Mariner fettling...

....spot of time in the garage this morning, learning stuff...

I am not a mechanic...   repeat, I am not a mechanic...  I know little to nothing about engines, I never owned cars as a younger Steve the Wargamer, that I would strip and rebuild at weekends, I never owned a motorbike or a moped..  so I repeat, this is new and exciting stuff for me, and if you have done all the previous stuff you'll be bored rigid with the following and I would suggest moving on to the next blog..   

So as previously posted, the little Mariner was not behaving best at the end of last season, starting was poor, it would go and then gently die out... repeated starting until it got warm would 'resolve' the issue, and then it would run as usual... but clearly not optimal...

Add to this that it is now 3 months since the end of the last season and therefore the fuel in the tank is older, and I have a pathological fear of stale fuel feeding through the engine and causing more problems, so today was the first step in remedying the two "issues"..

Drain the fuel...   now I had envisioned just siphoning it out, but didn't have any suitable tube , so decided to be more adventurous...

Whip the cowl off and you have the following view..

Mariner 3.3HP - single cylinder - 2 stroke

Fuel tank is held in place by two bolts - one at the front (ringed) and one at the back (arrow'ed)  - simple bolt/washer/spring washer...  mild steel by the look so I cleaned these up as I had them out..

Before..

Once these are out the tank is free, and you can get more easily at the only other connector to the main body of the engine - the fuel feed...

Fuel feed...

Better picture of it following..  spigot, clamped to the cutoff valve, which in turn connects to the fuel feed pipe to the engine..  fuel feed pipe has a little spring clip to hold it in place... just slip the spring up and disconnect the fuel feed pipe to remove the tank completely..

I've just partially disconnected the pipe at this stage, hose spring clip slid up..

After that the tank was just up ended over a bucket with the last drops of fuel drained via the cutoff valve..   quick clean up of the bolts and washers and I reassembled...  job done..

After..

Change the spark plug...

I have had success in the past [clicky] from just changing the plug so as a first step this is as good as any..  and my thinking is starting is ok, and becomes OK after warming up - now that doesn't seem to me to be a carburettor problem....  "warming up" might be a spark issue, either way, going the path of least resistance, I changed the plug...  old one following...

.. really neat little access area for the plug on the Mariner...

Spark plug removed..

...it's at the back of the engine (opposite end to the pull cord) has a little drop down hatch ...  secured by two lugs (ringed) just lever it down gently giving access to the spark plug and lead - pull the lead  off to give access to the  plug which is in the hole arrow'ed (before you take it out, clearly.. )

New plug installed - lead reattached - and we're good for a trip down to the water tank at the club for a test run at some point..

Carburettor bowl drain hole/screw

Stupid I know but I was most gratified by that mornings work..  not only that I can see where the carb is, and I have also found the carburettor bowl drain hole/screw which is a cinch to get at should I need to...

Here we go...

... Christmas vouchers have jump started the new season prep... 

First off...   stunning value, but more especially comes with the flexible drive shaft included also cutting disks..  this will be used all over, but specifically, will come in  handy for that little job on the outboard lifting lugs [clicky]...

Had one of these before and it was a bit of a ba*ls ache locking and unlocking it because of the fact that the engine sits in a well and with the lock on the underneath of the bolt you have to slip the key (and hand) in between bottom of well and bottom of lock - I'm not quite so precious about it now, and if necessary I'll cut an access hole in the bottom of the well.. 

...next - the last one was stolen with the old motor but but it was good enough quality that I have ordered a replacement... I'll be taking the engine cowling home with me after each sail, so I am hoping that this (along with the lock) is an added disincentive to nicking the new engine..

 ..last of all - time to stock the spares box..  spare spark plug for the new engine..

....first job - change the pug on the little Mariner - she was being a bit of a b*tch to get going at the end of last season, once she'd warmed up though she was good (LOL...  just re-read that...)..  I'm thinking that implies the plug is knackered..  I have a spare so will change it and see if it makes a difference. Once I get it going I then need to drain the old fuel from the tank ready for next season, or handing back to Julian - whichever comes first...  

Merry Christmas

..a Merry Christmas to all my reader, and "fair winds" in 2020...

