We survived our first winter!

[SteveB]

We pulled our tug from the marina in September and stored it in our driveway until yesterday. 2009 was our 'first boat' year and so this was our first overwintering (we live near Seattle).

We gave 'er a good wash last weekend and changed out all of the zincs before getting back into the water. I was nervous at the launch since I didn't add fuel stabilizer until after we had pulled the boat from the water several months ago, so the stabilizer didn't get into the engine with the residual fuel.

I had a tortured dream the night before, clawing at the darkness, that we sank at the launch so I had to check four or five times that I had replaced the garboard drain, but my biggest concern by far was getting the engine started. :?

Worrying about the engine ended up being a waste of energy and fingernails. After we got in the water and determined that there was no problem with the seacocks, I gave the engine a seven second glow and then started. She cranked right up! No funny smell, no greasy black clouds, none of the stuff I had been dreading. We had a nice 45 minute cruise to our new marina on one of the nicest days so far this year. I will remember to get the stabilizer in while we're still running at the end of this season, but I'm glad I got away with it this time.

I love my boat. 😀

-Steve

 

[commander bill]

After owning diesel tractors for over 30 years I have found that if you are careful about the quality of fuel that you put into the tank & you change your fuel filters periodically then diesels will have fewer fuel related problems than gas engines. Also, most designs allow for inspection & draining of water or debris from your fuel separator. My old ford diesel tractor and both of my newer Kubota tractors always started instantly after months of non-use. Likewise if you do not pay attention to details you will have more frequent (and more expensive) problems than with gas engines.