Engines
The Island Spirit 40 is equipped with two Yanmar 40hp 3GM40 engines. The engines are rated up to 3600 RPM. But we find that cruising at 2500 RPM is the ideal speed for the engines. Throttle up slowly, if you increase speed too quickly the engines will smoke and throw out unburnt fuel into the water. The Port tachometer does not work well, but I have marked the max RPM on the housing.
When starting the starboard engine the alarm will sound until you put some RPMs on it.
In our warm environment you generally do not need to worry about the glow plugs on the engines. Just turn the key to start. After the engine starts, release the transmission by pushing in on the button at the base of the throttle. Then throttle up to 1700 and let the engines warm up a few minutes. Make sure you check to make sure the transmission is disengaged by looking for any boat movement. You will hear the engine change pitch as the large alternators engage.
Occasionally you will have to give the engine some fuel to get it to start. Again do this by disengaging the transmission and pushing the throttle forward.
To stop the engines, throttle back and push the knobs by the keys. These are the fuel stops. Once the engine stops, you will hear an alarm, turn the key off.
By the engine panel at the helm, there is a black toggle switch. This is the emergency start. With this switch pushed in, it ties all the batteries to the starting battery.
Engine Notes:
At this time, the Starboard engine does use a bit of oil, so please check every few days. Daily is not necessary.
The hot water heater is setup on Port engine
Either engine can charge the house batteries – see the battery management section.
Should one engine fail to start, you can motor on one engine. Just realize until you get up to speed the boat will want to turn toward the inoperable engine.
When motoring on port engine in certain seas the port rudder cavitates. You will hear an awful sound and feel a vibration, we are trying to figure this out.
The engines will start in gear
Sail with the throttles in forward or reverse, not in neutral. This will lock the props to prevent them from spinning.