duncan

my sort of planning - loads of contingency a number of issues have arisen with regard to Phaeton making the trip - not least a lack of crew as I haven't felt it fair to involve others in what might be an aborted trip. haven't launched since running back from Cherbourg last Sept - but compared to Greg's issues this seems a poor excuse not to go. Basically I should know Wed pm... but I may have to give it a miss this time as other things have had priority over the last few weeks. The weather picture I am seeing unfold looks one of the best for this trip we have had - but then again it's a long way off still....in weather terms!

Dave, As, I believe, many others here I responded to the original consultation document. I saw this green paper as well balanced overall, and can't see it having any real impact on our sport fishing, whether by own boat or charter vessel. Whilst it would appear to have a possible impact on local boat angling the majority of 'landed catch' from within the proposed limits is bass - which is outwith the remit of the paper (for reasons I don't understand!) The key impact is to ban beam trawling and restrict the activity of larger commercial fishing vessels within this area - which does include the top of the SW Casquets bank but not the majority of it! Guess everyone will start fishing there in the future - and move down the bank when they have 2 fish! As to 'over here' - more focus on easy targets like anchoring in Studland and Alum Bays than the activities of beam trawlers, or netters...although in fairness a ban on beam trawling in Studland Bay would seem to be part of the (as yet undisclosed) plans

this is worth a read http://www.eaa.org/autofuel/autogas/test_kit.asp

If you are talking about the engine cover here then, yep - unlikely on an OB boat to be corrosion at the engine end because they are so well sealed. Vibration may have loosened a joint or connection though. Inboard's (most) are very different environments and the connection to the starter solenoid is rarely clean and dry! If you have a battery isolating switch, especially the ones with the removable red key, then this would be moved up to my No 1 suspect! Your comments re trying to jump start further reduce the likelihood of it being purely battery.

As Brian points out 12.5v at rest is at best 70% charged, but then again a voltage without any load at all is only a basic indicator. However it suggests that you haven't lost a cell - which is one of the more common failures on a new battery. On the other hand a healthy 70% should be more than enough to start the engine, let alone power the trim and tilt (at least at a snails pace!). I frequently have the battery bank down at that level (due to intermittent use and no shore power) and they fire up a fairly meaty diesel. I'm sure it will be an easy fix.

well the good news is that all your symptoms suggest that the problem lies in the primary battery/starter circuit! Even better this should be very simply to pin down and resolve. basically you are not getting sufficient electrical power to operate the starter solenoid properly the intermittent representation of the trim/tilt, as presented, seems to suggest that it may be a loose or incomplete connection somewhere. This could be within the wiring eg poorly installed or corroded cable fitting or as simple as a failure to clean and tighten properly when fitting new battery. as Brian says it could be the state of the 'new battery' I favour the first because if it was the battery I would have expected the trim tilt to operate initially but then get slower and finally 'die' as any current in the battery was expended. I also don't see it being in the battery to starter connections because the trim tilt is outwith this circuit. I would start with the earth/return connections at the battery and then block - but I would also quickly check the battery condition because it's so easy to do! Unfortunately I'm as far away as you or I would pop round and do it.

Whilst I hate to point out the obvious, especially when it's already been done once before in this thread re intercoolers, but the air supply to a marine diesel engine bay is about power more than cooling. Any lack of air flow will show up very quickly in a failure of the engine to generate power, normally on marine installations represented by a failure to achieve max revs under normal load. There may be a very small impact on ancillaries like alternators, but not the block/pistons. As you have the engine apart you will be able to check for the most likely cause of a specific piston failure through overheating - a blocked waterway in the block in that area. Possible causes include - small piece of water pump impeller blade broken off and jammed there, part of an engine black anode come adrift. Another possible cause would be a problem with the injector to that cylinder - I believe the injected fuel does have a cooling impact on the piston crown. An problems with the water pump efficiency and general engine cooling would have shown up on the temperature gauge with an indirect cooling system. I only raise this because I wouldn't want you to think you have found, and resolved, you 'problem' by adding more vents to your engine bay.

Could it be that we are always "in a hurry" Adam? Maybe we cruise too near to the maximum speed too often? I know I probably do. they use their engines at max rating more than we do - generally pushing heavier loads. it is true that the leisure sector tends to utilise higher revving diesels with significantly increased loads with the acceleration of the relatively heavy pistons (for 20:1 compression!) etc it's also true that they do have problems - but do not tend to make anything of them in public! however, the biggest single factor has to be the regular running.

