failed relaxation

splax

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Nov 12, 2012
694
Hunter 34 Portsmouth
Well, I wanted to take a few days and spend them on the boat in the river fishing without internet or TV to relax. When I left the marina I had some white smoke out the exhaust, but since I seemed to have good water flow I figured the propeller was a bit fouled and the issue would clear itself. BAD ASSUMPTION !!
So I get a couple hours into my trip and the high temperature alarm goes off. I had started to be concerned because the amount of white smoke had increased with possibly less flow, but I could still hear the "burping". So I shut down the engine and put up the foresail to keep moving. I was riding the changing tide and did not want to be caught down river when it turned to recede.
I had been trolling, hoping to catch a fish. I reeled in one pole and started on the other when the lure snagged. Since I was under sail, there was no stopping the boat and my line broke, leaving the lure. Then I saw a crab pot and failed to avoid it. I could no longer steer the boat with the crab pot pulling me starboard.
The furler jammed, and I could not stop. Lucky for me the crab pot anchored me in 9 feet of water. I got the sail furled and cleared an obstruction at the through hull. After some friends pulled me back and forth the crab pot came free. I started the engine and it ran well until I idled at the pier when it overheated again.
 

splax

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Nov 12, 2012
694
Hunter 34 Portsmouth
So after about 20 minutes I motored out to the anchorage, finding that I got decent flow at about 1000 RPM.
The next day I started the engine and heard the dreaded unrestrained exhaust. I shut down and installed a intact impeller, the other was in pieces. I tried again with some burping at low RPM and motored to the pier to visit a bit where it overheated again. After a half hour I went back out to the anchorage.
 

splax

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Nov 12, 2012
694
Hunter 34 Portsmouth
The next day I checked the impeller, which was fine. I reset the top on the sea water strainer to make sure it was sealed. I checked the through hull and hoses all the way to the mixing elbow to make sure they were free of obstruction. I started the engine and got no flow from the heat exchanger. I then pulled the forward cover of the exchanger and used a drill bit to check for obstruction. I replaced the cover and started the engine. Water came gushing out the fitting to the hose for the elbow. I connected the hose and ran the engine with good flow out the exhaust. I went the 3 hours to the marina. I hope whatever was blocking the flow went gushing out the fitting.
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Are you the guy from an earlier thread that "answers to the name of "Lucky"?
 

splax

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Nov 12, 2012
694
Hunter 34 Portsmouth
Getting into the slip in breezy conditions proved difficult. One rod and reel left in the rod holder were both broken. I tripped on and broke a bimini strap. The shrouds caught a satellite dish mounted on a piling and broke it free. People were willing to help, but there was little they could do. They did help with lines as I finally got into the slip. Somehow I don't feel all that relaxed.
 
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Likes: justsomeguy
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
While I'm sympathetic to your plight, I cannot help but "like" your posts!

"...Lucky..." :rolleyes:
 
Jan 4, 2006
7,303
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
You are suffering from a condition known as "the reverse Midas touch". Everything you touch turns to sh*t.
 
  • Like
Likes: Dan_Y
Feb 3, 2015
299
Marlow Hunter 37 Reefpoint Marina Racine, WI
You weren't out in the Minnow for a three hour tour by chance?
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
hell it could've been worse.....like riding on a power boat when the wind was 14 knots.....
 
Jul 27, 2011
5,134
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
Is it true? "The worst day on the water is better than the best day in the yard or at the office!"
 

YVRguy

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Jan 10, 2013
479
Hunter 34 Vancouver, BC
That day definitely sounds like a bit of a cluster... One small mercy is that you were alone on the boat. There's nothing worse than having one of those days when you have people with you - especially folks who aren't used being on the water.

Last year I took my lady and some good friends of ours out for a weekend sail. On day 2 the wind and sea were up and we were heeled over. Suddenly we discovered there was water sloshing around inside the cabin. My friends' wife was terrified that we were sinking and I had no choice but to run for home. Turns out it was just bilge water that had accumulated after the automatic bilge pump failed but now they are reluctant to go sailing with me. :banghead:
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,709
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
That day definitely sounds like a bit of a cluster... One small mercy is that you were alone on the boat. There's nothing worse than having one of those days when you have people with you - especially folks who aren't used being on the water.
...or the Admiral ! "Make it stop leaning", "the waves are too choppy", "it's too cold".

Glad you lived to tell about it, and hopefully are still smiling.

Greg