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Almost perfect preparation
Visit Croque-Soleil is about to make landfall. This famous island paradise, far from the hustle and bustle of modern life, has been in sight for a few miles. The whole crew is in a frenzy. This stopover is scheduled to refuel before the rest of the voyage, explore the surrounding area and, above all, carry out maintenance on the ship. Janine and Georges had planned to overhaul the Croque-Soleil on their previous leg, but the weather had forced them to speed off. No problem, everything had been anticipated for these two seasoned sailors. They had no shortage of spare parts, and the entire stock had been doubled up.
Janine is at the helm while Georges looks at the charts, preparing the finishing line. A shifting wind weighs on the approach to land. Thermals threaten. Janine watches the water and sees a sailboat in the distance. Suddenly calm, a hole in the wind, the sailboat she's watching suddenly goes down. As soon as she understands, she alerts George: "Get out! Quick!"
George jumps into the cockpit. She tells him to hold on tight and prepare to ease the mainsail. A gust crushes the Croque-Soleil, Georges jettisons the sheet, the ship still dips the spreaders in the water, but everyone stays on board.
The mast straightens, the gust has passed, and in the rush a little water has been shipped into the cabin, as the companionway hatch has been left open. No panic on board, even though the thermals are strengthening, Georges and Janine steer for a smooth arrival at their destination.
It's time to focus on the primary objective: general boat overhaul, the aim of this technical stopover. Georges opens the mechanical locker. He's in the starboard cabin under the bench seat in the saloon. Ouch, water has got in, the toolbox has overturned, the filters, in their packing cartons, have crashed and started to rust. The rest is pretty much fine. When the boat went down, water got into the cabin, into the trunk, and the massive toolbox did what an elephant would do in a china store.
- Janine we have a problem! We can't use any filters, we can't even change the oil!
- Damn, what are we going to do in this isolated corner?
- It's going to take longer than expected...
A month later, after receiving the long-awaited parcel, the Croque-Soleil is about to start up again. The filters have been changed, the engine drained, the gearwheel is brand new and there's a set of belts in good condition!
VRROOOUUUUMMMMM
The oil bubbling up in the crankcase is drawn through the strainer. It's carried through a pipe to the pump, which propels it through the filter, then on to the engine's lubrication branches: crankshaft bearings, journals, crankpins, connecting-rod sprinkler, camshaft... It then falls back into the crankcase.
The oil is clean, the filter is replaced, the engine is not in danger of premature wear, the Croque-Soleil will be able to push its machine to the limit if the need arises.
The essential parts that put the engine back in service
Here are the parts that Janine and Georges would have liked to have on board in good condition
1 - Spinning wheel kit
The raw water pump impeller is an essential part of the engine cooling system. If the impeller fails, the engine is immediately rendered inoperable. A failure that can be irreparable for the engine if not replaced in time.
To ensure trouble-free replacement, you'll need to make sure your replacement kit is complete. It should contain the impeller and its new gasket.
2 âeuros Belts
The engine's accessory belts are essential to the machine's smooth operation. If one of them breaks, you need to react quickly, before any further damage is caused: the belt tangles and pulls out other components, the water pump breaks down, the alternator stops charging... A spare belt for each model should be stored on board in case of breakage.
3 - Fuel filters
A clogged fuel system can happen all too quickly. A dirty fuel tank or one contaminated by bacteria can clog the filters: pre-filter, decanter and engine filter. An emergency filter for each model will enable the engine to be restarted.
4 - Priming bulb
The priming bulb is a wearing part that wears out fairly quickly, and can crack, causing air to enter the fuel system. Inexpensive and capable of multiple uses, such as decanting cans, emptying an inaccessible bilge or re-priming the fuel system, it won't take up much space and will always come in handy.
5 âeuros Pipes
Hoses wear out, cracking and shearing at the serflex clamps. This applies equally to diesel fuel, the engine's seawater system and the boat's freshwater system. A failure of these elements can make life on board complicated. Emergency hoses of every diameter and type are essential. Because of the great length required and the different models: fresh water, diesel, reinforced hoses, etc., sleeves of different diameters can ensure an effective repair if your replacement hose proves to be too short.
6 - Serflex collars
Clamps can break or be useful for repairing pipe joints with sleeves as described above. It's a good idea to have plenty of them in all sizes.
7 - Oil filter
You need to have at least one on board in case it gets clogged, or if you plan to change the engine oil as a preventive measure.
8 âeuros Joint
A deteriorating seal means a leak. To be self-sufficient, good preparation is the key. There are a multitude of different types, and it may seem complex to have them all. In reality, there are solutions for every type of gasket:
- For O-rings and copper: kits are available in all sizes and thicknesses.
- For paper joints: a little more patience and precision will be required. Sheets of joint paper are available, and need to be cut to size. A set of cookie-cutters and scissors will be needed to make the new joint.
9 - Fuses
In the event of an electrical fault, the first things to check are the fuses. It's a good idea to have all the fuses you need in large quantities. They don't cost much and don't take up much space.
10 âeuros Electrical terminals
If the electrical fault isn't caused by a fuse, it could be a severed cable or a faulty terminal. A case containing a variety of electrical terminals is a remarkably effective tool for quickly intervening on the circuit.
Proper storage of spare parts
Spare parts are the first thing you need to deal with breakdowns, especially when traveling, as they are mostly specific to your engine. In remote areas, finding a shipchandler is often an expedition.
Proper storage will also ensure that these parts are well preserved. If the filters are stored in their cardboard packaging in a damp trunk, the cardboard will deteriorate and fall inside them, and the filters will rust. A watertight canister seems to be the best solution, as the parts will stay dry and will be protected from shocks in the event of a violent roll. All that's missing are the usual supplies (oil, grease, diesel fuel, etc.), tools (filter wrench, crimping pliers, multimeter, etc.) and the knowledge to carry out the repairs!
