Capt. JG wrote:
Here's a synopsis of Excalibur's maiden voyage from the yard in SF to her
new home...

The maiden voyage was interesting... single-handed her from SF South Beach
Harbor to Richmond. Engine started fine at the dock, so I raised sails and
headed up toward the Bay Bridge. Near the bridge, the wind died, so I go to
start the engine... nada... not even cranking, nothing. After some
preliminary checks, like do I have juice, fuel, I called the yard where she
had some engine work done (tune up, oil change, and the like). Oh, it's not
our fault, maybe you're out of gas (no), maybe you don't have her in neutral
(no neutral safety switch on this boat - something to think about adding).
Come back, and we'll look into it... of course, it's a good hour or so in
such light winds, and guess what they close in 1/2 hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't think of any reason this
would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must be a disconnected
wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my car (note for later,
put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they said, oh, maybe we forgot
to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid. Unfortunately, I have no idea
where this wire is. Fortunately, not much vessel traffic where I'm floating,
so I heave-to to a starboard tack (give myself at least some status), open
up the engine compartment, and I go upside down inside the engine, one hand
on a cell phone dying battery, flashlight in my mouth, trying to listen/talk
to the yard so their "mechanic" can direct me, the other hand trying to
reach the stupid wire. Finally, found it, tightened it, and then she started
no problem. Oh yeah, and they didn't reconnect the low-oil and temp alarms
either.

Got past the bridge, the wind picked up, so killed the engine and started
sailing again. Got about 20 kts steady wind the rest of the way, mostly port
tack. Finally had to jibe to avoid a tug/barge coming out of the Richmond
area, and the rest was easy, even did a passable job flaking the main before
I got to the dock.

Did you really think that a maiden voyage was going to be uneventful?
How naive, Jon. G;ad you made it to harbor safely.

I'm a positive person. :-) It was a fun sail.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"katy" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:
Here's a synopsis of Excalibur's maiden voyage from the yard in SF to her
new home...

The maiden voyage was interesting... single-handed her from SF South
Beach Harbor to Richmond. Engine started fine at the dock, so I raised
sails and headed up toward the Bay Bridge. Near the bridge, the wind
died, so I go to start the engine... nada... not even cranking, nothing.
After some preliminary checks, like do I have juice, fuel, I called the
yard where she had some engine work done (tune up, oil change, and the
like). Oh, it's not our fault, maybe you're out of gas (no), maybe you
don't have her in neutral (no neutral safety switch on this boat -
something to think about adding). Come back, and we'll look into it... of
course, it's a good hour or so in such light winds, and guess what they
close in 1/2 hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't think of any reason
this would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must be a
disconnected wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my car
(note for later, put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they said,
oh, maybe we forgot to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid.
Unfortunately, I have no idea where this wire is. Fortunately, not much
vessel traffic where I'm floating, so I heave-to to a starboard tack
(give myself at least some status), open up the engine compartment, and I
go upside down inside the engine, one hand on a cell phone dying battery,
flashlight in my mouth, trying to listen/talk to the yard so their
"mechanic" can direct me, the other hand trying to reach the stupid wire.
Finally, found it, tightened it, and then she started no problem. Oh
yeah, and they didn't reconnect the low-oil and temp alarms either.

Got past the bridge, the wind picked up, so killed the engine and started
sailing again. Got about 20 kts steady wind the rest of the way, mostly
port tack. Finally had to jibe to avoid a tug/barge coming out of the
Richmond area, and the rest was easy, even did a passable job flaking the
main before I got to the dock.

Did you really think that a maiden voyage was going to be uneventful? How
naive, Jon. G;ad you made it to harbor safely.

True Katy - maidens are never as they appear on the surface!
Scout

"katy" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:
Here's a synopsis of Excalibur's maiden voyage from the yard in SF to her
new home...

The maiden voyage was interesting... single-handed her from SF South
Beach Harbor to Richmond. Engine started fine at the dock, so I raised
sails and headed up toward the Bay Bridge. Near the bridge, the wind
died, so I go to start the engine... nada... not even cranking, nothing.
After some preliminary checks, like do I have juice, fuel, I called the
yard where she had some engine work done (tune up, oil change, and the
like). Oh, it's not our fault, maybe you're out of gas (no), maybe you
don't have her in neutral (no neutral safety switch on this boat -
something to think about adding). Come back, and we'll look into it... of
course, it's a good hour or so in such light winds, and guess what they
close in 1/2 hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't think of any reason
this would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must be a
disconnected wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my car
(note for later, put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they said,
oh, maybe we forgot to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid.
Unfortunately, I have no idea where this wire is. Fortunately, not much
vessel traffic where I'm floating, so I heave-to to a starboard tack
(give myself at least some status), open up the engine compartment, and I
go upside down inside the engine, one hand on a cell phone dying battery,
flashlight in my mouth, trying to listen/talk to the yard so their
"mechanic" can direct me, the other hand trying to reach the stupid wire.
Finally, found it, tightened it, and then she started no problem. Oh
yeah, and they didn't reconnect the low-oil and temp alarms either.

