Change of Watch   by Bill Lewis

December 1 our Fleet was graciously hosted by Terry Owen and Shari Balassa at their lovely Los Altos home. Our annual Change of Watch was well-attended as the photos included in this issue will attest. People must have been anxious, because your editor arrived only 20 minutes after the stated time and everyone else was already there. There were munchies in every room, but most people hung out in the kitchen where the aromas were tantalizing. 

This year, we were delighted to have alumni members Craig Haggart and Becky Horton joining us. Others thers who showed up were Sam & Maralene Fogleman, Eric and Ann Quamen, Bill & Chris Lewis, Wilkes & Ann Joy and Hugh & JoAnn Linn. The conversation was lively and covered many topics. Terry and Shari had recently returned from France where they spent 2 months on their new “Contest 38” sailboat. Starting next year, they will spend more time in France. 

Shari was busily preparing a delicious Hungarian stew with all the trimmings. Soon, dinner was ready and we enjoyed the meal and conversation, followed by several dessert selections. After dinner, Terry brought out his photos of their new boat. We were struck by the prospect of performing the Mediterranean stern-tie and how dicey it must be to learn to do it correctly. 

We commenced the Fleet annual business meeting with the presentation of the racing trophies to the crews of Bonnie Breeze and Ericka. This year, the trophies are Starbuck’s brushed stainless steel thermos with an engraved plaque containing the boat’s name. We had a discussion about whether or not to publish the newsletter on the website. Bill Lewis presented the results of a study on how many dues-paying members it would take to cover the club’s expenses, including the annual website fee of $180. At $20 per year, it takes 27 members to break even. Otherwise, the Fleet loses money. (We currently have only 15 dues-paying members - down from 38 last year, so we may need to re-evaluate our budget next year). We elected to continue the newsletter on the web this year. 

Also discussed was ordering of new burgees. We need to order at least a dozen to get a good price. We would need to sell most of them at $35 per in order to not deplete our treasury in trade for non-liquidatable inventory. 

Our outgoing President, Eric Quamen praised the full cruising schedule we had in 2001 and stepped down. Our incoming President is Ann Quamen-eager to officiate for 2002. Nominations for vice-president failed to intimidate anyone, so we are currently functioning one officer short. 

Tentative plans were made for our 2002 cruising schedule. They are: 

Meeting was adjourned at 21:50. Thanks so much to Terry and Shari for hosting the 2001 Change of Watch. Change of Watch Album

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Tides and Currents...

We extend a enthusiastic welcome to Marc Ross of Sorel (Quebec) Canada. Marc has sail number 142 and keeps Dobeliou at the Parc nautique federal de Saurel marina. Marc's e-mail is marcwross@hotmail.com. 

We were sorry to receive the following note from Wilkes Joy: 

It's a sad but happy day around here....... After more than 21 years sailing II Enjoy, we are sad..... but glad......to report that she has now been sold. We have many, many wonderful memories with you all. We hope to remain active in the fleet but will miss seeing you at OYC,dock 3, and cruises. Here's hoping to see you at the SJSC meetings and nearby cruise dinners. We'll be thinking of you. We wish you wonderful sailing in '02. 

Wilkes & Ann

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Atomic 4 Alert   by Steve Wilson

ATOMIC 4 AND OTHER MARINE ENGINE OWNERS—WARNING Last September I encountered difficulties starting the Atomic 4 engine in my sailboat. Because of extreme circumstances, in an effort to start it, I cranked the engine for as long as one to two minutes. As a result, I filled the exhaust and intake manifolds, cylinders and carburetor with salt water, requiring extensive and expensive repair. 

What happened? My boat is equipped with a water-lift type muffler. Under normal circumstances cooling water enters the engine from the sea and is pumped through the engine by the water pump. The warmed water is then pumped into the exhaust elbow and then into the waterlift muffler where it is then pushed overboard by the exhaust gasses. In my case the engine was not firing, thus no exhaust gasses were available to push the water overboard. As a result the water continued to accumulate in the water-lift muffler until it filled, then backed up into the exhaust pipe and exhaust manifold, then as the exhaust and intake manifold valves opened and closed, the water flowed into the intake manifold cylinders and carburetor. 

I had no clue that this had happened until advised of the problem by the mechanic checking out the non-start problem about a week later. I also did not realize that the Atomic 4 engine manual contains a warning as follows: 

CAUTION 
“Do not operate the starter for more than 15-20 seconds; cooling water enters lift-type mufflers during cranking and may back up into the engine when cranking is stopped if muffler overfills.” 

I have since checked with six other owners of Atomic 4 engines. None of them was aware of the flooding possibility and most believed that extended cranking of the engine without it firing would only result in a dead battery. I have since been told that if it is necessary to crank the engine for more than 15-20 seconds, the engine intake valve should be closed until the engine starts. If that is done, however, be sure to immediately open the valve as soon as the engine starts, since damage to the water pump running dry and/or to the water-lift muffler and/ or exhaust hose due to hot exhaust gasses may occur. 

I am not a novice regarding this engine since I have had it for more than 14 years. I am embarrassed that I damaged the engine and offer this warning to all others who have any marine engine equipped with a water lift type muffler in the hopes that they may avoid a similar casualty. 

Prior to sending this article to Latitude 38, I requested that Mike Haley of Richmond Boat Works review it to verify the technical accuracy of it, and thank him for his help.

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The E-27 Fleet One Newsletter is published monthly during the cruising season. You are invited to contribute articles, comments, recipes, or just about anything of general interest to the membership. Please review our content submission guidelines for details.