diesel engine-starter spins no fire

[shawnbush12]

My Starboard engine worked fine a month ago when I moved it from Sarasota to Miami.

Today I push the starter button and you can hear what sounds like a fast spinning wheel but the engine is not trying to start. I am guessing the bendix is not coming out to engage the flywheel but what seems odd to me is that my tachometer is showing about 1000 - 2000 rpm while I am pushing the starter button.

I was leaving for my first trip to the Bahamas tonight since the weather was great - 2 feet seas and under 10 from the south - but looks like I am trying figure the engine issue out instead.

Any suggestion or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Blue Stocking]

Hmmmm ??. What engines do you have? Are the tachs alternator driven or pulse-type off the ringgear?

[Badsanta]

probably just need a new starter, you have one in your spares right? if not buy a new and get this one rebuilt for a spare. Can you see the motor belts turn when some one pushes the button?

[S/V Antares]

Pull the starter off and see if the bendix is free to move forward as you twist it. It is likely some water was slung around in the bell housing and rusted up the bendix. A little PB Blaster/wd40 should clean it up.
I suspect you have inductive tachs. (Yanmar) The tack run up is likely field effect from the spinning starter motor being near the magnetic pickup.