Thanks Irish Coastguard

[tonymac]

Not a very successful day out!
I was on a little celebration weekend with the brothers and some cousins in Donegal.
The weather was good, just a slight F3 blow and while an easy swell there was no choppiness.
So, gammy foot and all, (the bros did all the work under direction ), we loaded the boat and decided a wee trip to Gola island was in order.
Everyone kitted out (crew of 8) we slowly set out of Bunniniver harbour.
Half a mile out and just turning south for the channel to Gola the engine cut out!!

No power to engine or tilt. Power to radio and other electrics ok.
Definite wind drift north and tide coming in.

Decided to radio the Coastguard.
Unfortunately they could not pick up my message for some reason. I could hear them ok.
Mobile phone in use.
All crew ok and no immediate danger.
Sea anchor deployed and drift stalled.

Coastguard was with me in minutes and towed safely home to Bunniniver harbour.

Radio check done and all working - no reason for Malin not to hear me that we could discern.
Coastguard crew member even told me to check the main engine fuses and lo and behold on blown fuse!

An experience not to forget and all respect to the Irish Coastguard for their professional and prompt action.

[spartacus]

Good news!

Even meticulously maintained engines can let you down. Glad everything worked out.

[Portholme]

That was me with the RNLI last summer. Luckily the VHF worked fine and the issue was a knackered ignition barrel. Still a bit embarrassing but the guys in orange were brilliant and got themselves a donation from a happy customer.

[Trimix]

Mmmm, blown fuse, I wonder if I actually carry spare fuses in my box of bits.

*need to check*

[willk]

Originally Posted by Trimix

Mmmm, blown fuse, I wonder if I actually carry spare fuses in my box of bits.

*need to check*

There are generally spare main fuses clipped into the cowl or on the block near the fuse bar. Worth keeping an eye on them.

[Trimix]

Ah, good point, I will have a look next time.
Cheers.

[jambo]

Always carry spares but learned a lesson this year never trust a spade fuse even if it's still intact. Our pump would not work check fuses
Looked OK therefore checked everything else just about to rewire when we took fuses and double checked result faulty replaced and bingo all ok. So from now on double check even if they show complete with no breaks.


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[tonymac]

Yep - besides all the 'ribbing' I'm getting from the family members sending me photos of boats in Greece (one of them is there at the mo) and asking if the fuses will fit mine etc - I have gone out and bought a box of spare fuses to carry on every trip.

Apparently it is a fault with the trim switch which causes that fuse to blow - I had a problem with the tilt/trim switch on the engine cowl earlier in the season so maybe my problem isn't fixed yet...

[Andy_]

Glad all is well, I know the area since my family is from Tory Island. Many times I've passed Gola heading out to Tory, sometimes in very heavy seas.

Hoping for my SR4 to make it's maiden trip out to Tory later this month, Thats if I get a new trailer for it.

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by tonymac

Apparently it is a fault with the trim switch which causes that fuse to blow - I had a problem with the tilt/trim switch on the engine cowl earlier in the season so maybe my problem isn't fixed yet...

Check the continuity of the cable with a multimeter on the engine side and from the remote. If the cable is anything like my Tohatsu it had corroded and turned to cheese under the rubber sheath.

Replaced it with spliced in new tinned cable. Problem solved.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jambo

Always carry spares but learned a lesson this year never trust a spade fuse even if it's still intact. Our pump would not work check fuses
Looked OK therefore checked everything else just about to rewire when we took fuses and double checked result faulty replaced and bingo all ok. So from now on double check even if they show complete with no breaks.


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Billy, I use these fuses on BP. You can buy a mixed box of different sizes. Not cheap, but what is? You can get "Non-Marine" ones off ebay cheaper.

[jambo]

Thanks Dave will get some. Cheers


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[jeffstevens763@g]

i always carry a multi meter found it to be invaluable over the years, the coastguard boys on the ball good result.