What spare parts to carry for long distance cruise?

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PrincessoftheLake

PrincessoftheLake

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Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
We'll be sailing our 1995 Hunter 40.5 from our home port of Bayfield, WI across Lake Superior to Isle Royale, a remote wilderness destination-a round trip of 300 plus miles by the time we circumnavigate the island. I have a two part question. Last time we went I took spare parts for the Yanmar so I had an extra V-Belt, an impeller, fuel and oil filters. I looked up a spare parts kit on the web and the one I saw included an air filter element assy and a fuel filter cartridge. Do I need both of these? Is the fuel filter cartridge the same as the spin on fuel filter? I am sure that is a girl type question to ask so don't laugh. Also, any thoughts on the fuel filter itself? Is it better to go with the Yanmar or the Napa type? </p>Here is the second part. I know we have gunk in the fuel tank and it has caused us problems twice in the last 3 years when we had low fuel level in the tank and had been bashing about in rough water. Pumping the tank, cutting the inspection port, cleaning it out and sealing it back up is probably not going to happen before we go. Is there any other wayaround this issue? I have thought about bringing a can of diesel to keep the tank topped up. There is only one place on the island that sells diesel fuel and we won't be there until we are ready to head home.

Any thoughts or advice? Looking forward to hearing from everyone!

POTL
Chief Procurer and Galley Wench
 
B

Brian M H23

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Oct 3, 2006
1,033
Hunter 29.5 Toms River
A relatively inexpensive option would be to add a Tee to your fuel line, and have the option to suck straight from a jerry can. It could make a huge difference
 
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Jim Haynie

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Jun 16, 2004
37
- - Serene Zelda, Irvington, VA
You have identified the most important issue: goop being stirred up by rough conditions clogging filters. This was the only negative thing that happened on my first long trip. In 1997 we took my "new" 88 Hunter Ledgend 37, Serene Zelda, on a non-stop circumnavigation of the DelMarVa peninsula -- 500 miles in 4 days non-stop. The sailing was great, but when we had to use the enging we had the clogged fuel filter issues and I did not have enough spares. Take twice as many as you can ever imagine you need. Having the tank full does not guard against this much either as the pick-up tube is near the bottom regardless of how much fuel is in the tank so heavy particles still get caught. The opening port/clean/refill is the only real solution. One trick I found was to have a couple of jerry cans of good clean fuel that we could simply drop a hose into directly for emergency back-up when tank got too low for adequate pick-up. It was messy but it worked. Filters, filters, and save the engine for when you really need it are my advice. Don't hoist the ole eron spinnaker just to change from 4 knots to 6, save those ponies for when there is no wind and you're baking or there is adverse current/wind that you can't sail against well. That was the other mistake we made as we probably would have had plenty of running time without the clogging issue if we had sailed instead of motor-sailing during a long period earlier in the trip. Besides, sailing without ole bessie rumbling down there is so much better anyway even if it's slower. Have a nice trip.
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Always carry primary & secondary fuel filters. There is one on your engine (assume you have a JH engine) and then you probably have a Racor as the primary from the tank. It is really best to have a couple of these available. Many boats run into trouble if they hit rough water and all of the junk in the bottom of the tank gets stirred up and plugs that primary filter.

It is not a bad idea to have enough oil and filters for a change, but not a high priorty.

Belts are always a good idea to have one or two on hand.

You should also have a new raw water impeller too.

If you have not changed out some of these items in the last year or so, you may want do these service items before you leave for the trip.
 
Clark

Clark

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Jun 30, 2004
886
Hunter 280 Lake Guntersville, AL
I think the cartridge referred to is the secondary filter on the engine. I'd make sure to have both fuel filters and probably 2 for the primary, especially if you have had a filtration issue in the past. Do you plan to do a thorough cleanout at some time in the near future? IF you do and can easily remove the fuel pickup, one tactic would be to remove an inch or so of your pickup tube. Pretty drastic step but it would reduce the risk of a clog. We have a 2gm20f and the air filter isn't much; just a wire frame and some thin foam. You could carry a spare but there isn't much that the engine would ingest (for a realtively short period) that would require a filter. The only thing I can think of would be dust off a belt.

Do you have a coolant loop to a water heater? I'd suggest getting a length of spare hose + couplers and clamps in case of a rupture between the engine and the water heater. Some friends blew one in a Catalina 28 a few years ago and it was a pretty mess.
 
PrincessoftheLake

PrincessoftheLake

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Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
Great feedback! Thanks guys. Yes, more sailing less motor. On the last trip we had motored about 10 hours straight because there was no wind. I just had the impeller replaced and the engine got all its fluid and filters changed at the start of the season in April. Yes, we are going to do the tank cleanout soon and no later than the end of the season.
 
timvg

timvg

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May 10, 2004
276
Hunter 40.5 Long Beach, CA
Not sure what's available in your area, but we had a mobile service pump and clean our tank. The access was simple: They took off the guage at the top of the tank. It was not an inexpensive service, but I was amazed at the "diesel pudding" that came out. And we had never had a problem, but I figured it was about time to do the cleaning.

In addition to all of the standard engine spares (which of course we won't need, unless we didn't have them) , we faithfully carry a spare head pump. During one cruise, the head did decide to not cooperate. The fix took all of 20 minutes. Replacing the pump is much easier than trying to fix a broken toilet, and who actually wants to spend their vacation rebuilding a head.

One more thing: carry long jumper cables. If your starting battery ever decides to go on vacation, temporarily get your starting power from the house batteries. Once the engine is running, it won't need battery power.
 
PrincessoftheLake

PrincessoftheLake

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Jun 9, 2004
963
Hunter 40.5 Bayfield, WI
Tim-great idea on the jumper cables-thanks! I also asked my marina for a quote on this service on the off chance that they could get it down before we go on our trip. Steve-Yes, the one part you don't have. Hey, where do I get the Atomic Tape??? I love that stuff! The cooling hose idea makes sense. I don't know if I'll get a spare head pump since we have two heads and most of the shore stops do have pit toilets.

Thanks again,
POTL
 
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