Stus-List Engine strangeness x 2

[Karl Kuzis via CnC-List]

Since we are on stories of oddness I have 2.

First, when cruising along at modest rpm, will have a sudden shut down.
Just off. No change in sound, smell, rpm, etc just as if ignition switch
cut out. Suspecting a loose connection I proofed all wires / connections
and we'll test it out cruising around next week. Any odd ideas to keep in
mind?

Second, episodically when motoring at higher rpm close to hull speed will
have a sudden racing of the engine with loss of power. Pull back throttle,
and goes back to normal but not unusual to reoccur. Haven't noticed it at
lower speed or rpm.
I'm suspicious of cavitation but haven't thought it thru as to causes,
tests of theory, remedies or other options. Thoughts?

C 29 Mark 1 with a recently rebuilt Atomic 4 and 2 bade folding prop.

Karl Kuzis
Firefly
C Mk1
karl.ku...@gmail.com

On Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 3:18 AM Korbey Hunt via CnC-List <
cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

> Scary stuff. Frustrating when "professionals" muck things up.
>
>
> Get Outlook for Android 
> --
> *From:* Todd Williams via CnC-List 
> *Sent:* Monday, June 12, 2023 6:40:52 PM
> *To:* Stus-List 
> *Cc:* Todd Williams 
> *Subject:* Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness
>
> Jon and others,
>
> Until two years ago, my boat also used to stall in idle when approaching
> docks. Then, midway across Lake Ontario from Cape Vincent to Sodus on a
> calm day the fresh water pump/antifreeze circulator seized up. There was
> melting belt rubber with smoke as the bearings stopped turning. Five days
> and $56 later I had a new antifreeze circulator in place and we haven’t
> stalled out since. The friction in the bearings were enough to strain the
> engine into a stall.
>
> TODD
>
> On Mon, Jun 12, 2023 at 7:26 PM JP Mail via CnC-List <
> cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:
>
> Previous boat
> ‘79 Nicholson 303
> Yanmar 2qm15
> 320 hrs.
>
> Starts and runs all day. Slowing while approaching a dock-stalls.
> Change filters, check for loose fuel lines, change crush washers…..
> Approaching a dock….stall. Always while slowing down.
> Approaching the fuel dock at Dodson’s was told “I’m going there!” By the
> nice man on his Hinckley.  My response, “Sorry,(engine stalls) I am.
> The fuel pickup was at the forward end of the cylindrical tank. When I
> slowed, all the crud would slosh forward and block the pickup causing a
> stall.
> Unfortunately the yard cleaned the tank and replaced it. they also
> inadvertently punctured it and diesel would run out the bottom. Found this
> out after a day sailing. Back to the yard and a new tank was installed.
> Unfortunately they inadvertently severed the propane line while cutting a
> 2” hole in a bulkhead to run a new vent line. It was obscured by the
> insulation. Found this out when it blew up. With 2 of us onboard. ‘Nother
> story. I’m sure I told it here at some point.
> Jon Pratt
> Hideaway 35-3
> Stamford CT
> Sent from my iPhone
> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> Thanks for your help.
> Stu
>
> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> Thanks for your help.
> Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Callisto for sale. 1974 35mk2

[Martin DeYoung via CnC-List]

Shawn,

Congrats on finding your next boat.  I expect Callisto has better than average 
performance than many cruisers.

The R2AK team “Ship of Fools” a 1974 C 35 MKII (an Callisto sister ship?) out 
of Victoria BC is in 4th place. It is surprising a older design monohull is 
able to keep pace with the lighter multihull’s.

Martin DeYoung
Calypso
1971 C 43
Port Ludlow/Seattle

Greta
1956 Matthews 42

On Jun 12, 2023, at 6:33 PM, Shawn Wright via CnC-List  
wrote:


Hello all,

Our search for our next boat to head offshore is finally over, and we take 
possession tomorrow to begin a major refit on her. She is a 1978 Fast Passage 
39, and the original owner wanted us to be her next caretakers, despite us 
saying no - they made an offer we couldn't refuse, and we knew that boats like 
this don't come along often (only 36 were made by Philbrooks right here in 
Sidney, and she has spent most of her life coastal cruising, so is lightly used 
for an offshore boat).

