NeilB

I hav'nt seen Chris or Paul since the London Boatshow so not sure whats been happening at Kris Cruisers. I know Hoseasons were always asking Chris to swap but they are not on Hoseasons either. Next time I have Sunseeker trip I will pop in and find out whats happening.

I had one from Ferry /Waveney Marina on Thursday!!

Is that one of the updated Colvic moulds from Zenon? Is Jimmy still there?

It's not VP IPS unless they are fitting 2 x 260hp D4 engines as these are the smallest IPS engines we do!! They probably have bow and stern thrusters linked to a joystick which incidently looks very familiar!!

No Perkins but a nice supply of recon BMC's here - http://www.calcuttboats.com/engines.html

Easy Start is not really the stuff to use, try some of this instead....

Did the manual mention the 8mm bleed screw on the side of the injector pump? Make sure you have a nice squirt every time you operate the lift pump. Then crack open every injector about 1 turn and spin over until you have fuel driping out of each union. If this does not work then have you actually checked the lift pump? It's possible the membrane is worn and not pumping to full capacity. Other than that the only other option is to start back at the water seperater and work you way through to the filter on the engine and then to the pump again.

Don't drop it !!!!

As long as the info is correct it sounds like a MB20B at 53hp, it was made between 1969 and 1975. There's some info an the owners manual here - http://www.volvopenta.com/VOLVOPENTA/UK ... gines.aspx Type MB20B into the engine type box, search and then select the gasoline version. Senators link shows the MB20 but you could just try yout local Penta dealer.

Hi Terry Just wondering what you know about Zeta? My parents hired her in the late 50's/early 60's, here's a link to a photo I sent to Craig - http://www.horning.org.uk/boatsearch.ph ... a939_2965a

Not sure if its a 38 or 42 Aquafibre alonside but the 42 also belonged to Kris Cruisers, she was Lady Sarah and I believe was originally from Norfolk Broads Yacht Company when they were based in Wroxham. Bill Maxted purchased 4 boats off Kris Cruisers back in the late ninties.

Jay was called either Lady Pauline or Lady Carina, they were based at Kris Cruisers on the Thames when I worked there. They were quite nice to handle although the twin bunk cabin was a bit small.

The superchargers on KAD32's and the 40 range are not actually on all the time as they have a electro magnetic clutch with cuts in when required. I forget the actual range as it's been a few years since I sold any but 1200 rpm sounds about right for the cut in and I think either 2500 or 2800 when they cut off and the turbo took over. In smaller boats like ribs they used to take off like a scalded cat !! The old D3 had 2 major problems, one was the air filter which should have been replaced on all engines years ago under a campaign. The second was the variable turbo which works fine on a car but when the variable linkage was exposed to a damp salt laden atmosphere it tended to stop working, as Aquaholic has discovered!! The simple solution to this is to make sure the linkages are checked and lubricated at every service. We had 190hp out of the old D3 and once the inital problems were fixed it has been an OK engine, time will tell when they start getting a little older. Volvo Penta only switched over to the new D3 as we have to follow whatever Volvo Cars/Ford produce, the only similarity between the old and new is the name and the fact it has 5 cylinders. I've no idea what will happen if the sale to Geely goes ahead, I suspect they will continue as normal for a while at least.

I'm sure I've seen solar panels that can take the weight of a person, not sure about a pirates peg leg though :

This looks like it's going to be very interesting. I once saw a superstructure plug being built at Sealine for the F34 and they were checking the measurements by laser.

Where I worked the boat boys as we called them had checklists covering everything from fuel, water to fenders, ropes, water keys etc. We engineers did not have a list as such, just a box to tick to say the boat had been checked over. We did all the usual levels and cast an eye over the engine in general, checking batteries for a good charge was an important part as the engines do not always run for long on turnround days. We also had regular oil and filter changes throughout the season, BMC's and Nannis every 6 weeks and Perkins 4108's every 4 weeks as they seem to be a very dirty engine!! We also had to check all lights, pumps, sliding canopys, gas bottles.

Just remembered, it had a Parsons diesel engine. Back then with no internet it took a few phone calls and looking through the Crossland filters catalogue to locate the oil filter!!!

Out of interest where did you hire from on the Thames? As I worked there I could think of a few names, think all of them have closed now.

Hi Barry Probably is the same boat, it has the same style folding roof. Looks in to be in very good condition.

Good write up, I hope you have some photos?

The chap at Northgate Marine is Peter Saunders. 01502 584193. The other local dealer is French Marine, their main office is Brightlingsea but they have a branch at Rackheath on 01603 722079. They both have the equipment and training to check over your D3, from what I've heard they both have a good reputation. If they get stuck (unlikely) they can always call on some technical guys here at Watford for advice. The issue with the rams is only on the DP-H drive fitted to D4/D6 engines, your D3 wil have a SX or DP-S drive. Not sure on bleeding them either, only reference I can find says to top the reservoir up and operate the trim up and down to vent the system. Our tech guys are prob still in bed so there's no one to ask at the moment!!!

Is it fixed now? Can I come out of hiding. Only just seen this post honest!! If you give me the serial number off the engine I can get someone to take a look and see if there's any history. Just so you know the engine has EVC-MC, Electronic Vessel Control - Mechanical controls, D4 and above have electronic controls. It has not got the full electronic package as the engine is from the V70 D5 car and it would have cost a fortune to fully convert it. As David said the trip computer, auto trim etc can be expensive and some of the early EVC engines are not compatible. There is a special tool called Vodia but so far only VP dealers and some boat dealers are able to use and keep it up to date. As someone said Pete Saunders who's now at Lowestoft or French Marine at Rackheath can help if you need someone Volvo.

Is this on the way to the millpool above Coltishall?

C.Ricko would be a good person to comment on Nannis, personally I think they are good as they have been in use on hire fleets since the late eighties. He would be a good person to talk about rebuilding Perkins as well. I'm afraid i'm not a fan of 4107/4108's but I used to love the BMC's as they were fairly bulletproof. Of course, non of them are as good as a Volvo

Welcome home Simon