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Ever Have One Of These Days ?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/03/2006 : 07:04:07

Went out sailing after work yesterday. Motor was giving me trouble which seems to happen more frequently when we have semi-warmer days. (It was in the 50s yesterday.) Since the motor would not start, I gave it a rest and kept trying it every 10 minutes or so. meanwhile, I was drilling a hole in the port cabin side shelf area as part of routing the Matrix 17 transducer cable. Motor finally started at 515pm.

There about 10 small sailboats out on the Potomac but they headed in before 6pm. No one on the water at all except me ! usually there are some Coast Guard boats buzzing the area with there big dual Honda motors, but they were not out last night.

Winds were nice - around 10 mph. I had a favorable wind. Did not even have to tack and went down to the Old Town area of Alexandria. Came back and prepared to put on my motor. Already furled up the Jib. I then made what I see was not such a safe/cautionary tack. My thought was to head close to one side of an inlet before tacking and starting my motor. I had only the main up at the time. When I came about, I was pretty close to a rock wall (and I had already turned off my fishfinder becaue the channel in this area is deep enough for all boats. I cold not get the motor started ! I kept trying - nothing worked. Meanwhile, with just the main up and fooling with the motor, I was drifting very close to the rock wall and it was then apparent I would have two concerns. I was going to crash into the wall...if I did not run aground first (it was also low tide).

As it turned out, the was was deep enough. I hit the wall but gently and it appears it was only on the rubber sidewall of the boat - no damage. I put out my fenders and that solved that issue. Still could not start the motor and I was then concerned that here I was in the dark and rain was going to be coming in shortly. i was only perhaps 300 yards or so from my marina ! I took a chance meaning that I was in an okay location for the time being with the sails full but the rock wall holding me but if I was successful in pushing off the wall and turning the boat into the wind, I could make it back into the channel but if not successful, then I would be in a less favorable area further down the rock wall and would again have to potentially worry about the draft and/or rocks below (if there were any). I decided to push off.

it was successful - made it back into the channel and I sailed to the outside dock of my marina. Motor would not start. I wasted perhaps another 40 minutes or more at the outside dock. I then prepared to button it up for the night and maneuvered my boat into the first slips inside the marina using long lines and standing on the deck of one boat. Just as I was baout to leave the boat after tying it up for the night - The motor decides it will give me a break and start !

It started to rain as I pulled into my slip but I had the hatch covers on and no rain into the boat. What was to be a sail from 415pm till about 630pm turned into a 515pm to 915pm sail. But no harm done and the sailing was fine up to the last part. Just another experience to log in.

Boat show to the Wash DC area is coming toward end of February. I will probably buy my new motor there (or soon after) since the marina in my area that sells Yamaha, Honda, Tohitzu, etc will also be there.
Not sure what I will do with this '94 Honda I presently have. maybe they will take it as a trade in. I was going to sell it but will have to give it away for peanuts since it is unlikely it will work if I put it up for sail. It almost never starts these days from a hand pull and electric starts seems to work best when it is really cold outside. It has been tuned, had the carburetor/fuel system overhauled this fall by a Honda mechanic. Actually had two mechanics looking it over and it appears to be an electrical problem. Kill switch, etc was looked into but they recommend changing all the electronics out if they have to go into the motor again. That is estimated at $700 or more to fix and they recommended putting the money into a new motor rather than the old one.

Anyway, wanted to share my experience.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2006 : 08:53:58

Been there, done that, feel your pain. In my case, I drifted into a bridge when my motor wouldn't start - had forgotten to take it out of gear first.

The course of action I learned from my incident was, "when in doubt, throw the anchor out." Did you have time to consider dropping the anchor to keep you off the wall?

Glad it turned out well for you.

Steve

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2006 : 10:53:19

Larry...I'm glad you made it back okay...

I think you should leave the boat parked until you resolve your outboard issue. Setting out in the late afternoon with nary another soul around, not even the Coasties, with an outboard that, "almost never starts these days from a hand pull", is asking for trouble.

Edited by - dlucier on 02/03/2006 10:53:39

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2006 : 11:59:15

I just hate when that happens!

I've learned from several experiences, as you just did, that it's best to get the engine started well before getting into a situation where you might need it. (There's a long, winding channel going up the river to my marina--often I can sail most of it, but with lots of 2-way traffic, I let the engine idle and sail along.) If it doesn't start and you're out in open water, you can keep messing with it until it does, or as Steve says, drop anchor and then figure it out. Don't wait till you're in an inlet.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2006 : 13:01:04

Agree with all. I really waited to last minute to tack and so when the motor would not start, there was zippo time to even think about the anchor. There are other things I do that I am conservative - now I have to add this leeson to the list - don't eek out the very last of sailing room to make your tack. if not successful, there is no forgiveness.

