Not quite resolved...

 

 

This weekend we thought we would give Moonshine a last blast to Hull prior to our main holidays to test if the overheating issue of the starboard engine has been resolved since the installation of the new raw water pump. The weather conditions were calm enough with only a minor bit of chop prior to the Humber Bridge, but this was enough to set the alarm ringing again.

For the return journey we swapped the thermostats over to rule those out also. Upon leaving Hull Marina conditions were quite choppy but we soon got her onto the plane and ran her at a good 3000 revs, said engine did not overheat until we were safely in the Ouse and tested her running flat out, but once back at normal planing revs the starboard engine cooled back down a lot quicker than before (our starboard engine runs the power steering and the hot water system and does usually run hotter than the port). 

This run has given us renewed confidence in her as she has run better but there are still other avenues we can investigate, such as next weekend we plan to swap the sea water inlets, adapting the pipes so the starboard engine draws water through the port leg and vice versa. This will prove if there is a problem with the intake ie split or porus flexible rubber pick up pipe on leg. Also, even though we descaled the raw water side of the engines recently we are going to check the heat exchanger etc just in case there is any rubber/plastic debris that the descaler could not dissolve and the opportunity will also be taken to rod it through. One thing that has become evident is that we do not want to go to sea with this completely unresolved.

Nevertheless we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Hull this weekend. We were allocated a mooring directly opposite the lock entrance as staff wanted to keep as much of the visitor and Railway Dock's moorings available for the arrival of a flotilla of up to 20 Dutch yachts which were due to arrive on Sunday's pm tide. This event organised by the Dutch Offshore Sailing Society of up to 20 tall Dutch racing yachts eventually all arrived in Hull Marina on Sunday as part of a 500 nautical mile race from Holland. Their next visit is to Hartlepool before heading home.

Also this weekend a 10km charity run that forms a legacy of the late Jane Tomlinson CBE swept through the water front, Marina and old town on Sunday morning. People from all backgrounds, shapes and sizes took part in what was a major event to raise money for various cancer charities. Watching some of the runners confronting their own personal pain barriers was quite humbling to watch.