We are Rob & Angie, a middle age (plus) couple with a passion for sailing. We bought our lovely Bavaria 300 yacht in August 2012.
Unfortunately, just over a month later, Rob had a serious stroke. With help from our doctor, Headway and especially family and close friends, and Robs gritty determination, Rob made a remarkable recovery. However, he does have weakness on his left side, some speech issues (sometimes sounds drunk) and probably the one that causes the most problems in his memory. His recall on things that happened over 3-4 days previous is sketchy to say the least! We started recording “Sailing with us” purely as a means of playing back his memories, as method of recall for him. Don’t tell RU-vid but we store all these videos for free! We’re not after fortune and fame but you might enjoy Rob’s ex-forces humour. Thank you for watching!
Hi Boatmattias, interesting comment. The engine came bolted down in its crate. I added the fuel system and made a starter box so I could test run in situ. Under the green paint (seen in the video) was a base coat of "duck egg blue" colour. You could be correct with an engineering school theory.
Hi Nick, I got the engine from eBay. Try and buy a runner, even if it's got starting issues or low compression. A top end rebuild should sort out the problems and give you a reliable engine. Hope this helps?
I bought an engine like this 16 years ago for my 1924 catboat. The previous owner of the engine had noticed a loss of power and a Volvo mechanic had recommended a new engine. That's why I got this for very little money. When I got home I discovered, that only the actuation lever for the gouvernor was worn out, so that it was no longer possible to apply full throttle. A little bit of welding and filework fixed ist.
Hi again, Rob, from Cádiz. My engine starter just failed today and I remembered I had seen a video on this topic on your channel. So here I am again thanking you for your generosity and quality videos! Cheers from Spain!
😂 been there with the wind indicator! I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why my sail trim just wouldn’t settle… then I looked at Norma the flag and realised that the wind was coming from another direction to what the wind indicator was saying! Our wind indicator is still buggered though! Looking forward to making this same passage tomorrow, thanks for the video!
Excellent video - alowed a much quicker rebuild than if i iddnt have it as a guide, and there was a lot less swearing! If you ever find yourself sailing the Clyde or Scottish West Coast I owe you a beer.
Hi Jon, hope you love your boat as much as we do! Is the interior the same? We need to tackle a drooping headlining problem in the aft cabin.Looks like a big job!
Hi Rob, thanks for your help in the marina. Hauled out this morning and it was a barnacle build up on the propeller, can’t quite believe it! Returning at a later date to do the crossing. In hindsight, should’ve had a scrub before setting off. Cheers, jack, Dave and Rick
I think every yacht should have an "anchor ball scare crow" however if you know a better method to get rid of marauding jet skis, please let me know. My old coveralls aren't scary enough!
I wouldn't heat the bearings - but I would the outer brass housing. For the shaft I would plastic bag it and leave that in the freezer for a couple of hours to make fitting the bearings a little easier. I would be very careful when driving the bearings to avoid putting too much strain or hammering the inner race - though with this design that's not easy to do.
Hi and thanks for the question. I should have put an explanation at the start of the video. A simple reason is to make sure the valve fully closes as the wear limits change on the seat.
Thanks for your kind comment. Hopefully this video helps. I’m slightly envious that you are in warm waters. My last boat was in Guardamar del Segura, all year sailing!
The helical gear box is the common problem with this starter. You did not mention that you have a isolatated starter motor ( Minus on the rear on the starter). Some VP engines are isolated, which means the engine block has no connection to the battery. Alternator is also isolated and you should have seen one wire is going from the starter motor to the alternator (minus). This was done by VP to minimize corrosition. It´s a very bad idea to change the alternator to a none isolated car alternator. If you do so, you need a 200A relais in the minus line. It´s done often without a relais and results in a defect oil cooler or a corroded hear exchanger. Minus connection to the engine block is only during the start operation when the starter is engaged.
Please correct the exchange of the starter motor and make people aware that there is a none isolated version. The heat exchanger and oil cooler are yery expensiv parts....even the cooling water on the 2003(t) goes through a cooper pipe in the gearbox. I keep always a spare starter motor on board ( died twice already)
Hi Frank, that’s an interesting point about the earthing point at the back of the starter. It was connected to a strap attached to one of the bolts on the engine mount. A large negative cable runs from the engine block directly to the starting battery. I get your point about the alternator and corrosion, were there many VP engines fitted with this model starter system?
