After the cold snap we were a tad anxious about what might have befallen the traditionally un-winterised Uncle Mort. With the ice now gone from Aqueduct Marina, though still in evidence towards Nanneys Bridge I felt brave enough to investigate.
Since we have always relied on a) batteries staying charged from the shoreline in order to b) activate the Mikuni on the 5 deg C frost stat it is wise to leave the shore supply meter well topped up and the last thing one must do is to forget to give the Mikuni its winter tickle and scrub before pushing off for the festivities. Sure enough that was the last thing I forgot to do when leaving the boat in November. Arriving at the marina before 8am this morning it was a comfort to note that the shore power had not tripped and with still over a tenner on the meter, about £12 had been consumed hopefully maintaining a healthy battery charge. Down the steps into the saloon, no splashing or trickling sounds good. Flick on a light nice and bright excellent. Turn up the stat on the Mikuni dodo like. No power to the Mikuni, but also no signs of any damage due to the cold weather. Presumably things kept going through the worst of the cold spell and the burden of its exertions eventually overcame the Mikuni. The timing was presumably a chunk of luck. The JP3, being from Dursley, characteristically started within 3 lethargic spins of the flywheel and I looked around to find my box of heating spares, made a warm drink and waited 30 mins while the temperature in the engine room improved. The investigation was routine and the carbonised injector and gauze were scrubbed up. No parts were required, not even gaskets, except a replacement for the blown 30A fuse. The gizzmo then fired readily with a generous plume of diesel fumes and as I sit having a full breakfast in the marina café I have left the heating on full tilt Hopefully all will be well when I get back on board in half hour or so. Capt Beeky