Got past the bridge, the wind picked up, so killed the engine and started
sailing again. Got about 20 kts steady wind the rest of the way, mostly
port tack. Finally had to jibe to avoid a tug/barge coming out of the
Richmond area, and the rest was easy, even did a passable job flaking the
main before I got to the dock.

Did you really think that a maiden voyage was going to be uneventful? How
naive, Jon. G;ad you made it to harbor safely.

Scout wrote:
True Katy - maidens are never as they appear on the surface!
Scout

"katy" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:
Here's a synopsis of Excalibur's maiden voyage from the yard in SF to her
new home...

The maiden voyage was interesting... single-handed her from SF South
Beach Harbor to Richmond. Engine started fine at the dock, so I raised
sails and headed up toward the Bay Bridge. Near the bridge, the wind
died, so I go to start the engine... nada... not even cranking, nothing.
After some preliminary checks, like do I have juice, fuel, I called the
yard where she had some engine work done (tune up, oil change, and the
like). Oh, it's not our fault, maybe you're out of gas (no), maybe you
don't have her in neutral (no neutral safety switch on this boat -
something to think about adding). Come back, and we'll look into it... of
course, it's a good hour or so in such light winds, and guess what they
close in 1/2 hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't think of any reason
this would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must be a
disconnected wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my car
(note for later, put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they said,
oh, maybe we forgot to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid.
Unfortunately, I have no idea where this wire is. Fortunately, not much
vessel traffic where I'm floating, so I heave-to to a starboard tack
(give myself at least some status), open up the engine compartment, and I
go upside down inside the engine, one hand on a cell phone dying battery,
flashlight in my mouth, trying to listen/talk to the yard so their
"mechanic" can direct me, the other hand trying to reach the stupid wire.
Finally, found it, tightened it, and then she started no problem. Oh
yeah, and they didn't reconnect the low-oil and temp alarms either.

Got past the bridge, the wind picked up, so killed the engine and started
sailing again. Got about 20 kts steady wind the rest of the way, mostly
port tack. Finally had to jibe to avoid a tug/barge coming out of the
Richmond area, and the rest was easy, even did a passable job flaking the
main before I got to the dock.

Did you really think that a maiden voyage was going to be uneventful? How
naive, Jon. G;ad you made it to harbor safely.


I suppose you have vast experience delving into the matter.....

"katy" wrote in message
...
Scout wrote:
True Katy - maidens are never as they appear on the surface!
Scout

"katy" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:
Here's a synopsis of Excalibur's maiden voyage from the yard in SF to
her new home...

The maiden voyage was interesting... single-handed her from SF South
Beach Harbor to Richmond. Engine started fine at the dock, so I raised
sails and headed up toward the Bay Bridge. Near the bridge, the wind
died, so I go to start the engine... nada... not even cranking,
nothing. After some preliminary checks, like do I have juice, fuel, I
called the yard where she had some engine work done (tune up, oil
change, and the like). Oh, it's not our fault, maybe you're out of gas
(no), maybe you don't have her in neutral (no neutral safety switch on
this boat - something to think about adding). Come back, and we'll look
into it... of course, it's a good hour or so in such light winds, and
guess what they close in 1/2 hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't think of any reason
this would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must be a
disconnected wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my car
(note for later, put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they
said, oh, maybe we forgot to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid.
Unfortunately, I have no idea where this wire is. Fortunately, not much
vessel traffic where I'm floating, so I heave-to to a starboard tack
(give myself at least some status), open up the engine compartment, and
I go upside down inside the engine, one hand on a cell phone dying
battery, flashlight in my mouth, trying to listen/talk to the yard so
their "mechanic" can direct me, the other hand trying to reach the
stupid wire. Finally, found it, tightened it, and then she started no
problem. Oh yeah, and they didn't reconnect the low-oil and temp alarms
either.

Got past the bridge, the wind picked up, so killed the engine and
started sailing again. Got about 20 kts steady wind the rest of the
way, mostly port tack. Finally had to jibe to avoid a tug/barge coming
out of the Richmond area, and the rest was easy, even did a passable
job flaking the main before I got to the dock.

Did you really think that a maiden voyage was going to be uneventful?
How naive, Jon. G;ad you made it to harbor safely.


I suppose you have vast experience delving into the matter.....

Admittedly only with a small sample of the population, but the results
appear to be consistent!
Scout

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
Here's a synopsis of Excalibur's maiden voyage from the
yard in SF to her
new home...

The maiden voyage was interesting... single-handed her
from SF South Beach
Harbor to Richmond. Engine started fine at the dock, so I
raised sails and
headed up toward the Bay Bridge. Near the bridge, the wind
died, so I go to
start the engine... nada... not even cranking, nothing.
After some
preliminary checks, like do I have juice, fuel, I called
the yard where she
had some engine work done (tune up, oil change, and the
like). Oh, it's not
our fault, maybe you're out of gas (no), maybe you don't
have her in neutral
(no neutral safety switch on this boat - something to
think about adding).

Don't, they're stupid.