This means that we must place Callisto up for sale. The news came along very 
suddenly, so Callisto is still very much in cruising mode with the fridge and 
freezer stocked with food, and we have plans to cruise a few times before early 
July before diving into a refit with Halcyon Passage at the boatyard.

If you're looking for a solid and well-equipped, ready-to-cruise C (located 
near Victoria, BC), send me a message and I will forward you more info - I am 
still compiling all the upgrades done since 2019 - along with some photos, and 
a list of those items which I would be doing this year if we were not selling. 
I have gone over every inch of this boat since we bought her, and it's all on 
the FB page in my sig, so there are no surprises here.

In case you were wondering, we considered outfitting Callisto for offshore, but 
decided against this plan for two main reasons: we want a private aft cabin for 
crew, and a bit more stowage space for extended offshore voyaging, as I am 
hopeful that we will continue beyond Mexico...

I will miss the C gang for sure, so might just drop by on occasion to say 
hello.

Fair winds!

--
Shawn Wright
shawngwri...@gmail.com
S/V Callisto, 1974 C 35
https://www.facebook.com/SVCallisto
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

[Korbey Hunt via CnC-List]

Scary stuff. Frustrating when "professionals" muck things up.


Get Outlook for Android

From: Todd Williams via CnC-List 
Sent: Monday, June 12, 2023 6:40:52 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Todd Williams 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

Jon and others,

Until two years ago, my boat also used to stall in idle when approaching docks. 
Then, midway across Lake Ontario from Cape Vincent to Sodus on a calm day the 
fresh water pump/antifreeze circulator seized up. There was melting belt rubber 
with smoke as the bearings stopped turning. Five days and $56 later I had a new 
antifreeze circulator in place and we haven’t stalled out since. The friction 
in the bearings were enough to strain the engine into a stall.

TODD

On Mon, Jun 12, 2023 at 7:26 PM JP Mail via CnC-List 
mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote:
Previous boat
‘79 Nicholson 303
Yanmar 2qm15
320 hrs.

Starts and runs all day. Slowing while approaching a dock-stalls.
Change filters, check for loose fuel lines, change crush washers…..
Approaching a dock….stall. Always while slowing down.
Approaching the fuel dock at Dodson’s was told “I’m going there!” By the nice 
man on his Hinckley.  My response, “Sorry,(engine stalls) I am.
The fuel pickup was at the forward end of the cylindrical tank. When I slowed, 
all the crud would slosh forward and block the pickup causing a stall.
Unfortunately the yard cleaned the tank and replaced it. they also 
inadvertently punctured it and diesel would run out the bottom. Found this out 
after a day sailing. Back to the yard and a new tank was installed.
Unfortunately they inadvertently severed the propane line while cutting a 2” 
hole in a bulkhead to run a new vent line. It was obscured by the insulation. 
Found this out when it blew up. With 2 of us onboard. ‘Nother story. I’m sure I 
told it here at some point.
Jon Pratt
Hideaway 35-3
Stamford CT
Sent from my iPhone
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

[Todd Williams via CnC-List]

Jon and others,

Until two years ago, my boat also used to stall in idle when approaching
docks. Then, midway across Lake Ontario from Cape Vincent to Sodus on a
calm day the fresh water pump/antifreeze circulator seized up. There was
melting belt rubber with smoke as the bearings stopped turning. Five days
and $56 later I had a new antifreeze circulator in place and we haven’t
stalled out since. The friction in the bearings were enough to strain the
engine into a stall.

TODD

On Mon, Jun 12, 2023 at 7:26 PM JP Mail via CnC-List 
wrote:

> Previous boat
> ‘79 Nicholson 303
> Yanmar 2qm15
> 320 hrs.
>
> Starts and runs all day. Slowing while approaching a dock-stalls.
> Change filters, check for loose fuel lines, change crush washers…..
> Approaching a dock….stall. Always while slowing down.
> Approaching the fuel dock at Dodson’s was told “I’m going there!” By the
> nice man on his Hinckley.  My response, “Sorry,(engine stalls) I am.
> The fuel pickup was at the forward end of the cylindrical tank. When I
> slowed, all the crud would slosh forward and block the pickup causing a
> stall.
> Unfortunately the yard cleaned the tank and replaced it. they also
> inadvertently punctured it and diesel would run out the bottom. Found this
> out after a day sailing. Back to the yard and a new tank was installed.
> Unfortunately they inadvertently severed the propane line while cutting a
> 2” hole in a bulkhead to run a new vent line. It was obscured by the
> insulation. Found this out when it blew up. With 2 of us onboard. ‘Nother
> story. I’m sure I told it here at some point.
> Jon Pratt
> Hideaway 35-3
> Stamford CT
> Sent from my iPhone
> Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and
> help me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
> https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
> Thanks for your help.
> Stu
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Callisto for sale. 1974 35mk2

