Towed All The Way Home!
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- čas přidán 15. 11. 2022
- In this video I use the last of my batteries to get off a mooring and headed back to Dana point. My batteries get down to 10.3 Volts and I kill my engine since my batteries aren’t charging and I have to get towed back 32 nautical miles from Catalina island! This is my first time ever having to be towed back so it was a crazy experience for me! Thankfully I had an amazing Tow boat Captain named Burt who got me and my crew home safe! I was really confused on how he would get me into the slip but it went very smoothly and we got in safe! At the end of the video I show you exactly what the problem was with the boat and why I had to get towed back. 16:40 is the explanation of what happened with my alternator!
If you made it to the bottom of the description, please leave me a comment and let me know because I will respond to you!
Extra Special Thank you to Captain Burt!
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I find Captain Christa refreshing, honest, and given the gift of an abundance of common sense and a great smile. I enjoy watching her travels through the start of her life. Wishing her all the best in her years to come.
Thank you! I appreciate it 😊😊
Even on the Great Lakes (Erie) I never leave the dock without my Towboat/US coverage. Luckily, knock on wood, I have never had to use the coverage in all my years of boating. I love to watch these Captains bring boats in because most of them are so skilled at bringing a boat in and then putting the boat into their dock. They make it look so easy which shows how much skill they have.
Wow how cool! That’s wild!!
Quite the unplanned adventure! Nice tow-guy, too, no grumpy Mr. NoWord ^^
He was fantastic! He really talked me through it and made it easy! It was great!
Aye Aye cappen tis a sorry state you was in, but thankfully Neptune was on ya side & the crisis was everted & yee was rescued from a fate of unknown perils .. wow such a simple fix in the end which is a good thing .glad your ok and didn't end up in a shallowy grave apon the rocks..t.c xx
I always look forward to your pirate style comments! Thank you for the support yes the fix was so simple! Thanks for the fun comment! I’m also glad I am ok haha
Glad you got back safe. I spent a few years working at a marina putting boats in slips.Rescues not too far out. It can be tricky. It's more of an art than most people realize, especially in crappy weather. It's not necessary or even expected but just so you know those guys take on a lot of responsibility and don't get paid a whole lot most of the time. It isn't always as easy as your situation was. Sometimes it's way more of a nightmare. People taking on water, crappy boats hard to tow because stuff can break, etc.
Maybe keep a $20 bill on your boat so you can tip them at the end. Like I said, it isn't expected but I know it always made my day when someone did. Even $10 to cover a 6-pack after I got off work. You'll get a big smile. No matter how crazy expensive the tow was, that guy wasn't getting any of it. The tow company did.
I had no idea! My tow boat captain made it look easy but he is very skilled at his job! I’ll keep a 20 for the next tow! Although hopefully I don’t have to get towed again haha
I keep a portrait of Ben Franklin signed by the Secretary of the Treasury for anybody that saves my ass
@@williamsecor7745 yep. Don't do no good after.
Christa, wear a life jacket! I like you sail alone, but I have a life jacket on, put one on girl! Enjoying your channel BTW.
Thank you so much for the support!
@ArchitectureAndDesign Just trying to offer some caring advice, you on the other hand should definitely not wear a life jacket, or a seat belt for that matter. You should show the world and jump off the boat! , get a pet rattlesnake, play with matches, run with scissors, preferably at 2am on a dark freeway!
@ArchitectureAndDesign It is called being prepared. If you go over, all you got is what’s on you. PFD is a minimum. The inflatables are light weight and easy to wear. Take a look at anyone that races even recreationally..most all wear a PFD.
Highly recommended: US Sailing Approved Safety -at-Sea seminar
@ArchitectureAndDesign Just what classes are you sure she’s taken?
Boater safety is never pointless. There are always learning opportunities.
@NoYiu Let’s see, the last word in your post from 4 weeks ago was “pointless.” The whole last sentence inferred the boater safety was pointless.
If you read my post, it was not directed at her, I was mansplaining nothing. You keep repeating, without evidence she has “taken the classes”, you know this how?
I crew on a boat we race weekly. I sail with guys who have been doing this for 40+ years and every one of them will tell you there is more to learn both sailing and safety. Ignorance leads to injury and death.
