In case any one is interested I'll update this problem. My mechanic and I think that we found the leak - unfortunately in a tough access area in front of the generator (if I had bought this boat new - there wouldn't be a generator). He will do some surgery to get at it. Maybe an access hatch from the front of the engine compartment or the cupboards. He is well aware of the 115 volt lines running through there. I put together water systems that don't have leaks for 20 years sooo I'm curious what this weak link is.
I said the pressure pump was sucking air as it had emptied the tank. The bilge pumps were working, sort of. I have had a lot of problems with the aft pump, especially when it had the liquid contact points to turn on and off. I think that I replaced it three times until my guy (see above) installed a float switch in line with the pump. Not much room, as some of you know, in that R29 bilge so they both are hanging out down there. This time I think that there was an issue with some debris hanging up the float but I got it working about the time the water flow slowed down. We still have a working override switch too.
We had a good time on our week up in the Sacramento Delta but we also had a lot more problems then usual. Just for fun, I will describe them:
We came in on Wednesday night so we would be all set for a nice roll up the straits with good wind and current the next morning. Getting ready for our evening tea - no propane. Unfortunately this propane tank is the composite one that was recalled several years ago. Smart guy that I am, I thought that I would use it up before retiring it. Almost 3 years later - empty. Of course this isn't a standard tank so I was the first one in the store at West Marine where they had a steel,marine tank that fits nicely. OK but now I need propane so drive across Richmond to the only place that sells propane. Finally back to the boat only 1 1/2 hrs late.
Let's go - out around Point Potrero open it up and get that turbo working. Alarms go off we are over-heating. Steam coming out of exhaust some overflow of coolant in engine compartment, etc. Finally I restart, and find that at idle it isn't overheating but it still is too warm. Slowly go back in to Marina Bay and call Todd (see above) our cheerful hero. He is out diving bottoms and after a bit comes over and cleans ours. As once before, the raw water inlet is clogged with marine growth. He cleans it out and everything goes back to normal. A couple of lessons to the skipper here - watch that frigging temperature gauge better and if you are planning a big trip -schedule the bottom cleaing for the week before.
Finally we are out on San Pablo Bay (only 3 hours late) - I don't hear any chatter on channel 16, finally I ask for a radio check - nada. No radio. Onlly five drawbridges to deal with on this trip :|
I've already described the gusher at Rio Vista which meant no water for the last 3 days of our trip. Oh yeah my wife's gold crown fell off and then she accidently threw it away :cry:
This boat is about 7 years old so maybe this is a Ranger version of the 7 year itch
In spite of all these mishaps, we still had a good time 🙂