[Shawn Wright via CnC-List]

Hello all,

Our search for our next boat to head offshore is finally over, and we take
possession tomorrow to begin a major refit on her. She is a 1978 Fast
Passage 39, and the original owner wanted us to be her next caretakers,
despite us saying no - they made an offer we couldn't refuse, and we knew
that boats like this don't come along often (only 36 were made by
Philbrooks right here in Sidney, and she has spent most of her life coastal
cruising, so is lightly used for an offshore boat).

This means that we must place Callisto up for sale. The news came along
very suddenly, so Callisto is still very much in cruising mode with the
fridge and freezer stocked with food, and we have plans to cruise a few
times before early July before diving into a refit with Halcyon Passage at
the boatyard.

If you're looking for a solid and well-equipped, ready-to-cruise C
(located near Victoria, BC), send me a message and I will forward you more
info - I am still compiling all the upgrades done since 2019 - along with
some photos, and a list of those items which I would be doing this year if
we were not selling. I have gone over every inch of this boat since we
bought her, and it's all on the FB page in my sig, so there are no
surprises here.

In case you were wondering, we considered outfitting Callisto for offshore,
but decided against this plan for two main reasons: we want a private aft
cabin for crew, and a bit more stowage space for extended offshore
voyaging, as I am hopeful that we will continue beyond Mexico...

I will miss the C gang for sure, so might just drop by on occasion to say
hello.

Fair winds!

--
Shawn Wright
shawngwri...@gmail.com
S/V Callisto, 1974 C 35
https://www.facebook.com/SVCallisto
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Engine strangeness

[JP Mail via CnC-List]

Previous boat
‘79 Nicholson 303
Yanmar 2qm15
320 hrs. 

Starts and runs all day. Slowing while approaching a dock-stalls.
Change filters, check for loose fuel lines, change crush washers…..
Approaching a dock….stall. Always while slowing down. 
Approaching the fuel dock at Dodson’s was told “I’m going there!” By the nice 
man on his Hinckley.  My response, “Sorry,(engine stalls) I am. 
The fuel pickup was at the forward end of the cylindrical tank. When I slowed, 
all the crud would slosh forward and block the pickup causing a stall. 
Unfortunately the yard cleaned the tank and replaced it. they also 
inadvertently punctured it and diesel would run out the bottom. Found this out 
after a day sailing. Back to the yard and a new tank was installed. 
Unfortunately they inadvertently severed the propane line while cutting a 2” 
hole in a bulkhead to run a new vent line. It was obscured by the insulation. 
Found this out when it blew up. With 2 of us onboard. ‘Nother story. I’m sure I 
told it here at some point. 
Jon Pratt
Hideaway 35-3
Stamford CT
Sent from my iPhone
Please show your appreciation for this list and the Photo Album site and help 
me pay the associated bills.  Make a contribution at:
https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
Thanks for your help.
Stu

Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

[Fred Hazzard via CnC-List]

I had similar problems with my C 44. While bringing her up the coast from LA to Portland she would periodically quit. We quickly diagnosed the problem as a clogged fuel pickup line. Initially, we had to blow out the line. Yummy. Then reprime the fuel system. In Eureka we were able to buy a basket ball pump to force the blockage back into the tank. Mo better. In Astoria we put a squeeze bulb in line before the filters. That made it easier to re-prime the system. The bulb also made for instant diagnosis of a fuel blockage by going flat due to a vacuum. In Portland we had the tanks cleaned. I still have a squeeze in the line. It makes it much easier to reprime if needed. Like when I ran out of fuel. Fred Hazzard S/V Fury Portland, Oregon Sent from my iPhoneOn Jun 12, 2023, at 2:28 PM, David Risch via CnC-List  wrote:







If you re-powered, or just have a good running engine, and did not thoroughly clean the tank and tank pick-up.   Your playing Russian roulette.   Especially in  rough weather when all that gunk gets stirred up. 

