Prepping 4 maiden voyage to slip. Last minute engine Advice Temp?

[luvitt]

Getting ready to cruise from my boatyard to the marina!! The engine sounds brand new! it starts right up, runs perfect through the range, no sputtering. i shift to fwd and the engine doesnt complain a bit.

Im just thinking about the cooling system. The exhaust is pouring out water, so i think the seawater side is good. the engine doesnt feel hot. I can put my hand anywhere on the engine and hold it there (except the oil pan, maybe touch it for 5 secs.). the manifold is toasty, but i can keep my hand on it. same with everywhere else on the engine. i keep trying to burp it and add coolant, but it doesnt seem to want much, im running with the cap off. the hoses that go to the hot water heater are warm, so i guess they are full?

I dont have any temp gauges or handheld monitors, so im just trying to be real careful. does the hand test prove anything? I just need to get out of the boatyard and into my slip. I will add gauges soon.

wish me luck!!!

 

[Stu Jackson]

LUCK to you

"...does the hand test prove anything? I just need to get out of the boatyard and into my slip."

Can't answer this question 'cuz you didn't say how long you ran the engine and whether in gear or not with a reasonable load on it. A hand test is a good idea, but be careful, you only have two tries.

Also, can't answer 'cuz we have no idea how far the slip is from where you are currently located.

Good luck.

 

[Pops]

Re: LUCK to you

Congratulations, when I moved my boat, to its new home, I thought that I was ready, lol. I won't go into details but, my towing insurance saved me. The guys at West Marine could not believe how happy I was a year later to pay for another year. I am still money ahead, and will be for several more years. The insurance turn a dead in the water experience into an adventure. The tow guys were super and very experienced. It was fun experiencing a tow and watching these pros do their job. I do everything I can to avoid another tow but, I know when it hits the fan, I have the option. Towing insurance, don't leave port without it.

 

[The Journey]

My first time

Congratulations, when I moved my boat, to its new home, I thought that I was ready, lol. I won't go into details but, my towing insurance saved me. The guys at West Marine could not believe how happy I was a year later to pay for another year. I am still money ahead, and will be for several more years. The insurance I was glad to be towed in because I had no idea how to dock her!