Reef Wanderer
Member
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2019
- Messages
- 10
- Location
- Australia
- Vessel Name
- Geraldine
- Vessel Make
- Clipper 34 Aft Cabin
How to Start - How to Stop
A few years ago, wife and I were looking for a boat and a youngish (late 30's) boat broker was showing us over a 38 footer with twin Perkins. The broker knew everything about boats, we couldn't stop him talking about the attributes of this naval architect designed vessel and it's beautiful lines, absolutely faultless motors and the boats sea keeping qualities. He had been around boats all his life and thought that of the hundreds he had sold that this was the perfect crusing boat. The boat, on quick inspection seemed ok, it was in the water so I asked could we hear the motors running? Sure says the broker who turns the key and nothing happened. So I said possibly the Colhersee switch is off. His reply, "what is a Colhersee?"
I searched and found a power panel and switched on the two Colhersee switches and she fired up. First motor took a bit too long to start and puffed blue smoke continuously for the 10 minutes it ran for which sounded alarm bells with me. The other started easier and ran clean after a minute running. The 'broker' said he thought one motor needed an oil change? I said I think it needs an overhaul!
Ok, we have heard enough thanks, you can turn them off now....
The broker turned off the keys, nothing happened... then came to the Colhersee's (his new favourite word) and switched those off... but both motors still kept running.
I wanted to leave the boat and leave the broker to figure where the stop solenoids or cable were, but my wife who is much kinder hearted than me, said "oh come on he's only a young guy, he doesn't know how too turn them off" My reply was that surely one of the hundred of boats he sold were mechanical diesels?
I jumped back on and he was on his phone trying to contact the owner. I pulled the two stop levers, clearly marked next to the Colhersee switches and jumped off. He learned two things that day. Colhersee and Stop Lever!!
A few years ago, wife and I were looking for a boat and a youngish (late 30's) boat broker was showing us over a 38 footer with twin Perkins. The broker knew everything about boats, we couldn't stop him talking about the attributes of this naval architect designed vessel and it's beautiful lines, absolutely faultless motors and the boats sea keeping qualities. He had been around boats all his life and thought that of the hundreds he had sold that this was the perfect crusing boat. The boat, on quick inspection seemed ok, it was in the water so I asked could we hear the motors running? Sure says the broker who turns the key and nothing happened. So I said possibly the Colhersee switch is off. His reply, "what is a Colhersee?"
I searched and found a power panel and switched on the two Colhersee switches and she fired up. First motor took a bit too long to start and puffed blue smoke continuously for the 10 minutes it ran for which sounded alarm bells with me. The other started easier and ran clean after a minute running. The 'broker' said he thought one motor needed an oil change? I said I think it needs an overhaul!
Ok, we have heard enough thanks, you can turn them off now....
The broker turned off the keys, nothing happened... then came to the Colhersee's (his new favourite word) and switched those off... but both motors still kept running.
I wanted to leave the boat and leave the broker to figure where the stop solenoids or cable were, but my wife who is much kinder hearted than me, said "oh come on he's only a young guy, he doesn't know how too turn them off" My reply was that surely one of the hundred of boats he sold were mechanical diesels?
I jumped back on and he was on his phone trying to contact the owner. I pulled the two stop levers, clearly marked next to the Colhersee switches and jumped off. He learned two things that day. Colhersee and Stop Lever!!