Alongside RSAYS, Outer Harbor
Wind: S, F3 - gentle breeze
Sea: calm Swell: nil
Weather: clear, cool

The main development this week has been a diagnosis on the engine which I am afraid to say was not good. Ian Brown, a highly regarded local marine diesel mechanic, had a look over the BRM including conducting a compression test. The verdict was that the engine had serious problems, most notably the rings in number four cylinder were shot, and the engine needs another rebuild.

I have since looked at a number of options, including a new engine; however, at a cost of around $15,000 this option is not at the top of my list. Another option is to buy a Kubota base engine and marinise it using the necessary bits from the old engine; however, there is no guarantee that I can get the right base engine and, at a price tag of $8,500 plus, I figure the risk is too high. Consequently, I have decided to attempt another rebuild. To this end I purchased a small car over the weekend as an engine rebuild is going to require lugging various heavy engine bits, in particular the block and head, all over town.

An important question arising from Ian's verdict is what is causing the problems. My conclusion is the exhaust system, despite my various modifications, is still allowing water back into the engine so I need a major rethink about how to redesign it to ensure this problem does not recur. ever again.

The job for this week is to get the engine out and to start pulling it apart.

All is well.