..Max over at Bursledon Blogger [clicky] reminded me the other day that last Sunday was the Winter Solstice, so to all my fellow sailors I will leave only this comment...

Prettyfying...

From one of the guys on the Practical Boat Owner forum came this awesome link to all things Suzuki [clicky]...

Which gave me an excuse to fix this:

...honestly, why would you use a soft metal fitting on a marine outboard??

Part identified..

Ordered a new bolt, and more importantly the spacer, from Suzuki UK..  5 minute job to then slip out the old and replace with the new..  I re-used the nut and washer...

...the engine used to live in an outboard well - the following is one of the side effects...  better fixed than not, I think...  

That was the year that was.. 2019

Time for the traditional review of the year past; it's cold, dark, grey and wet outside, so this exercise provides a much needed mental fillip to get me motivated to start work on the job list.

This is my seventh year as owner of Sparrow and I still continue to learn and I still have absolutely no interest in parting with her - she does everything I want in spades... so the following is some happy (and some not so happy) memories of good times, bad times, warm weather, not so warm weather, sunshine glinting on the water, and fair weather sailing in shorts and t-shirts... I always enjoy putting this together, it's a good excuse to read all the old posts, and look at the video (not so much of that this year) and pictures from this years logs....

As of this moment work has not started on the winter jobs list, but she is scraped and cleaned, and to all intents and purposes is ready to go back in the water except for a coat of anti-foul. There is no major job this winter , other than a general clean up, and perhaps a coat of paint in the cabin..  not so much to do this year..

I would say that it was a "Dreadful" year; one of, if not the, worst season's I've had to be honest, either in 'Sparrow' or 'Papillon'... looking back my perception was that it was one long succession of poor tides, gales, and few weather windows, and then having the car break down on me for three months, and the outboard engine getting stolen was just the icing on the cake..as little'un said, it's yin and yang for the awesome summer we had last year... 😒

Solent trips this year were limited to 'Ocean Waves' and 'Liberty' though (as ever) the Jolly Boys had a superb outing on our 'Ocean Waves' charter this year though for weather reasons I don't think it was as good as last year - it was a blowy/blustery few days - but the sailing was superb, we really are growing in confidence as a crew.

...the resemblance is uncanny...  Jolly Boys 2019...

Of last winters jobs [clicky] the big one was the wiring in of the tiller pilot which was an absolute game changer in what little sailing I managed to get done this year - it makes life a whole lot easier, and the freedom to get away from the tiller is an absolute joy...

The other big jobs last winter were the alterations to the main sail and genoa - another unqualified success that has made a huge difference to sail trim - and the new VHF which after initial teething problems has worked, and continues to work, well...

Of the previous years jobs - the hatch covers are still good (all hail, West Systems), the cabin lights are still good (£7 from China and still no issues!), the battery is good, and also the solar charger is good and despite being small is providing more than enough juice..

...but all in all, that still rates as a poor year....  5 out of 10..  😐

Like a spider dipped in blue ink and left to wander all over Google Earth - here's where Sparrow went this year - nowhere out of the harbour this year: 

...and the following in "Ocean Waves" this summer on the outrageously entertaining  Jolly Boys Outing [clicky].

Friday blue, Saturday pink, Sunday green, Monday yellow..

What a(nother) stupendous trip that was, some simply superb sailing, never dropped below F4 all three days, often up to F5 or F6, in fact the only day the wind dropped and the sun came out was the last day on the way back ..  good memories...

...a brilliant four days in the Solent - and once again Smithy's missus's carrot cake was legendary....

