How often do you check your engine room while underway?

[brico]

Those that do not have cameras fitted in their E/R how often do you take a peek inside your E/R while underway? I usually do it every 3-4 hours. I'd be doing even more often if it is not too complicated lifting the floor board and going down between two engines, especially at full speed when the boat trims backward. While all of my remote gauges are working well I have a fobia of failure even with gauges working. I check level in coolant expansion tanks, I/R reading of thermostats, I/R reading of prop shaft packing gland, look at fuel filters bowls and vacuum gauges, general look for any leaks of liquids and gas and compare local temp/oil pressure gauge reading with those on the control console, just in case. Even with cameras fitted you cannot get everything as you do when there in person.

 

[hmccoy99]

I check every hour. for fuel quality, fuel pressure, vacuum pressure on the racors, oil pressure,
water leaks, bildges. broken clamps. exhaust leaks.

henry

 

[Finalee]

It depends. If I'm running at hull speed all day ; once before starting out, and again at the end of the day.
If we are at a true cruise speed up on plane, hourly.

 

[MikeP]

I start the engines from the engine room on the first start of the day and monitor the manual gauges there as the engines settle to idle - maybe 30 seconds for each engine. Then, at the helm I check those gauges to see that their readings correlate to the ER gauges. I don't mean that they necessarily show the same readings - just that they are in the general area.

I then may (or may not) check the ER once during the day. Any subsequent restarts for the day I perform from the helm. I don't check the ER's on any regular basis in normal running unless we do something different operationally. For example, normally we operate at/below hull speed (for fuel consideration). If we come up on plane, I will check the ERs while we are at WOT to see how things look/sound after we have been on plane for a couple of minutes. But I don't recheck based on any schedule. Some days the only ER check is when I started the engines.

IMO, one important thing is to make sure the helm gauges are working. Again, it doesn't matter WHAT they indicate as long as they move appropriately. If, for example the manual ER oil gauge shows 50PSI while cruising and 15 at idle, as long as the helm gauges track in a similar manner, it doesn't matter if they show a different numerical reading. You can mentally do the correlation or do the old airplane/race car trick of rotating the gauges so that all needles point to approximately 12 o'clock when in the normal range.

 

[piripucha]

Before I installed the CCTV cameras I chek it on the first 1/2 hour after we are on our way. After that every hour. You will be amazed what can develop on that first 1/2 hour. Now that I have the cameras I go check it every time I have to go to the head . ironically that trsnalate to every hour!!. Dam I hate getting old !!

 

[SEVEN]

I check the gauges every few minutes and check each engine room every 30 minutes. Always done it that way, I guess I always will.

 

[Avenger]

I don't set a timer, but I try to take a glance every 1/2 to 1 hr. My salon deck has a couple of small hatches (about 6x6") that I can get my face and flashlight into. That's nice because you don't have to open a big hatch and blast the passengers with the sound of screaming diesels. Guys with separate engine room access are better off that way.

Mostly I'm doing an all senses check. Look: for leaks, smoke etc. Smell: for exhaust, antifreeze, oil. Listen: for anomalous sounds (necessary experience comes from doing these checks). Feel: for unusual vibrations. Taste:,.. okay maybe don't taste anything down there.

Occasionally I'll look at the gauges on the Racors, but since they have drag needles and I'm particular about the fuel I put in the boat I don't concern myself a lot. If your equipment is healthy and well maintained there really shouldn't be much to worry about. But obviously it's sensible to do routine checks to catch anything that might go awry.

I also make it a point to put an eye and ear on things after shutdown. Without the noise and motion sometimes you pick up on things like a packing leak or similar subtle issues that get covered up by the mayhem in a live engine room.

One thing that surprised me during one of these inspections is that an LED MagLite flashes. The shafts seem to turn slowly when you know they should be just a blur. It's a strobe effect from the LED and it's kind of disconcerting until your brain puts the anomaly between sight and sound together.

 

[captainwjm]

I'm with Mike P. I don't venture into the ER after start-up, I rely on my instruments, as well as my eyes and ears and feet (vibration, etc). I trust my gauges because I, like Mike, compare readings at start-up. Then, after a run, a thouough visible inspection for any anomolies. Of course, a clean ER and regular maintenance are a given. What I want to avoid is personal injury that may occur in a hot and running ER. Given my confidence in my boats's condition and instruments, I won't take that chance.

 

[krush]

modern CCTV cameras are cheap..some even move/zoom. I'm going to check into them since it's not easy to crawl around the entire engine room while underway. Maybe just get wireless and use a tablet to check. No need to waste MFD space for such things.

 

[Freeebird]

It absolutely can't hurt anything to do ER checks hourly, but I'm with those who ask, why?

As was mentioned, checking a hot ER comes with its own risks, and if you just don't trust your gauges... buy some you trust. I realize it's an apple and oranges comparison in a way, but think of cars, trucks, airplanes that you certainly aren't going to check hourly. Please tell me you don't pop the hood on your diesel truck every hour, even if you're pulling a load.

I do daily ER checks before firing the engines/generator, and that's it... unless I see, hear, smell something that makes me worry, OR if there is a known issue which has yet to be addressed.

 

[SEVEN]

When I was replying to this post saying every 1/2 to hour I was saying to myself why. I never check my car/truck while I'm on a trip and I work that motor a lot harder. I think It was just something that I was taught and continue to do for piece of mind.

 

[Avenger]

Because your truck isn't going to sink if something goes bang.

