Yacht engine - do you have a check list?

9:26 PM Sun 16 Aug 2009 GMT

'Engine check list' .

A sailing boat is meant to sail, but on the modern yacht the engine is important for safety, usually for docking, and for impatient skippers who can't wait out a windless day. So checking that your engine is in top shape before you depart the wharf is critical for both comfort and safety. The worthy RNLI suggests the following handy check-list, which can be kept on a card on the chart table, or attached to the engine room wall:

Pre-start checks:

1.Bilge blower.If you have a bilgeblower or engine room extractor fan,run it for a few minutes before starting the engine.

2.Visual check.Check belts and hosesfor cuts,splits,or fraying and look outfor oil or coolant leaks.

3.Fuel.Make sure you have enough fuelfor your intended trip,plus a reserve ofabout 20% of the tank's capacity andmake sure the fuel tap is open.

4.Fuel filter.Some boats have a trans-parent water separator/filter in the fuelline.Inspect the bowl for water or dirtand drain off any visible contamination.

5.Engine oil.Check the engine oil levelwith the dipstick and top up if necessary to keep the level betweenthe 'max' and 'min' marks.

6.Gearbox oil.Check the oil level with the dipstick.NOTE:Some gearbox oil levels can onlybe checked with the engine running.Many gearboxes need special oil:engine oil will NOT do!

7.Raw water filter.Shut the coolingwater seacock;remove the filter element and clean it if necessary.Replace the element,screw the lidback onto the filter body and OPENTHE SEA COCK.

8.Fresh water level.Some engines have fresh water cooling systems as well as raw water.Carefully remove the header tank cap and top up with water/ anti-freeze mixture if necessary to bringthe level within about 50mm of the top.Replace the header tank cap.

9.Battery switch.Turn the batteryswitch on before starting.Do notswitch it off while the engine isrunning.

10.Stern gland greaser.Boats with 'traditional'transmission systems havestern gland greasers.Give the cap orhandle one full turn.

11.If your boat has an outdrive engine,trimtabs,or power steering,check the levelof the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulicreservoirs and top up if necessary.

12.If your boat has an outdrive engine,check that the leg is clear of weed,rope or plastic bags etc and is fully down.

After starting:

1.Immediately check that there is a good flow of water from the exhaustpipe or cooling water tell-tale.

2.Allow the engine to warm up so that it will tick-over smoothly before setting off.

The Royal National Lifesaving Institution (RNLI) also has many handy downloadable documents which are helpful for the leisure sailor. To access them go to their website .

by Blackwattle Studios

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Yacht engine - do you have a check list?

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