This just seems to be how my long boat trips start...always

I'm 120 miles into a 210 mile trip up to northern Michigan. We'll turn around and head back at the end of next week with any luck.

Yesterday was departure day. 4.5 hours on-plane was the plan for the day.

Back story - I had my marina repair my generator last week (it needed capacitors). They spent 6 hours in my engine room. Gen = good to go.


Heart Attack #1 - I do my usual startup routine, check for water from both exhaust ports, then head back to check the gauges. I quickly see I have 0PSI on my port engine oil pressure. Good lord. Shut everything down, move all the crap on the ER cover, head down to find the ground wire from the sending unit was knocked loose. Easy fix. Marine repair guys must have snagged that wire on something.

And we're off. Headed out to sea.

Heart Attack #2 - I get up on plane easy enough but notice the engines are not syncing like normal. I'm also struggling to get the STRBRD engine up over 3,300 rpms. I've never had this happen before, this thing runs like a champ. BP IS SPIKING. I give it a mile or two to see if it'll resolve, it does not, I stop in the water to check. I clear everything off the ER hatch again, go down not knowing what to look for. I find nothing obvious. Figure I'll try running it again. I start 'em up and my wife says "smells like gas over here". That triggers a thought - I bet there's more unplugged $hit down there. Go back into the ER and wouldn't you know it - 2 spark plug wires completely popped off the distributor. Plug those in and we're on our way, ran like a champ like I expected the rest of the day. I will probably talk to the marina when I get back. I know it can be hard to move around down there but dang...that's a lotta unplugged crap they produced.

Heart Palpatation #1 - After returning to our transient slip following a good dinner I sit down to play cards with my daughter. I notice my aft bilge pump is running...and running...and not turning off. CLEAR OFF THE ER HATCH AGAIN!!! I climb down there...again. My crappy mount job with the new water witch I installed last year has slipped and is now too low. It's running the pump below the point where it can pick up water. So now I have to disconnect that bugger and find a temporary, higher place to mount. Done and done...now I need a whiskey.

I'm hoping those are my three glitches for this mission!

Yup, seems as though long trips are designed to find all the glitches on your boat. Can't 'splain it, just seems to happen that way.

Have a good trip and post some pics so we can all enjoy your trip.

Sure makes you feel good when a problem pops up and you're able to handle it ...don't it?

Gee, sounds normal to me
Fingers crossed for you,
When I used to maintain aircraft for a living, I always cautioned clients not to plan a long trip right after major maintenance. I always recommended taking the plane for a 1/2 to 1 hour flight with a couple of landings using every installed component. Then pop the top cowl and give the engine a good post flight/ pre long trip inspection before embarking on a cross country trip. We all need to remember that humans are working on our boats and planes and the most minor oversight can render the vehicle in operative. I considered my shop a high quality, reliable operation and we rarely had do-overs but occasionally we missed something. Thank Heavens we never killed anyone because of it though.

Thanks for sharing this post, though it gave me anxiety reading it, it makes me feel better having been through this myself multiple times. I still don't know how folks who don't know anything about boats, engines, mechanicals, etc get through this.

You did remind me of once when I had all of the exhaust hoses replaced on my boat, 2 mi out into the bay one of them blew off the exhaust manifold. 6 ft seas, that was not a fun repair to do out in the middle of the bay. Oh and we had another couple on the boat with their dog. Called the shop once we got to our transient slip, they apologized, said they must not have tightened the clamps enough.

testament to the advantages of being SELF RELIANT.

requires knowledge, tools & spares

BEST,

RWS

Carpediem44DB said:

I always recommended taking the plane for a 1/2 to 1 hour flight with a couple of landings using every installed component.

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I’d flip you the keys, “you go first, pay you when you get back”.

mrsrobinson said:

Called the shop once we got to our transient slip, they apologized, said they must not have tightened the clamps enough.

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Ha! Last 2 years, wet bilge, leaking hot water tank. Last year replaced it and cleaned up every drop of water over the winter.
Spring launch, boat in water, I hear a waterfall in the engine. Freak out run back to lift operator, help, boat gonna sink, was a loose hose never tighten from winterize. So I have a wet bilge again from day one. Maybe next year it will be dry.
Why not dry it now? A 454 crammed in a 250, there is no way in hell you are getting below that engine.

Where are you headed? I just ran from New Buffalo to Charlevoix yesterday 8/2 - 271 miles. A friend of mine was running with me in a gas 400 Dancer and had an issue with a cutlass bearing so he ducked into Pentwater, he should be back underway tomorrow.

Hopefully thats the last of your glitches!

Always the same and it amazes me…if I had to run 3 hours to cross the lake something would go wrong, but if I ran around in a circle for 3 hours staying close to home no issues would arise

Admiral smells gas! Come on man. just kidding.
Enjoy your trip! Bugs are now gone, just keep cruising, it’s all downhill sledding from here. Where’s the pictures?

Glad you were able to resolve the issues! Have a good trip.

If you own a boat, especially a largish cruiser , you better be a decent trouble shooter and know your way around a toolbox! Great job and enjoy the rest of the trip.

Carver370 said:

Where are you headed? I just ran from New Buffalo to Charlevoix yesterday 8/2 - 271 miles. A friend of mine was running with me in a gas 400 Dancer and had an issue with a cutlass bearing so he ducked into Pentwater, he should be back underway tomorrow.

Hopefully thats the last of your glitches!

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Ray,
Good meeting you this afternoon hope all goes well with your weekend plans.
Rick

Ricochet said:

Ray,
Good meeting you this afternoon hope all goes well with your weekend plans.
Rick

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Nice meeting you as well, you have a beautiful 390! Enjoy your trip

Pirate Lady said:

I’d flip you the keys, “you go first, pay you when you get back”.

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Most aircraft owners of private GA aircraft don't want others flying their plane actually.

Carver370 said:

Where are you headed? I just ran from New Buffalo to Charlevoix yesterday 8/2 - 271 miles. A friend of mine was running with me in a gas 400 Dancer and had an issue with a cutlass bearing so he ducked into Pentwater, he should be back underway tomorrow.

Hopefully thats the last of your glitches!

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Hoping to make Elk Rapids tomorrow. The weather has been brutal today. Not sure how tomorrow will work out yet. Been having a blast in Frankfort though.

Have fun in ER, you must have been on the ball getting a slip during Harbor Days.

Elk Rapids has exceeded expectations! What a fantastic place this is.