Getting back into gear

@ Picton's Northern Star The Boat

[@keithjamex444]

Thanks for uploading , lovely to see your fine boat. Keep up the good work. Regards from Akl

[@bilgerat711]

Thanks we love her lines and a labour of love

[@roddhamilton8473]

Keep it up man. A labour of love.

[@bilgerat711]

Thanks, yes a good interest, don't have many other vices.😆

[@glengrant3884]

SHINE BRIGHT!!!💥💫💪 NORTHERN STAR!!! AUSTRALIA!!🤍💙❤️

[@bilgerat711]

Thanks, keep well over the ditch there..

[@peterofficer6460]

I thought it not starting was the issue. What’s the update there?

[@bilgerat711]

One of a number, apparently starting issue is easily sorted, as someone guessed mechanic was pretty laid back about it, a stuck on-off lever, there is a cord used currently pulled one way to turn off pulled the other way to turn on...something is stuck there and the mechanic reckons a proper lever and cable set up would prevent this happening again, still working through the list of other things the engine needed for it's birthday, sorting the reduction box now, shame when folks leave servicing and other work that needs to be done and a new owner inherits these issues😆

[@peterofficer6460]

It is disheartening alright but these old boats are all about maintenance. Once you have been right through it will get better. I have a system whereby once a month in a roster I go through each system and check for potential problems that way you can stay on top of it, sort of. Lovely boat, all the best.

[@bilgerat711]

@@peterofficer6460 Thanks a big job bringing her back up to a standard but I think you're right, will need to do the same and maybe ensure everything is properly documented for ease of remembering what was done when

[@crelark]

These old boats have loads of character. I’m also restoring an old wooden boat with a big Gardner marine diesel and the same gearbox and reduction box. Do remember to run the engine in gear intermittently, if you leave her idling for any length of time, because the gearbox oil pump only operates when she is in gear. Also, the oil in the reduction box should be changed quite frequently ie. every four months of normal running using a heavy extreme pressure gear oil. I use EP 140 weight. This is often overlooked during maintenance because the engine and gearbox oil change intervals are significantly longer ie. gearbox oil change every 2000 hours! You may wish to consider getting the operators handbook for the 6LXB from Gardner UK. Best wishes and keep up the good work.

[@bilgerat711]

Lovely stuff thanks, I usually put the engine in and out of gear when idling even ties up to shed a bit of growth of the prop, good to know about the oil pump, I noticed turning the other gearbox over by hand I could hear the pump working inside, sounding like a bellows-type of pump. Found a handbook in the boat which was quite funny after everything. I am going to make a point of following your advice re the reduction box oil, would love to see some pics etc on your old boat, I have a facebook page facebook.com/groups/493219189428924 Picton's Northern Star the Boat, you'd be more than welcome to throw something on there, have a lot of folks following who love the old boats

[@EnglishLawyer]

As you say it's a Gardner 2UC gearbox It is missing the fan at the rear of the box. What is the gear ratio?

[@bilgerat711]

Don't know, I'll see if I can find out