MacGregorSailors.com

At least for a short time.

Got the boat re-rigged and fixed a few small issues. Then I launched for the first time in 8 months. Backed right down the ramp on my first try...haven't lost the touch. Motor cranked right up. But about 4 minutes after I left the ramp...maybe 100 yards...the warning horn came on again. I was hoping that maybe the problem I first experienced back in December during my trip to Mississippi (Motor Warning Horn) had gone away...but I guess it hasn't. Pulled König back out and parked it.

My Dad will be here in a few weeks so probably will spend a day or two working on the boat with him and hopefully figure this out. Otherwise I might need to find a mechanic.

But the boat is also very dirty...inside and out...need to find some time and a place (maybe I can get it to my house) and get busy washing/waxing/vacuming/etc....

But it was nice to get on the water...even if only for about 5 minutes.

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König

Jim,

Sorry to hear about your gremlins. We're gonna miss you at this years rally. Have you tried researching other types of boating message boards for a solution to the warning horn? Maybe one of the stinkpot boards can get you started down the road to repair.
I just purchased a new product that might help you with the boats clean up, at least all your exterior bright-work and rigging. It's called Spotless Stainless. I think it might have been reviewed here before but I based my purchase off what I read on sailnet.com. This stuff works as advertised. I bought two quarts and it was too much; I only used 1/2qt for all my stanchions, lifelines, rigging and anchor set. Good Luck...

John
JMGT 2010

John,

Thanks for that tip. I will look for that product. Hope the weather cooperates and you guys have a great JMGT. I like your idea about going down (up??) the St. John's River. I will keep that week free for next year.

See ya.

Jim

Jim
I forgot to mention that the product is only available from the manufacturer's website:

http://www.spotlessstainless.com

Also, because of the insect factor I was thinking Hontoon Island might be a trip better suited for the Spring, when things are warming up. The more I read about the history of the river the more I want to make this trip. Stay tuned...

John
JMGT 2010

Jim,

It's good to read that the king is back

Ray

Must be nice to see her float again.

My money is on a bad impeller and it's overheating.


--Russ

But the exhaust water (aka "peeing") is very strong and the water coming out is not hot...thus I didn't/don't think it is overheating. But what the he(( do I know?

I found a Mercury outboard service dealer very close to my marina. I will give them a call next week and see if I can get it in to their shop in a few weeks.

Jim

Thats the path to nirvana all right. They can plug in the diagnostic tool and remove the uncertainty....

Okay... then it's the thermostat. Do these things even have thermostats? I'm no mechanic.
At any rate, as Steph said, the diag computer will tell ya right away. A boat buck or two later and you will be back on the water.


--Russ

Here are my solutions:

Auto-
Put black electricians tape over the check engine light.
Bend over the screechers on the disk brakes if they start to sound.
Pull the wires off the engine heat sensor.
Spray black paint on the tread wear indicators.

Marine-
Disconnect that squealing overheat alarm thing.
Unhook that annoying bilge pump (what a racket that makes evey half hour when you're trying to sleep).
Set the anchor drag alarm to something over ten miles,
and the bottom alarm on the depth sounder to -10.

Ahh, peace at last.


Stupid question, if the Merc is a 2 smoker, how much oil is in the reservoir?

Jim. Just a data point on my Merc 50 HP

When I run it in a tub and then shut it down the pee stream continues for 30 seconds after shut down due to system pressure

Might help you diagnose ...

My Merc 50 has been giving off a warning alarm the last three or four times out. I have replaced the oil, oil filter, temp sensor, checked the battery terminals, and replaced the water impeller but the alarm stays on. I limped over to the marina where I got my motor and the guy who sold me the motor said it may be the computer in the motor sending error messages that some thing is wrong when every thing is fine. I will be launching the boat and storing it at his marina for a week of testing and repairs next weekend, memorial day though the following weekend. I wlill post again when the problem is solved.

Steve

Indulgence,

Yes, 2-stroke with an oil tank. The first time the warning horn went off back in December the oil tank seemed to be very low...I hadn't topped it off recently. That was why I suspected a float switch or low oil sensor of some sort that maybe got stuck when it went down that low for the first time ever. Oil is completely topped off now.

Stephen,

As I said, mine "pee's" very strong and the pee water is not even warm. Mine also pee's for a few seconds after shut down. Never timed it.

SHS,

Let me know what you learn about yours.

One thing that does stand out to me is that the horn doesn't come on for a few minutes. If it was a low oil sensor of some sort stuck in the "low oil" position then wouldn't the horn come on right away? I don't know. I will call the Merc dealer later this week and see what I can find out on what they think and how much they think it might cost. It's only money...you can't take it with you...etc...

Jim

Okay, it's oil injected so I revise my vote.
Now I'm going with an oil sensor problem. Can you tell if the float is floating?

Let us know what the mechanic says the code is on the diagnostics.

BTW...does it sound with any kind of pattern. Long short short long etc.


--Russ

ine also pee's for a few seconds after shut down. Never timed it.

When you hit 50 you start timing pee streams. Scott found this out 20 years ago.