Jolly Boys 2019 - that sums up the weather nicely...  grey, windy, but superb!

~~~~~~~~~
Number of visits down to the boat (ie. actually on it): 16 or 17 (couple/three down on last year) but once again if you count all the times I visited in the mornings/evenings while she was on shore (usually two to three times a week), and the days I worked on her pre-season - easily triple or quadruple that...  I've been to see her two times this last week alone.. 

Total distance sailed:  77.59 miles, which compares with 151.21 last year - least miles I've ever done in a season in either Sparrow or Papillon... weather not good, a succession of poor tide weekends, engine getting nicked kicked the stuffing out of me for a bit, and I also had car problems for two or three months..  'nuff said..  onwards and upwards...

Nights on board: None - nada - 'nuff'ing.. I've done it before and it's usually cold and uncomfortable..

Crew on occasion: None...the whole year was solo...  I don't mind, I'm good company.. if I start talking to the tiller pilot I know I've got a problem.. 

Cruising range: Mooring to the west, Emsworth Quay to the north, Snowhill in the East and HISC to the south.. much reduced sailing area this year..

Biggest Cruise: The day I saw the seal in the cut [clicky].. just less than 13 miles on a single tide on a breezy day in the harbour - so good I turned and went back when half way home..  

Closest I got to the Solent this year...

Best Cruise: With dew to choose from this year the first trip down to Snowhill [clicky] was hard to beat..  perfect day..  

Worst cruise: The row out to confirm the engine was stolen, without a doubt..

Oddest cruise: The end of season trip [clicky] probably...  not much sailing but the mackerel was good  

Best anchorages: None this year, no need..

Best mooring:  ...my club mooring continues to be a delight; water 3.5+ hours either side of high tide...

Worst mooring: Not a one to be honest.. they've all been good..

Plans for next year: The America's Cup is picking up, Sir Ben has launched his first boat (they're allowed two) and I'm hoping the Jolly Boys will get a trip out and see her at some time..  no idea of there are any warm up traces scheduled..  we haven't started planning yet, but I have no doubt there will be a Jolly Boys cruise (no idea where we'll end up, and we're wondering about chartering something a bit bigger) ..but as for Sparrow?? I've given up making plans and resolutions..  too much pressure.. I have a new (to me) engine though, and would like some time in the Solent .. and a better season, please... 

2019:

Date	Distance:	Wind:	Direction	Sail Plan:	Max Speed (knots):	Average Speed (knots):	Comments:
21st Feb	27.23*	n/a	n/a	n/a	8.6	5.1	Trip out on Liberty for lunch in Cowes..
5th May	4.51	F3 gusting F4	NxW through NxE	Full main and jib	6.0	3.8	Gusty, cold day, shakedown cruise..  first use of the magic wand..
25th May	12.08 (16.59)	Both ends of  F4	SW  going WxS	Reefed main and jib	6.3	3.8	First time out in a fortnight on a sunny breezy day - seals and Snowhill
2nd June	9.74 (26.33)	Top F3 gusting F4	SWxW	Full main and full/reefed jib	5.4	3.4	Down to Eastoke on a single tack, a Harrison Butler yacht was lovely..
14th - 17th June	62.76* (26.33)	F4 to F6	SW mostly	Full/reefed main and jib	7.4 (avg)	5.1 (avg)	The 2019 Jolly Boys Cruise!
22nd June	11.34 (37.67)	F3 gusting F4	SE	Full main and jib	4.7	3.1	Tack, tack, tack, down to Pilsey in glorious sunshine...
30th June	12.54 (50.21)	F3/F4 then F3	WNW going WxS	Full/reefed main and full jib	5.3	3.5	Both ends of the harbour
21st  July	12.94 (63.15)	Both ends of a F4	SWxW going WSW	Reefed main and jib	5.3	3.5	To the end of the harbour twice, a seal in the cut, and my first jammed roller furler!
24th August	4.07* (63.15)	F0	n/a	Engine	4.7	3.1	First day out following the theft of the outboard, but no wind and blisteringly hot..
31st August	9.25 (72.4)	F4 gusting F5	WxS mostly	Reefed main and jib	5.5	3.0	Sunny day got dark and grey quickly - plan to go to the Bar Beacon abandoned
14th September	5.19 (77.59)	F2 going F1	E going SSE	Full mon and genoa	4.9	2.0	Round Hayling on a hot and most wind'less day..  mackerel caught
.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.
.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.

Year total (to date): 77.59 miles NB:

2019 total (in Sparrow): 77.59 miles 
2018 total (in Sparrow): 151.12 miles
2017 total (in Sparrow): 141.91 miles
2016 total (in Sparrow): 138.29 miles
2015 total (in Sparrow): 141.29 miles
2014 total (in Sparrow): 137.98 miles
2013 total (in Sparrow): 113.73 miles
2012 total (in Papillon): 173.29 miles
2011 total (in Papillon): 193.41 miles
2010 total (in Papillon): 154.23 miles
2009 total (in Papillon): 125 miles