I suspected it might be this - They are definitely not the only insurer (well they are acting as claims manager here) that is, in my view, overly black and white with regard to this issue. In one sense I can understand it's origin - most trailer craft are kept in relatively open environments where the trailer lock is the primary deterrent. However, increasingly clauses have been introduced around 'secure fenced areas' as well. I did have a discussion with 'them' in their previous life because I have always kept my boats in 'secure' marina environments (except when towed away for trips) whether on their own trailer or not and (I suppose in fairness to them) they were as adamant then as they appear to be now - the discussion got as far as the relative benefits of multiple keys and my responsibilities for other parties correctly re-installing the clamp when moving the boat! People have found the same issue regarding outboards and their locks - whether 3hp on a tender when visiting a port or pairs of 250's that leave everyone scratching their heads as to how they were removed/moved at all. The crux of any claim would have to revolve around whether you put on the renew papers that there was a trailer lock fitted (if you had said no then and it had been accepted you have a good case regardless of any policy wording) or your ability to prove that the absence of a trailer lock was not a contributory (material) factor in the loss, either the scale of the loss or it's happening at all. The latter is a very difficult when it didn't have one and a total loss has occurred.

I am with them Neil. Thanks for the heads up, I will shop around come the time (and hope I dont need them in the mean time). I've been with them 16 years, and through 2 significant claims. I'm still with them. I would always recommend 'looking around' from time to time, but that's another issue

Done so Tom B's ordering food in the fishing thread......... unless I misread it crab cocktail/ribeye please - unless i have the wrong thread.......

difficult to see how any element to your set up would impact the 'feeling' you have outlined - if you are used to ribs you will appreciate trim etc as Adam says, the whole boat will feel pretty different - generally Ribs have heavily build fine entry hulls with lightweight topsides. The Raider, like many, will have a very lightly built hull that's stiffened and carries, relatively, more weight in the topsides than a similar length rib. That same hull will be designed to give more resistance (flatter profile) than the rib in order to deliver fuel efficiency (with the weight being carried). in many ways different ribs tend to have the same issues with the more 'serious' hulls being softer riding in heavier conditions but delivering (relatively) poor fuel economy and lower load carrying capability.

The crux of this is that any claim is normally through the dealership doing the servicing (or installation) because you get them to sort problems etc.

Sounds excellent Derek!

these forums are very widely read - glad you managed to make your sale.

I think you do (know, not treat your clients etc)

funny to think that in 3 weeks time we should be arriving in Braye......

possibly - but then again you would expect arrangements to be made. certainly hasn't logged onto WSF for the last week or so

you are of course entitled to you opinion, and to vent your wider views on any forum, but especially looking at some of the responses I can't help feeling things might be getting a little OTT that business was run pretty consistently by the guy that set it all up, with the odd hiccup inevitable with a part time operation (and not unknown with large businesses either!) whilst the jury is clearly still out on the the new owner/operator it's difficult to see how some of the rhetoric is justified that said I wouldn't rush to use them/it right now, but would hope that the various issues get resolved quickly.

now it's 4 weeks OK?

I have every confidence you will get one - eventually. Hang on in there!

sounds idyllic Tom - I did ask my osteopath but he just laughed...........

Greg It really is weather driven. For the last few years windows of more than hours seem increasingly rare, and that drives the trips. If we get some settled weather then there are a huge number of options if you are happy to overnight - Dave and I used to head out on a Friday evening and put the bags onboard 'just in case'; one year we fished Alderney waters 4 times (5 if you include a few hours on the banks on the way back from dinner in Cherbourg!) Subject to firing on the Lulworth Range (and the weather) you have some great opportunities for overnighting between Poole and Weymouth with superb inshore fishing early/late and even overnight in the area. As Charlie points out the key opportunities outwith those you normally have are likely to be bream, rays and tope, spurdogs, bull huss.....and even porgies. Whilst not looking to crew I may well be around to buddy, or simply company, as I'm planning to get out in May/June as well - but then again if the weather plays ball there will be plenty of company!

indeed Greg sense would seem to have the 'fishing lobby' agreeing to the restrictions on the use of that (small) beach between say 0700 - 2200h over those months and suggesting that existing, wide ranging, bye-laws covering antisocial behavior are more than adequate currently, rather than being seen to target the fishing population as a whole.