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2021 Qualifier

(Continued). After calming down, I called the wife and told her what happened. She basically said to relax, the motor is kaput, and to go play my guitar for a few minutes. That helped. Realizing that getting back to the dock was going to be a bit of an ordeal either way, it was decided to start the qualifier right then, and continue westward, under sail. I had autopilots, solar panels and spinnakers that needed sorting... it was a bit of a relief to not have to worry at all about the engine. I knew that thing was toast!
 
(Continued)
Crawling westward in super light air, I had a chance to google “diesel runaway”. Scary videos!!! I realized that I was indeed lucky that my motor hadn’t exploded! It turns out the best way to stop a runaway diesel is to cover the air intake with either a piece of wood or a t-shirt in a thick plastic bag. Too bad I hadn’t known this earlier! Also, too bad the air intake is on the far, back side of the Yanmar...
Luckily HULA lives on a dock that’s pretty easy to sail to, and that I’ve practiced it many times. My wife was there to help bring our 20,000 lb beast to a nice gentle stop. Just like stopping 5 Olson 30’s all at the same time!
After tying up the boat, I had to know if the engine would start. I removed the cockpit floor to access the motor, and gave it a crank. It started right up, rpms ok, but sounded awful, all “clickety-clackety”. I immediately decided I was not going to rebuild or repair this oversized rusty motor that had tried really hard to kill me, and so with some satisfaction, I snuffed her out with a t-shirt in a thick plastic bag! That trick works really well...
HULA will be getting an owner installed brand new Beta diesel soon.
THE END
 
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Great story! Next? Before and after photos, please? And costs provide a public service announcement. It is impressive that you will be able to install it yourself.
 
(Continued)
Crawling westward in super light air, I had a chance to google “diesel runaway”. Scary videos!!! I realized that I was indeed lucky that my motor hadn’t exploded! It turns out the best way to stop a runaway diesel is to cover the air intake with either a piece of wood or a t-shirt in a thick plastic bag. Too bad I hadn’t known this earlier! Also, too bad the air intake is on the far, back side of the Yanmar...
Luckily HULA lives on a dock that’s pretty easy to sail to, and that I’ve practiced it many times. My wife was there to help bring our 20,000 lb beast to a nice gentle stop. Just like stopping 5 Olson 30’s all at the same time!
After tying up the boat, I had to know if the engine would start. I removed the cockpit floor to access the motor, and gave it a crank. It started right up, rpms ok, but sounded awful, all “clickety-clackety”. I immediately decided I was not going to rebuild or repair this oversized rusty motor that had tried really hard to kill me, and so with some satisfaction, I snuffed her out with a t-shirt in a thick plastic bag! That trick works really well...
HULA will be getting an owner installed brand new Beta diesel soon.
THE END

oh goody! Another project before June! ;)
 
There appear to be three of us planning to head out for qualifiers between September 7 - September 15. If anybody else is interested, PM me.
 
There appear to be three of us planning to head out for qualifiers between September 7 - September 15. . . .

If anyone heading out has SSB they would like to try out while off shore, PM me and we can try to set up a roll call from Morning Star here in So Cal. I've replaced the mic that gave me trouble during the 2018 race and trans-back and would be happy to get in some air time before my next ocean crossing.
 
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