I will be very hesitant to take the boat out again until I resolve the motor issue. if it starts at the dock, well then it almost always keeps running and so I can use the boat but not if I have plans for later that day. need to leave the schedule open so that if the motor does not restart, I have time to wait it out. Only issue then is if there is wind. No wind, then I am dead. But if there is wind, then I can always sail to the outside dock. that is one reason why I am staying at this marina when renewal comes up in Mar/Apr timeframe. I may go down to another marina after work today, it's one that sells about 5 different motor brands and will be at the boat show that is in 2 weeks. I want to find out if they anticipate any boat show specials. Anyway, end of February/beginning of March is my timeframe for getting a new motor. I am still leaning toward a Honda (even though the present one - '94 is cranky.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2006 : 13:05:46

My first several months with my 82 swinger I had to sail in and out of my slip virtually every time. At best my 82 Johnson 9.9 would get me out of the sip and into the fairway then die. Sailing into your slip is a skill you should develop, it is all about headway. This is also one of the best reasons to lead your halyards back to the cabin top and put a down haul on your head sail if you use a hank on sail.
In your situation I would have put my main away out on the water and sailed with my furling headsail, knowing that I could quickly put it away or let it out to use. Our boats "overtack" on headsail alone, but if you let the boat go on down lower with the sail adjusted accordingly you will get headway and you can come` back up to your desired close hauled trim. If you are head into the wind in your slip then you could have left the main up as well.

Edited by - on

RickStevens
1st Mate

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USA
62 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2006 : 17:39:45

Larry,

Glad it worked out, neighbor. I've been talking shop with lots of co-workers who have boating experience and almost always they say they prefer the Honda engines. I have a 9.9 that I really like, but it's still pretty new so it hasn't had time to get worn out.

I've found myself keeping the engine at low idle and partly raised on some of these days around here, also. This was mostly because I kept hitting the danged mud. Finally figured out my depth finder was hinky; that's why your posts about installing a new one have been interesting for me.

For those folks in this area, the DC Boat Show is usually pretty good. It's in-doors and it includes power boats as well

, but it's a nice way to get a fix this time of year.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2006 : 23:10:12

My last post was at 1pm today. A lot has happened since then ! What did I say - I was going to wait for the boat show in a couple of weeks and buy a motor then or early March. Well.....it's a done deal already ! I stopped by the Washington Marina (not the Washington Sailing Marina). The Washington Marina is the oldest marina in the DC area. It was started in 1939 and the present family ownership has had it since 1951. THey sell many motors and would be the primary place for me to get a motor serviced. They indicated they would have a very low presence at the boat show this year. They are too busy right now ! They get a number of govt orders and are presently filling a Homeland Security contract for a whole bunch of Zodiac inflatable boats with 100+ HP Evinrudes.

Anyway, they had several 2006 9.9hp Honda 4-strokes 25" shaft, high thrust, electric start motors for the past several months but are now down to one left and it's still in the box. I decided to bite the bullet. They are going to give me a call in a week or two when they get ready to water test it. Then they will go over some pointers with me. I can then pick it up sometime later when it is convenient or if I still have my old motor...and I can get it started, I can motor over to them and they will switch out the motors for me.

The price - A whopping $2700 includes a 3 gallon tank. On the positive side, I am helping the economy and a local dealer.

Anyone want a Honda 1994 and is up to the challenge ? I just listed it on the Swap site.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 09:20:04

Hi Larry, I am sure that you must feel a sense of relieve...I know I would. I really hate things like that hanging over my head. I also am totally astounded at the price of these little motors. I am sure your level of confidence will be much higher the next time you sail. Cheers.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 10:34:39

Hey Larry... Did they have any 8-XLs? As you've undoubtedly read here, it's the same engine for about $300 less--some have said that it's torque curve makes it better on a sailboat, but that wasn't me. Both engines have way more power than you'll ever use, and a lot more thrust than your '94. (You'll be giggling the first time you maneuver around a dock.)

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3494 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 12:12:13

Dave - I did not ask about the 8hp. I may have been able to save some money. I did read those posts. I guess it goes against my thinking to go with an 8 when I have a 9.9 on it now.... even though I guess they are the same basic motor. Another way to look at it (aside from the money) is...it's a pretty heavy 8hp. I can get a 9.9 hp that weighs the same as the 8hp motor. LOL

I am sure I will be happy with it.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2006 : 13:57:19

Larry, A hairy story for sure. Glad that you made it back safely. I had a similar experience this fall, except that the motor started right up and as I was backing out of the slip it konked out. Fortunately I was able to pole my way back into the slip. Had I chosen to ignore the stalled motor and gone sailing I might very well still be out there. On the positive side we both ended up with new motors. I wish you the very best experiences with your new motor.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT # 3936 Patchogue, N.T.

Edited by - on

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