel when it's 80 degrees outside. It may suck but he's not rounding the cape.

It's Florida. You'll be fine*. We've got lakes in this country rougher than Florida

* unless there's a hurricane
Yeah, what could possibly go wrong when running an inlet on the Atlantic coast of Florida?

This professional charter boat captain with decades of experience lost his life on what appears to have been a pretty placid day...





A place like Ponce Inlet could easily eat this kid's boat alive, if something happened to go wrong at just the 'right' time...
 
#90 · (Edited)
Harborless,

You said you messed with the governor "mechanism". Is it possible that a spring or fork lever is getting stuck somehow? Does the "runaway" occur after you were at full throttle and will simply not throttle down? Was it reassembled correctly? Is the fuel control rack lever sliding smoothly?
Lastly, is the throttle cable and lever sticking?
 
#95 ·
For the sake of inexperienced sailors here, will you please top throwing around irresponsible platitudes about inlets.

The applicable extension of your analogy in this case would be walking across the middle of the block at rush hour talking on your cell phone and not looking at the traffic. So far, our boy hasn't shown that he can make it across the sidewalk without tripping over his feet. Even experienced sailors can get in trouble in these places as the photos above demonstrate.

You don't have to get rolled or capsized. A simple grounding with a ground swell running is very different from one in inland waters. The lifting and dropping of the boat can drive the keel of many production boats right through the hull before you can say, "Where's the radio?"
 
#97 ·
I installed the fuel pump after running out of fuel and having to bleed the hoses manual.
i will post a full report when one is provided to me.
i plan on simply motororing the entire way down the icw once the engine is fixed. I have a gold membership covers me up to 3500build per incident. Once the engine is fixed so are my concerns.
thanks for all your interest.
i bought the boat at oycm in june 11. Its been there since. I am sure i have seen you at least. Your cutting anchor sucks, but ive already done that haha.

Will keep you all posted but for the next week or two i dont think anything much will happen.
crank case could be... idk. Ive done all i can as alayman. Professional coming down now.
 
#98 ·
I am familiar with the ditch you speak of. Half my family of real sailors live in new smyrna. However i will not be traversing that inlet without my uncle. We plan on doing an overnight offshore trip memorial weekend. He is a lufetime sailor. Just got to make it down there then i will gain worlds of offshore experience from the a great sailor.
Thats scary though, they lose there boat like that. Most sailboats sink due to stuffing box d glas ssome of you believe that i cant cross a sidewalk. .apparently.
 
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