A dirty subject…

C.E. Grundler

Dirty, oily, messy. Leaky.

Sadly, those were the words I’d use to describe my boat’s engine. And it was something that bothered me to no end. While some people think of an engine room as that place where the nastier workings of a boat are tucked away, out of sight and out of mind until they misbehave, that’s not how I see it. The engine is the heart of the boat, especially in a powerboat, and should be cared for with the honor and respect it deserves. The engine is that critical piece that should be there for you, humming along contently, or on the ready when all hell kicks up, and it should be cared for with the proper reverence and respect it deserves.

Alright. I’ll admit it. I’m a bit fanatical when it comes to engine care. But a clean, well-maintained engine is (at least in my eyes) a thing of beauty. A sound engine is one you can count on, and a clean engine is one that will readily reveal if any area develops a leak or other issues. In my opinion, the engine room above all else should be the cleanest part of the entire boat. And while the deck-glassing project proceeds, the engine overhaul has been moving ahead at a steady pace. I’m happy to report at this point I’m able to wipe the engine down from end to end with a white rag, and it remains white.

All loose paint has been scraped and wire-brushed off, and the entire engine treated with a pre-primer prep.  It won’t be long until this whole thing is gleaming Ford red, and fitted out with new hoses, belts, lines, filters, and so on.  And while much of what people see on my boat awaits cosmetic attention, the engine itself will, indeed, sparkle!

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