Service Rainman Watermaker

Parts / Tools

• Engine oil: SAE 10W30. Most usefully in a 1l container with an integral spout.
• Spark plug: NGK CR5HSB, gapped to 60-70 micron.
• Primary filter: Shield 5 Micron Pleated Sediment Filter Cartridges 10" x 2.5".
• Primary filter wrench.
• Pickle: Food-grade Sodium Metabisulphite - made up to 50g / 10l in fresh water.

Method

• Clean the case with a rag.
• Check the cover seals. Fix any damage.
• Clean the strainer with a brush in fresh water.
• Change the engine oil:
• Remove the cap / dipstick.
• Wrap the filler with a rag, place a cup under the filler, and tip the entire unit forward until all of the oil has drained out.
• Pour in oil until at the top of the dipstick range.
• Replace spark plug with one that has been cleaned.
• Primary filter:
• Remove filter bowl, discard the filter element, and clean the bowl and fittings.
• Replace filter element and replace bowl.
• Tighten loose screws.
• Clean the gauge assembly in fresh water. Wire brush any corroded areas.
• Pickle the membrane:



Flushing prior to pickling.

• Assemble the water maker and run with fresh water for 10 minutes to flush.
• Make up 10l of pickle.
• Run pickle through membrane until bucked almost empty.
• Cap 3 membrane ports; high-pressure inlet, gauge connection point, product outlet. Use small plastic bags, doubled, and secure with cable ties.

250 Hour Engine Service

Execute the following procedures in order...

1. Warm up the Engine
2. Extract Engine Oil
3. Change Engine Oil Filter
4. Add New Engine Oil
5. Change External (CAV) Fuel Filter Element
6. Change On-Engine Fuel Filter
7. Bleed the Engine Fuel Lines
8. Check Engine Bolts
9. Check Engine Alternator Belt
10. Check / Replace Raw Water Impeller
11. Clean Raw Water Strainer
12. Check / Adjust Engine Coolant Level
13. Check / Replace Engine Exhaust Anode

Day 167: Home

Around 4am, it all started to go downhill. I was just passing Hat Head, south of Trial Bay, and the seas started picking up. A distinct chop on the nose started to build up. At first I thought it was a tidal run around the headland but, as I kept going south clearing the point, conditions worsened. It started to rain and the wind started to rise. Turns out I had run straight into an unforecast storm. I had noticed lightning to the south earlier but didn’t think it was anywhere near where I was going.

The early morning turned into an exercise in hanging on. The wind peaked at 30 knots with waves up to 2.5m. I slowed the boat down to reduce slamming but it was very uncomfortable. At one point I took a wave right over the cabin top. Not sure whether it was just an excessive wave or I buried the front.

After about 3 hours it started to drop. The storm passed over and, with dawn breaking, I was able to look around. It was a lot more comfortable. My next problem was going to be crossing the bar. My predicted time was now near the end of the window and I really didn’t want to miss it and have to spend another 9 hour’s waiting for the next window. I was able to put the speed up and do the final leg at 6 - 7 knots. I made the bar.

Once in, I had to prep the boat for the mooring. I drove it up the river on autopilot and set up a couple of lines as a bridle. I also ran a temporary line from the roller to the cockpit, the plan being to clip the temporary line to the mooring with the props at idle from the cockpit, and then hand haul the boat over the mooring.

Picking up the mooring worked very well and I attached the bridle lines. These will need a shackle in the next few days. It was then a matter of bagging up the stuff that was coming off the boat, packing the cats in their carrier, and dinghying over to the jetty where my love was waiting.

Off I stepped.

Location

Paradise Point

Day 166: Off Nambucca Heads

Passage planning for the final run to Port. There are steady southerlies along the coast except for a small break tonight. There is an 8 hour window where the wind dies down to no particular direction. I can slip out of Coffs just before it drops and be in Port just as it starts coming up again. I also have to hit the Port bar window which starts at 8am and closes at 11.30am tomorrow. The plan will be to leave Coffs at 9pm tonight and overnight to Port.

Similar seascape to where I learned to dive.

I went to the small chandlery in the marina and got an emergency nav light. I’ll be needing that tonight.

Emergency navigation lights.

Left Coffs at 9pm and turned south. There was a slight chop on the nose so I slowed down to 5 knots. This still puts me on the Port bar in the window so I settled in for the night with 15 min horizon checks.

Location

Off Nambucca Heads

Day 165: Coffs Harbour

Full day in Coffs. Went into town for a bit of shopping - raining so I got the bus back - and some boat housekeeping

Managed a walk on Muttonbird Island.

Overlooking the marina.

I'll be heading this way tomorrow.

Muttonbird (Shearwater) nests.

Location

Coffs Harbour

Day 164: Coffs Harbour

Still underway Gold Coast Seaway to Coffs Harbour.

Some time in the night, the mounting screws for the masthead light must have come adrift and the whole fitting is flopping around on its cable. Not much I can do about this under way. It will look weird to other boats so I'll have to keep my eyes open until dawn.

Was surprised to see a cargo ship come up on my inside. I didn't think I was anywhere near the shipping channels. The AIS had him missing me by 1/4 nm but I called him on the radio anyway. He assured me there would be no course changes until after he passed me.

Last leg to Coffs was fast with following wind and seas. Proper whale soup out here, and I had a dolphin escort into the bay.

Tied up at 5.45pm, went to dinner at the sailing club, and slept the sleep of the dead.

Safely tied up.

It's a bit cold and the cats are heading for the warm places.

Location

Coffs Harbour

Day 163: Currigee

Back at Currigee ready for tonight's exit. Passage plan says leave at midnight for a 24 hour passage to Coffs. Expecting the first few hours to be a bit bouncy until I round Point Danger, then a fast run with northerlies all the way. The plan has the seaway calming down at around midnight. Went to bed in the afternoon to try and get some sleep before leaving. I won't be sleeping much underway.

Update: I woke up around 5pm and checked the weather which suggested I could leave at 9pm. Checked with the Seaway Tower VMR and they told me the bar was calm right now. Woohoo, early exit.

Looks like an evening race going past.

2 hours out, heading for Point Danger and the port engine sputters and shuts down. I find lots of water in the CAV filter. Checked on deck and I had left the filler cap off the fuel tank and had been taking on sea water. This is a big problem. If I don't fix it quickly, I'll have to go back to the Gold Coast and I miss my weather window. Took me 1 1/2 hours to clean out the fuel filters and lines. I put two old filter elements on. Took a bit of purging but I got the engine started and it ran perfectly for the rest of the passage.

My passage companion.

Not much sleep single-handing. I got 15 minute snatches between horizon checks.

Location

Currigee