 


From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 

Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2023 9:42 AM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Martin DeYoung ; Korbey Hunt 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness


 
I have a 1980 34 C located in Ketchikan, AK.  I only use it in the summer.  It has a new Yanmar 30 hp engine with 300 hrs.  Last year when returning from a long cruise at good speed and running well for many hours the engine suddenly
 slowed and died.  We were in a channel and began drifting towards the beach.  After a few minutes I restarted the motor and it ran fine.  I suspect a fuel problem but never found the cause.  I changed the engine filter but it did not look dirty.


 


Get Outlook for Android





From: Martin DeYoung via CnC-List 
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2023 10:24:48 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Martin DeYoung 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness 

 




Transitory engine issues can create drama quickly.  Back in 1992 we had just taken possession of a 1981 C 36 and departed Seattle's Lake Union heading out to our saltwater moorage at Shilshole
 Bay Marina. This trip takes us west through the Lake Washington Ship Canal, under the Fremont and Ballard Bridges (needed to open them), and through the Ballard locks. The Ship Canal is narrow enough that it is rare to sail through it. It was also calm that
 day.  The engine ran just fine through the transit to and into the locks (approx. first hour of ownership). It is common to shut down the engine while locking through as it can take enough time to expose a few people to the exhaust fumes.


 


So, the lock gates open, the C 36's Yanmar 3-cylinder diesel fires up and
aided by the outgoing current we departed the lock. Now it worth noting there is an opening single leafed Bascule train bridge with a clearance of +-48' at that moment's tide height a short distance west of the lock. Our 36's air draft was a little over
 50'.


Given how the gods watching over errant sailors enjoy a good laugh from time to time the engine chooses that moment to shut down. It shut down in that way that indicates a restart is unlikely.
 The train bridge is also down. The current coming out of the locks is relentlessly pushing us towards the closed bridge. I am suddenly very concerned for the top few feet of the mast.


 


I immediately sounded the signal asking for an opening. I asked the boat's new co-owner to make ready to anchor.  I hit the starter to see if the engine would restart. It sputtered and died again. 
 I sounded for an opening again. Nothing promising was happening up on the bow in way of an anchor being deployed. I attempted another restart this time with the reduction gear in reverse to make use of any rotation of the prop.  I get maybe 15 to 20 seconds
 of run time which slowed our progress slightly. The bridge operator made the horn signal indicating he was able to open the bridge, no trains were in route.  I headed for the side of the bridge that opens first and hit the starter again hoping for another
 few seconds of reverse.


 


Fortunately, the bridge opened just enough and our path close to the opening end of the bridge equaled just enough clearance the mast remained intact, and we avoided an embarrassing episode where
 we would have needed to "strike the burgee", obscure the boat's name, and wear bags over our heads to avoid being identified.


 


The cause of all this entertainment was debris in the fuel tank blocking the fuel pick-up.  We hired a fuel tank cleaner/polisher who cut a inspection port removed the debris, cleaned the tank,
 polished the fuel and voila, no more fuel pick up issues.


 


Fast forward to 1999 and I am motoring our recently acquired C 43 along the same route.  When the truck from Chicago arrived, we had her unloaded at a Lake Union boat yard.  After 3 months of
 repair and upgrade work the boat was ready to leave but the mast was still in the paint 

Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

[David Risch via CnC-List]

If you re-powered, or just have a good running engine, and did not thoroughly 
clean the tank and tank pick-up.   Your playing Russian roulette.   Especially 
in  rough weather when all that gunk gets stirred up.

From: Korbey Hunt via CnC-List 
Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2023 9:42 AM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Martin DeYoung ; Korbey Hunt 

Subject: Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

I have a 1980 34 C located in Ketchikan, AK.  I only use it in the summer.  
It has a new Yanmar 30 hp engine with 300 hrs.  Last year when returning from a 
long cruise at good speed and running well for many hours the engine suddenly 
slowed and died.  We were in a channel and began drifting towards the beach.  
After a few minutes I restarted the motor and it ran fine.  I suspect a fuel 
problem but never found the cause.  I changed the engine filter but it did not 
look dirty.

