It was Friday and time for the East coast cruise, over a dozen boats were due to make the trip, although I would have to leave early to get back in time for a wedding at the end of the week.
First off it was down to Queensbrough for the night. I tied up behind Issa me on the barge. Others were either on the buoys or anchored up Stangate creek. It was an early start and to no surprise I was soon falling behind. There was little wind and by the time I got to Blacktail spit I was using the engine. Unfortunately I was suffering overheating problems so had to run on reduced revs. By the time I had got to the Whitaker I was to late to make it over the swatchway so I went round the Gunfleet wind farm on the outside in the Swin channel. I even managed to get close to the Barrow deep where I spent 5 years dumping sludge all those years ago.
First off it was down to Queensbrough for the night. I tied up behind Issa me on the barge. Others were either on the buoys or anchored up Stangate creek. It was an early start and to no surprise I was soon falling behind. There was little wind and by the time I got to Blacktail spit I was using the engine. Unfortunately I was suffering overheating problems so had to run on reduced revs. By the time I had got to the Whitaker I was to late to make it over the swatchway so I went round the Gunfleet wind farm on the outside in the Swin channel. I even managed to get close to the Barrow deep where I spent 5 years dumping sludge all those years ago.
Eventually I made it round the wind farm and headed in towards the Walton backwaters and Titchmarsh marina. First night I spent on the river side of the marina before going in properly the following morning. The weather was lousy so we all stayed put until Monday. I had a look at my cooling system and found a broken impeller I thought I had fixed the cooling issues...I hadn't.
Monday and I was all ready to go up the Orwell to Ipswich. The engine wouldn't start. I removed the starter motor and gave it a another go. This time it turned, I refitted the starter and this time it started. I was off to Ipswich, again I had cooling issues but eventually got to my destination. I could only stay the night before having to head back to the Medway. I set off early and made my way down the Orwell past Felixstowe and Harwich and started heading down the coast past Walton on the Naze. By then the tide had turned and I was punching into it the wind had died to nothing and it was raining. to make matters worse the cooling issues had got worse and I had to reduce the revs to the point where I was not making any headway at all. After several hours of no progress I had another look at the impeller and water intake. Barely a dribble came out of the intake pipe so I gave it an almighty blow back and got it flowing freely again. The carpet of weed that was attached to my hull was getting drawn into the pipe and blocking it. I was now able to up the revs and with a following tide make good progress.
Monday and I was all ready to go up the Orwell to Ipswich. The engine wouldn't start. I removed the starter motor and gave it a another go. This time it turned, I refitted the starter and this time it started. I was off to Ipswich, again I had cooling issues but eventually got to my destination. I could only stay the night before having to head back to the Medway. I set off early and made my way down the Orwell past Felixstowe and Harwich and started heading down the coast past Walton on the Naze. By then the tide had turned and I was punching into it the wind had died to nothing and it was raining. to make matters worse the cooling issues had got worse and I had to reduce the revs to the point where I was not making any headway at all. After several hours of no progress I had another look at the impeller and water intake. Barely a dribble came out of the intake pipe so I gave it an almighty blow back and got it flowing freely again. The carpet of weed that was attached to my hull was getting drawn into the pipe and blocking it. I was now able to up the revs and with a following tide make good progress.
In the end I made it back to the Medway and I was again punching the tide I anchored overnight in Stangate creek before heading back to Gillingham reach.
All in all it could have gone a lot better I should have blasted off my hull on the scrubbing posts back at the club. this would have solved my overheating problems. I now have to replace the starter motor and the water pump is seeking so that will have to be done too. But hey ho I made it there and back safely and it was good fun.
All in all it could have gone a lot better I should have blasted off my hull on the scrubbing posts back at the club. this would have solved my overheating problems. I now have to replace the starter motor and the water pump is seeking so that will have to be done too. But hey ho I made it there and back safely and it was good fun.