My backup is the Yanmar 2GM engine. Even though it sounds like he has serviced it well, I feel I should have it serviced. Do you agree?A service is usually, an oil change., a filter change and a listen to see if the tappets are noisy.
And of course writing out the bill.
If the oil change and filter change are recent, that's enough.
Check the belts for wear and alignment and carry spare belts
Carry a spare sea water pump impeller.
If you don't know when the impeller was last changed, you can change it and keep the old one as a spare.
This will give you practice at the job in benign conditions.
You will be sloshing around, so draining the fuel into borrowed tanks or containers and checking the bottom of the tank(s) for gunk would be a good idea.
If you are going to have any trouble with the engine I suspect that is what it will be.
When you run the engine, run it fast. Don't fart around trying to save fuel or not load the engine.
It's a diesel and it was made to work..
Here is a bit of single handed sailing with running backstays. As you will see Kevin doesn't tack often.
That is usually the case on a longer off shore passage.
Fair wind and kind seas.
gary