Get Outlook for Android

From: Martin DeYoung via CnC-List 
mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2023 10:24:48 PM
To: Stus-List mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>
Cc: Martin DeYoung 
mailto:martin.deyo...@outlook.com>>
Subject: Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

Transitory engine issues can create drama quickly.  Back in 1992 we had just 
taken possession of a 1981 C 36 and departed Seattle's Lake Union heading out 
to our saltwater moorage at Shilshole Bay Marina. This trip takes us west 
through the Lake Washington Ship Canal, under the Fremont and Ballard Bridges 
(needed to open them), and through the Ballard locks. The Ship Canal is narrow 
enough that it is rare to sail through it. It was also calm that day.  The 
engine ran just fine through the transit to and into the locks (approx. first 
hour of ownership). It is common to shut down the engine while locking through 
as it can take enough time to expose a few people to the exhaust fumes.

So, the lock gates open, the C 36's Yanmar 3-cylinder diesel fires up and 
aided by the outgoing current we departed the lock. Now it worth noting there 
is an opening single leafed Bascule train bridge with a clearance of +-48' at 
that moment's tide height a short distance west of the lock. Our 36's air draft 
was a little over 50'.
Given how the gods watching over errant sailors enjoy a good laugh from time to 
time the engine chooses that moment to shut down. It shut down in that way that 
indicates a restart is unlikely. The train bridge is also down. The current 
coming out of the locks is relentlessly pushing us towards the closed bridge. I 
am suddenly very concerned for the top few feet of the mast.

I immediately sounded the signal asking for an opening. I asked the boat's new 
co-owner to make ready to anchor.  I hit the starter to see if the engine would 
restart. It sputtered and died again.  I sounded for an opening again. Nothing 
promising was happening up on the bow in way of an anchor being deployed. I 
attempted another restart this time with the reduction gear in reverse to make 
use of any rotation of the prop.  I get maybe 15 to 20 seconds of run time 
which slowed our progress slightly. The bridge operator made the horn signal 
indicating he was able to open the bridge, no trains were in route.  I headed 
for the side of the bridge that opens first and hit the starter again hoping 
for another few seconds of reverse.

Fortunately, the bridge opened just enough and our path close to the opening 
end of the bridge equaled just enough clearance the mast remained intact, and 
we avoided an embarrassing episode where we would have needed to "strike the 
burgee", obscure the boat's name, and wear bags over our heads to avoid being 
identified.

The cause of all this entertainment was debris in the fuel tank blocking the 
fuel pick-up.  We hired a fuel tank cleaner/polisher who cut a inspection port 
removed the debris, cleaned the tank, polished the fuel and voila, no more fuel 
pick up issues.

Fast forward to 1999 and I am motoring our recently acquired C 43 along the 
same route.  When the truck from Chicago arrived, we had her unloaded at a Lake 
Union boat yard.  After 3 months of repair and upgrade work the boat was ready 
to leave but the mast was still in the paint shed so we motored off without a 
mast.  Didn't need to open any bridges and was relaxed about restarting in the 
locks and heading west. (The anchoring gear was ready to go this time.)  When 
we got to our Shilshole Bay Marina slip I contacted the fuel cleaning guy and 
had the tank thoroughly cleaned and the fuel polished to be ready for my next 
trip with the mast up and its 70' air draft.

Martin DeYoung
Calypso
1971 C 43
Port Ludlow/Seattle

Greta
1956 Matthews 42
Port Ludlow

From: David Knecht via CnC-List 
mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2023 12:47 PM
To: Stus-List mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>
Cc: davidakne...@gmail.com 
mailto:davidakne...@gmail.com>>
Subject: 

Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

[cenelson--- via CnC-List]

I also suffer from engine anxiety after dealing with unreliable diesel 
operation over about 2 years, during which time it would quit, usually 
immediately restart, run for several minutes or several hours and then quit, 
repeat, etc.
The most recent fix (electric fuel pump x2, switchable) with the lift pump 
bypassed entirely has kept it running regularly for 2+ years. 
As a result of my post diesel failure anxiety (PDFA!), I can’t bring myself to 
call this fix the ‘last fix’. I consider it only a long pause before the next 
failure of some system on board.
On the plus side, I know my way around my diesel almost as well as my mechanic 
and have proven to my crew that I am capable of ALL routine engine  maintenance 
while underway or drifting depending on the breeze!
Charlie NelsonWater Phantom1995 C 36/XL/kcb


Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS


On Monday, June 12, 2023, 1:47 PM, David Knecht via CnC-List 
 wrote:

Thanks for all the thoughts and stories.  The engine has run fine now for many 
hours since that incident, so I am going to ignore it for now.  You can’t fix a 
problem that happens once and doesn’t repeat.  To answer some questions: M4-30 
diesel, new Racor unit and filters, some new fuel lines.  I have a pressure 
gauge on top of the Racor, so I know if filters are clogged and they are not.  
Like Chuck, I have an electric fuel pump which eliminates a bunch of possible 
causes.  If the problem recurs, I will deal with it, but motoring most of the 
way to Block Island and back with no trouble easies my mind.  However, I have 
to say, I will never be fully comfortable or trusting of engines in general.  
Whenever I have a long motoring to do, I am never happy or confident in my 
engine.  I guess that’s why I have a sailboat and sail it most of the time.  
Dave
S/V Aries1990 C 34+New London, CT


On Jun 11, 2023, at 12:24 PM, Bill Coleman via CnC-List  
wrote:
Let's just be thankful we're not flying airplanes!

Bill Coleman 
On Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 09:42 Korbey Hunt via CnC-List  
wrote:

I have a 1980 34 C located in Ketchikan, AK.  I only use it in the summer.  
It has a new Yanmar 30 hp engine with 300 hrs.  Last year when returning from a 
long cruise at good speed and running well for many hours the engine suddenly 
slowed and died.  We were in a channel and began drifting towards the beach.  
After a few minutes I restarted the motor and it ran fine.  I suspect a fuel 
problem but never found the cause.  I changed the engine filter but it did not 
look dirty.
Get Outlook for AndroidFrom: Martin DeYoung via CnC-List 
Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2023 10:24:48 PM
To: Stus-List 
Cc: Martin DeYoung 
Subject: Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness Transitory engine issues can create 
drama quickly.  Back in 1992 we had just taken possession of a 1981 C 36 and 
departed Seattle's Lake Union heading out to our saltwater moorage at Shilshole 
Bay Marina. This trip takes us west through the Lake Washington Ship Canal, 
under the Fremont and Ballard Bridges (needed to open them), and through the 
Ballard locks. The Ship Canal is narrow enough that it is rare to sail through 
it. It was also calm that day.  The engine ran just fine through the transit to 
and into the locks (approx. first hour of ownership). It is common to shut down 
the engine while locking through as it can take enough time to expose a few 
people to the exhaust fumes.
So, the lock gates open, the C 36's Yanmar 3-cylinder diesel fires up and 
aidedby the outgoing current we departed the lock. Now it worth noting there is 
an opening single leafed Bascule train bridge with a clearance of +-48' at that 
moment's tide height a short distance west of the lock. Our 36's air draft was 
a little over 50'.Given how the gods watching over errant sailors enjoy a good 
laugh from time to time the engine chooses that moment to shut down. It shut 
down in that way that indicates a restart is unlikely. The train bridge is also 
down. The current coming out of the locks is relentlessly pushing us towards 
the closed bridge. I am suddenly very concerned for the top few feet of the 
mast.
I immediately sounded the signal asking for an opening. I asked the boat's new 
co-owner to make ready to anchor.  I hit the starter to see if the engine would 
restart. It sputtered and died again.  I sounded for an opening again. Nothing 
promising was happening up on the bow in way of an anchor being deployed. I 
attempted another restart this time with the reduction gear in reverse to make 
use of any rotation of the prop.  I get maybe 15 to 20 seconds of run time 
which slowed our progress slightly. The bridge operator made the horn signal 
indicating he was able to open the bridge, no trains were in route.  I headed 
for the side of the bridge that opens first and hit the starter again hoping 
for another few seconds of reverse.
Fortunately, the bridge opened just enough and our path close to the opening 
end of the bridge equaled just enough clearance the mast 

Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness

[David Knecht via CnC-List]

