This is a belated update on the latest maintenance work.
Following our trip to Scotland we had run up just under 200 hours on the engine. The Penta manual advises doing a service every 200 hour, or at least once a year - whichever comes first. There is also a schedule for 600 hours, which following our trip to Holland, the main engine had clocked up. Other than inspecting and cleaning the turbo, the 600 hour service is the same as the 200.
There is nothing difficult or arduous about following the service schedule which makes it more likely that the work will actually be done. Before I started looking seriously at Elling I was concerned about accessible since the engine is "tucked away" in the centre of the boat under the central galley work area.
The picture below gives an example how Elling have made access to the areas that require routine maintenance simple. Here I am changing the gearbox oil and filter. Access is via a large panel in the master stateroom which is held in place by quick-release locks. A similar system is used in the third bedroom to access the starboard side of the engine so that replacement of the air filter and crankcase breather is easy.
On a different note, I gave the wing engine a good long run whilst returning from Holland. It's uncanny how well-attuned you become the sounds, smells and feel of the boat over time. Anything slightly out of the ordinary is picked up on straight away. When the wing was running I felt a mild vibration for a short period which then went away. I had plenty of time to think what that might have caused the vibration and shortly after I returned to base I go the GoPro out and inspected the sterndrive leg. Sure enough, one of the anodes was missing. I arranged for a quick haul out and bottom wash during which time I replace both anodes. I was unable to determine why the main anode fell off but the replacement has been secured with loctite on the bolts!
Our next major trip is likely to be to Europe sometime in October in anticipation of Brexit actually happening! The reasons for moving the boat to an EU country when (if) Brexit happens have been explained in an earlier post.
Following our trip to Scotland we had run up just under 200 hours on the engine. The Penta manual advises doing a service every 200 hour, or at least once a year - whichever comes first. There is also a schedule for 600 hours, which following our trip to Holland, the main engine had clocked up. Other than inspecting and cleaning the turbo, the 600 hour service is the same as the 200.
There is nothing difficult or arduous about following the service schedule which makes it more likely that the work will actually be done. Before I started looking seriously at Elling I was concerned about accessible since the engine is "tucked away" in the centre of the boat under the central galley work area.
The picture below gives an example how Elling have made access to the areas that require routine maintenance simple. Here I am changing the gearbox oil and filter. Access is via a large panel in the master stateroom which is held in place by quick-release locks. A similar system is used in the third bedroom to access the starboard side of the engine so that replacement of the air filter and crankcase breather is easy.
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| Easy access to the rear of the engine |
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| The new filter |
On a different note, I gave the wing engine a good long run whilst returning from Holland. It's uncanny how well-attuned you become the sounds, smells and feel of the boat over time. Anything slightly out of the ordinary is picked up on straight away. When the wing was running I felt a mild vibration for a short period which then went away. I had plenty of time to think what that might have caused the vibration and shortly after I returned to base I go the GoPro out and inspected the sterndrive leg. Sure enough, one of the anodes was missing. I arranged for a quick haul out and bottom wash during which time I replace both anodes. I was unable to determine why the main anode fell off but the replacement has been secured with loctite on the bolts!
Our next major trip is likely to be to Europe sometime in October in anticipation of Brexit actually happening! The reasons for moving the boat to an EU country when (if) Brexit happens have been explained in an earlier post.
