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LondonRascal
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Posts posted by LondonRascal
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The issues really are with the controller heads, as uncouple the actuator controlled cable at the engine mounted throttle and all is fine, instant response - no bogging or lag - so we know the engine is okay. However there could be a seal on the turbo that has let some oil pass where it is not meant - as I say this is for NYA to inspect and come back to me - I have so far found them very good and fair and not trying to chase unnecessary work -e.g. I asked them to replace the float witch on bilge pump, they called to say was I sure as it was just a broken wire. They put some new wire in an job was sorted and saved me £30.00.
Nigel you will be pleased to hear that this one is already in Norfolk and is a very sensible, economical and tidy boat - I just think that I should keep cards closer to my chest until things are complete as no good getting excited only to find the deal does not go to completion.
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Seems a good set up, other than the charge controller. I would get an MPPT as we have on Broad Ambition.
MPPT controllers give more power than a PWM charger (as the one that comes with the kit above would have). With an MPPT you can connect higher voltage panels to lower voltage battery banks. In a normal charger the battery acts as a resistor reducing the amount of power you can get out of the panels, these chargers use Multi Power Point Tracking (MPPT) which keeps 2 separate circuits for the panels and batteries allowing 'upto' 30% more power to be collected from the panels. Using higher voltage on the panel side will also benefit by less volt drop and can use thinner cables.
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I am not worried about the Turbo and engines because when there are issues with diesels they tend to be pretty obvious - they don't run very well or not at all. But it is better to be prepared so having a Yanmar trained specialist being able to go over things won't do any harm and why NYA have the edge.
They fire up right away, never had the need to touch the pre-heating yet either the problems I do most certainly have are with the commander heads and control system between mechanical engine and helm via bunch of electronics.
Quote...It seemed to produce quite a lot of smoke from my viewpoint across the dyke, but that could be normal for those lumps when cold...
They do smoke a bit until they are under load and up to normal running temperature so that is normal. I suspect too you heard the beast as well as saw it's breath lol.
They are pretty simple engines - no electronic management but are for their class very economical despite this - it is also why I like the Yanmars because the least amount of computers controlling engines that can (and often does) go wrong the better. It is a shame I have a bunch of electronics between simple engine and helm control!
Oh and in other news...Today I put an offer in on another boat. New thread to follow and more information in due course, but let me see how things progress before I go public with the details just yet.
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This is complicated. Because sound moved through air but you need air and a lot of it feely to move into and out of your engine room so the engine can breath freely and it will take a lot of work to reduce a small amount of perceived sound in decibels.
Here are some helpful links though:
https://www.marinescene.co.uk/category/112/acoustic-sound-insulation/
http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/archive/marine-engine-soundproofing-527
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Not too much to report. Spent the weekend between Independence and Broad Ambition and a nice time was had onboard Broad Ambition as one of the new to be Skippers of our 'Lads Week' was getting hands on experience at the helm I got to sit and watch the world go past. We all headed over to Independence to show the lads around and fired up one of the engines (starboard) to show them how it sounded and wouldn't you know it more problems were found.
This damn 'fly by wire' system has a new problem the lower helm starboard throttle used to work perfectly, and then during the delivery trip (last leg thereof) it began to not want to increase of decease RPM's by small amounts, but more but large amounts - so the smallest increment was 200RPM. When I brought the boat round from Yarmouth, I noticed it would sync the engines but the starboard lever was not in the same place as the port (and it used to be) but now it is all over the place with the RPM's and return it to neural and the engine will stall. The problem is it is electronic, is it the head, is it the controller in the engine room is it the actuators? I am fast running out of patience with the whole thing, once thing I do know sorting it is not going to be a cheap fix.
The other point was the air filters - there incredibly basic, thin foam bands that cover the air intake and lead on to the Turbo air intake side too. Linden touched one and said it felt 'damp' so I put this down to the moisture in the air but then began investigating after the lads had left and I find both have a lot of oil on them, especially the bottom, black sticky oil. I took one off and had a look into the air intake which did not seem to have any oil there, but also was not as clean as I might like.
So it is a bit like when you have a headache and Google about your symptoms, you end up walking away from the computer diagnosed with brain Cancer. Do the same about the engine and oil around the the air filter and turbos and hey presto I may have bad oil seals on the Turbo or need a complete rebuild - on both since both suffer the same.
