Replacing the engine – Part 1: Out with the Old

Well we knew we would be on the hard doing repairs for a month or so when we got back to Songster but after 5 weeks, climbing up a 4 metre ladder every time we get on and off the boat is getting a bit old and Bob especially is getting testy, whereas his better half is equanimity plus....

Despite our impatience to finally get water under the hull, the engine replacement is going well and Marlin, the diesel mechanics, are doing a wonderful job.  These things just take time.  It all started a few days after we arrived in Marmaris when we negotiated with Marlin about the new engine.  They gave us a quote that was what we expected, ie hugely expensive; we made the international transfer and the new Yanmar 75 hp engine was ordered.  We were committed.

The workmen came to start disassembling the extra bits on the engine – alternator, filters, etc – to make the old Perkins, weighing 500kg, smaller and lighter.

Dismantling the Old Perkins

In bits

Then the next day all of a sudden a big crane appears, telescopes over another yacht and with lots of careful manipulation, maneuvering and consultation the fabulous men in red lifted the Old Perkins out of the cockpit hatch and onto the flat bed of the crane truck.  It will go to its new owner, who will recondition it and put it in his fishing boat.  Bob said good riddance, but I thought well done old thing for so many years of service – sadly though not for us!

The crane telescoping over the neighbour's yacht

Just mm's to spare

Intense concentration

Away she goes, complete with nappy

Onto the truck

Good riddance says Bob

The remains in the engine room were not a pretty sight but they cleaned it up to make it look a bit more presentable.

Yuck!

A bit better

Then the propeller shaft needed to come out.  We had hoped, but not realistically, that the old shaft would still be okay, but sadly not.  It was all scored and a new one needed.  It would take a few days to machine the new one.  The technicians had a bit of a job getting the propeller off and shaft out but it was impressive to watch these skilled men at work.

Scored propeller shaft - should be mirror smooth

Removing the old propeller

Using a blow torch to loosen the propeller from the shaft

and brute force with a hammer