All's well that ends well and you learned some things and now move forward with your next adventure! Thats what its all about. Excellent job documenting everything too!
Thank you! And yes I’m excited that the boat works again now I just have to test it (besides testing it in the slip) on a longer trip! Or maybe that’s just an excuse to do more sailing haha
They say that if life gives you lemons, make lemonade. You must make some damn good lemonade. You can take having dead batteries and needing to be towed and make it feel like it's a ride in an amusement park. I wouldn't have been so upbeat. 🙂 Thanks for bringing a litte west coast sunshine into our home.
Haha this comment made me smile! Thank you for the kind words and encouragement!
Hi Christa .... that is my biggest fear, losing my engine out on the water. Glad to see it all worked out for you. I noticed your video is from November.... In Canada my boat would be hauled out of the water and be sitting on the hard by then.
It worked so far! Yeah the tow boat is so helpful
Hi Christa! Sorry for your battery problems- I think you should consider putting a low battery alarm on that is set well above the fail voltage so you can get a warning earlier. Best wishes and I hope it is an easy fix. If you can afford it maybe switch to lLi-Po batteries and get a smart alternator to charge them properly. In any event best wishes 🎉
That’s a good idea! The fix is shown at the very end of the video! Thank you for the support!
That"s quite an adventure you had there! Love your channel, keep up the good work. Glad you and your cute pups made it back safe.
It was! Thank you so much! Will do!
Hi christa, sorry about your luck, that would be my luck also, your boat dies and the tow boat runs outa fuel, it's all a learning experience and you just never no whats going to break next over time, but have fun , God bless
It’s all part of boating! Gotta make the best of it!
Great job in a new and kinda scary situation getting into that slip!
My tow boat captain made it easy!
What a bummer! Glad to see you got help.
Everything worked out!
Wow! You lucked out it wasn’t bad, awsome video. Be safe out there! Aloha from Kauai!
I agree my tow boat captain made it easy! Thank you will do!
Awesome, at least there wasn't any need for new batteries. Thanks for sharing the tow experience. Can happen to any of us.
i got new batteries lol these ones were not being properly charged for years
I had to smile about your towboat experience as it resonated with me from a recent experience. My friend sold his yacht and bought a motorboat; we had been out about 6 times and suspected the that the fuel gauge wasn't accurate and the inevitable happened we conked out - no fuel and a strong tide so we threw the anchor out immediately. Then a police patrol passed way off and we tried to attract their attention but to no avail. I tried calling the coastguard but there was no reception as we were in a dead area so we dialled 999 on the cell phone and spoke to the coastguard who put out a general pan pan call which the same police boat picked up just as they were entering the marina ; so they turned around and picked us up with a nice tow home! Such a relief!
Oh my gosh that’s crazy! What an experience! That’s such a relief that they were able to come get you guys! I love these Wild stories!
Love your positive attitude
Thank you!!
How exciting was that!! Love that he ran out of fuel lol
Hahha that was my favorite part 😂
Glad you doing good and you got help
Thank you! Me too!
I love your boat it a beautiful boat like it's your owner..
Thank you!
Thanks for posting this. I called for a tow but the tow boat was 2 hours away. I was grounded less than a mile from my slip. the connecting channel is narrow and shallow so cannot get in or out 2 hours either side of low tide. BUT nice guy came by, we hooked my spinnaker halyard to his boat and drove perpendicular away. Pulled me over about 45 degrees, I gave the engine the gun and scooted off the sand. I went right back to my slip at now low tide with my fingers crossed. You did well. Thanks again.
Woah this is a wild story! I’ve never had to do anything like this!
@@CaptainChrista Well if you need to, now you know,
Haha thank you for sharing!
Hi. Another first :). Made for great content. Thank you.
Thank you for your positive comments I appreciate the support!
Great video, perhaps considering a Rainier generator for battery charging.
That’s a good idea!
Hopefully you got your boat fixed. Do you ever do a video of your monthly cost to l live aboard full time I enjoy your adventures 🙏🏼❤️🤙🏼
The explanation for what happened is at 16:40 it’s quick! One of the POs installed a buss bar and never attached the alternator wire!