Well of course I am not going to trust an Internet search but this has gone on to the now two page email send to NYA for them to have a look at and come back to me - it may be nothing, and oil was put on the foam to increase its ability to capture airborne particles or it may be something, and I am sure those with the know how here will have there ideas about what this could be.
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There should not usually be a need to bleed a fuel system unless there has suddenly been a big issue when underway and air had got into it, like needing to suddenly change one of the racor fuel filter elements. However the engines have a very easy to use and locate manual fuel prime pump to make getting air out of the fuel system easier than some engines.
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The Yanmars has been serviced in August and a host of things changed like new Silicone high temp exhaust hoses along with new impellers, belts, and bunch of other engine room work that totalled some £15,000 this also includes a new carbon lifting wire for the RIB.
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how about a running total of the costs. This would give everyone an idea of the cost implications of big boat ownership without having to look back through all the posts. Hope this doesn't appear too nosy but I am sure we are not the only ones who are fascinated by the amounts involved. Obviously keep your privacy paramount.
I don't think that is being too nosy but the truth is, I stopped taking any record of spending some time ago - which may not have been the best move. However I have gone over invoices for works done to give some idea of those costs.
To service the Generator and for spares for it and the Yanmars: £1,188.57
New water pump: £203.30
To inspect possible fuel balance issues: £623.00
To polish fuel and clean fuel tanks: £505.00
To buy and have installed 5Kw warm air heater: £4,861.97
New life raft and associated items: £2,678.42
Fuel costs to bring to Norfolk: £2,825.97
Broads Tolls to date: £385.50
Mooring in Norfolk: £4,001.40
BSS: £110.00
Goodness knows how much on Amazon for various items that I have been buying since purchase - bedding, kitchenware all the usual items you need. And this is before the big projects have begun.
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See what you want is a boat that you just find bits of solid Teak laying about in - it kind self heals itself. When another issue pops up you discover another bit from the bottom of a cupboard lol. When I was having things lifted up and looked in for the BSS even the bathroom cupboard shelves are sold hardwood not ply. I guess there are less worries in Taiwan about where wood turns up from...
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And if anyone sees this and wonders where they can get one..
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if you are having that much of a problem maybe you need to look at your road sense and lane appraisal rather than your instructors ability.
Some background: I last had a lesson in July 2017. I have had in all 9 hours of tuition. Not much at all really I don't claim to know how to drive at all.
I have attempted to go around the Great Cambridge roundabout twice. This is the first and only roundabout I have ever dealt with so far - no mini ones no smaller ones just this one.
The first time I encountered it I think was about the third lesson - this went wrong because we were approaching in the middle lane and were stopped at the first set of traffic lights letting traffic filter in from the left (see photo)
While stationary my instructor suddenly says we should head towards Brent Cross (first exit) and the lights change. I felt really under pressure all of a sudden to try and move over to the exit, so instead I carried on around. If you did that in the test - e.g you were asked to take the first exit but took the second, you would be fine because you carried out the manoeuvrer safely it is not about necessarily following the route as far safer to do such than panic,and at worst stop or try and force your way over just to carry out the instruction.
The second time we approached from a different direction and I confess this may be me because I am more used to the term 'first exit' or 'second exit' which is what a sat nav would say, she would say 'take the next exit' as we entered the roundabout. Well in my mind I think which is that - even if sounds so obvious it being the next one..Anyway, there are videos on you tube on how to approach and deal with this and a lot of course notes about it because so many learners do have issue with it and because it is the top failure reason on the test from the test centre is making a dangerous error and all this further goes to almsot make the roundabout as the big bad boggie man of the roads.
Other reasons I gave up with my last instructor was her talking (messaging) her husband on WhatsApp a lot of the time and me having to ask "shall I go left or right at the end of the road" and her looking up and being suddenly on the spot as what we should do, to being late for lessons but wanting to rush them along - no lesson plans etc so I just used my paid for hours up and stopped.
Since then I did my theory and passed but also since then the driving test last December got longer and harder - great. I am now though all together more keen, motivated and focused. Maybe it is because I have had to have the car serviced and have an MOT, pay the insurance and so far put £184.68 worth of fuel in it and as yet not actually driven it in a year but just be driven around in it about 4 or 5 times the most recent trip up to Norfolk.
