Author: Glen

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Grand Adventure Update plus instructions on how to deal with an engine stall due to fuel supply issues

To: Power Division Members:

We have been experiencing intermittent problems with the engine in Grand Adventure quitting due to air in the fuel lines. Often the engine has run for multiple hours, days, or even more than a week without issue. Typically, this is caused by a tiny air leak somewhere in a fuel system component or fitting. Over time that tiny air leak lets enough air into the system to stall the engine. The purpose of this email is to provide enough information so that you have a high probability of fixing the problem if an engine stall happens to you.

Over the last while we have taken the following steps to try to get to the bottom of this issue:

  1. All fuel filters were changed
  2. The Racor water separator filter was replaced with a new one.
  3. A small fuel shut-off valve was placed in the diesel heater fuel supply line just ahead of the electric fuel pump for the heater. Please keep this in the “closed” position when you are not using the diesel heater.
  4. All the rubber fuel hoses were replaced with new ones
  5. The fuel lift pump (low pressure pump) was replaced.
  6. The starboard fuel tank has been shut off. The fuel is contaminated, and the tank needs to be replaced (we are looking at several options & will deal with later in the year). The contaminated fuel is slowly being taken off the boat, filtered remotely, and put back into the port tank.
  7. The vent in the port tank has been checked to ensure it was not blocked. This is a common problem on boats – both gas and diesel.
  8. Fuel was manually extracted from the fuel line coming from the port tank to ensure that the fuel pickup in the tank was not blocked.
  9. A primer bulb has been added between the Racor filter and the lift pump. This great little addition enables us to quickly prime the fuel system and remove any air through the bleed screws.

Further to the above, about a week from now  a mechanic will be removing the old CAV style fuel filters located on the side of the engine and installing a Caterpillar style fuel filter housing which uses screw-on fuel filters. He will pressure test the system after the new on-engine filter system has been installed. We will update you when the work has been completed and the boat has been sea trialled.

Diesel engines stalling due to fuel issues is not an uncommon problem. Unfortunately, this can happen quite unexpectedly and with little to no warning which can potentially put you in a difficult situation. Therefore, it is important to know how to deal with it quickly. I am not a mechanic but in the attached document I have tried to explain the basics of the fuel system plus an outline of the best & quickest ways of dealing with this situation should it happen to you. I strongly encourage you to read the document in detail and become very familiar with the information. The procedure is quite simple, and I can tell you from personal experience that it is possible to have the engine back running in less than five minutes.

While our objective is to have this intermittent issue resolved very shorty, the document also suggests a very easy step you can take in the meantime to minimize the chances of this happening to you.

I am pleased to say that all other systems including the upper helm chartplotter are currently working reliably. The mechanic will be doing some tweaking to our electrical bus system in the near future.

Wishing you all a great summer.

Cheers

Mike

Procedure-when-the-engine-on-Grand-Adventure-quits-due-to-a-fuel-problem-1Download
Website

Booking and Events vs Availability Calendars

The WLSA Members’s Page has two types of calendars. The Bookings and Events calendar is a comprehensive, colour-coded calendar thar shows bookings for all three WLSA vessels.and club events. It shows not only which days a vessel has been booked but also which member booked it.

Each vessel has an individual Availability Calendar. Availability Calendars are intended to be used for a single purpose – booking a vessel.

Why use the Availability Calendars?

Availability Claendars are instantly updated when a booking is made. When booking a vessel always check the Availability Calendars as changes to the Booking and Events calendar may be delayed up to 12 hours.

You can check it out on the Members Page

– Glen

Sailing Division News, WLSA News

Sailing Division Dinghies

Just to let you know that our dinghies are available for both our boats. You’ll find them secured with lock cables. The keys are attached to the boat keys including the outboard that is currently on KK.
Regarding the outboard:  It’s a 2 stroke type of motor; which means the fuel is a mixture of 50 parts of gasoline with 1 part oil (50:1) ratio.  I have filled the internal tank for yours to enjoy on your next cruise.  A 5 litres jerrycan with that mixture is in the aft starboard lazaret in case you run out.

Happy sailing.

Chris

Maintenance - PD

Grand Adventure – Rudder Angle Indicators

Rudder and indicator gauges have recently been installed on both helms. There are slightly different procedures for each helm.

Main helm – The rudder angle gauge is connected to the same circuit as the depth sounder, The breaker for the depth sounder must be in the “on” position. Gauge will work even if ignition switch is off. The 3 way switch below the gauge controls the backlighting – yellow/off/red.

Flybridge – Ignition switch must be in the on position. A backlight switch still needs to be installed

but gauge can be used without backlighting.

