|
Post by patty on Jun 30, 2017 15:31:54 GMT
Another quiet day on board, everyone went home last night. The tug skipper has a run to Goole in about a week's time (weather permitting) so the latest plan is for me (with a crewman to help) to motor down to the end of the Harwich separation scheme and meet the tug there and go in convoy with him to the Humber. That way if there are more problems we could pick up a tow. It at least gives me a few days to clean the engine room (and come to that everywhere else where diesel has been tracked round) , retrieve my tools from the bilge (after I have pumped out the last of the contaminated fuel.) I have been looking at the cost of getting the fuel cleaned but the couple of prices I have heard so far make it uneconomic, not much less than the commercial rate for new fuel. I have yet to receive the video from Jay ( he filmed us leaving, from the jetty at Woolverstone) so no piccies yet Thats good, its great when things start to go right..relax and rest
|
|
|
Post by JohnV on Jul 4, 2017 18:22:00 GMT
Well several days of work. All the contaminated diesel is now in 25 litre containers on deck 28 of them !!! some 600 litres of diesel !!! I have also lashed the containers down neatly and washed the decks down. I have started cleaning the engine room and putting all the tools back in the racks. I reckon I am about halfway through washing and cleaning !!! This marina has agreed that it will charge me commercial vessel rate for fuel rather than the exorbitant price that yachties get charged !!! even so that is still about 400 plus pounds !!! ..... (och my puir puir wee wallet) I can't make my mind up which way to jump. I can pay someone to collect and dispose of the diesel (lowest quote £120) so that would mean I am down about £500 plus quid or I can pay a man to come and clean my diesel and tank (lowest quote so far £650) but hopefully will get back £300 worth of diesel. Or ...... I have been talking to a firm that builds tank cleaning and diesel polishing machines, For just under three times the cost of the diesel so far I can buy a machine and sufficient filters to do about 2000 litres of fuel. Advantages I would get some £300 to £350 worth of recovered diesel plus I would not have to spend another £150 to dispose of the duff diesel in an environmentally friendly way. Plus I would have the machine and lots of filters to keep my fuel in Sabina and Shapfell in top condition (I use about a 1000 litres a year just for central heating) I am also wondering if I could recoup a bit more by doing anyone else who has fuel bug on our moorings. Hmmmmmmmm lots to ponder
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 18:27:30 GMT
Dr John the diesel bug specialist, has a catchy ring to it If you can get some work on your moorings to offset the cost along with being sure you have (red) gin clear diesel then getting the gear would seem the ideal solution.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 19:05:53 GMT
My advice...
Sometimes you are better off taking the initial financial hit. I'd go with new diesel (provided you are sure the original problem is sorted), £120.00 might be the lowest offer but does seem a bit too low to me, make sure you are covered against any future claims.
'Dr John the Diesel Bug expert' will just mean you are more in demand to provide free/cost neutral services in the future.
Above based on personal experience and that of a friend who owns a farm backing onto a canal, said friend had diesel fuel line cut (possibly by a canal dweller), the resultant leak of approx 700 litres of diesel resulted in a 50k insurance clean up operation.
|
|
|
Post by patty on Jul 4, 2017 19:09:32 GMT
Well several days of work. All the contaminated diesel is now in 25 litre containers on deck 28 of them !!! some 600 litres of diesel !!! I have also lashed the containers down neatly and washed the decks down. I have started cleaning the engine room and putting all the tools back in the racks. I reckon I am about halfway through washing and cleaning !!! This marina has agreed that it will charge me commercial vessel rate for fuel rather than the exorbitant price that yachties get charged !!! even so that is still about 400 plus pounds !!! ..... (och my puir puir wee wallet) I can't make my mind up which way to jump. I can pay someone to collect and dispose of the diesel (lowest quote £120) so that would mean I am down about £500 plus quid or I can pay a man to come and clean my diesel and tank (lowest quote so far £650) but hopefully will get back £300 worth of diesel. Or ...... I have been talking to a firm that builds tank cleaning and diesel polishing machines, For just under three times the cost of the diesel so far I can buy a machine and sufficient filters to do about 2000 litres of fuel. Advantages I would get some £300 to £350 worth of recovered diesel plus I would not have to spend another £150 to dispose of the duff diesel in an environmentally friendly way. Plus I would have the machine and lots of filters to keep my fuel in Sabina and Shapfell in top condition (I use about a 1000 litres a year just for central heating) I am also wondering if I could recoup a bit more by doing anyone else who has fuel bug on our moorings. Hmmmmmmmm lots to ponder When I have lots to ponder I find the odd glass vino helps .... I then writes down pros and cons of each option I then sets aside for 24 hours Then decision so much easier...not saying the right choice made....but the one I can go with There u go...Pattys Pearls Of Wisdom...
|
|
|
Post by bettina on Jul 4, 2017 19:33:17 GMT
Hi John,
So glad your journey has started to take a turn for the better. I think your boat should be referred to as a Ship rather than a boat. It' MASSIVE!!