I've also opted not to go with a manual this time - I got used to the clutch but the car is an auto and I certainly never intend to buy a manual and the way things are looking with hybrid and electric coming more and more mainstream and all being automatic the long term future of the manual car seems short - just as it is for the mechanical handbrake - how can you demonstrate hill starts when modern cars automatically hold the car while you let out the clutch when senses you are on an incline!
The only good thing is I am far from a young 'boy racer' give me soft and ponderous any day over fast and furious lol.
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The Great Cambridge Roundabout:
The problem with this is it will always feature in the test here. The examiners however will randomly select which road you approach the roundabout from so that the student will not have gone over many practices from one to get it perfect come the day. Some of the approaches are easier than others, but what does not change is the unforgiving 'London driver' and the fact it is a traffic light controlled but the red traffic lights by most are considered optional to obey for the first 5 seconds after going red. Therefore when you stop the vehicles to your left and right will continue through the red light and those behind will immediately get frustrated the damn learner in front stopped at one. It is why my test centre has the lowest fist time pass rates in the UK (34.2%) compared to best Isle of Mull at 80%.
The good news is, if you can deal with this area it sets you up well for what may follow elsewhere.
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It has been some time since I last updated this thread! But having got on top of things so far as Independence goes and the other usual challenges of life, it is time once more to turn my attention to getting my driving licence. Next weekend I begin a new set of lessons, this time I have chosen to give RED Driving School a go.
My stepdad Simon has also made a career change - from London Bus Driver he is going to be training to become a Driving Instructor - and in the mean time a community bus driver for the local area so if all else fails and I turn into a numpty who just cannot 'learn' I will be calling him up for some free tuition lol.
I'll update as to how things go, but so far the impression is good. Online booking and payment was seamless and have had a call from my Instructor already to introduce themselves. I feel more passionate about this now and my first wish is to conquer the Great Cambridge Roundabout on the A10. It makes the NDR ones in Norwich look so tame lol
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If anyone has Spotifyand wants to enjoy the entire Captain's Blog 'Back Catalogue' then you can follow the playlist here:
https://open.spotify.com/user/londonrascal/playlist/29uikLoey82WXlJoQfYz6v -
33 minutes ago, Lulu said:
What was the music when Indy’s coming into Yarmouth Robin?
"Oblivion" and it is a single by French band M83 featuring lead vocals from Norwegian singer Susanne Sundfør.
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Thank you for the kind messages and comments on the video - which seems to have come together well - was a tough one to get right and edit and choice of music etc but I think I got it on point in the end.
Also thanks to Nigel and Pete for you contribution which brought the story together - I remember you both onboard, wet, cold and everyone exhausted - I think next time we should try for warm, dry and everyone perky and I guess there has to be some Gin consumed at some point on a boat like that lol.
Right back to the mundane now the next video will be about what works have been done on the boat by Norfolk Yacht Agency and those still to be done - I can look forward to the Spring and polishing gel coat soon. Oh joy.
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The little Sheerline could be a new Tender for Independence lol
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1 hour ago, scaniaman said:
Are you putting together a Bow lady volunteers list to replace the new film maker in chief.
Now that is something that I like the sound of 'bow lady volunteer's' (in the plural too) I could have a lady for each rope in some kind of smart working uniform, you know stretchy and comfortable to wear that does not hinder getting on and off the boat so naturally would be figure hugging...
Yeah, on second thoughts I don't think my bow lady would be best pleased with that, mind you knowing her she would get a boat and have the Chippendale's as crew!
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And so we reach the final episode of the Delivery to Norfolk series. This was a challenge to produce because of how things went once we had arrived in Dover. But I learnt a lot about myself during the trip, gained a great deal of confidence and trust in Independence and found what an inspiring group of gentleman and friends helped make it all possible. From Simon in Plymouth who assisted us before we departed and during our sea trials, to Pete, Brian, Howard, Charlie and Doug who put in so much especially the final push to Yarmouth. Thank you!
But it did not end there, it was the help we had from this Forum - knowing wherever we were we had people watching us on AIS, commenting here and over on our Facebook Group to encourage and assist - and even some brave (mad) souls who came out to film our progress and whose footage proved of great value during this video.
But what really caused me to appreciate the 'human side' of this 'words on a screen' place we call the NBN was when I had many offers of help to crew Independence to Brundall. I donated £100.00 to the Forum because all this interest and new members put up the hosting bill a bit, but also to thank the people behind it from Moderators to Techies helping out for nothing other than a mutual passion to have a place like this to share our adventures on.
