While in route back to Brewerton, I called Beta Marine U.S. to inquire about the availability of a new 30hp engine. Normal delivery is 4 – 6 weeks upon placing order. On this day, the stars were aligned in my favor. A 30hp engine was due to arrive this very day and it was not pre-sold! Moments later, credit card surrendered, the engine was pre-sold to us. We settled on the required accessories and within 24 hours the engine was on a truck headed our way. It arrived 5 days later, and we scheduled haul-out.
Upon opening the crate containing the bright red motor, Bev looked in and exclaimed “Ruby”! Thus, she will always be known as Ruby.
Since the replacement was expected to take about 1 to 2 weeks (and living on a boat out of the water on jack stands is such great fun) Bev decided to go to Kentucky to visit her Dad for 10 days, allowing her sister a well-deserved vacation and being there for Dad’s 85th birthday celebration.
So, into the engine compartment I went. Ripping out lines, cables and hoses can be fun when you know you aren’t going to be putting them back in again! Once disconnected, the marina staff helped me hoist the old Volvo out. Underneath lay 28 years of bilge scum. It took 3 days of scraping, grinding and cleaning to remove that legacy. In the process, I found 2 fuel leaks and one water leak coming from areas that were inaccessible with the engine in place.
With a fresh coat of paint in the bilge, it was time to have the marina staff help me bring Ruby aboard. Once in place, it took a few additional days to reconnect fuel lines, battery cables, water lines and prop shaft. Oh, I failed to mention that Ruby turns the opposite direction of the Volvo, requiring a new prop as well!
Monday morning was launch day. Bev had returned on Sunday, so it was “all hands-on deck” to celebrate Stealaway returning to the water. Ruby sprang to life and I played “proud Papa” for about 15 minutes when the high temperature alarm went off. I began searching for the cause, checking and re-checking everything I had done. I spent a day troubleshooting with Beta Marine U.S. to no avail. The next day, a call to the factory in England revealed a factory oversight that was causing the overheating. A quick fix and all is well in the world again!
After an afternoon of sea trials on Oneida Lake, we pronounced the repower complete and made plans to depart Ess-Kay Yards on Friday. You know you have been somewhere too long when marina staff, owners and other customers line up for hugs and farewells when you untie from the dock!