Take care sis ♥️🌹♥️
Thank you!
You’d be perfect to crew with. You know what you’re doing, handle adversity great, and have fun conversations.😂 Haven’t seen a video for 5 months, hope you’re ok.
thank you! I appreciate the kind words! I am back!!
I hope the tow charge wasn't too bad... thanks for posting. Really enjoy your work.
I have a membership so it was fine!
@@CaptainChrista smart!! That kind of tow could easily be big $$$&
Nice 👍
Thank you!
is the tow guy like your type of dude..like with a badd azz tow boat..comes to rescue you...he was all smiles..lol..you need a tool called a power probe..google it..super easy to use...it has a led screen for info and also beeps..its to test for power or ground but you can also add power,,super handy once you learn who to use it...anyways ..godspeed..godbless.. love the flying puppys when they go for a swim..lol..
Haha no but he was very nice! Thank you for the advice I appreciate you!
@CaptainChrista anytime....your videos are packed full of useful information...anyways TTUL..
If your engine is an inboard diesel with a mechanical fuel pump and that’s the normal sort then the Diesel engine does not use any battery power to run, unlike a petrol engine which won’t work without electricity. However your instruments need electricity. So if you can sail using a gps plotter on your phone or tablet and a compass and paper charts you should be able to get by without a tow if you can get the engine jump started. However you can’t turn the engine off again until you are safely back in the slip but doing that will not run your battery flat because the engine should run fine without electricity. Good luck with getting it all fixed. The previous owner of my boat never put any screws back in. So I had to find and replace all the missing screws and also missing wires too. I am still finding them.
This is good information! Thank you for taking the time to share this with me. I appreciate your support! Wow sorry about the screws and wires!
@@CaptainChrista I am glad to help. One of the things you need as a skipper is a good understanding of how the boat systems work and how to fix them. I learned a lot from putting an engine into my boat and replacing all the instruments and the domestic water system as well as quite a bit of fibreglass and painting. If you can make friends with a boat builder and look over their shoulder that would help. Also there are some excellent books such as Nigel Calders “Boat Owners Mechanical and Electrical Manual” which is a really great resource to have on board. Don’t worry about the missing screws it gives me something to do when it’s too stormy to sail 😉
Haha I love this information thank you! And I agree Inside boat projects are honestly entertainment for when it’s raining!
I glad you okay ...
Me too!
You handle that well..
Thank you!
This video was strangly devoid of delicious food but was very informative.
Needs a commercial for Japanese Michelin rated knives
Haha I think I was so nervous I didn’t eat that day till I got back 😂 more delicious food in the next video I promise! Haha eventually I’ll do a meals I make on board video or something and that will be your favorite video 😂😂
I suggest installing a volt meter so you can monitor the charging system when the engine is running. Also I'd do some shopping for spare parts like belts, hoses, impeller, water pump, and alternator, etc. just in case of a failure, along with the necessary tools to work on the engine. Good on you for having tow insurance, that tow alone would have really cost you if you had to pay out of pocket. Unfortunate the wire from the alternator was not properly hooked up, or this wouldn't have happened.
This is a good idea thank you! And yeah agreed lol
You need a bracket to put a outboard motor on the back of your boat just incase your main engine fails 💯👍
Oh I don’t know about that! Haha
@@CaptainChrista l seen another ytuber put a great simple system on the back side of his sailboat which was very easy to use .
Back soon 👍
@@CaptainChrista l have two outboards on my boat as spares because if it gets ugly quickly out there you need to be able to help yourself quickly.
Nearly all sailboats should not have the need ever go to the front of your boat to hoisting or lower your sails if you have the right system installed on a sailboat .
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best 💪💯👍
I see this was four months ago but I’ll share a little information for future reference. Dead batteries happen for one or more of the following reasons:
1. Poor / loose / corroded connections at the battery, alternator, at a fuse or breaker box, or a ground to the engine.
2. Dry cells, this can happen even on “maintenance free” lead-acid batteries.
3. Blown fuse or tripped breaker.
4. Bad alternator.
5. Bad equipment between the batteries and solar panels causing constant battery drainage.
6. Equipment left on for too long without charging batteries.
thank you! this is great information!
