Cruisers Stranded - in Need of Advice

[bstreep]

Originally Posted by Bright Eyes;723810I

I also checked the air intake and the air filter's lower half was soaked in oil.

An oil soaked air filter is likely to keep an engine from starting.

I second all of the advice about taking the boat to Florida.

BTW, my father owned Hull #1 of the S 37. Bob was a close family friend.

[S/V Antares]

Bright eyes... How have things worked out? We all need to know

[Bright Eyes]

With everything we have gathered we think it is a bad piston ring (hopefully not worse).

We have decided to sail (with out an engine) by ourselves to Fort Lauderdale and get towed into a marina. From there we will find a mechanic to fix the engine.

We did receive some offers to help sail to MD but not soon enough and we don't want to wait around for the weather to worsen.

All further progress will be reported on our blog. Thank you all again for all the help and advice!

[captainKJ]

Originally Posted by keyspc

I spoke with a boat US captain last night that was draging in a boat. he said FT lauderdale has a huge antenna and might be in range and yes, they will tow from nassua! i know my Seatow coverage would cover it.

from the bahamas it is considered a commercial tow even with the coverage sot he price is higher,,,they will come get you but you will have a nice bill waiting for you 600 dollars and up,,before I took my jetski to bimini seatow told me this,,,,if youa re outside the bahama waters by 3 miles then it is not considered a commercial tow according to the phone conversation with seatow 3 years ago

[Kettlewell]

My two cents would be to set sail on a course for Ft. Lauderdale, then once you are closeish head north to the Lake Worth inlet and go in there (Palm Beach). Lake Worth is much easier to enter, day or night, has a lot less traffic, and it would be reasonable to sail in the inlet, then drop the hook just to the south, east of the Intracoastal Waterway, to await your tow. Much easier to hook up to a tow when in sheltered waters. I personally would not want to try to negotiate all the of the traffic and current in Ft. Lauderdale under sail while dodging cruise ships. Or, you could probably even sail all the way up to the North Lake Worth anchorage area assuming a normal southeast or south breeze, with no opening bridges to contend with. Once inside Ft. Lauderdale inlet it would be difficult to go anywhere under sail that you could drop anchor.

[Vasco]

If you do not have towing coverage sign up now! I think you have to wait 24 hours before it comes into effect. Sail to Ft. Lauderdale and get towed to a berth. I did this in the spring when I had bad fuel. Rather than try to get it fixed in the Bahamas I sailed to Ft.Lauderdale (nice SW breeze). I had called Towboat US and told them of my ETA at the sea buoy. They were waiting for me when I got there and towed me to Las Olas where I picked up a mooring. For those with bad fuel there is a fuel polishing service in Ft. Lauderdale that`s in a boat and will come to you at anchor or at a buoy. He normally goes to marinas and has no ac power so I fired up my Honda and his pumps were in business.

[mjwarner]

Hey folks, the OP has tow insurance with Boat US. He clearly stated it in the original post. Several posters seem not to have read that, interesting reading, and in it, he states what he is asking about. It's a highly articulate post, very informative and to the point. I recommend it heartily.

[crzhors]

From the beginning, the little 3GM has had a compression issue.after a few of these under my belt,I contacted Mack Boring,bought the correct adaptors for the Yanmars,and a good Compression Test set. It knocks all the ??s and distrust of mechanics down to pinpointing the problem.I really hate trying to help someone and then hear around the watering hole how I ripped someone off... 3GM30....Great little abused engine! and people think they can tack on another Alt and a Reefer Pump and run forever!
Repowered a few with 3YM's too...

[S/V Antares]

FYI If you need a compression tester (Diesel) check out this site. It does most jap diesels and others.

Search results for: 'diesel compression tester'

[Seahunter]

"Jap"?

[Kapena]

Good luck...agree with your plan to sail. Your dinghy tied alongside, with 3.5hp, will move you easily into a marina without a tow. Sounds like you have done this before so no need to dwell.

[S/V Antares]

sorry, short for Japanese Diesels. The small kit has the adaptors for Kabota, Mitsubishi, Mazda that have glow plugs. I thing some Yanmar as well

At $50 it can do what my $500 Snap-on set can do.

[DeepFrz]

Any more news Bright Eyes?

[jpsgirl96]

http://svbrighteyes.blogspot.com/sea...max-results=44

I was curious too; they seem to be planning to leave the Bahamas in the next day or so, sailing and then getting a tow into a slip in Lauderdale.

[DeepFrz]

I just read their blog and they have Bright Eyes up for sale and are putting a rebuilt engine in.