Hi Again to all
After all that happened
the only thing left was the engine bilge pump which was not pumping
very much overboard and was taking far to long to cut out. Knowing
this pump also had a none return check valve I suspected this had
also stuck open. This hose to the overboard came in question on my
trip to Antigua, and that previous story has been told. So now time
to find out what the cause is. The High capacity engine driven pump
(not installed yet) shares the Electric pump hose, its suction has a
'Y' valve fitted so it can pump from engine bilge, or, main cabin
bilge, independently from any other system, the valve was lined up to
the main cabin bilge, The electric pump had indeed a stuck open none
return valve, the pressure from that one was forcing 90% of the
engine bilge water into the cabin bilge via the driven bilge pump
which overflows over a weir to the engine bilge !! hence hardly any
water was being pumped overboard !!
A small clamp on the hose
clamping it shut has temp. fixed that problem, but has changed now my
priority work list for Rodney Bay. Which will be:-
- source 2 none return valves of the 'Flap' type one for salvage pump line now off, and one for elect. engine bilge p/p. Engine driven pump still off.
- Fit new none return valve to salvage pump hose
- fit a separate hose for engine bilge, means fitting a new 1” through hull connection,and fit none return valve in line.
- Re-site Engine driven pump and then fit new belt.
- Remove engine coupling and fit 2 belts (one as spare) over prop shaft and reinstall the Hydro Alternator.
Will have to be done on a
berth.
With all the above sorted
out in my brain over that coffee, I was indeed now enjoying the
moment whilst sailing to Guadalupe, time since leaving Jolly only
2.5hrs ie. 10Am.
Had a great sail down the
coast of Guadalupe, and as sunset approached I was clearing the
southern end and beginning the crossing to Dominica.
Got halfway past Dominica
during the night but hit the wind shadow about 0200hrs, a lot of
heavy showers overnight with the wind disappearing after each one,
had to put the engine on as flopping about with sails flapping, wind
did not really come back, sporadic to say the least, 'Fred' and my
repair was working I think, better than its ever been.
10.30am saw me just
starting to pass Martinique, and still motor sailing most of the
time. It didn't come back until I was half way across Fort Du France
Bay about 1730hrs, as Sunset again approached I was just clearing the
land and could see Diamond Rock.
This meant my ETA for
Rodney Bay was now 1200midnight/0100hrs, not good as with the above
work list I would have to go into the marina which had not been my
plan. Swell was small so I heaved too and stopped the boat, made a
coffee and watched the sunset, boat doing 1.4 knts and very quiet
gentle movement I went to sleep. Woke up at 1100hrs still on course
made 2 Nm. Went to sleep. Woke up at 0200hrs still on course made 5
miles 25 to go. Woke up at 0500hs still on course made another 2 Nm,
went for a pee...............PANIC...............
water sloshing quietly over the floorboards.........WHAT THE
HELLLLL.................
I Dashed back
to the galley Adrenalin coursing though my veins !!!!! tripping,
banging, falling over everything I had chucked out of everywhere in
the saloon. Lifting the board the water was nearly up to the electric
bilge pump connections, approx 3 tons of water !!!!!!!!!!!! Put my
hand down to feel the pump, NO !! it was not running ?????? no power
checked feed panel..everything switched on ????????? check pump
switch, move gas bottle, its switched OFF ?????? switched it on its
ok and pumping, only the cabin bilge pump to help, all others
nobbled, it took ages to pump it all out, had to start the engine.
After exhaustive inquiries of brain and intuition I had
Embarrassingly knocked off the bilge pump switch with the gas bottle
at sunset after lighting the stove to make that relaxing coffee !!!!
ALL MY OWN FAULT.
Lit the stove
and made a relaxing coffee to watch the Sunrise, and threw the gas
bottle into the saloon with all the other junk !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Arrived at
Rodney Bay at 0900hrs, dropped sails and docked at the Marina at
1000hrs.
More Later
Roy.