Christa love your videos! I hope your alternator is working now, thank goodness it didn't fry your alternator you're never supposed to run an alternator without a load, and do you only have one battery on your boat!? Personally i would Never leave the marina with a non-working alternator, it is very important to have a working alternator to fast charge your batteries when needed. Also, if you only have one battery then I highly suggest you add 1 or 2 more to your bank, and use your A-B switch to only run one battery at a time while always keeping one battery full for starting your engine then while running your engine move your A-B switch to both batteries to charge them both fully. Also, if you have a diesel NEVER run your engine above idle longer than a few seconds without a load, you will eventually ruin your connecting rob bearings thus destroying your engine.
I also highly suggest you buy a spare battery to stow away for emergencies, throw it on a trickle charger once a month to maintain it, if all your bank batteries are dead you can quickly swap one out for your spare battery so you can start your engine and charge your dead batteries. And it may sound silly, but I always carry two heavy duty 25 foot car jumper cables onboard, if my batteries are dead I can ask someone for a jumpstart. We have two generators onboard, Harbor Freight Predator 2000 and Predator 3500 watt, because in summer we run a Samsung 12000 btu air conditioner and in winter we run a 1500 watt floor heater in the Salon and a 350 watt heater in the V-Berth, the 3500 watt generator runs 20-24 hours on 5 gallons gasoline and the 2000 watt generator runs 20-24 hours on 3 gallons. Since we have the generators, I keep a car battery charger (also Harbor Freight brand) onboard for charging our batteries when they get really low, which happens often because we use a LOT of electricity.
We have a 1978 Newport 30, 30' LOA and 10.75' BEAM, very roomy and wide for a 30 foot we have a cabin size more comparable to a 37 foot. Power use we have a 4.4 cubic foot front opening fridge (Arctic King from Home Depot), 800 watt Walmart microwave, 12000 BTU Aircon, 1850 watts of electric heaters, 3.2 GPM Propane tankless water heater (uses electric for LED display panel and electric start/fan), 500 watt stereo system with 12" subwoofer, 32" Samsung TV, around 1200 RGB LEDs on light strips (600 in cabin hidden under trim, 600 purple Christmas LED lights occasionally hoisted up the mast from bow to stern) and all the cabin lights have been converted to 5k bright white LED. I also bring 4 tool bags filled with enough tools to rebuild an engine and electrical testers such as multimeters amp meters wire toner soldering gun and mini butane torch with soldering attachments (handy where there is no power or risk of electrocution from water presence).
Wow this is great information thank you for taking the time to share this! And i was looking at newports I love the lay out of them! Do you make videos! I’d love to see a tour of your boat it sounds AMAZING
@@CaptainChrista thank you and no problem at all, thank you for replying. I don't have any videos of out boat on CZcams, but next time we go out I'll make a tour video and post it up for you and I'll let you know when its up.
Capitol Yachts Newport's are great, Capitol Yachts was the rival of Catalina Yachts, interestingly Catalina Yachts are built in Woodland Hills (San Fernando Valley), and Capitol Yachts Newport's were built in Harbor City (Between Long Beach / San Pedro and Torrance).
We almost bought a Catalina till I Seen the layout of the Newport was a bit more roomy and laid out nicely. In the early 80s a Newport 30 won the San Francisco to Hawaii race, so definitely blue water capable, I've had her out in 70 mph gusts and felt very safe, though at that speed the little 13hp diesel didn't have enough power to keep us pointed into the wind, the boat automatically turned itself downwind and she leaned 20 degrees with bare poles.
Please let me know when you make the video! I’d love to see all the cool things about your boat!
I love how much good information you have! You should write a book about all these cool facts!
I used to sail out of Dana Point at Aventura Sailing. Have not been able to do it since the birth of y 4 year old daughter. So Jealous ;). Not the towing part lol.
Take her sailing! They have life vests for kiddos!
@@CaptainChrista she has one just cant afford it at the moment. Will have her on the water asap.