Maintenance - PD

Grand Adventure Update

The last few months certainly have been a Grand Adventure. Lots of changes, updates and maintenance to the boat. Here is a quick list of some of them:

  1. New anchor installed.
  2. Anchor windlass repaired. New solenoid installed.
  3. Varnish removed from much of the brightwork. Will finish the rest next Spring.
  4. Old varnish removed from the teak on the cabin and flybridge. Teak has been sanded and resealed/stained.
  5. New paint on the cabin and flybridge.
  6. New decals installed.
  7. Old hydraulic steering pumps removed, and new pumps installed.
  8. New toilet in the forward head.
  9. Fixed the vacuum problems with the holding tank.
  10. New macerator pump installed for holding tank.
  11. New sump for the aft cabin shower.
  12. Freed up all through hulls.
  13. Installed new teak sealant where water pools on the aft port-side walkway
  14. Working our way through other potential leak areas.
  15. Replacing old inflatable dingy with a Livingston dingy on davits.
  16. Honda outboard made operational.
  17. Work on stern thruster.
  18. Replaced all fuel filters. This seems to have fixed the problem with getting air in the fuel lines. Engine running smoothly and reliably.
  19. Updated DC electrical schematic.
  20. New diesel heater ordered. Should be installed by mid-October.
  21. In the process of trying to repair leaks in old inflatable in order to sell it.
  22. All safety items to meet Transport Canada requirements have been dealt with.
  23. About to finish installation of new step and railing to help members and guests move safely on/off the flybridge.
  24. All canvas cleaned and re-installed.
  25. New foam mattress for rear-cabin bed has been purchased. Hopefully installed this week.

Currently, the boat is good to take out for at least day trips in areas where you have good local knowledge as the depth sounder at the lower helm and the chart plotter at the upper helm are not working properly at this time. We have identified a small leak in the propane stove which we will address shortly. BBQ works but in need of a good cleaning. After a good cleaning of the interior, we will put basic pots, pans, dishes, etc. on the boat.

Please remember that our insurance requires that, even if you are highly qualified, you still need to be formally approved by the Board as a “club-qualified skipper” before you can take the boat away from the dock. Please contact Doug, Cam, or me, if you wish to set up a time to become familiar with the various systems on Grand Adventure.

-Mike

Maintenance - SD, Sailing Division News

Chartplotter for Blue Belle

Blue Belle now has a Garmin chartplotter. It’s not new but it works well. The chartplotter does not, however, have a depth sounder.

The chartplotter mounts on a bracket at the top of the steering pedestel. It needs to be removed and stored in the cabin when not in use as the steering wheel cover does not fit over it.

The chartplotter is currently stored in a brown plastic bag in the storage area (sliding plexiglass door)

below the VHF radio. There is a user manual in the bag.

After the chartplotter has been mounted using the two thumb knob screws there are two cables that need to be attached. The gray/white cable (gps antenna) with metal connector is easy – twist clockwise on/counter-clockwise off.

The black cable is also clockwise on/counter-clockwise off but is a bit more fiddly and requires some practice to get the feel of twisting the connector on and off. Be careful, the connector is plastic and too much force could damage the connector or the chartplotter.

To use the chartplotter the “big red” main 12V power switch must be on (normally “2” for house battery). The chartplotter uses the same circuit as the VHF radio so the switch labelled “Radio” must

be in the “On” position.

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Maintenance - SD

Kitkatla shifter cable repairs and ongoing transmission oil leak

To all Sailing Skippers,

Some important information for you to be aware of regarding recent repairs to Kitkatla’s shifter cable and ongoing rear seal transmission leak.

SHIFTER CABLE The shifter cable on Kitkatla has been replaced and this has changed how the shifter “feels”. You will notice that the shift lever moves easily into F, R, and N. The location of Neutral is now with the lever in the vertical position. Forward and Reverse now have “hard stops”. Once the shift lever hits stop respectively for F and R, it is important that skippers do not put additional pressure on the shift lever as that has the potential to change the shift lever position for each gear. No need to “strong arm” the lever anymore – as soon as it hits the stop, let go of the lever. TRANSMISSION LEAK The oil level in the transmission was down as the rear seal is leaking. It has been topped up. Please check the oil level each day before using the boat. See attached photos which show the transmission casing with yellow bolt (7/8 socket). The dipstick is connected to the underside of the bolt and you can see the fill line right near the end of the dipstick. It only holds a small amount of oil – do not overfill. Use the 30W Oil in one litre container in the plastic tub in the starboard lazarette. There is a funnel in the same tub. . We will need to get a mechanic out to change the rear seal soon. Please Do Not use the marine diesel oil in 4 litre container – this is for use in the engine only. Also, do not overtighten the bolt when screwing back on. MISC. The unused fuel return line from the engine had a split in it with the result that small amounts of unburnt fuel was going into the bilge. The hose has been repaired and the bilge has been cleaned. Many thanks to the members who responded so effectively to these repairs: Mike Copley, Mike Hill, Doug Johnson, Glen Smith, David Redd and also Doug’s son, Bruce Johnson. Your skills and work save us a lot of time and money. Happy and Safe Sailing everyone! Debra

Misc

Nanaimo Power & Sail Squadron presentation on “Dodd Narrows, False Narrows & Pirate’s Cove”

I joined an online presentation by the Nanaimo Power & Sail Squadron presentation on June 28, 2021. The topics were “Dodd Narrows, False Narrows & Pirate’s Cove”.

Videos from the presentation are now available on Youtube”

https://nanaimo-power-sail.online/Dodd-Narrows-Playlist You can also access the YouTube channel at the link below. https://nanaimo-power-sail.online/YouTube

– Glen