During my last vacation I trailored my boat (26s) to Pensacola, only to find that the engine would not start. I tried what I could within the confines of my limited knowledge (checked fuel filter, changed fuel source, new spark plugs (they were still wet with fuel after attempting to start), cleaned carb) and it still would not start. It was easter so no mechanics were available on short notice. I debated just shoving off like the sailors of old...but there was a pretty narrow portion of the ICW and a bridge to get under before the anchorage (think from pirates cove to fort mcree anchorage). I think everything would have gone o.k. the wind seemed like a broad reach most of the way (i couldn't tell very well what the angle would have been with the bridge, but probably between a reach and close haul). It was touch and "go/no go" for a half hour while I thought about it. The weather window looked good yet, though the chances were slight, it could change... I ended up bailing to Lake Martin (Alabama) and had a great four days with sweet wind the whole time. Sailed all over found a great beach, a kicking rope swing and nice anchorages. In many ways, I like being "confined" to sail power only. Though I am much more comftable in a lake with no barges/tides (which are minimal around Pensacola). I am having a bit of regret that I was too non-adventurous by not attempting the "sugar bowl" anchorage (fort mcree); and thought I would ask for opinions as to what others would have done...
What would you do...?
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Good choice
Your salvaged what could have become a night mare. Question - did you try the enginge before you left? Wet plugs usually mean a flooded engine. Try a can of starter fluid with the chike off next time it happens. It may be enough to get the engine running.
Your salvaged what could have become a night mare. Question - did you try the enginge before you left? Wet plugs usually mean a flooded engine. Try a can of starter fluid with the chike off next time it happens. It may be enough to get the engine running.
Motor
Bio- If there was not a mechanic to fix it and you did all to your capabilities. I would have looked to buy a outboard that would run and enjoy all of my vacation and only worry about the credit card bill when I was back in the real world. All of the memories would ease the pain of the payment.
Bio- If there was not a mechanic to fix it and you did all to your capabilities. I would have looked to buy a outboard that would run and enjoy all of my vacation and only worry about the credit card bill when I was back in the real world. All of the memories would ease the pain of the payment.
Learned long time ago to test the engine and
made sure it started before hitching the trailer up. You would be suprised how adventurous I can get with that unlimited tow insurance card I carry in my wallet. Years ago had an engineless and never found glamorous laying ahull for hours at the entrance to an inlet or trying to hitch a tow from a passing powerboat. As far as vacation enjoyment, you probably did the right thing.
made sure it started before hitching the trailer up. You would be suprised how adventurous I can get with that unlimited tow insurance card I carry in my wallet. Years ago had an engineless and never found glamorous laying ahull for hours at the entrance to an inlet or trying to hitch a tow from a passing powerboat. As far as vacation enjoyment, you probably did the right thing.
I came close to that Rob!
Went into a west marine for "fix it" supplies, and saw those new motors a gleaming; but damn! those things are expensive! (though i imagine west marine is niot the best place to buy a motor...). I did think of flooding and tried shooting starting fluid into the carb. I tested the motor the day before I left...turned it off and restarted numerous times. Though I should have taken it to a qualified mechanic weeks before. For about 6 months now I have had a weird problem...everytime I place the engine cover on the engine shuts down. I have heard it is the exhaust manifold maybe? I know I did find some mud dauber nests inside the compartment...maybe some dirt chunks got down into the exaust vent? Bottom line...my predisposition to procrastination screwed me...though I did still escape to some sweet sailing...albiet lake sailing.
Went into a west marine for "fix it" supplies, and saw those new motors a gleaming; but damn! those things are expensive! (though i imagine west marine is niot the best place to buy a motor...). I did think of flooding and tried shooting starting fluid into the carb. I tested the motor the day before I left...turned it off and restarted numerous times. Though I should have taken it to a qualified mechanic weeks before. For about 6 months now I have had a weird problem...everytime I place the engine cover on the engine shuts down. I have heard it is the exhaust manifold maybe? I know I did find some mud dauber nests inside the compartment...maybe some dirt chunks got down into the exaust vent? Bottom line...my predisposition to procrastination screwed me...though I did still escape to some sweet sailing...albiet lake sailing.
You did the ...
right thing... we don't hold it against you. At least you got to go sailing! Take a look at "One More" post.
right thing... we don't hold it against you. At least you got to go sailing! Take a look at "One More" post.
I would have chickened out when I saw the bridge.
We were on the Hobie with no motor in mission Bay. We had a pretty good wind but whenwe got under the bridge we stalled. We0 had to depend on the current to take us through, real slow with no control. We watched a Hunter apprently with motor problems drift to the side of this arched bridge and get stuck. He had to be towed out. Frank
We were on the Hobie with no motor in mission Bay. We had a pretty good wind but whenwe got under the bridge we stalled. We0 had to depend on the current to take us through, real slow with no control. We watched a Hunter apprently with motor problems drift to the side of this arched bridge and get stuck. He had to be towed out. Frank
I would have called the Breaux family
We were out in the Pensacola area that same week. Spent a couple of nights at the Sugar Bowl. There were even a couple of Mac 26s at Pensacola Beach who had trailered down from Canada.
We were out in the Pensacola area that same week. Spent a couple of nights at the Sugar Bowl. There were even a couple of Mac 26s at Pensacola Beach who had trailered down from Canada.
additional input
When a motor does not run, it could be due to many issues or a combination thereof. 1. Start out the season with fresh gas. 2. Take the carb apart and clean it out with 2 plus 2 carb cleaner It is the fine ports or jets that are clogged. Suggest shutting off gas line or removing from tank to let the carb run out of gas to prevent this in the future. 3. Did you forget to open up the vent on top of the gas lid? 4. check for exhaust so it is not clogged. 5. Is the recitifyer shot needing replacing? I think this is the proper term.
