Tuesday 22 December 2015

thoughts for the future concerning the engine and some seasonal greetings to all.

Tuesday 22nd December

Greetings people, on this wet and windy day!
I suppose it could be worse, we could be knee deep in snow, or iced in and unable to move anywhere.
I thought it was time I wrote a few lines as a few friends have been contacting me due to the lack of updates to the blog. Sorry all, I promise to try and do more regular updates in the future.

The engine saga is an ongoing story. The installation of the engine is finished now. It starts, runs, and drives the boat forwards and backwards. BUT......unfortunately there are issues, issues that require much thought and decisions that need to be made in the future. 
When I bought the engine, (ebay) I took a tremendous risk. I bought the engine unseen and untested and relied on the sellers assurance that it was a good engine. To be fair the seller had never run the engine himself but had bought it for a project which never happened. When he bought the engine he was assured it was a good engine. Well unfortunately it aint a good engine! It is actually a very tired engine. It is low on compression, and also has very low oil pressure. Also, to be honest at 25 hp it is not powerful enough for the size of propeller fitted to Bracken. I must confess this is not something I fully considered before I started looking for an engine. I think the prop on Bracken is around 17 to 18 inch diameter, whereas the recommended size for this engine is 15 inch diameter. So basicaly if I keep this engine I will need to have a smaller prop fitted.  That entails removing the boat from the water to change the prop (more expense).
In truth, I tried to do the job of replacing the old engine on the cheap and basically came unstuck. So now I have to decide what to do about it. Fortunately I don't have to go anywhere, i'm quite happy living at Kings Bromley Marina, but it would be nice to go off cruising next spring if only for short periods, however I dont feel confident enough in this engine to venture very far. 
So, after the festive period I shall be considering my options and perhaps seeking some estimates.

The visits to my Oncology consultant are now every Two months instead of every month and so far all is well, (fingers crossed), although I am due to see the Cardio-Vascular team in January due to a narrowing of yet another artery that showed up on my last CT scan. (No additional problems as yet).

Thought you'd like a few pictures of some of my visitors. 
The Kingfisher seems to have moved his territory as he no longer sits on next doors boat, but I still see him around fairly often.
This Robin is a frequent visitor.

.....Usually when I've just filled the feeder.

Bluetits are always on the feeders.

The Tree-sparrow is usualy round the bottom underneath the feeders clearing up what gets dropped.

As does Mrs Moorhen when she's not climbing the tree!

  Well people, its time I wrapped this up as my tummy is rumbling!
I'd like to wish every one a happy and festive Christmas, and my very best wishes for 2016.
To every one in the boating communityI say, eat, drink and be merry, but try not to fall in!!