kNOW YOUR ENGINE
One third of lifeboat launches to leisurecraft • take a quick look at the drive belts. Are they • check that the engine compartment is clean
each year are to vessels suffering machinery frayed, cracked or slack? If so, they need and dry. Petrol engines are particularly
failure or simply running out of fuel. Many of replacing or tightening susceptible to water in the bilge. Use a pump
these breakdowns could have been prevented if • check the fuel filter for sediment or water and sponge to dry the engine compartment
the engine had been checked before setting off. A build-up of either warns you that the fuel • make sure you have the right tools and spares
Make sure that your engine is properly serviced supply is not clean to carry out basic engine maintenance or to
at the beginning of the season and that you • remove each engine’s dipstick and check the make running repairs if necessary.
carry out regular checks on it throughout the level of lubricating oil. Top it up if necessary
After starting an inboard or outboard engine:
year as well as before each trip. • on an inboard petrol-engine boat, fans should
be turned on for at least a couple of minutes • check that cooling water is coming out of the
Before departure:
to clear the compartment of fumes before exhaust or the outboard telltale
• work out how much fuel you need for the you turn the ignition key • look for fuel or water leaks
trip; calculate one-third for the way there, • be aware of any unusual vibration.
one-third for the way back and one-third
On passage:
spare. A second or auxiliary engine can save
the day should your main engine fail so make • regularly look into the engine compartment
sure you carry sufficient fuel for the auxiliary to check that all’s well
engine as well as for your main engine • regularly scan the engine instruments to
• look for obvious signs of oil or fuel leaks make sure they are reading at normal levels.
• check the cooling water piping for signs of Some people put a small paint mark where
trouble, such as perishing or weeping hoses this level should be
• inspect the cooling system’s raw-water • don’t run the engines continuously at full
strainer and remove any debris that could throttle as this burns fuel excessively.
restrict the flow
The RYA and the ISA run a 1-day diesel engine
• if the engines have a freshwater side to their
course. (See the Useful contacts section on
cooling system, check the level of coolant.
page 38.)
Don’t remove the cap when the engine is hot
A blockage here will cause the engine
to overheat
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