I can offer no advice on your dirty fuel, as I have no knowledge on the subject, but whichever way you decide to go I'm sure it will be the right way.
All the very best for the rest of your voyage and please keep us posted.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 19:53:15 GMT
My advice... Sometimes you are better off taking the initial financial hit. I'd go with new diesel (provided you are sure the original problem is sorted), £120.00 might be the lowest offer but does seem a bit too low to me, make sure you are covered against any future claims. 'Dr John the Diesel Bug expert' will just mean you are more in demand to provide free/cost neutral services in the future. Above based on personal experience and that of a friend who owns a farm backing onto a canal, said friend had diesel fuel line cut (possibly by a canal dweller), the resultant leak of approx 700 litres of diesel resulted in a 50k insurance clean up operation. I do free/cost neutral work for a select band of fellow boaters, the rest of the piss taking twats can sod off! I've a good idea John has been on the planet long enough and is wise enough to know who he would be willing to provide his services to and who he'd tell to do one! Besides which, you miss the fact he can ensure he won't get rinsed by someone else over the nasty issue of shitty diesel. Nowhere near on Johns scale buta couple of years ago I had to cut, clean and dispose of so grim fuel from our tank. Fun it was not.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 20:07:27 GMT
My advice... Sometimes you are better off taking the initial financial hit. I'd go with new diesel (provided you are sure the original problem is sorted), £120.00 might be the lowest offer but does seem a bit too low to me, make sure you are covered against any future claims. 'Dr John the Diesel Bug expert' will just mean you are more in demand to provide free/cost neutral services in the future. Above based on personal experience and that of a friend who owns a farm backing onto a canal, said friend had diesel fuel line cut (possibly by a canal dweller), the resultant leak of approx 700 litres of diesel resulted in a 50k insurance clean up operation. I do free/cost neutral work for a select band of fellow boaters, the rest of the piss taking twats can sod off! I've a good idea John has been on the planet long enough and is wise enough to know who he would be willing to provide his services to and who he'd tell to do one! Besides which, you miss the fact he can ensure he won't get rinsed by someone else over the nasty issue of shitty diesel. Nowhere near on Johns scale buta couple of years ago I had to cut, clean and dispose of so grim fuel from our tank. Fun it was not. I wasn't trying to criticise John or you, just adding a couple of personal experiences and thoughts that might have got overlooked. It's John's choice about what to do, others can choose to remain silent or try to make suggestions that would help a friend.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2017 20:25:11 GMT
I do free/cost neutral work for a select band of fellow boaters, the rest of the piss taking twats can sod off! I've a good idea John has been on the planet long enough and is wise enough to know who he would be willing to provide his services to and who he'd tell to do one! Besides which, you miss the fact he can ensure he won't get rinsed by someone else over the nasty issue of shitty diesel. Nowhere near on Johns scale buta couple of years ago I had to cut, clean and dispose of so grim fuel from our tank. Fun it was not. I wasn't trying to criticise John or you, just adding a couple of personal experiences and thoughts that might have got overlooked. It's John's choice about what to do, others can choose to remain silent or try to make suggestions that would help a friend. I know 👍 You made a good, valid point. I was a slow learner and helped far too many people keep cars on the road that should have been crushed long before I got to them! I've got rid of my car bodging gear so no longer get put on With Boats I've been better at filtering out those that are worth helping and those that are only trying to take advantage and save a few quid at my expense. I found a two letter one syllable word really hard to say at one time. Not anymore - particularly now the dwarf is here. 🚢⚓👍🍻
|
|
|
Post by JohnV on Jul 4, 2017 20:30:21 GMT
I wasn't trying to criticise John or you, just adding a couple of personal experiences and thoughts that might have got overlooked. It's John's choice about what to do, others can choose to remain silent or try to make suggestions that would help a friend. I know 👍 You made a good, valid point. I was a slow learner and helped far too many people keep cars on the road that should have been crushed long before I got to them! I've got rid of my car bodging gear so no longer get put on With Boats I've been better at filtering out those that are worth helping and those that are only trying to take advantage and save a few quid at my expense. I found a two letter one syllable word really hard to say at one time. Not anymore - particularly now the dwarf is here. 🚢⚓👍🍻 most of us eventually learn to say that word
|
|
|
Post by naughtyfox on Jul 4, 2017 20:34:14 GMT
What is Sabina's timetable? 28th July (haha!) almost here. Give us a shout, John, if we can help. The diesel-filtering service could be valid if handled well, enough boaters moaning about 'diesel bug'. We had our fuel 'polished' (filtered) 3 years ago when we picked up our old tub, paid a lot for it but it was worth the experience. I can't believe you hadn't checked the whole fuel system out before u went to SEA though! But then it would be like driving a Toyota Prius from Chicago to Santa Fé instead of an Austin Morris.
