Ah, that wonderful sound

[Baltimore Sailor]

Went down to the boat for the spring startup today. Put in the batteries and checked the voltages (I just took 'em off the trickle charger this morning, but still...) -- everything OK. Ran the blower for a few minutes, then pulled the choke. Cranked for about five seconds... nothing. Turned the key again and up she started. Ducked down below and opened the raw water through-hull valve and watched the pink antifreeze pump out of the system, followed by a fine flow of exhaust water.

Idled down to 800 rpm... rock solid. Put her in gear against the docklines and took her up to 1900 rpm for a few minutes to get up to about 160 degrees. Purred like a kitten. Noticed a little bumping in the tach needle, but nothing I could hear at all, and it went away after a few minutes.

After about fifteen minutes she was nicely warmed up and I idled her back down to 800 rpm still in gear, then shifted into neutral and idled down again.

Ran like a champ the whole time. Can't wait to take her out.

Thanks to everyone in this forum and Don and everyone at Moyer Marine, it looks like I'll have another season of trouble free Atomic 4-ing.

Hope everyone else has a great year too, or at least gets their problems solved!

[sastanley]

BS,
Great news! I hope my recommissioning is as smooth as yours!

I went to the boat today, and if you all remember my off topic post, the dock had failed during the snow. The guy that owns the house where I keep my boat, got in a skiff and moved the boat to an accessible pier for me in the last few weeks (what a nice guy ) - I plan to visit the boat tomorrow and try the same thing you did...time to get going...spring is here!!!!

[baileyem]

Man, you guys are lucky and are making me a bit green.....and not with sea sickness...We still have a few ice cakes floating around in The Lake. Even if I went to see the boat, there won't be anybody around the marina to operate the carry-lift until mid April at the earliest...more likely late April.

Enjoy, and Fair winds.
Mike

[Phil]

Same with me at Rock Hall yesterday. Took the cover off the boat, cleaned it up a bit then the A4 started quickly, flushing out the antifreeze and purring like a kitten. A women passing by on the dock asked me why my engine was so quiet. I told her it was a gas engine Atomic 4 and she simply looked amazed.

[67c&ccorv]

We don't get to the water until May up here.

[sastanley]

Phil,
We are planning a cruise to Baltimore from Solomons in late May, and plan to hit Rock Hall on the way south I think....I'll send you a message as we get closer...it would be nice to meet another A-4 enthusiast...We were there a few years ago, but I was borrowing my stepfather's Tartan 3000 with a (diesel!!) 5411 in it at the time.

I am looking forward to some more cruising in my own boat this summer

P.S.> I didn't make it to the boat today, but with DST going, the sun stays up a lot for me to get there and sponge the bilge and get the motor purring!!

[Administrator]

We are planning a cruise to Baltimore from Solomons in late May, and plan to hit Rock Hall on the way south I think.

Shawn, Phil et al:

Don lives only a stone's throw from Rock Hall, as do I. I think there are several other area residents who frequent the forum as well. Perhaps we could arrange a get-together?

Bill

[Phil]

Yep. Phyllis and I shared a bottle of wine with him and Brenda at their house a couple of years ago. Very nice couple of people, too. They keep their sailboat at Sailing Emporium in the harbor while we are over in Swan Creek at Haven Harbor Marina.

[sastanley]

Phil,

How is Swan Creek? Is it easy to get into? I think we are planning to anchor out if there is ample room for a 5 or 6 boat raft, which is the number I expect.

The last time we visited we stayed at the marina next to the Waterman's Crab House.

Bill, sounds like a great plan. I think our preliminary plan is to be there Wednesday or Thursday (May 26 - 27). I'll have to check the schedule to confirm.

[Marian Claire]

The A4 on the MC ran beautifully on her first real test of the new year. Can you guess where we spent the weekend? Dan S/V Marian Claire

[Baltimore Sailor]

That's the Cape Lookout lighthouse, right?

[Marian Claire]

You got it BS. Look forward to meeting ya’ll on my trip to the Chesapeake in May. Dan S/V Marian Claire

[Jesse Delanoy]

Shawn - let me know when you plan to be in the Baltimore/Rock Hall area as well. We're in Bodkin Creek, right at the mouth of the Patapsco.

Swan Creek is a very nice anchorage behind Rock Hall. We have a couple of nice ones in the Bodkin as well.

Sorry I missed you in September during our "extended" stay in Solomons!

[sastanley]

Jesse,

I know that when I helped set up this cruise itinerary Bodkin Creek was on the list of possible destinations. Since we only have 8 days and a couple of lay days planned, I think Bodkin got scratched due to its proximity to Balto and we will push from Baltimore all the way to Rock Hall...at any rate, I'll keep the group informed of the plans as they solidify..

(Incidentally, all my other cruising friends in the club have big boats with diesels & hot water & fridges, etc..!) - so it will be nice if I get to run into some other A-4 geeks with old boats!

Dan, glad to hear of your success this weekend.