Pre-start engine checks

According to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) almost one third of emergency call outs at sea are caused by mechanical failure. Many engine breakdowns are avoidable. The best way to avoid a breakdown is to carry out pre-start checks before heading out to sea.

Here is a useful list of pre-start engine checks to carry out on a typical diesel marine engine:

Raw water filter

A clogged raw water filter will restrict the flow of cooling water which can result in the engine overheating. To clean the filter, first ensure the cooling water seacock is closed. Then unscrew the cap of the filter body, remove the filter element and clean it. An old toothbrush makes a useful tool to do this. Then replace the element, screw the lid firmly back on and open the seacock. After starting the engine, always check that the raw water system is flowing correctly

Battery switch

Turn the starting battery on before starting. Do not switch it off while the engine is running as this can damage the alternator and electronics.

Bilge blower

If your engine has a bilge blower or engine room extractor fan, run it for a few minutes before starting the engine.

Fresh water level

Some marine engines have fresh water cooling systems as well as raw water. Before starting the engine, remove the header tank cap and top up with a water/anti-freeze mixture to bring the level within about 50mm from the top. Replace and tighten the cap.

Belts, hoses and engine leaks

Check belts and hoses for cuts, splits or fraying. The alternator belt should be checked for tightness and adjusted if necessary. Also look out for any oil or coolant leaks.

Fuel filter

Some marine engines have a transparent water separator/filter in the fuel line, usually known as the primary filter. Check the transparent bowl for water or dirt and drain off any obvious contamination. This is done by undoing the drain screw underneath the bowl and draining off the contaminated fuel into a small container and disposing of it.

Gearbox oil level

Marine engine gearboxes can be difficult to reach in cramped engine bays. However, they need to be checked from time to time. Check the gearbox oil level with the dipstick. Gearboxes need a special type of oil and if in doubt refer to the engine manual for the correct grade to use.

Fuel

Make sure you have enough fuel for your intended trip, plus a reserve of about 25% of the tank’s capacity. It is surprisingly easy to underestimate your engine’s fuel requirements and every year there are large numbers of call outs to boats that have run out of fuel.

Stern gland greaser

Boats with inboard engines that have traditional transmission systems often have stern gland greasers. These have a screw handle which should be given one full turn before and after every time the engine is used.

Engine oil level

Check the engine oil level with the dipstick and top up if necessary to keep the level between the max and min levels.

Our final tip here is to remember to check your boat’s engine manual for specific requirements, service intervals and always carry engine spares including filters, hoses, belts and coolant.

Rudders and steering systems – Part 1

Rudders and steering systems. A rudder is one of the most critical parts of a boat. Rudder failure is a common occurrence on neglected or overworked boats and a very unpleasant and potentially dangerous thing to happen when you are out at sea.

Essential Knots: Figure of eight

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Safe Skipper – crew management tips

Effective crew briefings are a vital part of the good on-board communication that helps everything to run smoothly on a sailing vessel at sea, whether it is cruising or racing.

Sail care and maintenance – Part 1

When thinking about the care, maintenance and repair of sails it helps to have some understanding of the properties of the ever growing range of modern sailcloth and the fibres they are made from, as opposed to the traditional canvas sails of the past.

Tidal terms and definitions

Getting to grips with tidal terms and definitions can seem a little daunting, even to the most experienced sailors! Here we look at some of the key terms and definitions associated with the language of tides.

Sending distress signals

In an emergency situation at sea, it is a top priority is to know how to send and receive emergency radio calls and alert others of your predicament. Likewise, if you receive a distress signal, you must be ready to go to the help of others.

Dripless shaft seals

Dripless shaft seals are designed to completely stop water from entering a boat’s hull via the stern tube. There are two main types of dripless seals known as face seals and lip seals which many boat manufacturers now fit to production boats.

Five dangers a vessel may encounter at sea

What are the main dangers a vessel may face at sea and what should skippers do to reduce the risk of these happening?

Avoiding personal dangers at sea

In order to stay safe at sea, we need to know the risks we are facing and to be aware of any personal dangers we could possibly encounter. Here are six of the most common potential dangers individual crew members should be aware of.

Jester Challenge 2022 – Sailing single handed from Plymouth UK to the Azores: Part 2 – Weather

Jester Challenge – A modern experiment in old-fashioned self-reliance, self sufficiency, and personal responsibility. This is the second of a 10-part post where solo sailor, Bernie Branfield, shares his first hand account of his single-handed, 2022 Jester Challenge, from Plymouth, UK to the Azores, in his 26′ Invicta Mk2, Louisa.

Sailboat rig checks – Part 1

Sailing boat rigs need to be checked regularly to reduce the risk of rig failure at sea. In part one of Sail boat rig checks we run through a series of useful checks that owners and skippers can carry out.

Boat ownership – some fundamentals

Owning a boat is a big commitment that should bring no end of satisfaction, but the costs of maintaining and keeping a boat are significant and should never be underestimated.

Safety at sea principles

Safety at sea is not as simple as just spending money adding shiny new emergency equipment such as liferafts, danbuoys, distress flares, EPIRBs and so on.

Points of Sailing

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Cutless bearing replacement

Cutless bearings can last for many years but if the propeller shaft is out of alignment they will wear through more quickly. If you have noticed a clunking sound when motoring then it could be a worn cutless bearing that is causing the problem.

Sailing at the touch of a button

Easier and more controlled sail handling can also be achieved by powering up a furling mast. I came across some interesting solutions at the Southampton Boat Show this week on the Selden Mast stand, where they were running demos of their E40i electric winch and SMF furling system.

Leaking decks

Leaking decks are perceived as a nuisance by some boat owners, but if leaks are ignored a much more serious situation may well be developing, especially in the case of boats with balsa or plywood deck cores. So deck leaks do need to be investigated and dealt with.

Jester Challenge 2022 – Sailing single handed from Plymouth UK to the Azores: Part 10 – The Return Trip

Jester Challenge – A modern experiment in old-fashioned self-reliance, self sufficiency, and personal responsibility. This is the final instalment of a 10-part post where solo sailor, Bernie Branfield, shares his first-hand account of his single-handed, 2022 Jester Challenge, from Plymouth, UK to the Azores, in his 26′ Invicta Mk2, Louisa.