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It's always something.....

1078 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by rikhall, May 29, 2014

DrB

Discussion Starter · May 28, 2014 (Edited)

So in the 8th year of ownership, you'de think I'd mostly know my boat, but as every winter/spring rolls around it's always something; this year again no exception.

The boat is launched, without us there, without incident.
I go below and smell a slight hint of diesel, but figure it was just some residual "spillage" when I changed all the filters two days before.
We fire the motor and head down river for the 6 mile trek back to the mooring.
Get to the first swing bridge and get confusing directions from Bridge tender on whether to pass through this time or wait. When I radioed him for the bridge opening request, we were a 1/4 of a mile away and he said we weren't going to make it. There was another boat waiting for the bridge to open almost on top of it and we were next followed by two other power boats about 100 and 200 yds behind us. I acknowledged his statement and turned back up river to make a circle. I then get a stern call from him asking me what the hell I was doing and to get going if I wanted to make the opening. So off we went at 6.5 kts to get there.
After we navigate the tricky river and bridges, I head below for some soda/snacks and really notice the diesel smell. For some reason I decide to look in the bilge to see how the stuffing box is doing.
Open the bilge cover and notice it is full of diesel. Well that's not good I say out loud.
Tell the admiral and pull out the front sail and turn off the motor. Can't figure out where the leak is and fear it maybe a cracked fuel line or worse.
We sail to the mooring.
Get mooring and can't roll up headsail. Doh! the feeder tool/line has become wrapped in the furler. Address that.
Finally figure out that the seal on one of the filter flanges is not tight enough. A little more torque and it seems to have done the trick.
Clean up the bilge, capture the diesel, water excess in a empty milk container, add some bilge cleaner, capture, repeat, etc. until clean and dry.
Button everything up, take the bilge diesel home with us to dispose of properly.
About 45 minutes away from boat, realize that the batteries were left on as was the circuit breaker.

And thus ended Day 1 of the season.

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Dave_E

· #2 · May 28, 2014

Oh I don't know. So this was your "rather not remember today" outing for the year. Look, most everyone on this forum would be lying if they told you they never had a day like this.

Welcome to another year of life, fun and adventure!

Dave

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rockDAWG

· #3 · May 28, 2014

Hahah.... it is still better than a day in the office.

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trantor12020

· #4 · May 29, 2014

Dave_E said:
Oh I don't know. So this was your "rather not remember today" outing for the year. Look, most everyone on this forum would be lying if they told you they never had a day like this. Welcome to another year of life, fun and adventure!

Dave

I don't have a day like this and I'm not lying. We don't have bridge that can be opened for crossing. &#55357;&#56833;

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When I passed by that same bridge earlier this month, the tender was missing. Wouldn't respond to the VHF. I had to call a 1-800 number and they finally tracked him down. Fortunately there were no other mishaps, except last Monday I noticed the packing gland for rudder post is leaking - I guess it's always something...

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rikhall

· #7 · May 29, 2014

Sounds like a pretty normal day to me, what are you complaining about?

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It's always something.....

DrB

Dave_E

rockDAWG

trantor12020

Lubrdink

jvlassak

rikhall

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