mabshaw's Blog

Re: battery charging.

Thanks and noted.
I intend getting a new battery as soon as I am home and bang it on. I have a 6/12V car battery charger. If the duff battery charges ok at home then I have a spare. If not, I think I'll buy another new battery, then I'll have 2 new out of 3. Better to spend, say 140 quid on two batteries. I have purchased a multi meter. I can drop test the start battery as my wife starts the outboard to minitor if the alternator is working. If new battery doesn't stay charged, then I guess I need to check alternator out. I have a battery level indicator on console. 1 battery shows in the green and the other shows nothing. One battery was new in April, but I did not have time to suss out which is which. I am worried that the previous owner put a new start battery on and this is the duffer (then I DO have a problem).

battery charging.

I'm after more help. I'm still taking and not giving. But....by the time I have sorted out my batteries and charging system, I should be well enough educated to help others. Now I need to know which is a good solar charger for my boat. Any good deals out there that anyone knows about? Thanks.

Mike.

Re: Missing stbd. nav light

Brilliant. Thanks! I bought it. I have looked at this page recently but did not see it.

Re: Missing stbd. nav light

I managed to upload it replying to myself    :-s

Missing stbd. nav light

My stbd. sidelight is missing. Can anybody direct me to a supplier of this type please? See pic of port light.
Thanks.
 
I'm not sure if the pic uploaded. The light is white plastic housing, half-dome shaped on 1996 Atlanta 24.

Tall order 4

I've just had another awakening. What do we do with our outboards when sub zero temperatures are expected? With our cars we can relax in the knowledge that our jacket water cooling is a sealed system with antifreeze. I have a water cooled 4 stroke outboard pumping canal water through. I'm concerned about water freezing in the circulation sysyem/pump. Please don't tell me the outboard needs taking off the boat, I'm 5000 miles away.
Maybe tilt the motor up and run briefly until dry and stop quickly?
Maybe surface ice not thick enough to reach lower depths of system?

Tall order 3

There was a second embarassment (kind of). Final approach to my mooring (first time) is not so easy. About 25m away I went to neutral to take some way off. I had a good approach line. At the same time, I caught my knee on the ignition key. Now the motor is so quiet when idling that I thought I had cut the engine with my knee, but I hadn't. So, what did I do? I went for restart, first turning anticlockwise prior to clockwise as you do with a failed car start. Of course then I did cut the engine and of course it wouldn't start (battery still flat). Time for Mike to climb out again. So, I'm "Not Under Command" standing on port walk with boat hook in hand. Then the b*ggering dog was behind me on port walkway and Babs is shouting the dog back. The dog can't turn around and I'm just waiting for the dog to go in the drink and deciding will I use the boathook to catch the mooring or rescue the dog? As it happened, the boat glided ever so gently to the corner of my mooring and I just stepped off and manhandled the boat in. The dog hopped off behind me and it all looked so professionally planned jajaja.
BUT, after a good 90 minute run back, using no electrics whatsoever, why was my battery still flat?

Tall order 2

So, my first day on my first boat. With me were Babs and Kirsty and Molly dog. All eager. We needed to do stuff and learn stuff, but it was just too tempting. A beautiful, calm sunny early October Sunday. We were off! We went for just under 2 hours from Garstang Marina to Bilsborrow. Our target was Guy's Thatched Hamlet, a towpathside pub/shops/rooms/community. Very picture postcard. Approaching, we noted it was extremely busy: boats lining the canal both sides, scores of people walking the towpath, big marquee in pub carpark (adjacent towpath) and scores of people eating in and out. I decided to go past and turn and then moor close. Amazingly there was a space just vacated almost adjacent the carpark. I went on a bit, turned and slid perfectly into the space. We were chimming as we sat there eating butties on our pride and joy. The stop was brief as we needed to get back before dark. I turned the key. Nothing. tried everything, nothing. I could here a feeble click-flat battery! So, it was out on the duckboard for me, pull starting like a pratt in front of every man, woman and their kids and dogs. Actually, it started quite quickly after Babs suggested turning on the ignition.
We made it back ok and luckily I had the foresight to bring a charger.
But, I'm puzzled. The engine roared to life first touch when I got to the boat (I know it was used little previously), but after I ran it for 2 hours with only the radio in use, battery was flat
Maybe someone can help. Previous owner told me that running the engine and being connected to Marina mains will both charge the batteries (2 batts, 1 to start and 1 liesure). The switch combinations are:-
1. nothing
2. start batt
3. start and liesure
4. liesure.
I had in position 2 or 3. Can anybody enlighten me about the charging system please if this is a common set up. Thanks in advance.
Mike.

Tall order

Hi All.
 
There now follows a series of posts I have at Justcanals.com. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
As stated in my intro, I had only a day on my (first) boat before coming back to sea. The previous owner only had time to show me around before he was travelling. I have suzuki 15 outboard. The ignition switch has 4 positions which were not explained. I reckon they are:-
1. Key in/out.
2. ignition on.
3. Run.
4. Start and choke.
When you start, engine fires quickly, but you need to turn the key back to pos. 3. If not, the engine runs, but won't rev and there is grey smoke. I think this is electric choke on. He did tell me that you need to turn key back, but he thought that the choke was when you pull out the control lever and put forward to start. I know that this is just "disengaged, throttle on". Am I right about the electric choke? Thanks in advance for words of wisdom.

Re: Jim's Atlanta 32

Your boat looks "the business" Jim. You've done a great job. I see you have a pilot seat. where can I get one to match mine? Thanks

Mabshaw introduction

Mike and Babs Shaw signing in. Hi.
 
Thanks for this facility.
 
We too have just purchased our first boat, 1996 Atlanta 24 at Garstang Marina on Lancaster Canal. I only had 1 day with it before returning to my job at sea (5 weeks :( ). Rather than learn about the boat, we could not resist the temptation to scoot off for 5 hours. Lovely canal and Marina. I'll come back later with story of the teething woes. So, I have much to do to the boat and much to find out, but in the meantime babs is at the boat fettling it and making it a second home.
Kirsty, our daughter (22) has proven a good boathandler at her first attempt and may be at the helm in my absence. I have uploaded a couple of pics that should be viewable somewhere.
 
I have many questions, but I'll start with......Can I get plans/drawings for atlanta 24?
 
Thanks in advance.