The previous fuel problems have been fixed. The problem was never really understood but the solution in having diesel flow in parallel through two filters works. So after lunch last Monday we set sail with high hopes and fine weather heading North to Groningen and then East on the long haul to Berlin. First night we stopped at Joure in a lovely island setting. The next morning when I started the motor it sounded flat but luckily the motor started and we headed to the lovel town of Sneek (see picture)
where we had the prime mooring position in front of the town's famous Waterpoort dating back 5 hundred years. We were going to stay there two nights before heading North. We had free electricity as well so all seemsed well until.... I decided to start the engine and it wouldn't start. The batteries were totally flat even though the battery charger had been on over night. I called the boat yard and they said they would get someone to us next day which they duly did. The starter batteries were changed for new ones and we thought the problem was solved so fater a night at a lovely restaurant in Sneek we headed North got the night to a National Park called Prinsen Hof (see pic). An area of lakes and abundant wildlife. When we got there I decided to check the coolant level in the engine only to find it was very low. There was obviously a leek somewhere. 10 mins later I turned on the satellite dish to find that didn't work either.
You can imagine how we felt. But the boat yard said come back and they would fix everything, so the next day we headed south back to Ossenzijl, and stayed in Sneekermeer, one of the largest lakes in Friesland. There wwere boats everywhere a it was a beautiful day. Yachts, barges, motor boats, speed boats all enjoying the sun and water. We had a good spot where we could see all the action and the evening yacht races.Next morning we headed for base and at the last lock (in fact the only lock that day) we turned the engine off to wait ofr the lock to be prepared (we were tied up). When the lock opened we tried to start the engine but it wouldn't start. It was Saturday and the weekend. I called the boat yard and the Sales manager Gert Bos answered our cry for help and turned up 2o mins later with a jump lead so we could jump start the engine batteries from the lights/house batteries. The engine fired up and were back in Ossenzijl in 20 minutes. We now await the engineers on
Monday to sort out the problems, though I have fixed a couple already. The starter batteries going flat has been caused by the previous owner taking the fridge 12v supply from one of the starter batteries. Easily fixed as we can just cruise with the inverter on and use 230V supply to the fridge. The satellite control box problem turned out to be too low a voltage getting to it (caused by alterations one of the engineers did). I connected it up to another supply and it has worked well ever since. I just hope the coolant leak will be fixed as easily.
The good weather has gone for a few days but the forecast for later in the week is good. Third time lucky!!
