Help from the Dogs on Sat.

[Bluefinn]

We left the dock at 6am on Sat. headed west of the pile for halibut.The boat is still new to me and Im still working out some bugs.I was going to get fuel in the am but the fuel dock was loaded with boats.I checked my gauge and it showed I had 1/2 tank.I have the Suzuki fuel management gauges on board but have not completely figured them out.we reached the pile when all of the sudden one engine showed an over heat code and shutdown on it's own.I had one of the crew maintain a heading while I assessed the problem.I lifted the motor and checked for debris in the intake everything looked good.The engine would start but only run for a short time.Then the second engine died I have seperate tanks one for each engine.We felt it must be a fuel filter problem.I had not purchased the spare fuel filters yet and I did not have a fuel filter wrench on board.We could not remove the filters by hand.I gave a call out to the Coastguard to make them aware of our situation.I also called out to the dogs for a filter and a wrench.I was answered immediately by Triple C who stopped fishing and ran 6-8 miles to bring me a wrench and a filter.Right behind him was the boat Calamari and behind him came the High and mighty.In a matter of minutes I had all the help I needed and all kinds of filters and wrenches and willing people to stop what ever they were doing and help me.Pretty awesome group of people we have here regardless of who someone is or what they do we all come together when it counts.We figure out that the problem is not the filters but that the pick up tubes in the tank will not reach the fuel that is left in there.Granted we were low on fuel but not out.Another call to the Coasties and dreading the Vessel Assist bill.Corrirod calls and says hey Rick you need a tow. He had caught his fish and was headed in.I called the coasties and told them we had a tow.They kept in contact with me every 15 minutes asking for current postition etc.Rod towed me at about 7 knots after about an hour Rod called and said he was running low on fuel himself.We untied from him and he ran all the way in got fuel and ran all the way back out to continue the tow.I have never met some one with a bigger heart then Rod Lee.For those of you who do not know him do yourself a favor and meet him you will be a better person for just knowing him.Rod towed us all the way to the bay and then tied up along side and parked us at the gas dock.I put 85 gallons in each tank this left 20 gallons in each tank.Both engines fired up.I have now ordered two Floscans which will be installed this weekend.I will always fill before a trip and I have spare fuel filters and a wrench.I posted this to show people even those of us who have spent years on the big pond can make mistakes.Even if your boat is new expect the worst and be prepared.Thanks again to all the people who called and offered to help.Rick

[Chromaflage]

Another fine example of "No Dog Left Behind!" Nice to know there's help around when you need it. I had a similar experience Saturday.

On another note, I learned long ago to never leave the dock with less than a full tank of fuel. Hope you can get the problem fixed easily.

[Sweepy]

Glad things worked out. Way to go Rod.

[Bait O' Eggs]

you wont notice it unless you look close, but Rod keeps his cape tucked under his shirt, but just because you dont see it, doesnt mean it isnt there.

[Dan9113]

Glad it wasn't something major and couldn't have happened on a better ocean than we had Saturday.

Funny thing about the filter wrench was I saw that adjustable wrench at Englunds on Friday afternoon and thought that it might be handy to have. It hadn't been on my boat for 12 hours.

Someone on my boat asked what a filter and wrench was worth on the ocean. I told them I didn't think any of the dogs would charge another as they would be there for you in your time of need.

I must say it was pretty cool seeing boats bust out of the fog coming to lend a hand.

Dan

[Bluefinn]

Thanks again Dan I owe you one.

[Sublime]

hey bro, we saw ya on your way out, when we were heading out of the tips.





Also so another boat coming up on our starboard that was almost getting air, so I figured I'd get their pic, too! Everybody likes to see their own boats out there!~



(just not the situation you were in)

Then, later in the day, out at the rockpile, we saw Rod towing you in





I hope everything is okay with the boat, amigo!

[Pilar]

Ammo is always more expensive in the field . Having Rod Lee nearby to help and far from the telephone booth (where he puts on the suit) is priceless.

Long time ago now Rod stopped to help me on the road. I had popped a tire on my old boat trailer. He was headed somewhere else and just ditched all that to give me a hand. He took me to town to buy some new ones and we made it to Les Schwab right when they were closing.

I've never forgotten that .. a thousand thanks .. Rod you are the man.

Glad you figured it out Rick. Can you extend those pickup tubes? What does floscan do that your engine management system won't?

The pickup tube on my tank was split near the bottom and two inches short when I first looked at that tank. It is now stainless and an inch and a half longer. The dead space is to avoid water but with fuel/water separators you really don't need that margin.

[Bluefinn]

John the flow scan is just a simple system that works very well.The Suzuki system is not very user friendly.It is also shows rpm you can not view both screens at the same time.The contrast of the screen is very hard to read in almost any condtion.The Flowscan works very simple and has a good track record.I do not trust the Suzuki gauges they will maybe fine.I will end up selling them this winter and go to a standard gauge.Keep it simple.I will have to check out the pick up situation this winter.I know now with the boat in the water it will hold 95 gallons per side.The gauges read 1/2 tank with 40 gallons of fuel left but only 20 is useable.I will not be relying on the gauges.

[skein]

Nice work, 'Dogs!

It's amazing how quickly the lines are pulled and the run is made to help out a brother. I doubt that it happens everywhere, but it should. And nobody does it better than the Salty Dogs. Can you believe how lucky we are to be part of this group?

And Rod? Yep, he's almost in a class by himself. But he'll be the first to tell you, "Nahhhh."

Skein

[Pilar]

I have forgotten who installed my floscan. The only time I had an issue it was out of warranty and they sent me a trouble shooting guide and then a new part for free. And some advice about not letting the sensor slosh around in the bilge.

Without that meter I feel pretty limited.

[skein]

Everybody's always full of advice after the fact, but I carry a separate 6-gal outboard tank and the fittings to connect or splice into the main fuel line. It's a pretty cheap insurance policy.

Skein

[SecondSeason]

flowscan in my boat rocks---out of the box it runs almost .5 gallons off which i can live with. on sunday i when i crossed the bar on the way home i was at 52.8 gallons out of 60. pushing hard up some swells with a load of tuna i made it back to ilwaco for a fill up. while waiting for a spot at the fuel dock it ran out of gas at 59.8 gallons. the flowscan not only tells you where you are at any given time it also lets you know where you are at different speeds.

well worth the time.

[FINZ]

Rod, Definately a class act and good guy. He helped me out way more than he had to when I bought my boat from him.

Thanks Rod
FINZ

[ron m]

Rick, glad you got it figured out. Rod, impressively helpful!
ron m

[Pilar]

Second Season, before I say this I'm not harshing on you. Thanks for sharing your fuel situation on Saturday. And in fact I ran way down into my reserve Saturday, returning with 26 gallons out of 135, or a 19% reserve. Way below the minimum for me.

I think you were at 12%. The CG has no sympathy for you if you run out of fuel. They will rescue you but may charge you for the rescue if they think you were irresponsible. And the most important thing is that the weather may change and the reserve is there if you have to grind your way home at a higher burn rate.

Rule of thirds is a good guide to not running out of fuel on the big lake. A third going out, a third coming in and a third for reserve. 45 gallons on my craft. Know your fuel use and be conservative.

[Bluefinn]

Originally Posted by ron m

Rick, glad you got it figured out. Rod, impressively helpful!
ron m

Great pics.Sublime you got me coming and going.Very cool.We did deploy the tuna gear and lowered the new outriggers into postion for a time waster on our sprint into the bay.