Engine rebuild or replacement? Fraser will discuss various options and the pros and cons of replacement or rebuild, as well as provide tips and information to help guide fellow sailors as they try to deal with engine issues. His friend Morgan McMillan (owner of AMOK – a C&C 25 Redline) will join Fraser to cover marine electronics.
Fraser started engine maintenance and rebuilds when he got involved in motorsport as a teenager. “As a young child some of my first memories were of old cars with lettering and numbers being towed up our street to a dirt track stock car races. To me those were very special. When I was a teenager the National Lobster Car Rally started in my home town. This led to me getting started in motorsport: rallies, hill climbs, ice racing and solo events, eventually leading to road racing on various circuits. The cars we used for club level events needed lots of work as they were well used when we got them! Racing necessitated a tow vehicle: I purchased a 1971 Dodge Van which I converted to a camper/tow vehicle. My first engine rebuild was the slant 6 in the van: it solved an oil consumption issue.”
He repowered his first boat, a Bluenose 24, with a Yanmar 1GM8. He and his wife sailed Rainy Day Woman – a C&C 35 – from Charlottetown to Ottawa in a 27 day trip.
Two years ago the Yanmar 3GM30F in Rainy Day Woman was leaky, dirty and hard to start when cold. There was also the constant smell of diesel oil. “I got my hands on a parts manual and ordered what I thought I needed to freshen up the engine. Once the engine was out and in my garage, I disassembled it and cleaned all the parts. I used a wire brush wheel on a bench grinder to remove the crud. I then hired an engine rebuild technician to reassemble the engine. It works well, and it is much easier to start when cold.”
Fraser’s other interests include metal fabricating and welding, wood working, boat building and repair as well as carving and painting. “My latest project is restoration of 3 Optimist Dinghies that came from the NSC learn to sail youth program. These will go to my sister’s 4 grandsons in BC.” He is also actively involved with the Messabout Ottawa group, a group of boat enthusiasts who enjoy building, restoring and playing with smaller craft in the Ottawa area. There he is helping a couple of friends (including Morgan – who is restoring a Shellpram dinghy) with their projects.
Members of all local sailing clubs obtain a discount on food purchases by showing a valid club membership card. The kitchen will be open from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., so feel free to join us for a bite and a beer before the talk, which will start at 7:30 p.m. Bring yourself. Bring your friends. Attendees are asked to make a donation to support youth sailing.
For the complete Winter Speakers Program, see the Speakers Series Calendar.