On 2007-11-06 14:44:50 -0500, "Capt. JG" said:

Ok, so we proceeded to sail, then got to a good spot to turn on the engine
and drop the sails. Did this, motored about 200 meters, when the cooling
water hi temp alarm came on.

THAT concerns me! The kayaker was just bucking for a Darwin award.

We've found that even with the fresh water closed off, we have about 5
minutes' run-time at cruise power (about 2200 rpm) before the high-temp
alarm sounds -- quite a bit further than 200 meters. We used that
reserve once about a decade ago, so I know it exists.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

"Jere Lull" wrote in message
news:2007110620504143658-jerelull@maccom...
On 2007-11-06 14:44:50 -0500, "Capt. JG" said:

Ok, so we proceeded to sail, then got to a good spot to turn on the
engine
and drop the sails. Did this, motored about 200 meters, when the cooling
water hi temp alarm came on.

THAT concerns me! The kayaker was just bucking for a Darwin award.

After thinking about it between then and now and recalling the expression of
"determination" on his face, I'm now under the impression that he just
didn't know how to control his kayak (which would still qualify for the
award, given the general location). Some people think because the sun is
shining and there's no wind, there are no other hazards... like other boats,
currents, etc.


We've found that even with the fresh water closed off, we have about 5
minutes' run-time at cruise power (about 2200 rpm) before the high-temp
alarm sounds -- quite a bit further than 200 meters. We used that reserve
once about a decade ago, so I know it exists.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/


I know you're right... we did run the engine from time to time during the
trek back, but at lower rpm and for shorter times..

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

On Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:50:41 GMT, Jere Lull wrote:

We've found that even with the fresh water closed off, we have about 5
minutes' run-time at cruise power (about 2200 rpm) before the high-temp
alarm sounds -- quite a bit further than 200 meters. We used that
reserve once about a decade ago, so I know it exists.

I am not sure I would rely on the light to protect the engine. I know
that it is supposed to...

What do you mean by fresh water. My [22 ft sterndrive] is cooled by
glycol and has a heat exchanger. If I am floating in salt water, there
is no fresh water involved anywhere.

I have heard the heat exchanger/glycol arrangement refered to as fresh
water cooling. There is seldom [never?] a shutoff in the coolant
lines, although there is generally a seacock in the raw water line.
When was the last time you saw a shutoff in a car cooling system?
One thing is certain, unless the pump is managing to circulate coolant
through the engine, it won't last anything like five minutes. The
difference between driving with a broken fan belt, and driving with no
coolant. That will warp the head[s] almost immediately. You got away
with it once, so appearantly the light gives sufficient warning. I
like a gauge. That shows up a problem sooner than a light. My car has
both gauge and light for the oil pressure.

Casady

On 2007-12-06 11:47:45 -0500, (Richard
Casady) said:

We've found that even with the fresh water closed off, we have about 5
minutes' run-time at cruise power (about 2200 rpm) before the high-temp
alarm sounds -- quite a bit further than 200 meters. We used that
reserve once about a decade ago, so I know it exists.

What do you mean by fresh water. My [22 ft sterndrive] is cooled by
glycol and has a heat exchanger. If I am floating in salt water, there
is no fresh water involved anywhere.

You're right. I meant to say "raw (salt)" valve. It takes about 5
minutes at moderate power to bring the water recycling in the engine
loop up to to a temp that sounds the alarm.

One thing is certain, unless the pump is managing to circulate coolant
through the engine, it won't last anything like five minutes. The
difference between driving with a broken fan belt, and driving with no
coolant.

True, but I wasn't talking about that, just lack of raw cooling water.
If the fan belt breaks, we have a few other problems.

--
Jere Lull
Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD
Xan's pages: http://web.mac.com/jerelull/iWeb/Xan/
Our BVI trips & tips: http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/