I wouldn't go climbing around in there underway either, and I also agree that good and properly maintained equipment is much more reliable than we usually think. I just believe it's good practice to keep an eye on things. Especially offshore.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Once after initial run up at cruise checking hoses, belts, bilges--basically anything that stands out and might not show up at checklist or putt'n around the harbor. I kinda have this fear of an oil or fuel line spewing. A camera might be nice, but you'd best be watching to catch it in time. Probably the fire alarm would let you know when to start watching.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

On the 53MY it is so easy to take a few steps down and open the doors and look in that I do it about every hour. I look at gauges, racors, shaft logs, stabilizer oil level and temps, steering oil level, etc. I look for leaks or unusual sounds, etc. It may not be necessary, but it gives me a sense of security.

I once had a turbo clamp break and I caught it before too much soot got all over the ER. Also had an oil leak after a tune up where the valve cover wasn't seated right.

 

[Fanfare]

My boat is in storage for about eight months a year. I am always surprised by the deterioration during this time. We usually take a week to check systems out and provision the boat for the Bahamas. Yesterday was run the engines and generator at the dock. All seems fine, but that was no load on the engines.

Most things seem to break at the beginning of a trip. At least that is when I discover them. It is unfortunate from this viewpoint that I have a seven mile run down a congested waterway to reach the ocean. I can't check anything for about an hour and a half before throttling up. Once clear of traffic the Admiral takes over steering and I go below for a thorough engine room check. I put on my headphones and grab my flashlight and do a quick visual check. Twice recently I have found leaks or broken hose clamps requiring immediate attention. Then I get my infra red thermometer and start a comprehensive check of temperatures on the engines and transmissions, check the Racor vacuum and look for water in the bowls. In this first hour of running I do this every 15 minutes or so. I am always mindful that if something is not exactly right it is better to turn back to the USA to fix it because some things can't be fixed in the Bahamas. I might add that I have learned this the hard way.

Following the ER check I go through every room on the boat making sure all remains stowed and that there are no strange noises or smells. I open the generator hatch and flashlight down to be sure this large compartment is OK. Aft, I stand over each propeller to check for excess vibration.

After the first hour I do this about every half hour. By the time I have gone 100-200 miles I check every 60-90 minutes as by then things have settled down.

Every morning I check engine, generator and transmission fluids. In December I discovered a leak in the transmission oil cooler had put seawater in my transmission. I hope I found this before major damage was done. I will be finding out shortly!

 

[jrbrein]

Every morning I check engine, generator and transmission fluids. In December I discovered a leak in the transmission oil cooler had put seawater in my transmission. I hope I found this before major damage was done. I will be finding out shortly!

Fanfare,

If this is any consolation to you, I will offer you this story. In 2000 my wife and I took delivery of a brand new 42' Catamaran with 2 30hp Volvo Saildrives. The propellers were fitted with line spurs requiring a modification of the props attachment to the saildrives. Well, this was done incorrectly in the factory such that sea water began to leak into each saildrive transmission. We were traveling up the Florida ICW when I discovered milkshake transmission oil in both engines. By the time we hauled out for repairs, I would estimate about 3 weeks of running with salt water in both transmissions! Long story short - a local mechanic flushed out both transmissions with diesel fuel, repaired the prop/line cutter mistake and we were on our way. I continued to cruise this boat for 5 years, motoring and motor sailing constantly. I sold the boat and kept in touch with the new owner who cruised that boat for another 5 years. No transmission issues. I hope there is some relevance here.
"You don't get what you expect, rather, you get what you inspect" I admire your tenacity!!

Jon

 

[luckydave215]

I check fluids, etc before starting, and right after starting I look around checking for anything unusual, and watch the mechanical gauges stabilize. Once an hour-ish underway we do a check also, but it's pretty easy for us as we can just walk in to the ER from the cockpit, and there's 6'4" headroom with about 5' between the mains. I can walk outboard of the mains if I crouch some.
I'm sure this would be different if I had to lift hatches and/or jump in from above between running engines.

 

[Bob Bradley]

I've been in Dave's ER and will attest to the convenience of access therein.

To his final point, it is downright dangerous to access my ER under way offshore. First off, furniture must be moved and often stacked up to provide access to the hatches (yes, 2 hatches must be removed to provide safe access on my 43C). 6 guys and their gear need to be safely moved around the tight cabin.

My options are to do so under way, with the challenges that presents, or stop and snap roll while crawling around down there hoping that the stacked furniture or one of the crew does not join me unexpectedly.

Given all that, I do my checks before leaving the dock, and then again after we arrive at the fishing grounds 5 hours later. I do walk thru the cabin throughout the trip, and occasionally pick up the leading edge of the hatch to take a sniff and a listen, but no more than that unless I note something out of the ordinary. Obviously, I also watch my gauges carefully.

 

[rsmith]

Murphy's law dictates that catastrophic things will happen between checks. I usually do a check before we clear the inlet then after the lines are set and we're at trolling speed. If it's a long run over several hours I'll take a look see maybe every couple hours. I don't think cameras have much value as your looking for small leaks and issues before they develop into events. One of the main things I look at is the vacuum gauges on the racors. If they hit over 10" of vacuum I bite the bullet and change them. I've caught more problems with the indicator lights on the bilge pumps than anything else. I installed 2 very bright indicator lights for the mid and aft pumps in my line of sight on the bridge. I had a friend that broke a return line well offshore. No one saw the aft bilge pump cycling until all the fuel was pumped overboard and the engines quit.
When bad stuff happens it happens quick. Everyone on the boat should know where it is and how to use the safety equipment. What's the dead captain plan? Does the admiral know how to deploy the life raft and epirb? Do your kids? Just saying

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

And you can pickup a frighteningly loud alarm that is an exact match for your monitoring system at Radio Shack.