Come back, and we'll look into it... of course, it's a
good hour or so in
such light winds, and guess what they close in 1/2 hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't think
of any reason this
would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must be a
disconnected
wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my car
(note for later,
put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they said,
oh, maybe we forgot
to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid.
Unfortunately, I have no idea
where this wire is.


Sailing in the wee hours I noticed my nav lights dimming,
went to start the engine ( with the starter batt) and nada.
I also hove to as the battery was too low to trust the AP.
The selenoid wire had broken , right at the terminal end. I
stripped it and put it back on bare wire. Got a terminal 3
days later.


--
Scott Vernon
Plowville Pa _/)__/)_/)_

"Scotty" wrote in message
. ..

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
Here's a synopsis of Excalibur's maiden voyage from the
yard in SF to her
new home...

The maiden voyage was interesting... single-handed her
from SF South Beach
Harbor to Richmond. Engine started fine at the dock, so I
raised sails and
headed up toward the Bay Bridge. Near the bridge, the wind
died, so I go to
start the engine... nada... not even cranking, nothing.
After some
preliminary checks, like do I have juice, fuel, I called
the yard where she
had some engine work done (tune up, oil change, and the
like). Oh, it's not
our fault, maybe you're out of gas (no), maybe you don't
have her in neutral
(no neutral safety switch on this boat - something to
think about adding).

Don't, they're stupid.

When I called the previous owner to confirm that it didn't have one, he told
me he started the engine a couple of times in reverse. :-}



Come back, and we'll look into it... of course, it's a
good hour or so in
such light winds, and guess what they close in 1/2 hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't think
of any reason this
would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must be a
disconnected
wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my car
(note for later,
put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they said,
oh, maybe we forgot
to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid.
Unfortunately, I have no idea
where this wire is.


Sailing in the wee hours I noticed my nav lights dimming,
went to start the engine ( with the starter batt) and nada.
I also hove to as the battery was too low to trust the AP.
The selenoid wire had broken , right at the terminal end. I
stripped it and put it back on bare wire. Got a terminal 3
days later.

I need to replace the lenses.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
have juice, fuel, I called
the yard where she
had some engine work done (tune up, oil change, and the
like). Oh, it's not
our fault, maybe you're out of gas (no), maybe you
don't
have her in neutral
(no neutral safety switch on this boat - something to
think about adding).

Don't, they're stupid.

When I called the previous owner to confirm that it didn't
have one, he told
me he started the engine a couple of times in reverse. :-}


yes, but you're too smart to do that.




Come back, and we'll look into it... of course, it's a
good hour or so in
such light winds, and guess what they close in 1/2
hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't
think
of any reason this
would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must
be a
disconnected
wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my
car
(note for later,
put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they said,
oh, maybe we forgot
to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid.
Unfortunately, I have no idea
where this wire is.


Sailing in the wee hours I noticed my nav lights
dimming,
went to start the engine ( with the starter batt) and
nada.
I also hove to as the battery was too low to trust the
AP.
The selenoid wire had broken , right at the terminal
end. I
stripped it and put it back on bare wire. Got a terminal
3
days later.

I need to replace the lenses.


lenses????

Bifocals. I meant the lenses for the running lights.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Scotty" wrote in message
. ..

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
have juice, fuel, I called
the yard where she
had some engine work done (tune up, oil change, and the
like). Oh, it's not
our fault, maybe you're out of gas (no), maybe you
don't
have her in neutral
(no neutral safety switch on this boat - something to
think about adding).

Don't, they're stupid.

When I called the previous owner to confirm that it didn't
have one, he told
me he started the engine a couple of times in reverse. :-}


yes, but you're too smart to do that.




Come back, and we'll look into it... of course, it's a
good hour or so in
such light winds, and guess what they close in 1/2
hour.

Frustrated, I called the former owner, who couldn't
think
of any reason this
would happen. Never happened to him in 10 years. Must
be a
disconnected
wire, but he's busy at work, and the manual is in my
car
(note for later,
put manual on boat). Called the yard back... they said,
oh, maybe we forgot
to tighten the wire to the starter solenoid.
Unfortunately, I have no idea
where this wire is.


Sailing in the wee hours I noticed my nav lights
dimming,
went to start the engine ( with the starter batt) and
nada.
I also hove to as the battery was too low to trust the
AP.
The selenoid wire had broken , right at the terminal
end. I
stripped it and put it back on bare wire. Got a terminal
3
days later.

I need to replace the lenses.


lenses????

Capt. JG wrote:
...... upside down inside the engine, one hand
on a cell phone dying battery, flashlight in my mouth, trying to listen/talk
to the yard so their "mechanic" can direct me, the other hand trying to
reach the stupid wire.

Well, look at it philosophically... every small piece of
knowledge is good... it won't be the last time you hang
upside down hugging the engine... hopefully you will learn
all details of the boat's wiring and can correct other
little problems before they so rudely interrupt the fun.


..... Oh yeah, and they didn't reconnect the low-oil and temp alarms
either.


See what I mean?
Actually disconnected alarms are the best, they never go off
and cause problems & worry.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King