♥️♥️🥰🥰
⛵️⛵️⛵️
I wanted to tell you a lot of diesel engines will run without electricity. If they have a mechanical fuel pump and are already running them generally the engine will just stay on. Now...some engines have an electric fuel pump and or an engine driven mechanical one. My Catalina has an electric and a mechanical one. Now I'm not sure what would happen on mine if the electric one cut out. Technically the mechanical one would probably maintain some fuel pressure. Now an electrical fuel pump would certainly drain your battery, but things such as navigation equipment or navigation lights might be a bigger drain on the battery. Though overall a diesel engine doesn't typically need electricity one e it starts, it isn't like a gasoline engine that has spark plugs and needs electricity to spark/combust the fuel.
This is great information! Thank you for the support I appreciate you taking the time to share this! Definitely something to figure out!
It never occured to me that an inboard needs batteries to start it. I've only every had outboards. I was wondering why you didn't just crank the motor on? lol. Also, its amazing he towed you to your home port and not the nearest marina. glad everything worked out. good video!
Thank you! I have a tow boat membership for situations like this so they help out!
Music , did you think it had a crank handle like A Model T ?
You never stop learning on a boat. Good on you Christa! I would be interested in watching a video about how you found your boat, what made you choose that particular sailboat and how you made the huge decision to go for it.
@@daveholley2156 😂😂
Some older, single-cylinder or possibly two-cylinder diesels, with big flywheels and manual compression relief valves, can be hand cranked. You pull out a spring-loaded handle from the flywheel, open the relief valves (so you don't have to work against the compression in the cylinders), set the flywheel (and engine internals) spinning, close the valves and the engine should get compression and start. More modern engines, and all with more than two cylinders, are too heavy and lack the flywheel mass to hand crank.
Really modern inboard diesels also have electronic engine management (injection metering and timing and such), so they need electrical power to even run.
Do you have an amp meter to make sure your battery is charging when it is supposed to? Like the the amps going in start climbing if your alternator worked?
yes!
Out of curiosity was the tow boat membership worth it? Did this one tow pay for your membership? Also were you able to salvage the batteries or did they get scrapped
My membership covered the tow! It’s Towboat us in California the ocean one! And I had to get new batteries unfortunately
Wow, showing how towing works, very helpful. Q: how much did it cost?
A tip would have been nice for the guy!
Agreed!
Ouch, that oversight of a 30 second job lead to what I am assuming was an expensive ride home.
Luckily I have the towing membership so it wasn’t too bad! but it was my first time having to use it!
🇹🇷👍👍👍
Thank you!
Lol the towboat needs a tow boat.
lol i was like no way!
Always carry a spare fully charged Bat... and jumpers
That will be pointless on a two battery bank boat.. she just need to figure out her set up and make it work correctly..
I saw a shunt, so the boat had, or hopefully still has a working battery monitor, so you Chan check the status not only your batteries, but also your charging system, so it won’t happens again. Curious that the alt wasn’t damaged for having the output wire disconnected from the batteries…
I’m have a jumper I jumped my boat to start it! Luckily it’s a diesel so it ran fine once I jumped it but was still draining my batteries! Definitely learned a lesson!
Dear Christa, a small Honda generator also handy. Tow USA good back up if you are with in distance limits. Also, check you keyed starter switch and hit it with WD 40. A stuck switch on my friend's Beneteau destroyed the starter some 60 miles west out of San Diego. Was a grueling 7 hour tow back. & Come see our fleet and web site. Marina Sailing Newport Beach. Mike Darr owner. Fair Winds young one!.CZ
Is the tow free or do you need to pay?
Included with my membership!
12.65v is a full charge. After you take the surface charge off the previous .
12.45 volts is 3/4 charge.
12.25 volts is 1/2 charge.
Do you have a multimeter to test your electrical connections using a voltage drop test.
Harbor freight has a 11 function centech $22.99 multimeter. They also have a $20 buck 30 foot test lead set. Because i dont know how far the batteries are from the engine.
Keep both in a gallon sized ziplock bag to keep sea moisture from destroying them.
Test the batteries at 20 volt dc scale . With the batteries close to a full charge. Engine running. At a fast idle. You should have 14.1 to 14.8 volts.