|
|
|
Post by patty on Jul 5, 2017 4:19:19 GMT
I've a wandering programme coming up as I slowly creep up the country to see Fingals cave...having decided must do this year and quite poss may come down t'other side..dunno yet no solid plans..son number 3 off on his 3rd island Challenge soon so needs must spend bit of time with him as he hasn't yet agreed that 'and mother came to' is acceptable...ok so wouldn't do the tough trek but quite fancy a mini adventure.
|
|
|
Post by JohnV on Jul 5, 2017 6:35:56 GMT
I can't believe you hadn't checked the whole fuel system out before u went to SEA though! . all accessible parts were checked but to inspect the inside of the tank I would have had to drain it. (the inspection plate is on the side and the opening is only about 3 or 4 inches from the bottom) There is also a sump and drain that (in theory at least) should have given an indication of the problem (as I explained earlier I was unaware that the opposite end of the tank was that much lower)
|
|
|
Post by naughtyfox on Jul 5, 2017 7:14:50 GMT
To Johnv: fair cop, Guv!
To Patty: will u be having champagne in Fingal's Cave?
|
|
|
Post by TonyDunkley on Jul 5, 2017 8:16:10 GMT
Well several days of work. All the contaminated diesel is now in 25 litre containers on deck 28 of them !!! some 600 litres of diesel !!! I have also lashed the containers down neatly and washed the decks down. I have started cleaning the engine room and putting all the tools back in the racks. I reckon I am about halfway through washing and cleaning !!! This marina has agreed that it will charge me commercial vessel rate for fuel rather than the exorbitant price that yachties get charged !!! even so that is still about 400 plus pounds !!! ..... (och my puir puir wee wallet) I can't make my mind up which way to jump. I can pay someone to collect and dispose of the diesel (lowest quote £120) so that would mean I am down about £500 plus quid or I can pay a man to come and clean my diesel and tank (lowest quote so far £650) but hopefully will get back £300 worth of diesel. Or ...... I have been talking to a firm that builds tank cleaning and diesel polishing machines, For just under three times the cost of the diesel so far I can buy a machine and sufficient filters to do about 2000 litres of fuel. Advantages I would get some £300 to £350 worth of recovered diesel plus I would not have to spend another £150 to dispose of the duff diesel in an environmentally friendly way. Plus I would have the machine and lots of filters to keep my fuel in Sabina and Shapfell in top condition (I use about a 1000 litres a year just for central heating) I am also wondering if I could recoup a bit more by doing anyone else who has fuel bug on our moorings. Hmmmmmmmm lots to ponder There's one other way you could think about to tackle the mucky fuel mountain, John. These machines for so-called 'fuel polishing' are really just a pump and big capacity filter built into a recirculating system. How about giving some thought to installing a pump and suitable size and type of filter piped up and with all necessary cocks and two-way valves with the capability of pumping into or out of the bunker tank and into or out of 45 gallon barrels on deck, or even, with suitable hoses from and/or back to the tanks of another vessel alongside ? There's a ready supply of clean 45 gallon (lube oil) barrels to be had from garages that service cars, and suitable filtration kit can be had from companies manufacturing or selling that sort of gear commercially. For the pump there's a big range of choice - from modern low voltage electric fuel transfer pumps to a good old semi-rotary, which is what all the Trent dredgers used to be equipped with for in situ oiling-up from the tugs.
|
|