There was a key moment this summer that convinced us we needed to sign up for the next marine diesel engine class we could find.
We'd made fantastic time traveling north from Kingston to Port Townsend and arrived before the posted check-in time (so we didn't actually need to leave at O-dark thirty after all). Our reserved port-side tie slip was still occupied, but the starboard-side space was open, and since the two guys in "our slip" were warming up the engine and preparing to get underway, we decided to squat next door. It wasn't 5 minutes before they were on their way and we could shimmy over to the proper slip, easy cheesy.
Or not.
Aaron pressed the ignition button and... cue the crickets... silence. Uh, this probably isn't good. And this is when we knew we needed more than that one-day "introduction to diesel engines" class. To be fair, Aaron knows a lot about our engine--and even I know that it's a Yanmar 30 (no, I didn't just get up and look). He changes the oil and filters and does regular maintenance, but when it came to diagnosing why our starter wasn't working, we were both at a loss.
There were worse places for this malfunction to happen, like, say, up in the San Juans where a broken starter might mean running aground or smashing into a rock. And I feel extremely fortunate that Sea Marine, a full-service boat yard, was within sight of our slip. While I got my coffee fix at the espresso stand in the Sea Marine office (how cool is that?), one of the mechanics walked down to the boat with Aaron. By the time I made it back, foamy cappuccino in hand, they had the engine exposed and the mechanic was poking and prodding it with various tools. And as often happens in situations like these, when the mechanic pressed the button, it fired right up. Good and bad, I suppose. We apparently needed to rebuild the starter, but he got it working again, and he thought it should be fine for the rest of our trip. If it did act up again, he showed Aaron how to start the engine by passing a screwdriver over something-or-other, which assuaged my fears of getting bashed to bits on the rocks. This awesome mechanic spent probably 30 minutes with us and, get this, refused to charge us! We were so grateful! Small town customer service is amazing. Thanks, Sea Marine!
The bottom line? We got ourselves on the waiting list for the Seattle Maritime Academy's next marine diesel engine class. The class needs a minimum of 10 students, so if you've ever wondered what the big, shiny, heavy thing on your boat is, take the class with us! Classes start in January 2010.
Seattle Maritime Academy (in Ballard)
(206) 782-2647 or (800) 906-7829
http://seattlecentral.edu/maritime/conted.php
MARINE DIESEL ENGINE MAINTENANCE & OPERATION FOR BOATERS
T-Th 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning 01/12/10 (11 weeks) -- $300
A course in marine diesel engines for the small boat owner that includes theory, operation, troubleshooting and repair. The student will learn fundamental operating procedures for marine diesel engines. Instructional format combines classroom lectures with applied training in diesel engine labs. Course requires a minimum of 10 students.
We're also taking the Basic Electricity for Small Boats class, since electricity is magic (and since Aaron hooked up our 12v head with speaker wire).
BASIC ELECTRICITY FOR SMALL BOATS AND RECREATIONAL BOATERS
MW 6:00-9:00 p.m., beginning 01/11/10 (8 weeks) -- $250
An electrical class designed for the recreational boater and for the small boat owner, that will take the mystery out of how electrical systems work. Topics to be covered will include batteries, alternators, solar and wind generators and related charging systems. Small A/C generator and power inverter systems will be investigated. Methods for determining load requirements; wire sizing and wiring techniques will be discussed. Electrical system troubleshooting, meter reading and hands-on training will be offered to the small boat owner. Course requires a minimum of 10 students.
C'mon. Sign up. You know you need to. It'll be fun!
you couldn't have taken these last year with us?? wtf! :)
ReplyDeleteas graduates of both of the SMA classes, we can vouch that we learned lots, but here's the key...if you get on the waiting list, keep calling them to find out if the classes are happening and when they start - the office is pretty sketchy...almost as if shilshole also runs SMA :)
have fun with diesel dick!
Christy: I know! By the time we found out you guys were taking the class, it was too late to join... Boo.
ReplyDeleteWe have full-on registration forms, so as long as they can find 8 other people to take the class, we're golden.
I'm gonna sign up for the electric class since Paul already took Diesel...but I'll be out of town for the first day of class, so let me copy your notes :)
ReplyDelete... And your plea for additional sign ups for the electrical class worked. I'll let you know how the Yanmar class in IL works out for Art. And I promise not to spew URLs all over your blog -- I only do that in person.
ReplyDeleteany reviews of this class.. is it worth it?
ReplyDeleteIf you have a basic understanding of how diesel engines work and want to get your hands dirty tinkering around with an engine that isn't yours (always fun!), I would recommend it. The instructor is very knowledgeable, but for the time spent in lecture, I felt that I could've learned a lot more. We took a one-day seminar from Larry Blais in Seattle years ago, which I thought was actually more informative. Good luck!
Delete-Nicole