The Diesel Engine
The engine of your Sailboat is an important part of your comfort and safety. You will take care of it.
Before you start
Check every morning the different levels, engine oil, Water in the exchanger (In the case of a fresh water exchanger) . Check the tension of the belts as well as the stuffing box. Check also regularly the water level of the batteries. If you are still at the dock, check that the automatic charger is not connected. CHECK THAT THE COLD COMPRESSOR IS DRAINED (if the boat is equipped with a frigo boat system).
Start
Accelerate slightly by disengaging the engine, ( Flip the lever forward by pushing the small red button in the middle of the control). Check that the manual choke (Depending on model) is properly pushed back and that the G.oil level is correct.
Turn on the ignition and then start by turning the key or pressing the button marked START next to it (Depending on the model).
Set the RPM to 1300 RPM then let the engine warm up for about ten minutes before starting. Check for proper cooling water flow at the outer exhaust outlet.
Filling the g.oil tank.
Check carefully that what you are offered is G.Oil, it has already happened that the filling is made with gasoline, the consequences are then very serious. Unscrew the nipples of the tanks of G/Oil (Do not confuse with water) then make the full that you will stop dice overflow at the level of the overflow.
The consumption of your engine is on average:
18 HP : 2 l / Hour – 27 HP : 2,5 l/ Hour – 50 HP : 4,5 l/ Hour – 80 HP : 8 l/ Hour
⚠ Beware that the g/ oil stations accessible to sailboats are not very numerous.
The Departure
Check that there are no stubs or obstructions hanging around the propeller, clutch by bringing the throttle back to neutral and then moving it gently forward.
Respect the cruising speeds, never exceed 2,500 RPM. Operate the shuttle handle gently and without haste. Keep an eye on the various warning lights. Regularly check the proper flow of cooling water and every 4 hours check the engine chocks.
Port maneuvers
Port maneuvers should be performed calmly and with anticipation, the skipper prepares his maneuver with the crew by assigning a task to each, one person of the crew should have in hand a beater to be able to intervene in case of friction. Make enough headway to keep the boat maneuverable, however, always remain in control of your boat’ s speed.
When reversing pay attention to the propeller’ s pitch, which moves the boat’ s stern (often port). After mooring your boat do not stop the engine until you have let it run for about ten minutes at 1000 RPM.
To stop the engine, press the Stop button or pull the choke, then turn off the ignition.
⚠ Never turn off the ignition while the engine is running, you will seriously damage the electrical system.
The Batteries
Your boat is equipped with two different battery circuits, one for the engine, the other for on-board services. Each group of batteries has its own circuit breaker. The charge of the batteries is done automatically by the engine’ s alternator according to the needs, it can also be done through the 220 V shore charger (Only in the French islands), you will have taken care in this case to connect the shore plug by connecting this one first to the boat, then to the shore, and you will have activated the Charger switch on the electrical panel.
You will very regularly check the charge level of the batteries on the voltmeters on the electrical panel, you will also check the alternator’ s charge level on the ammeter.
⚠ Warning. The level of the batteries should never fall below 12 v. You will charge the batteries regularly, The opposite would damage them severely. Take care to cut the windlass and motor circuits When not in use
The stuffing box
This system ensures the watertightness of the propeller shaft’ s passage through the hull, this one does not require any particular maintenance, however it is important to check it regularly, there should be no or very little water entry.
