Prepare Your Diesel for the ICW

Prepare Your Engine for the ICW

A reliable engine and drivetrain are prerequisites for traveling the ICW. There may be a few places where you'll actually raise a sail, but you'll be traveling using your engine almost 100% of the time. One trip down the ICW to Florida can put 200 to 300 hours on your engine - the equivalent of several years of typical use for most weekend sailors.

In addition to the long hours you'll put on your engine, it's common to push the engine to near maximum output for long periods of time as you race to make bridge openings or get to a marina or anchorage before dark. These factors combine to put a strain on your engine and drivetrain that will quickly cause a problem if there are weak spots.

Get a Checkup

The first maintenance task you should tackle before you depart is to have a mechanic check out your engine and drivetrain. See the annual maintenance checklist in the diesel maintenance topic for items you should have your mechanic check. Take the opportunity to learn from your mechanic by watching and asking questions.

Fuel System

If you haven't had your boat out in choppy conditions, and you suspect that the tank may be dirty, it is a good idea to have the tank cleaned. In addition to having the crud removed from the bottom of the tank, the fuel in the tank should be circulated through a fine filter (2 microns) to remove contaminants. This process is called "fuel polishing". There are commercial services that will bring a work barge alongside your boat to perform the fuel polishing and tank cleaning. You can also create your own fuel polishing system with a spare fuel pump, a Racor filter, tubing and fittings.

Know Your Engine

It's important to observe your engine and drivetrain carefully when it is working normally. Sooner or later there will be some "strange noise" or vibration and you will need a baseline for comparison. While your crew is at the helm, go below and open up the engine compartment. Pay attention to the normal sounds of the engine and transmission at a variety of speeds. Become familiar with the operating temperature of various parts (carefully!) with a light, quick touch.

An improvement to your engine system that can save quite a bit of money in repair work is to install a set of gauges as an adjunct to your "idiot lights". They're called "idiot lights" because they only come on after the engine has overheated or the oil pressure has dropped to near zero and engine damage has already begun. Install an oil pressure gauge and cooling water gauge, then become familiar with the normal readings under typical engine operating conditions. Monitor engine gauges frequently and be prepared to slow or stop the engine if temperatures climb or oil pressure drops.

Reduce the Load

Finally, after you've done your engine maintenance and checkout, do what you can to reduce the loads on your engine. You can reduce weight by traveling with less than full water tanks. Many travelers on the ICW will stop at marinas every one to three days and can easily fill up on water. Another thing you can do to reduce engine loads is to have a diver scrub the hull, rudder, shaft and prop. Even a small amount of fouling on a prop will reduce its efficiency.

Sea Trial / Shakedown Cruise

After your mechanic services the engine, it's time to take it out for a sea trial. The goal of this trial is to make sure that the engine will perform reliably when under a heavy load. You should be able to operate your boat at near or full throttle for 1/2 hour without overheating. You'll also need the ability to make at least 5 knots of headway in order to deal with ICW currents, particularly around bridges and in ocean inlets.

Links to Outside Resources

The following links provide links to further reading, manufacturers websites and more information on "how to".

	Item	Link to Detail
Fuel Systems and Related
	Excellent article on fuel polishing from Trawlers & Trawlering	Link
	Pre-made fuel polishing systems from Reverso	Link
	Home-made fuel polishing system	Link

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