When a motor does not run, it could be due to many issues or a combination thereof. 1. Start out the season with fresh gas. 2. Take the carb apart and clean it out with 2 plus 2 carb cleaner It is the fine ports or jets that are clogged. Suggest shutting off gas line or removing from tank to let the carb run out of gas to prevent this in the future. 3. Did you forget to open up the vent on top of the gas lid? 4. check for exhaust so it is not clogged. 5. Is the recitifyer shot needing replacing? I think this is the proper term.
Gasoline engines need: fuel, compression and spark.
There are many schools of thought on winterizing. My 2-cycle lawn-boy mower gets shoved into the shed after the last mowing in the fall and in the spring gets a shot of starting fluid on the air cleaner and it starts on the first pull every year for the past 12 years. I think that the oil prevents the build-up of crud in the carb and every 3-4 years I put in a new spark plug.
There are many schools of thought on winterizing. My 2-cycle lawn-boy mower gets shoved into the shed after the last mowing in the fall and in the spring gets a shot of starting fluid on the air cleaner and it starts on the first pull every year for the past 12 years. I think that the oil prevents the build-up of crud in the carb and every 3-4 years I put in a new spark plug.
I wouldn't have believed it if it hadn't happened to me...
Just happened to me last week... We were in the Keys, and had noticed my 9.9 mercury was being stubborn to start. When it was running would run rough. The exhaust would not steam like normal, would come out in bubbles. Looked like I was only running on 1 cylinder. Thought it was bad gas. We sailed all the way to Sister Creek in Marathon and the motor would not start. We anchored outside of the entrance channel and popped the cowling off the motor. checked all the connections, drained the fuel filter, still nothing. So...the wind was in our favor, and we decided to sail up the creek. We got about 1/3 of way up when the wind subsided and we were sailing against an outgoing tide. Dropped the sails, through out the fortress and anchored out of the way. We continued to monkey with the motor and still nothing. About that time, a Very nice gentleman who was taking his two dogs for a boat ride asked if he could help. YES YES YES, he towed us through Boot Key Harbor, under the bridge and to our slip at Burdines. He would not take any renumeration, but finally accepted a nice bottle of red wine as our thanks. Anyway, went to West marine, picked up 2 spark plugs and a socket set, out the door under 20.00 bucks. Not too bad. Changed out the spark plugs and found that the ceramic was cracked on the number 2 plug. She started right up and worked well for the remainder of the trip. So, it happens, we didn't let it get us down and we are very thankful for the Ernest Hemmingway looking guy with the two dogs in the flats boat. Probably 50 boats passed us before he paused to ask if we needed any assistance. So, Thank you again. Ross in Tampa
Just happened to me last week... We were in the Keys, and had noticed my 9.9 mercury was being stubborn to start. When it was running would run rough. The exhaust would not steam like normal, would come out in bubbles. Looked like I was only running on 1 cylinder. Thought it was bad gas. We sailed all the way to Sister Creek in Marathon and the motor would not start. We anchored outside of the entrance channel and popped the cowling off the motor. checked all the connections, drained the fuel filter, still nothing. So...the wind was in our favor, and we decided to sail up the creek. We got about 1/3 of way up when the wind subsided and we were sailing against an outgoing tide. Dropped the sails, through out the fortress and anchored out of the way. We continued to monkey with the motor and still nothing. About that time, a Very nice gentleman who was taking his two dogs for a boat ride asked if he could help. YES YES YES, he towed us through Boot Key Harbor, under the bridge and to our slip at Burdines. He would not take any renumeration, but finally accepted a nice bottle of red wine as our thanks. Anyway, went to West marine, picked up 2 spark plugs and a socket set, out the door under 20.00 bucks. Not too bad. Changed out the spark plugs and found that the ceramic was cracked on the number 2 plug. She started right up and worked well for the remainder of the trip. So, it happens, we didn't let it get us down and we are very thankful for the Ernest Hemmingway looking guy with the two dogs in the flats boat. Probably 50 boats passed us before he paused to ask if we needed any assistance. So, Thank you again. Ross in Tampa
The hunter and the bridge scenario helps with my feelings of regret
It was the bridge that worried me the most...never forget when I was a kid I saw a fellow under motor get his mast tangled in the side of the drawbridge. I was about 10; and I'll never forget the stress I saw [understandeably]streaming outa his body. This dude was tripping! The tide was pulling on his boat one way, the mast was hanging it back at an ugly angle, metal noises were grinding... How do you check the exaust? Does it involve just looking to see if, or how it streams out? If it's blocked what do you do? (probably take it to a qualified mechanic)
It was the bridge that worried me the most...never forget when I was a kid I saw a fellow under motor get his mast tangled in the side of the drawbridge. I was about 10; and I'll never forget the stress I saw [understandeably]streaming outa his body. This dude was tripping! The tide was pulling on his boat one way, the mast was hanging it back at an ugly angle, metal noises were grinding... How do you check the exaust? Does it involve just looking to see if, or how it streams out? If it's blocked what do you do? (probably take it to a qualified mechanic)
Two cylinder engine and one bad plug means
that the one good cylinder is dragging the bad one, kicking and screaming, along for a free ride. Glad it was so simple. Was it just an odd crack or could it have been bumped?
that the one good cylinder is dragging the bad one, kicking and screaming, along for a free ride. Glad it was so simple. Was it just an odd crack or could it have been bumped?
spark plug crack...
There was one crack that went around the circumference, and 1 vertical crack that ran the length of the spark plug. It was crazy, but it certainly explains why it looked like it was only running on one cylinder.
There was one crack that went around the circumference, and 1 vertical crack that ran the length of the spark plug. It was crazy, but it certainly explains why it looked like it was only running on one cylinder.
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