Rivercraft Revival

[steelo]

Hi folks.
Water was too low to boat at Goolwa on the weekend so drove to Murray Bridge where there was some.
Weather was dark and threatening but had a good ride none the less and even had some smooth straights.
Fuel gauge also seems to have miraculously repaired itself?
Picture of the river, sky, missus and other crew members

[steelo]

A few more.

[hemihead]

Hey Steelo you found the ramp eh, which one did you end up at, how was the river level up there?. It?s nice to see some pics of the beast in action again, I bet you turned some heads at the ramp when they heard the blower fire up!
Hope the rain held off for you. 

[wrongway2]

Is the co-navigator a minature maltese?

[steelo]

Hi Hemi, Wrongway, all.

Launched at Long Island, boated towards Mannum (another River Murray town) but didn't quite get there. Didn't know how far away it was and weather closing in so did a U turn. Turns out (from looking at map) only about 5km's to go. Could have had tea and scones.
There seemed to be enough water at the ramp. I was only person at ramp and got surprised when wife (who had been practicing her car and trailer reversing drills) got me into the water and the boat quickly floated off before I'd had a chance to start the engine. I did a little silent praying and thankfully the Lexus purred into life.
Couple of shack owners to impress, that's about all.

Milly the little navigator is a pure Maltese. She is just a small one. Never leaves our side and can't wait to get on the boat but seems to spend a bit of time with her head buried under the wifes arm, or looking over the side of the windscreen, when we are under way at high speed.

I look forward to any other South Aussies or interstate visitors being available to get together to go for a ride.

[PM]

Awesome to see it on the water.

Back to the fuel issue, we use a valve in our US commercial boats which switches between the tanks. It has two fuel inlets and one out, then one fuel return inlet and two out, so no matter which tank you select the return will always get back to the correct one. The valve is also manual so no electrical issues.

[steelo]

Thanks PM.
That valve sounds a great idea.
I think I only have one fuel outlet from main 100l main storage tank, fed by second manual pump into 25l surge / header tank.
I may have to plumb in a fuel return to main tank to get it to work.
What brand / name is it?

[PM]

Sorry, don't have a brand / name. I usually just ask for one and UPS (man with the gifts) drops it off. Will find out in the next few days.

[Matthewf/Norbert/TuiDog]

steelo, paralysis via analysis ...

check the wiring at the sender and gauge for good contact (re do them, esp as you have just had them out and now you have it working intermittently!)
the fuel system on that boat is set-up to ensure trouble free operation down to the last drop of fuel or will self prime if you run out...

suggest you don't change it (tanks,lines,pump valves etc...,) you could however ...

1. do nothing and simply run the fuel pump 100% of the time, the fuel gauge will then stay on 'Full' until you have 25l left, then work in a linear fashion for the last 25 litres..(you can turn the pump of at this time).
2. do as above and put in a 2nd fuel gauge on the underfloor tank, you will have all the info then

cheers big ears

[steelo]

Thanks Matthew, everyone.
I think I'm just getting a little ahead of myself 

[hemihead]

Launched at Long Island, boated towards Mannum (another River Murray town) but didn't quite get there. Didn't know how far away it was and weather closing in so did a U turn. Turns out (from looking at map) only about 5km's to go. Could have had tea and scones.

Nice run that one eh Steelo, surprised you had the ramp to yourself at Long Island 
I think it?s about 40 km from the Bridge to Mannum.
We did it few weeks ago in the J73 for a test run. You can moor the boat at a little landing out the front of the pub in Mannum, they do great pub lunches there too. (Mine came in 440 ml glass receptacles)

[steelo]

Hello all.
Been a while since I posted on the boat.
Went to Goolwa and took her out for a run.
Its still running very well
It was hot and water level low.
Had a new Bimini fitted a couple of weeks ago. Very pleasant to cruise under. I hope you think it suits.
Regards

[Gravelrash T]

Looking good steelo 8)Was that you in the drivers seat

[steelo]

Thanks gravel.
It was my shadow and navigator.
I should have got her to take the photo.

[Matthewf/Norbert/TuiDog]

mmmm the storm covers were only used twice since new   good for keeping out hail..(it was a bad day)