Whats In A Boat

Question 1

Sea Cocks

Answer 1

Keeps boat safe if appliance with below waterline appliance fails

Small hand wheel or lever. Open if lever in line with piping or wheel loose. Closed if wheel is tight or sea lever across piping direction.

Normally left open at sea unless protecting a failed device

Normally closed when ashore for more than an hour.

Question 2

Bilge Pumps

Answer 2

Used to throw water out.

Make sure you know where they are, how they work and any removable handles. Else what is a minor irritation can turn into an emergency.

Question 3

Mast

Answer 3

Held up by standing rigging - forestay (front), backstages (back), shrouds (sides). Spar is the mast itself. Spreaders hold shrouds to give better angle of pull.

Rigging can be adjusted by bottle screws. Check regularly to ensure rigging remains tight

Tow ropes can be tied around a keel stepped spar (mast) but never around one stepped on deck.

Question 4

Engine Checks - Cooling

Answer 4

Cooling - Water/anti-freeze mix. Kept cool through heat exchanger with circulating seawater. Final discharge through exhaust so if all well water will be pulsing from exhaust pipe, if not then cooling system is blocked. Stop engine and Chapter 5 of Tom Suncliffes The Complete Day Skipper will help explain why.

Before starting engine Check level of coolant in Plastic Expansion Chamber - should be inch or two below cap. Never open cap when engine is hot.

Question 5

Engine Checks - Sump oil

Answer 5

On engine block use the dipstick to check oil level.

Question 6

Stern Tube

Answer 6

Gearbox drives propellor which passes through hull at a waterproof gland.

New glands are deep sea and self tending.

Old glands use cord packing and require greasing to keep water out. Several turns every few hours when engine shut down.

Keep gun topped up with waterproof grease.

Question 7

Engine Checks - Gearbox

Answer 7

Check oil level 1-2 times per season. Can be awkward to access dipstick.

Question 8

Engine Checks - General

Answer 8

Ensure batteries are ready, normally 2.

Some need throttle half open for cold start.

Turn relevant batteries off once engine off to preserve energy.

Question 9

Gas Bottle

Answer 9

Gas heavier than air so if leak will end in bilge which if the air-has mix is right can be combustible or explosive.

Gas bottle sited outside in gas tight locker with drain hole over side.

Turn valve off between bottle and gas pressure regulator when cooker not in use.

Check for pipe leaks by mixing washing up liquid and water solution and lather on pipe joints with small paint brush. Any bubbles indicate leak.