Removing the Old Engine

This was a bit experimental, and there were one or two false starts. It took a while to get everything disconnected, to unbolt the mounts, and open the propshaft clamp.

Then we supported the engine with a beam across the companionway and two chain hoists. This allowed us to slide it forward and disengage the propshaft.

Angus had made a box for it to sit in that supported it when we lowered it onto something - which happened a few times.

The first lift attempt was with the beam and the chain hoist. We planned to get it high enough to put a plank under it from the cockpit side, and then slide it backwards before using the boom to swing it over onto the jetty.

I thought we'd need both hoists to get control. I also didn't want to use the boom because I'd have had to put the load part way along it. In any case, this didn't work - I had to put the hooks too low down, so the engine wasn't stable.

Also, it occurred to me later that I just needed to support the boom at the same point as I was attaching the hoist - the mainsail halyard is amply up to lifting the engine, and I could attach it to a strop wrapped aaround the boom directly at the lifting point.

I don't have apicture of the strop arrangement ...

Anyhow, the lift went fine after that.

Once we got it onto the plank, we could move the lift point to the end of the boom and swing it over the trolley waiting on the pontoon.

:Then up the ramp and up a plank into the back of the Focus:

.And it's safe at home in the cellar now:

Engine Swap ...

So. I found a reasonably priced 3GM30F on eBay that was in better condition than Raasay's present installation. It also has a heat exchanger, so it might be less rusty inside ...

I saw a video of it running before I bought it. It's presently sitting on a pallet in the cellar.

I've planned the swap. There are several stages to this, starting with removing the old engine.

I was going to disconnect it and record everything about that process today, but when I arrived at the boat, I found that the domestic batteries were flat. I couldn't figure out why, at first, but then realised that the bilge pump must have been running a lot and draining them faster than the solar panel could charge them at this time of year.

I haven't figured out where the extra water was coming from.

My NOCO Genius 26000 charger doesn't like my current batteries for some reason (they are AGMs, but they are an American spec, which might make a difference). I've tried various things, but haven't found a reliable solution yet. In any case, it wouldn't look at charging them from flat.

After some experimenting, I'm using the old engine to charge them. The Sterling charger seems to be better able to control them than the NOCO charger. It will take a while, though... 

And I obviously can't get far with disconnecting it while it's running. So.

I think I'll take the starting battery and the air filter home (the new engine has lost its air filter) and try the new engine out, rather than disconnecting the old one.

You might wonder why I wasn't going to test the new engine first in any case - I'm now wondering that myself. Maybe I was too reassured by the video ...

In the meantime, the batteries seem to be charging (although being really flat for a few weeks will probably have damaged them) and I can switch the little mains charger for the starter battery onto the house batteries to make sure they don't go flat again. It's only a 5amp charger, but I don't think the bilge pump should use 120 amp hours a day ... maybe. Have I got the maths right?

I hope it will be safe to leave it on the shore power until I get another chance to visit. Which will have to be soon.

I had planned to make a start two or three weeks ago, but then I fell ill. It all needs to be done and dusted by March. Which now seems very close.