Next. Test from the alternator output stud threads to the positive battery. You should not have more than 0.3 volts. Ill explain why in a minute.
Test from the alternator housing to the negative battery post...
The battery post is the thick lead stud sticking up. Not the battery terminal around it.
Why would 0.3 volts be a good reading. We are measuring the difference in voltage between the two test locations.
Copper wire is not a perfect conductor. So electrons going thru the wire are not flowing without some resistance. If you have more that 0.3 volts. Narrow the test locations.
There is more.
The best alternator rebuilder i know of is called rotex. They are on western ave just north of rosecrans on the east side of the street.
I spent 22 years working on a old power boat for a friend over in long beach marina and neumarks in la harbor.
This is amazing advice thank you so much! I appreciate your support and the time you take to share this information!
How much did they charge?
In the Netherlands it can be $3000 to $6000, crazy. But we also KNRM is free of charge, all volunteers and running on gifts.
Take a note in case you come here one day 😉
free with my membership
@@CaptainChrista ah, good to hear ! Careful for those "pirates" they call them here, overschatting whatever they want to ask 😉
How much was the tow? So curious!
freee with my membership
Hi just joined your channel can you tell subscribers what is on our arm isn’t some sort of medical device Thx
Welcome! It is a medical device! I should make a video about it everyone asks!
Please show the starting of engine
Like when I jumped it?
I didn't think a diesel would need power to operate once it's running?
True!
Your boat has sails. You could have sailed back.⛵
Agreed! Except there was no wind all day
How much they charge u for this
I have a memebership!
Might have been cheaper to replace the alternator then get towed
I have a Towboat membership 😊
How much was that tow?
It was included with my Towboat membership!
Get a 2000 watt firmman generator , charge batteries when ever were ever, never run batteries below 12 volts unless lithium, yep live and learn, good luck
Thank you! They were amg batteries and yes I agree! Live and learn!
What voltage can lithium drop to? (Considering making the switch to lifepo4 soon)
Life jacket please
I have a bunch 😊
Good video, but barefoot on a boat is never a good idea. Happy sailing.
thank you!
How much did it cost you to get towed back home?
Nothing!
@@CaptainChrista Wow! Amazing.
It didn’t cost anything because you have some kind of emergency insurance or you belong to a boat club that provides towing? What would it normally have cost?
My boat does 40 knots
That’s amazing!
Okay we're all curious how much did the tow cost
Freee with my membership
👍🎣🤿⛵🏖️⛱️💯
🏴☠️🏖🙌🏼🎉
Why not get a water/wind turbine?
I will when I can afford it! Gotta save up!
Water turbine 😂 good one
@@PepeDeezNutz, I think he means a " hydro generator for an sailboat"
@@mvlas4385 WuT ?
I know shit happens but embarrassing non the less. What would "Wind Hippie Sailing" done?
I Definitely don’t think asking for help is embarrassing! I don’t have an ego like that my friend!
Buy generator on sale
Good idea!
This tow must of cost you a bunch.
Not too bad since I have a membership!
Darlin that 2GM motor does not need any electricity to run. To start it yes but just running it is a "old school" diesel so no spark required and the fuel lift pump and injection pumps are mechanical. There is also (I am pretty sure) a way to hand crank the motor to start it.
Captain Christa, pls wear a life jacket!! Nobody looks good in a body bag.
Thanks for the support! I wear it if the weather I rough
@@CaptainChrista Captain always wear it ,FREAK accidents happen daily and it is going to take a minute to put on. You also did not think the Boats battery was going to pack up. Rather be safe than SORRY. WE CARE!!!
She seams like a poor little rich kid ! 7:39
What went wrong is you have no clue how your boat works! Buying and living on the boat is not like renting an apartment. You have to know how your boat works. Also the reason he is going back and forth is due to the fact that you are not steering your boat to stay behind him! A cute girl may get views here but you have NO CLUE what is happening on your boat!
Thanks for the support!
Somebody's salty about views lol keep up your guitar BS and getting no views.
Don’t be salty
The best way to learn is by doing it yourself. Keep it up Christa.
Agreed! It’s okay to make mistakes that’s how people learn!