Thanks for all the thoughts and stories.  The engine has run fine now for many 
hours since that incident, so I am going to ignore it for now.  You can’t fix a 
problem that happens once and doesn’t repeat.  To answer some questions: M4-30 
diesel, new Racor unit and filters, some new fuel lines.  I have a pressure 
gauge on top of the Racor, so I know if filters are clogged and they are not.  
Like Chuck, I have an electric fuel pump which eliminates a bunch of possible 
causes.  If the problem recurs, I will deal with it, but motoring most of the 
way to Block Island and back with no trouble easies my mind.  However, I have 
to say, I will never be fully comfortable or trusting of engines in general.  
Whenever I have a long motoring to do, I am never happy or confident in my 
engine.  I guess that’s why I have a sailboat and sail it most of the time.  
Dave

S/V Aries
1990 C 34+
New London, CT



> On Jun 11, 2023, at 12:24 PM, Bill Coleman via CnC-List 
>  wrote:
> 
> Let's just be thankful we're not flying airplanes!
> 
> Bill Coleman
> 
> On Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 09:42 Korbey Hunt via CnC-List  > wrote:
> I have a 1980 34 C located in Ketchikan, AK.  I only use it in the summer.  
> It has a new Yanmar 30 hp engine with 300 hrs.  Last year when returning from 
> a long cruise at good speed and running well for many hours the engine 
> suddenly slowed and died.  We were in a channel and began drifting towards 
> the beach.  After a few minutes I restarted the motor and it ran fine.  I 
> suspect a fuel problem but never found the cause.  I changed the engine 
> filter but it did not look dirty.
> 
> Get Outlook for Android 
> From: Martin DeYoung via CnC-List  >
> Sent: Saturday, June 10, 2023 10:24:48 PM
> To: Stus-List mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>>
> Cc: Martin DeYoung  >
> Subject: Stus-List Re: Engine strangeness
>  
> Transitory engine issues can create drama quickly.  Back in 1992 we had just 
> taken possession of a 1981 C 36 and departed Seattle's Lake Union heading 
> out to our saltwater moorage at Shilshole Bay Marina. This trip takes us west 
> through the Lake Washington Ship Canal, under the Fremont and Ballard Bridges 
> (needed to open them), and through the Ballard locks. The Ship Canal is 
> narrow enough that it is rare to sail through it. It was also calm that day.  
> The engine ran just fine through the transit to and into the locks (approx. 
> first hour of ownership). It is common to shut down the engine while locking 
> through as it can take enough time to expose a few people to the exhaust 
> fumes.
> 
> So, the lock gates open, the C 36's Yanmar 3-cylinder diesel fires up and 
> aided by the outgoing current we departed the lock. Now it worth noting there 
> is an opening single leafed Bascule train bridge with a clearance of +-48' at 
> that moment's tide height a short distance west of the lock. Our 36's air 
> draft was a little over 50'.
> Given how the gods watching over errant sailors enjoy a good laugh from time 
> to time the engine chooses that moment to shut down. It shut down in that way 
> that indicates a restart is unlikely. The train bridge is also down. The 
> current coming out of the locks is relentlessly pushing us towards the closed 
> bridge. I am suddenly very concerned for the top few feet of the mast.
> 
> I immediately sounded the signal asking for an opening. I asked the boat's 
> new co-owner to make ready to anchor.  I hit the starter to see if the engine 
> would restart. It sputtered and died again.  I sounded for an opening again. 
> Nothing promising was happening up on the bow in way of an anchor being 
> deployed. I attempted another restart this time with the reduction gear in 
> reverse to make use of any rotation of the prop.  I get maybe 15 to 20 
> seconds of run time which slowed our progress slightly. The bridge operator 
> made the horn signal indicating he was able to open the bridge, no trains 
> were in route.  I headed for the side of the bridge that opens first and hit 
> the starter again hoping for another few seconds of reverse.
> 
> Fortunately, the bridge opened just enough and our path close to the opening 
> end of the bridge equaled just enough clearance the mast remained intact, and 
> we avoided an embarrassing episode where we would have needed to "strike the 
> burgee", obscure the boat's name, and wear bags over our heads to avoid being 
> identified.
> 
> The cause of all this entertainment was debris in the fuel tank blocking the 
> fuel pick-up.  We hired a fuel tank cleaner/polisher who cut a inspection 
> port removed the debris, cleaned the tank, polished the fuel and voila, no 
> more fuel pick up issues.
> 
> Fast forward to 1999 and I am motoring our recently acquired C 43 along the 
> same route.  When the truck from Chicago arrived, we had her unloaded at a 
> Lake Union boat yard.  After