Of course things never stand still and a new episode covering the work being done by Norfolk Yacht Agency will follow in time but for now enjoy the last of the journey that got such a sturdy and capable boat to the Norfolk Broads.
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I have just finished editing the final part of the delivery trip Blog, and I have to say depending on the mood you are in does rather change how you produce content. Going over things and narrating how I was feeling at the time brought things back as to what everyone dealt with and contributed. I can't post the finished video just yet, as it is going to have to render overnight so tomorrow late afternoon expect it to be ready to watch on You Tube, but what I can share now is the short segment.
This shows some of the memories, prior to our leaving, during and up to arriving in Great Yarmouth. It shows the photos, that covered our journey and the crew who did so much and without whom none of this would have been possible, finally not to mention the safe, incredibly well built Trader 535 - Independence herself.
Let's think positive 'Forumites' - we have a season of cracking boating starting up soon time to forget differences and focus on a shared passion: messing about on the water.
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General Update:
I will work on the next instalment of the Blog, plus an update filmed two weekends ago onboard as soon as I can as I know people are eager. To be honest, there is not too much left to come in the delivery Blog because once we past Eastbourne things began getting lively and continued to as we progressed along the coast get ever more rough. I should have perhaps just got the camera wedged somewhere and left it roll to have given some insight but at the time it really was not on my mind as we had fishing pots you would see then loose sight of as another bunch of water covered the screens or a wave trough took you out of sight of it so you had to be focused on that together with float switches sticking and Charlie bravely off down to investigate while being flung around making something that was a piece of cake when alongside a real challenge especially the further forward you go lifting off the cabin sole as the boat's bow became air bourne for a couple of seconds prior to meeting the next wave and burying itself again.
So, this is just to rely some information I have had from Norfolk Yacht Agency (NYA) who have begun working on the boat this morning. I cannot praise them enough - an email and a phone call to go over things they have been working on and finding out issues and I am learning yet more about this fuel system, the tanks and the manifold.
Firstly they carefully removed the fuel stand pipe from the centre tank but found the tank under pressure still and full. so it was quickly back in investigations begun on just how the tank was getting fed with fuel even though four separate valves in the balance pipe connecting the centre tank to the two wing tanks were closed. A lot of head scratching later and turns out the fuel delivery manifold is supplying fuel to the centre tank (return balance) all the time - even when there is no engine/generator running - and since the main large diameter balance pipe was closed, all the pressure was heading down a much smaller copper pipe 'injecting' fuel into the tank - this fuel therefore needs somewhere to go - up the vent pipe until it reaches the level with the wing tanks - and you have a split in the vent pipe as we know I do, you get the fuel coming out there again. Of course when I have the heater running or generator trying to take pressure and fuel out the centre tank, the pressure is greatly reduced which means I was lulled into thinking it was getting better - but leave it all off for a few days and it is returns just as bad as ever it was.
So NYA traced all the lines from the manifold and worked out if they turned off the centre return feed in the engine room and then also the main fuel shut off under the saloon seating this fully isolated the fuel system and fuel stopped entering the centre tank once and for all. They then could drain some out and begin working on the stand pipe for the heater fuel supply. Just as in Plymouth with people working on the fuel system and so on I am loosing more fuel this way than I am burning it so I think a spring time trip out and top up at Broom will be in order.
NYA then had a look generally at the heater installation, I have to say it never looked that great and there are a number of connections where the ducting joins together which were loose (literally had come apart) but it has transpired the heater bracket that the heater sits on and the heater that sits on to the bracket was loose. They could not understand how all the fasteners would universally have come loose to the same degree, so can only presume they were finger tight to begin. NYA have now gone over this and secured all the fasteners. They are now working on what the best course of action will be as per the vent pipe split form the centre fuel tank. Not only to cause it to comply with the BSS but also so it cannot split again by being able to rub agaisnt anything else.
I thought be nice to update the thread with this while I am able before I can post some more videos.
RIB Naming
As you know, some time back I put out the idea of people naming the RIB and some interesting names were put forward, however you will also note I did not promote the 'naming of the RIB' idea too much because I frankly I had not figured out the best way to run such a competition - would I just pick a name I liked? Or would I put names to a vote etc so in the end I put the idea on hold.