@@sailingwithus5743 Hi Rob, most boats equiped with a sail drive should have an isolated engine. Quit easy to spot, the sensors (Oil and water temp have two wires). In the VP operating manual you find two circurit diagrams, one for single pole and the other for double pole which is the isolated version. VP did this for a reason, every where in the engine are different types of metal are used. When you look at the MS2A gearbox cooper pipe aluminium housing, same with the oil cooler and heat exchanger. There are lots of people which are having problems with corrosion on the sail drive, oil cooler and heat exchanger. If you search the internet you will find many . Saw your videos...did you check your circular water pump (internal cooling) for a loose shaft?? If the belt was always tied, it destroyes the bearing on the circular Pump. The pulley feels wickley. A new pump at Volvo Penta is € 2000, which is a rip off. My engine is a VP2003T and I had to fix already both pumps. I have motored over 4000 hours, Moody 34 build 1986.
All my best wishes! I already uploaded a video on which a dermatologist explains how to protect our skin during sailing and, believe it or not, the next health video will explain what to do in case of stroke during sailing. I work with neurologists and I spoke to one of them a couple of months ago. He is also a sailor, and he is willing to help with the recording. I will try to record it sooner than later. Most of us sailors are over 50 and we are at risk.
Thanks for the feedback. What a bulletproof little engine the VP 2002 is turning out to be! Just regular oil changes and they keep going. More boat stuff to come. Greetings from the muddy waters, east coast of England!
Hi Rob, Thanks for the video, I have a VP 2003 circa 1993, probably one of the last few made. It's pretty much ok at the moment but i do worry about things like the starter motor so this video has been very useful. If I get problems with it, I know where to look. Interesting that you can get pattern replacements for the starter motor. Are there any other parts that work ?. I've moved away from the genuine VP filters and saved a lot. I also found a source for raw water impellors. Take care, you're doing well, I wouldn't have known about your stroke if I hadn't read your about message. Onwards and upwards Eh! Best Wishes Dave
Hi Dave, I started making these videos after my stroke to remember what I'd done. It's nice to see boat owners benefiting from watching them. Regarding the pattern replacement. I carry one in my spares box, you never know! I'd recommend cutting down a 10mm hex key too. Cheers, Rob
Hi again, since I have the same RWC engine but my boat is a 30 footer, what's a typical cruising speed for you and at what rpms? Same question for max speed at what RPMs. Thanks.
Hi dojo, hope you got your engine mounts sorted. Passage planning I usually work on a five knot average, sail or engine. Cruising RPM 1500 = 5knots. Flat out 2000+ RPM and a clean bottom is about 7 knots. The bating platform starts to dig in to the wake as it approaches maximum hull speed. Hope this helps!
Thanks. Good info to have for me. Just discovered the thermostat in the engine is a 110 deg F unit. I'm going to order the 140 deg F (60 C) and swap. I wonder if the engine will run any different, more power, lower fuel consumption, more chance to salt up the exhaust elbow? I'm still working on locating mounts. Guess I have to figure out how the front and backs are different. When looking for parts, I'm often asked for the engine's serial number (10 digits?) only to find they can't find it. Has that happened to you? @@sailingwithus5743
Great video and a beautiful boat. What’s the make and length? I have the same engine and am planning to replace the thermostat so your video will really help. I’m pretty sure my engine needs new engine mounts. We bought the boat a couple months ago. The engine sure shakes at 850 rpm so I'm thinking engine mounts may need replacing. I see many mounts advertised that appear to fit the back but haven’t been able to find any for the front of the engine. They appear to be different than the back mounts. Any suggestions/advice, part numbers, websites to visit? Thanks!
Hi dajo. our boat is a 1990 built Bavaria 300, she's just under 32ft long. Is your engine sail drive or shaft? If you're in the uk I would recommend Keyparts Ltd. give them the engine serial number and they'll probably give you the advice you need. Good luck!
Thanks for the fast reply. Your Bavaria looks perfect for a couple. Ours has a shaft drive. I'm in the states but with worldwide shipping, I'll look them up. Are the front mounts different than the back ones?@@sailingwithus5743
Thank you so much for sharing this video. I followed you video booth 17 and 18. step by step and it worked perfectly, my waterpump is not leaking anymore. Thanks.
Hi Ben, You've got every right to be excited. It was a trip of a lifetime for us! Regarding the underwater camera. I used an old GoPro hero seven. Have to say I was quite impressed with the sound quality, even after a good dunking. speed was 30fps 1080p. Hope this helps!
Hi mate, doing this same cruise in November. Could you possibly find the name of and the prices you paid for each shore excursion in each island. I’d love to do some of these excursions, especially the Saint Vincent one.
Hello again Ben, we went end of February this year. Some of the trips were arranged through the travel agent before the holiday at a discount. However we also took a gamble and got local bus and taxi excursions. Cant remember the price, sorry.
