Post Launch Checks, Trial

Bleed and start the engine (ch.3.1.4 and 3.1.5), and check the following:

  1. Engine oil pressure: 3.5-4.0 kp/cm² (50-60 lbf/in²)
  2. Gearbox oil pressure: 7.5-9.6 kp/cm² (105-135 lbf/in²)
  3. That the ampere meter indicates charging
  4. That the voltage gauge dial reading is 13.8
  5. That the charging warning light goes out
  6. That the sea cooling water flows, i.e., that water passes through the strainer or trickles out of the exhaust pipe
  7. That no water enters into the bilge. If it does, locate the leak.
  8. That no odd noise is heard from the machinery

Leave the engine room hatches open, while doing the following:

  1. Turn on the Webasto air heater, and check its functioning (ch.8.4). Let it work for about two hours to get rid of the smell of new paints that new units emit, and the foul smell that sometimes tends to follow winter storage.
  2. Fill the water tank (ch.8.2). Check all taps. If your NAUTICAT is equipped with a sea water service system, check the sea water taps or spouts. If she has an additional fresh water tank in the bow, check the three-way cock and see that the pump works on this circuit.
  3. Check that the WC bowl rubber packings are clean. Check the functioning of the toilet (ch.8.3).
  4. Test the stove (ch.8.5) and the Junkers water heater (ch.8.2).
  5. Check the functioning of the electric equipment (ch.4), i.e., lights, refrigerator, etc.
  6. Check that no oil or water trickles out of the machinery (ch.3).
  7. Stop the engine and check the water separator, the fan belt, and the fresh cooling water level. If there is more water than before launching, the fresh water tubes inside the heat exchanger may have got a leak, taking in sea water into the fresh water system. If the water level is lower, there is probably a leak somewhere in the engine. Try to locate the fault and fix it, but we recommend you to consult a craftsman in such cases.
  • start the engine, close the hatches, turn the bilge pump on
  • “autom”, and get ready for the trial.

You probably haven’t been manoeuvering the yacht for some time now (if at all), wherefore we remind you to be cautious, and to estimate the wind direction, position of neighbouring boats, possible current etc. carefully, before getting out.