Ucko. uk Before you make that journey...
RIVER Canal Rescue managing director Stephanie Horton predicts the inland waterways this summer will be busy, with owners keen to blow the lockdown cobwebs away from themselves and their boats.
This, coupled with a focus on ‘staycations’ this year, means business is booming for hire companies and marinas/brokerages, who are reporting increased interest from hirers and firsttime buyers keen to spend some cash.
With so many new and existing boaters on the waterways, RCR says there is likely to be a 25% increase in call-outs over the peak season. In response, the firm has employed additional engineers to meet demand.
Stephanie said: “While we’re always on hand to support the waterway community, many call-outs can be prevented by undertaking some simple maintenance checks prior to your journey, having some toolbox essentials onboard, and knowing what to do if an issue arises.”
Maintenance tips
· Check you have enough fuel to complete your journey and inspect all fuel lines and shut-off valves for leaks.
· Where possible, obtain a sample of your fuel. Check it smells like diesel and is clear and not cloudy – if it’s cloudy or smells of ‘paint thinners’, this indicates contamination which needs to be dealt with before you go anywhere.
· Drain off any water from pre-filter housings or the agglomerator.
· Check batteries are charging correctly and that the charge rate from the alternator to the batteries is as it should be.
· Check the morse control is working correctly, and that the throttle and gears are selecting smoothly. Stiffness indicates that the cable may be due for renewal or has gone rusty through disuse.
· Switch isolators from one position to another to clean contacts.
· Check the condition of the stern gland. Ensure there’s plenty of grease supplied to it and that the prop shaft is turning freely.
· Check the engine oil and gearbox oil levels, and top up if needs be.
· Check the condition of the fan belt. If it’s worn get it replaced.
· Check all coolant hoses for leaks and wear and tear. Replace if required. For raw water-cooling engines, check the seacock, impeller and filter and all pipe work for leaks.
· Check the condition of the engine mounts, and look at the engine mount bracket for signs of cracks or breaks. Replace them if they are worn or if the bolts seem loose, tighten before cruising again (but only adjust the top bolt).
· Check all coupling bolts and connections are tight.
· Check the air filter. If dirty, replace or clean as needed.
· Check the weed hatch seals are intact and that the weed hatch is secured.
Toolbox essentials
The following are useful to have:
· A multi-meter (battery tester). · PTFE tape ( for dealing with unexpected domestic leaks). · Adjustable spanners.
· A flat head and multi-faceted Phillips screwdriver. · Pliers.
· Hammer.
· Spare lengths of electrical wire/ insulation tape.
· A socket set.
And don’t forget the spares, such as morse cables for steering, throttle and gear selection, fan belt, impeller, spark plugs, fuel filter, bulbs, bolts and fuses, plus a supply of oil and ‘stop leak’ or putty for those unexpected hull breaches.
Before you make that call
Below are some common scenarios which may resolve a problem:
· If you’re losing propulsion and the propeller is slow-moving, put the engine in reverse. The prop may be covered in weed or leaves and this can help release it.
· If the engine cuts out when in gear, check the propeller for obstruction.
· If the engine cuts out when revved, check the air filter – it may be blocked with dust (you can remove and run without it in an emergency).
Alternatively, check for blocked fuel filters (Vetus has a small fuel pump filter that is usually overlooked).
· Engine overheating? It could be an air lock in the cooling system. Unscrew the bolt sitting on top of the water tank.
· If the boat won’t go into gear, check the cable is moving the selector arm on the gearbox. If it is, the cable is fine. Check the oil in the gearbox.
· Engine won’t turn off? Know where the manual stop button or lever is situated, usually on the right-hand side of the engine.
WaterNav and Bilgeaway
Before setting off, download RCR’s free app, WaterNav; it is available on Google Play and Apple stores. Once downloaded, it allows navigation without wifi or data connection and incorporates all UK routes into a single app with a route-planning function.
WaterNav details places of interest (POIs), including supermarkets, pubs, train stations and marinas, plus journey times and canal/river information.
For boaters requiring assistance, there’s a help/SOS function linked to RCR HQ.
To prevent boats pumping pollutants into the waterways, RCR recommends installing a bilge filter. Its own version, Bilgeaway, is the world’s first truly environmentally- friendly discharge filter. Bilgeaway (www.bilgeaway.co.uk) extracts contaminants from bilge water, renders them non-reactive and leaves the contents in a cartridge which can be disposed of and the housing re-used.
Stephanie concluded: “These tips, I hope, give new boat owners greater confidence when taking to the water and they equally remind existing owners of tasks they may have overlooked.
“WaterNav and Bilgeaway compliment this by making journeys easier and less polluting.”
Find out more about River Canal Rescue at www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk or follow the team on Facebook.