In the mean time Shiela has been talking about the RIB a lot - she is dead keen on this and has ideas about us taking it out to the likes of Bargate, dropping a mud weight and having a picnic or going to the Surlingham Ferry on it for a meal. She also came up with a name.Now she looks after two toddlers and for some reason they have called her ' Picca' and she said why not called the RIB this? Well I liked it because it is very unusual, sounds cute, and has some meaning behind it representing Shiela so that is the name we are going with for the RIB so I need to get the RIB cleaned up, get some new tie down straps, a cover and some decals for the new name.
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1 minute ago, Philosophical said:
As a test, I left a couple of bottles of water on the flybridge but under the cover. With several tube heaters under the floor and in the engine room to date, the bottles have not frozen.
Welcoming to know.
Although we would never considering living in an environment of say just 3°C - so long as that means water is liquid is all that really matters when we are talking about engine rooms.
As Paul mentioned also I also have the benefit of being able to seal the engine room off so no icy air can get in and take any heat away with it.
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Hi 'Broom Sedan' I agree with what you have said with reference to the wind speed. I got the speed measuring device as part of many things that may not get much use but are handy to have - it was a good demonstration of how the new microphone was able to deal with wind noise though and I have since read up a lot about wind and effects mainly with sailing.
I have to admit if the boat gets through this period of sustained cold weather - with day time temperatures below freezing too - I will be very pleased. I knew things were going to get cold, snow would fall and the like but I must admit I did not expect it to be this bad for this long.
I did take some steps onboard to do what I could to mitigate things such as draining down the water system but the problem is you cannot completely drain every last bit. If I had some non-toxic antifreeze I would have mixed it up and got a large bucket and got the water pump to suck this up and through the system but at least since the system is de-pressurised if there is a spilt connector/pipe when I pressure it up the water pump cycling will give the game away I have an issue somewhere. I doubled up on tube heaters in the engine room - I have a large 350w and a smaller 150w on a smart socket to come on at 5°C and then I have other tube heaters in the cabins to come on at 7°C - though this is more to help combat too much of a damp feel to the cabins. I also topped up the electricity and it has been a case of hoping that will be enough to keep things above freezing point as I did not winterize the engines - so if they have suffered damage on the raw waterside because the tube heaters failed that would be down to me just not being sensible enough.
As to the poor RIB well the engine I know has anti-freeze in it but that will be interesting to see how it faired come the thaw. Despite the cold you know I get the most questions from Shiela about that 'when can we go for a ride in it' I think she would have been happy if I just got one of those and kept it in the wetshed at Stalham lol.
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Independence - Updates | Maintenance & Care
in General Discussion
Posted
As I say having removed the filter and looked into to intake they are in good shape. I am sure a bit of cleaning would not be detrimental but there is certainly no yucky oil laying about as I have seen in some photos and the smoke from exhausts is just not the right amount or colour to suggest oil is being burnt.
When we were making the trip we always insured the engine was run up for a good while prior to slipping and likewise once we were alongside she idled for a while and then I would extract waste heat from the engine room with the two high velocity fans so things were not let to heat soak too much generally.
The ZF Micro Commander heads are said to be full sealed - from above, under them though they are exposed. The upper helm station gets very wet with condensation that builds up under the helm moulding so It seems amazing that at fitting they did not make any attempt to seal the circuit and wiring on the underside of the commander head unit here. The interior helm of course is less of an issue. In the engine room the controller boxes are in sealed enclosures but here again there are some basic things where I found some of the wire glands loose and not tight to prevent moisture getting in. Overall it is a very expensive system that I am not sure was installed to the best standards and that may be coming home to roost now. Just the controllers -= no cables and no command stations for a twin engine set up is £7,000.00 - add on the breaker boxers, cabling, and commanders and you easily go over £10,000.00 for a new system and that is just to buy the items. Now I am no expert but I have an inkling it would not cost thousands to have some old fashion Morse heads, and Boden cables run - sure would be hard getting the cables run from the fly bridge in the right way and without too much of a tight curve but if it starts to go up and up chasing electrical gremlins that only present themselves some of the time I may well see about that.
I just cannot move the boat with things how they are - can you imagine trying to slowly turn the boat in the Marina and one of my engines decides all by itself to rev up to 1,500 RPM - by the time you've hit the stop button the damage would likely already have been done and it would not just be a little bump.