5
Observe the readings of the gauges. The oil pressure will register about 37 PSI. The engine temperature
should rise slowly.
Note -- If oil pressure is low, shut down engine, and inspect engine compartment and look for possible cause
(for example, loss of oil.) Caution -- If an engine is overheating or there is lack of raw water expelled in
the engine exhaust, stop the engine immediately. Recheck the raw water-cooling system to ensure the
seacock is ‘open’ (handle in-line with valve). Next, check the raw water strainer for debris. Remove the
strainer, clean, re-assemble, and reopen the raw water intake valve (seacock). Restart the engine and re-
check water flow from the exhaust. If water is not flowing properly, the RAW WATER PUMP may need to be
serviced. Seek help.
Operation
260 HP Yanmar engines are very reliable. Optimal cruising speed is obtained at 2000 RPM which will result
in about 8 knots with fuel consumption < 3 GPH at this cruising speed but is highly variable based on tides,
wind and loading of the vessel.
DO NOT EXCEED 3000-3500 RPM
on the engine. Running at 15 knots
will increase fuel consumption
DRAMATICALLY
so slow down and enjoy the cruise! Most destinations
are fairly close together in the San Juan Islands.
To avoid the possibility of sucking air or sludge when the fuel level approaches 1/4
th
of a tank, refuel
when the fuel drops below half full and before it reaches ¼ full.
Engine Overheating: If the buzzer sounds while the engine is running, about 999 out of a 1000, it is
no more serious than eelgrass plugging up the raw water strainer. The best solution to this problem
is prevention keep an eye out for eelgrass mats especially along those “soapy” looking tides and
eddy lines in the water. And don’t run over it. When eelgrass gets sucked into the engine cooling
water intake, it jams at the raw water strainer.
To clear the eelgrass from the raw water strainer, stop the engine, open the engine hatch, close the
RAW WATER SEACOCK, unscrew the clear bubble top of the strainer, remove the foreign material,
screw the clear top back on the strainer and open the RAW WATER SEACOCK. Restart the engine.
If upon restarting, the engine overheats again, check the strainer to make sure it is drawing water in
to about ¾ full. If not, grass could be plugging the opening in the hull. This requires diving under
the boat to clear the eelgrass, so you should contact Ship Harbor Yacht Charters.
If the above fails to solve the problem, contact Ship Harbor Yacht Charters for assistance.
There may be other reasons you hear the buzzer. If you lost oil pressure, the oil icon warning light
will light up, so check which light is showing red. If it’s the oil light, shut down the engine, check the
oil level and contact Ship Harbor Yacht Charters. The alarm buzzer is more likely to indicate engine
overheating, and the temperature icon light will light up. Before you shut down the engine, check for
water gurgling out the engine exhaust. If you have a “wet exhaust”, check the coolant level in the
overflow reservoir bottle and if no coolant is seen, add enough coolant to reach the “full” line of the
bottle. Check the bilge for coolant. If coolant is found, contact Ship Harbor Yacht Charters. If the
coolant reservoir bottle is full, check to see if the engine threw a belt. Without a belt on the raw
water pump, the raw water won’t circulate and cool the engine. (Replacement belts are located in
the engine spares kit.) One other possibility is the impeller in the raw water pump has failed.
Impellers are replaced each spring but it is still possible that a hard object may be drawing and
break off an impeller blade. (A replacement impeller is found with the engine spares.) Contact Ship
Harbor Yacht Charters if you suspect you have an impeller problem.