Happy Jax 3

It’s that time of year again to renew our boat insurance. We have always used a reputable insurance company. On reading the policy document I was surprised that our inflatable tender would only be insured for loss or damage providing it was permanently marked with the name of the parent vessel. Our inflatable is a Quicksilver 310. Has anyone any suggestion how we can permanently mark with the name? Type of paint etc.. I have seen various stencil kits on the market but they look like packaging stencils for freight. Are these available in different sizes and fonts? Any suggestions would very much be appreciated. Col

In the motor industry modern day engines are built to take fully synthetic oils. The tolerances within the manufacturer of modern day engines are far tighter than engines of circa 15 years ago. Even so, today’s engines that run using fully synthetic oils do use a higher quantity of oil and require more regular top ups compared to earlier engines designed to take mineral or semi synthetic oils. However, the plus side of this is of course far better protection and longer service life between changes. On discussing this subject with oil manufacturers one of the main reasons why it is not recommended to use in older designed and worn engines is the cleaning additives that reduce carbon build up which in turn lower the compressions within the cylinders. Also due to the larger tolerances, the quantities of oil burnt would be far higher thus increasing overall emissions. Oils are very hydroscopic (attract water) and oils designed for the marine industry include additives to protect against this, due to the nature of the environment i.e. long standing damp conditions. That is why it is not recommended to use oils designed for the car industry in boat engines. Volvo Penta dealers stock oils for all their old and modern engines and when I had my last boat which had twin Volvo Penta AQ140 engines I always used their oils and when changed on a yearly basis the oil came out as clean as it went in. Mind you don’t expect this on diesel engines. Col

Hi Keith I totally agree with Antares 9. Controls like you have mentioned can be lethal in the wrong conditions, warning buzzers and lights are a far safer bet and you still have the final decision prior to the engine just stopping unexpectedly. Mind you, nothing Barnes does surprises me anymore after seeing some of the workmanship completed to the electrical systems on a friends Bayliner recently purchased from them. Just one example of this was the shore power being converted from US to UK Systems. The main 240 volt connections into the inverter changeover relay were left loose. Not only could they have fallen out and touched the grounding on the boat, without doubt if the system had been put under any substantial load it could have also been a fire hazard. Getting 12 & 24volts systems wrong on a boat is bad enough but getting it wrong on mains 240volt systems is inexcusable. In the marine world are engineers restricted to the same certification/qualifications as household and industrial electricians when handling mains systems? Col

Nice find Jonny Not very practical for the Broads though.

Hi Jonny In the motor trade we get approx 50p per old battery. This value is offset against the cost to remove all our hazardous waste from site.. Although you can up this slightly if you take to a scrap metal yard. I can remember 15 years ago we used to get £1.50 per battery from our local scrap metal man in a van. Nice little Christmas bonus back then. How times change!!

Providing you use the correct fuel lines and fittings to meet BSS I can't imagine this to be a problem. It would definately save the hassle of fitting a second fuel tank. I had to do exactly this on my previous boat. I think for the definative answer Antares 9 is the man. :santawave: :santawave:

Very impressive Ian Looks like you have solved the problem of shaffing. Amazing what you can do with a plug hole.

Hi Ian Is it an exhaust outlet for a heater system?

Thanks for that Paul. I will give Alex a call. Jill thanks for the advice I will proceed with caution. Just got out of hospital, I definitely don't want to be going back in. Col

Hi Gordon I agree the fishing has improved over the last few years. However, I have noticed a sudden down turn in catches this season. As stated in the link supplied by Perry the recent salt influx has made a difference. You may remember we had a previous salt wash earlier in the year also. I do hope that this has not caused long term damage to stocks and hope that next season improves. With regard to eels, I totaly agree, as a child every second catch was an eel and another hook of course! I think over the last 4 years I have only caught 2 eels. I am definitely not complaining. Col

You really want this Jonny don't you, keep guessing you will surely get there in the end. I don't think you have mentioned Womack or South Walsham yet, give it a try!

Oh Dear 'lol' I think it is time for bed all brains seem to be falling out of gear.

If the votes falls to the north, surely Ranworth would be the most sensible choice. You have the staithe, island and even floatilla's on the broad. Good access for boats and cars. Oh! I nearly forgot a pub too..... 2nd choice could be the Lion Inn at Thurne. Very large family area, Plenty of moorings, you never know Sid may even crack a smile.

At a Guess On the Bure between Ranworth and Horning.

Flipin' 'eck. Good choice of words. Confused, you will be!! Im glad someone knows what they are doing. Well Barry, You did ask!

Nice find Jonny, They are still an impressive looking ship.

Hi Barry & Olive We purchased our boat earlier this year. It is a Aquafibre 38 duel steer lowliner built new in 1998 with the Nanni Diesel. It has a ZF gearbox. I have not accurately worked out the fuel consumption but it must be in the region of £1.00 per hour. Our previous boat a Princess 32 with twin 140hp petrol engines used approx £50.00 a weekend. That would have taken us from Wayford Bridge to Horning/Ranwoth and back. Hence fuel consumption it not an issue now. :-D :-D What boat have you had your engine fitted into?

Hi Barry & Olive We also have a Nanni 4150. Excellent engine! As far as red and white diesel goes, there is absolutly no differance in fomulation other than an added dye in the red diesel. Apart from cost of course. :x :x Red diesel is a much reduced taxed diesel produced for agriculture and other non road uses. In simple terms, thanks to the EU this is being withdrawn from boating world in the UK next year.

Hi Jonzo As a child I always looked out for the VIP Harvey Eastwood Santa Christina & If I remember correctly, the Santa Margarita. Always known as the best of the broads. Very modern for the time. If fact last year a Santa Christina was up for sale at Waterside Marine at Potter Higham. Still a supurb looking craft!

One other point to raise with the dealership is if it had any recall or service measures carried out to the software of the engine management system. A further point! Is it manual or automatic? If an auto and the filter has been replaced in the box as part of the service it is possible oil level is down causing slight slippage.

Hi Simon This is a drastic reduction in fuel economy, If you are confident with the manual checks you have carried out on this consumption and it has definitely only occurred since the service, I am sure that they will find something conclusive. I have experienced new air filters being replaced and sections of the plastic packaging being left on the surface, even Air Mass sensors being damaged during the replacement of said filters. Wrong plug gaps if replaced can have an effect. The most common thing I have seen is handbrakes being over adjusted just enough to add resistance. It is also possible that a pipe or hose has not been fitted correctly during the replacement of the air filter or a pipe being knocked of dring the service and air leaks giving incorrect air mass readings to the engine management systems, thus, over fuelling. With the mileage covered I would find it highly unlikely if it is a blocked exhaust or cat. But never rule out coincidental component failure. Very complex systems these days.

Thanks Paul I will give it a try

Thanks for that Jim If it is black tar varnish I will probably continue with it. It certainly kept if clean.

Thanks all for the advice. Tar varnish or Bitchamin does not seem very environmentally friendly. Or is it? Although I don’t think any antifouling is. Thanks for that Paul, I did not know that Alex now had the chandlery at Loddon. Must give him a call. Does anyone have the number?

Thanks ANTARES_9 Have you had any experience with the inline pressure sensor as a level sender unit? May save drilling holes in tank.