Autumn Cruise

We left home early to miss the London Traffic and arrived at the marina at about 7:30 am expecting to leave early afternoon after completing a few housekeeping tasks.  It was not to be!   Having got everything ready and preparing to leave the engine would not start.   Just the panel illuminated and the alarms squeaked. I'm afraid to say that the complicated engine electrics are beyond me.  Really it should be simple enough, just engage the starter and the engine will run.  It doesn't need any electricity, but then there are two alternators and the panel display, the starter circuit itself, alarm indicators and the stop circuit and this is where it all gets complicated.  I called RCR and Chris from Willow Wren appeared later and set to work.  It took him, an expert, over two hours to focus down on the junction box holding some relays and to open up a relay to find it full of mud.  Rainwater was bypassing the deck drain somehow and dripping down onto the box which obviously leaks.  Chris drilled a small hole in the bottom of the box which might help, but this whole issue needs dealing with.   With a new relay fitted the engine fired up straight away.   By now it was too late to leave.   At least we have shore power and can watch TV as much as we like without worry.