Finally back on the water
Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 8:19 pm
Got the Fountain wet for the first time this season.
The new steering is a HUGE improvement. Especially noticeable when making long slow turns in the chop at cruise speed. Feels MUCH more solid and tight.
Made a speed pass in the smooth water up by the dam. Boat still has a bit of chin walk starting at abt 70, but it was easy to steer thru it. Got it almost to 80 before running out of room. There's definitely a little more left. With the old steering, I would have to keep the tabs down a little at high speed. Not no more!
Dropped by zipline cove for a quick swim. Afterwards, made another speed run down Sandy Creek cove headed towards the dock. As I approached Jone Bros park I slowed for the No Wake zone. Looked at the gauges and the starboard eng water temp was 190 degs! Goosed the throttle to see if there was any water press, none..I shut it off and raised the hatch. Water almost to the top of the center stringer
Flipped on the bilge pumps and idled toward the dock on the port eng.
By the time I got tied-up to the dock, the pumps had emptied the bilge. Started checking for loose water hoses, but they all looked fine. Finally got just the right angle and found the culprit. The hose coming from the raw water pump popped off the eng oil cooler. Damit, the only hose I can't reach.
Tried to get the boat on the trailer on one eng (no power steering) and a cross wind. Things started getting ugly. Had to restart the starboard eng to straighten up and ease it up on the trailer.
Thankfully, the prev owner had installed dual 900 GPM bilge pumps. They got a workout today.
Although I'm a little bummed it happened, I'm really lucky it happened so close to the dock. Could have been a long long ride back.
The new steering is a HUGE improvement. Especially noticeable when making long slow turns in the chop at cruise speed. Feels MUCH more solid and tight.
Made a speed pass in the smooth water up by the dam. Boat still has a bit of chin walk starting at abt 70, but it was easy to steer thru it. Got it almost to 80 before running out of room. There's definitely a little more left. With the old steering, I would have to keep the tabs down a little at high speed. Not no more!
Dropped by zipline cove for a quick swim. Afterwards, made another speed run down Sandy Creek cove headed towards the dock. As I approached Jone Bros park I slowed for the No Wake zone. Looked at the gauges and the starboard eng water temp was 190 degs! Goosed the throttle to see if there was any water press, none..I shut it off and raised the hatch. Water almost to the top of the center stringer
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif)
![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif)
Flipped on the bilge pumps and idled toward the dock on the port eng.
By the time I got tied-up to the dock, the pumps had emptied the bilge. Started checking for loose water hoses, but they all looked fine. Finally got just the right angle and found the culprit. The hose coming from the raw water pump popped off the eng oil cooler. Damit, the only hose I can't reach.
Tried to get the boat on the trailer on one eng (no power steering) and a cross wind. Things started getting ugly. Had to restart the starboard eng to straighten up and ease it up on the trailer.
Thankfully, the prev owner had installed dual 900 GPM bilge pumps. They got a workout today.
Although I'm a little bummed it happened, I'm really lucky it happened so close to the dock. Could have been a long long ride back.