Side Trip: Radiant Star, Gardner Engine Start

[@johnfowke1366]

I like to tune into Joe McCool in Northern Ireland who works on these great engines. A wise fellow!

[@snowgorilla9789]

My favorite marine engine by far, simple and robust, built by people with pride in their craftsmanship

[@SVCSkallywags]

I agree - off cruising for 2 months this summer, but as soon as I'm back working on finishing up a 3LW for my friend Sam - he'll be putting it into a new build, love these engines. Also, have arranged to do a complete run and video/photo shoot of Radiant Star soon, such a great boat (and story), stay tuned.

[@HARRYMARSHALL-zh8rr]

Hi folks like your vt of RADIANT STAR I rebuilt her engine before she made the long voyage from Buckie in Scotland to Anacortes great to see her still running so sweetly.

[@SVCSkallywags]

Thanks for the info, that's great! We plan on doing a full tour when the weather warms up!

[@philleggitt3005]

Sounds like she's barely run in since you applied your magic to her Harry...A Gardener will always get you home, if the boats afloat,plenty have got home whilst pretending to be part submarine... No Gardener should ever be scrapped....

[@SVCSkallywags]

Such a fun time! Love old boats and these Gardner engines. Thanks!

[@gh7319]

Gardner diesels, got to be about the best engines ever built; Reliable, economical, simple to operate and maintain and great longevity. Power-to-weight is probably their only weakness but superb in just about every other way.

[@SVCSkallywags]

We agree - this one has pushed that boat a LONG ways and still performs perfectly. Hoping for a boat ride, full tour this fall!

[@gh7319]

@@SVCSkallywags the boat I work on, a small passenger ferry, has a 6LXB. Our old ferry is 50YO this year, not sure if the engine is original but it just turned 58300 hours two weeks ago. Only thing to go wrong with it in the last two years was it dropped a valve last year yet still kept running like that long enough to get us home. A fishing boat I worked on also had a 6LXB, not many 6 cylinder engines that could still carry on (just about) running with only one good injector out of the six, one completely dead. Or run completely dry of fuel and be filled up and start without any drama without needing to be bled first.

[@robertmartin6416]

Never seen a Gardner that would start without bleeding after running out of fuel , were you lifting fuel or using a day tank

[@daleolson3506]

Very nice

[@SVCSkallywags]

Thanks, full tour soon. She's hauled out for maintenance, then we'll film the full tour.

[@michaelbeemer3976]

Yes, one of my favorites 😀

[@dfluke3698]

I most likely worked on this very Gardner back in the 60s and 70s when I was a marine engineer , we overhauled many of these engines on a weekly basis . Memories !!!!

[@dfluke3698]

Would anyone know whose stern gear was fitted ? Photos ?

[@SVCSkallywags]

I'm going to be doing another video onboard this fall, I can certainly find out!!

[@dfluke3698]

@@SVCSkallywags Thanks . Could you include video as the stern gear could very well have been made by our marine engineering company in Lossiemouth , Moray , Scotland

[@williammurray1346]

What is the fuel consumption ?

[@margaretpommert449]

Like the one that we have a school! So cool to see (and hear!) it still working onboard a boat!

[@gvmout]

Had one for 15 years, loved it. So quiet 8L3B 245 hp 1150 rpm. Full stick 45lts/hr and at 800 fishing speed app. 25 tlr/hr

[@SVCSkallywags]

Love those engines!

[@jbeemer4x4]

That is just plain AWESOME!!!

[@SVCSkallywags]

We sure think so, can't wait to go out for a spin this Spring!!!

[@michaelbeemer3976]

Can’t wait to share the full story and go for a ‘staff meeting’ a proper San Juan tour on this great vessel

[@rolanddunk5054]

A great engine,I also watch Joe Mcool.

[@SVCSkallywags]

We watch and get parts from Joe - he's great!

[@ianmangham4570]

Awesome Boat

[@SVCSkallywags]

We agree, can't wait to take it for a spin --> "Spring Staff Meeting"

[@MrCrabbing]

Fantastic engines, I have a 8LXB in my boat you could say its the high revving one 170hp @1500 rpm.

[@SVCSkallywags]

We can't wait to take Radiant Star out for a cruise this Spring!

[@MrCrabbing]

@@SVCSkallywags Yes they are great engines still a few about working too, sadly there is about to be a boat very similar to the Radiant Star broken up here with the same engine in her called Honestas

[@matui6983]

Take a trip down here to NZ Plenty of Gardner parts for 1L2's up to 8L3B's down here. Incl hand start units Normally it takes one man at each end of the engine on a crank handle to get an 8L3B to start but it has been dun it solo.

[@SVCSkallywags]

That would be great to see! Although, I wouldn't want to be on the crank!!!

[@fredjones4777]

I used to look after a fleet of small ships with Gardner's from 4Lw to 8lxb including Los Nd L3bs they all had the hand start on the front of the engine except the lxbs

[@LadyMoonstar6601]

awesome. I love videos like this.

[@SVCSkallywags]

Glad you enjoyed! Looking forward to doing a full tour soon!

[@finlaybichan1275]

apparently you can tow start a gardner powered boat, by decompressing all cylinders, put the gearbox in gear and once the prop has started spinning the engine over, flick each compression lever one at a time. My uncle has an old work boat with twin 8L3's, i prefer it over his newer boat with its twin modern cummins!!

[@SVCSkallywags]

We can't wait to go out for a spin on this boat. Rumor has it we might be getting another Gardner on loan at the school. Working on two options, a 3LW and/or 5LW

[@soulless9184]

you can actually do this yes. that coupling at the front of the engine is normally to turn it to check it over. the flywheel is obviously not available. towing the boat in gear would allow the engine to turn via flywheel if clutched in. and as you say away she goes. best engines ever made. grew up on F/Vs like that boat.

[@johnmacdonald8399]

Tow starting is only possible if it is a conventionally clutched gearbox which is fitted. Not possible with hydraulic box, unless you can lock the clutches in.

[@michaelmcilrath9466]

Aaah. …. I’m in love….

[@SVCSkallywags]

Such a great boat, Spring boat ride coming up!

[@danielbowen6641]

I just saw this boat on Blippi n had to look it up for a better look. I live in southern Georgia.

[@SVCSkallywags]

She's a great boat, and an awesome engine! We are hoping to do a boat ride and full tour this fall.

[@soulless9184]

the coupling on the front of the engine is mostly used to rotate the engine if not used for a long time. to make sure its ok. yes can use as emergency start but mostly for maintenance as flywheel is not available to turn it manually if in situ on board.

[@jimc4731]

Did Gardner have their own air start or was that an aftermarket item Jim❤

[@SVCSkallywags]

Jim, I'm not sure - all of the ones I've played with (about 5) have been electric

[@cidertom5140]

That Gardner is legendary and I don’t care what anyone says they are indisructable. That would be a 8l3 of 24!!!! Litres

[@SVCSkallywags]

Definitely, long-lived machines, can't wait to take this boat out for a spin, scheduled Spring 2023!