Fuel Saving Measures ....

[JackK]

Well we found a new and exciting way to get home using much less fuel than the trip out in the morning ...



After a nice morning or fluke fishing, we decided to make one last drift. Turned the key, pressed start ... click. Oh oh. Went through the quick drill of moving the shifter to unstick the neutral safety switch. Click again. Drifting quickly in 25 feet of water and headed for the nearby lighthouse, we set anchor. Two calls to the mechanic and we come to the conclusion that the starter has frozen. Safe-Sea to the rescue !! Very glad I got the membership for Christmas. 3 hour tow home at a leisurely 7 kn.

We'll see what the mechanic finds on monday. Just another day of boating - break out another thousand.

Jack

PS - Ric thanks for the info on your console and we fished your spot with some good action all morning. No keeper Fluke but several at 19 1/2".

[chiefrcd]

Jack,
I feel the pain bro....wonder if they will tow you back out to fish....naw...that would be another thousand too...

[JackK]

Thanks Chief. The funny part is that as I was brought into the marina with the tow boat lights blaring alongside me a crowd gathered at my dock. The tow captain leaned out the window and told me to tell them - "you caught so many fish you needed some extra power to get them all home." Real nice guy and dropped me right in my slip.

I talked to my mechanic this morning and he tells me he should be able to have me back on the water for next weekend

Jack

[RobS]

Cool lookin tug. I guess there are times a twin screw could come in handy... How's the access for the starter on the Flush Deck?

[JackK]

Yeah it is a cool tow rig with a Jet Drive .. http://www.safesea.com/about_ss/fleet/Titan/Titan.html

The starter is fairly accessible. Port side of the engine to the rear. Access is through a removable panel in the quarter berth. Hopefully it's a quick fix. While looking at it, I noticed that the neutral safety switch is pretty corroded so that will be replaced as well.

If anyone hasn't had the neutral safety switch problem yet, you should know that if all else fails, you remove the wire from one terminal and double it up on the other bi-passing the switch to get her going again.

Jack

[RobS]

Thanks for the link on that tow boat. She's more impressive than I thought.

I was reading the 3 paragraphs and watching the spinning video (getting a bit dizzy I might add) and thought wow a 370 Yanmar in an aluminum hulled inflatable - that's gotta do 50mph, I then scrolled down to find out I wasn't off by much.

She must be an absolute blast to run.

Can't stress enough, especially with a single screw, the importance of the proper anchor and rode. Something easy to deploy and able to set fast and hold strong. I carry a 22lb plow with 16ft of chain and 600ft of line. Overkill, maybe, but there's no room for compromise here in my book. I also carry a smaller spare with 150ft of line and 6ft of chain.

[RicM]

I used to get towed in all the time in my old boat (95 Proline 251). I found it relaxing. Love Tow US, best money you can spend in boating. They are the second engine you don't have to fuel and maintain for only $150/year.

[JackK]

Whew ... just a starter relay nothing major. Back on the water for the weekend

Jack

[jleonard]

Glad it was something simple.

Can't stress enough, especially with a single screw, the importance of the proper anchor and rode. Something easy to deploy and able to set fast and hold strong. I carry a 22lb plow with 16ft of chain and 600ft of line. Overkill, maybe, but there's no room for compromise here in my book. I also carry a smaller spare with 150ft of line and 6ft of chain.

Yes 2 anchors is a must....I lost my engine (airbound) in the Harlem River (long story) against a 4 knot current between two bridges that each had one opening closed....main anchor wouldn't grab....I deployed the back up and it stopped us like I put on the e brake. Thanks to that second anchor the story had a happy ending.