15/11/2013 1100 hrs
Trying to send msg is hard, phone only works a few ks around some of the locks, looking like Renmark later on today or Sat. We are about 60k from Renmark at the 628 km mark. Motors OK.
Seagulls on The Murray
Moderators: John@sos, charlesp, Charles uk, RickUK, Petergalileo
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
15 Nov 1515 hrs
We are leaving the dead zone no mobile reception for several days. Currently 20 klms upstream of renmark eta 1800 hrs. Will send more later.
We are leaving the dead zone no mobile reception for several days. Currently 20 klms upstream of renmark eta 1800 hrs. Will send more later.
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
This one is 2 days old but gives an idea of some motor problems and solutions ...
Not a good campsite as a large irrigation pump started up at midnight and was still running when we left. Very noisey. Passed through lock 9 at 0830 hrs. Johns motor was missing and very difficult to start coming out of the lock so John changed the plug and retensioned the plug cap. It helped but the motor was still running rough. The motor got worse so we went into the bank and John fitted Moose #4 motor to the boat. The #4 motor ran alright but there wasn't a steady stream of cooling water exiting the tell tale. After 3 hrs of running the motor had steam conning from the tell tale. Back to the bank and the cav plate was removed and then it was test run. The water jacket was still blocked. John put the motor aside and cleaned the points. The motor impoved but was still running rough. We continued on and found a sand beach and made camp for the night. It was early but John needed time to work on the motors in daylight. The main motor had a defective coil and once this was replaced and the points set it was back to its old self. Now to the motor. By using the Ripley patterned bilge pump ( a re-cycled stirrup pump) adapted with the nozzle from a silastic tube we we're able to back flush the motor. The water flowed through ok but there was a geyser spurting from head gasket. A tarp was laid on the sand and the head was removed. A large piece of scale was removed from the water passage. The head was refitted with copious amount of sealer. The engine was tested by standing it up in the river and running the motor. It worked perfectly with a steady stream coming from the telltale. We went to bed knowing that we now had 2 serviceable motors.
Not a good campsite as a large irrigation pump started up at midnight and was still running when we left. Very noisey. Passed through lock 9 at 0830 hrs. Johns motor was missing and very difficult to start coming out of the lock so John changed the plug and retensioned the plug cap. It helped but the motor was still running rough. The motor got worse so we went into the bank and John fitted Moose #4 motor to the boat. The #4 motor ran alright but there wasn't a steady stream of cooling water exiting the tell tale. After 3 hrs of running the motor had steam conning from the tell tale. Back to the bank and the cav plate was removed and then it was test run. The water jacket was still blocked. John put the motor aside and cleaned the points. The motor impoved but was still running rough. We continued on and found a sand beach and made camp for the night. It was early but John needed time to work on the motors in daylight. The main motor had a defective coil and once this was replaced and the points set it was back to its old self. Now to the motor. By using the Ripley patterned bilge pump ( a re-cycled stirrup pump) adapted with the nozzle from a silastic tube we we're able to back flush the motor. The water flowed through ok but there was a geyser spurting from head gasket. A tarp was laid on the sand and the head was removed. A large piece of scale was removed from the water passage. The head was refitted with copious amount of sealer. The engine was tested by standing it up in the river and running the motor. It worked perfectly with a steady stream coming from the telltale. We went to bed knowing that we now had 2 serviceable motors.
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
16 November 1015 hrs.
Cleared lock 5 should pass through lock 4 later today. Should pass the 1500 klm mark late today. John checked the oil level in the gearbox this morning to find mainly water. The new seals do work but seem to have a limited life. Mooses fuel problems have been fixed loose connections and an air lock. Both boats are performing well.
Cleared lock 5 should pass through lock 4 later today. Should pass the 1500 klm mark late today. John checked the oil level in the gearbox this morning to find mainly water. The new seals do work but seem to have a limited life. Mooses fuel problems have been fixed loose connections and an air lock. Both boats are performing well.
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Collector Inspector
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
16 November, 2018hrs.
Big day today.
We have now travelled 1500 kilometres using the mighty British Seagull.
We finished the day with a bbq next to the river.
Big day today.
We have now travelled 1500 kilometres using the mighty British Seagull.
We finished the day with a bbq next to the river.
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
16 November 1041 hrs
We have passed through locks 5 & 4 today and made it too loxton. Meet up with family and friends and had a large meal on the river bank. Both boats and motors running well. Weather was sunny but a bit too much wind. Once we fill up with fuel (we both have two empty tanks) we will proceed down river. We have achieved another milestone today reaching the 1500 klm distance.
We have passed through locks 5 & 4 today and made it too loxton. Meet up with family and friends and had a large meal on the river bank. Both boats and motors running well. Weather was sunny but a bit too much wind. Once we fill up with fuel (we both have two empty tanks) we will proceed down river. We have achieved another milestone today reaching the 1500 klm distance.
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1650bullet
- Posts: 669
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:52 pm
- Location: Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
Almost there people. Almost There. 
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
17 November 2154 hrs
Camped tonight at Overland Corner at the 424 klm mark. Passed through lock 3 today without incident. Rob and Barb Toolan have joined us for the night. We are hoping to reach Wellington on Friday and make our across the lake on Saturday with our final run into Goolwa on Sunday. Both boats and motors running well. Both motors had the gearbox oil changed tonight. There was still oil in both gearboxes after two days of solid running.
Camped tonight at Overland Corner at the 424 klm mark. Passed through lock 3 today without incident. Rob and Barb Toolan have joined us for the night. We are hoping to reach Wellington on Friday and make our across the lake on Saturday with our final run into Goolwa on Sunday. Both boats and motors running well. Both motors had the gearbox oil changed tonight. There was still oil in both gearboxes after two days of solid running.
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
18 November 0908 hrs
Heading down river for Hog Wash Bend 80 klms away.
Heading down river for Hog Wash Bend 80 klms away.
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
Probably a nice spot to spend the night under the stars, tasting the local wine .....
http://caudovineyard.com.au/hogwash-bend/
http://caudovineyard.com.au/hogwash-bend/
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
[attachment=0]image.jpg[/attachment]
17 November 2016 hrs
Can anyone guess what is happening ?
17 November 2016 hrs
Can anyone guess what is happening ?
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Stelios_Rjk
- Posts: 1458
- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 10:15 pm
- Location: Athens - Greece
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
Unblocking waterways or curring head gasket leak?
I love the 10600/145 turns!!!
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
No, I think he's weighing his foot down with a Seagull to stop being washed away if the tide rises...
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Rob Ripley
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2006 11:38 am
- Location: Melbourne, Australia
Re: Seagulls on The Murray
19 November 0825 hrs
Here's John response ...
Tuff day, another Wipac coil died, fitted the original Villiers assembly, also changed the head gasket and spark plug.
350 Klms to go, fingers crossed.
Water weeping from the join, not a big deal, not sure why it stopped. The motor was very hot, not sure why. The coil was the one we fitted last week. I have also noticed the flywheel gets very hot after a hard day. Hope the old ignition lasts.
Here's John response ...
Tuff day, another Wipac coil died, fitted the original Villiers assembly, also changed the head gasket and spark plug.
350 Klms to go, fingers crossed.
Water weeping from the join, not a big deal, not sure why it stopped. The motor was very hot, not sure why. The coil was the one we fitted last week. I have also noticed the flywheel gets very hot after a hard day. Hope the old ignition lasts.