E

Engine check list
Is there sufficient fuel? The diesel tank is in the fore cabin port side locker and the fuel level is shown by a vertical plastic gauge. The tank should always be around half full for inshore racing and full if we are going offshore (a full tank should give us cross-channel range). Spare diesel is kept in a 5 litre black container in the same locker (along with a yellow filler funnel) and if this container is used then it must be noted in the maintenance book and taken ashore for re-filling after racing.

STEP ONE - FUEL: Check the fuel tap just below the diesel tank is turned on (handle in line with the pipe is ON, at 90 degrees to the pipe as shown in this picture means OFF). This valve should be turned off again once we are back at the dock.

STEP TWO - COOLING: Make sure the engine cooling sea cock is open and this can be found in the cubby box to the left hand side of the engine box. Lift of the lid and reach under the pipes and you'll feel the cock lever - when it is in line with the pipe it is on, at 90 degrees to the pipe it is off.

STEP THREE - PROP: Make sure the cockpit gear lever is in neutral, which is pointing straight up and there are no lines hanging over the side that could foul the prop.

STEP FOUR - ELECTRICAL: On the front of the engine compartment there’s a large round twist knob that controls the battery power - depress the lock tab and twist to select ‘both’ (which brings both batteries on-line). Just above this knob is the engine control panel - switch on the key and an alarm buzzer will sound (this is the low oil pressure alarm).

STEP FIVE - START: Press the rubber starter button on the lower left side of the panel shown in this picture and the engine should spin up and start, so silencing the low oil presure alarm.

STEP SIX - CHECKING: Once the engine is running turn on the bus power switch (big red plastic key that fits into the switch panel by the nav station) and check the volt meter on the panel by the nav table to see if the batteries are charging properly (needle showing around 13-14 volts is OK, less than 12 volts and we have a problem).

The engine control panel

IMPORTANT Also look over the side at the exhaust and check there is water burbling out - if there isn't shut down the engine immediately to avoid overheating.

Stopping the engine: This is a diesel so just turning off the key won’t stop the engine. To kill the donkey pull out the engine stop which is pull-out-knob just above the starter button and keep it pulled out until everything has gone quiet. (Do not turn off the main battery switch until the engine has stopped or you may damage the alternator).

Etiquette aboard
Make no mistake sailing aboard Barda is a far from politically correct experience with everybody being fair game for a piss-take, however there are a few ground-rules on getting along.

First thing to remember is not to take any yelling from the back of the boat to heart. I’m working hard on staying calm, but now and again I’ll weaken and have a tantrum when things go bad. Just ignore me (unless you are Jason and I’m telling you to shut the “f” up).

If you see a job that needs doing then get on with it and don’t be afraid to ask anybody else loitering to do the same and help out. If you need to get away from the boat quickly after a race then say so and we’ll take up the slack, but normally we all stay aboard until she’s tidied and snugged down.

If you don’t know how to do a particular job or a we’re about to try a racing manoeuvre and you’re unsure of what you are supposed to do, then ask before we start turning. We’re trying to build a top-flight racing team here and nobody is born with the skills we need to win, they have to be learnt.

Try to arrive on time and that means around 30- 45 minutes before our lock-out time. Make sure you bring all your kit and if you can’t make it then please let me know as early as possible so I can organise a replacement. If you only realise you can’t make it when your alarm goes off then send me a text message so we don’t hang around waiting for you until the last moment. Not turning up due to going on a bender the night before is very bad form. Turning up pissed from the night before is almost as bad, and if you do arrive under the influence then perhaps it’s best if you don’t take a key role until you’ve sobered up. Better still, don’t turn up drunk (and yes I am a hypocrite but with a new boat I’m hoping we can lift our collective game).

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