4 The likely explanation for our broken engine was a hydrolock - water had got into the cylinders of the engine block. With limited resources on the island, we set out to try and fix it ourselves.
Nichola
4 
We had arrived after a boisterous sail from mainland Portugal to the island of Porto Santo. However, on approach to the island, the engine had failed to start. We'd managed to sail into the anchorage outside the harbour, where further tests indicated we definitely had a broken engine. What follows are our attempts to diagnose the problem and find a fix
A Sailboat With a Broken Engine
4 Here is the full passage report of our sail to Porto Santo from mainland Portugal.
On a sunny Saturday morning, we raised the main, and turned away from mainland Portugal. Our destination: Porto Santo, part of the Madeira archipelago, 435nm away. We initially had stronger wind than expected with a lively sea, but by day 2 this began to settle and enjoy the passage.
Sail to Porto Santo: Our Full Passage Report
this is a post sent via the SSB. 24 hour mileage run, 139nm, making a total so far of 300nm. We have 135nm to go All is ok onboard. Day two (Sunday) was much better than day 1, with the wind settling back to 15 to 20kts as we expected. […]
Portugal to Porto Santo: Position Report Day 2
2 this is a post sent via the SSB. All is ok onboard. Our 24 hour milage was 148nm. The wind was more than expected during Saturday afternoon and evening, leading to a bouncy night as the seas built. Sunday morning the winds eased and are now as forecast, from the […]
Portugal to Porto Santo: Position Report Day 1
At long last, the time had come to leave the boatyard. After almost a year, far longer than we'd anticipated, the long list of boat jobs were finally complete. We just had to hope she floated once she was placed back on the water.
Boat Refit: At Long Last It’s Time to Leave the ...
The first part in our 2021 refit series. In order to get Emerald out of the water, we have to endure the heart-clenching experience of seeing your precious home be lifted into the air. We look at the factors involved in choosing a boatyard and the types of liftout available for boats.
Refit Part I: Choosing a Boatyard
Looking to visit the Ilha da Culatra in the Algarve? Well read on to find out how to get there and what to do once you're there.
Escape to the Ilha da Culatra, Algarve
It was time to leave the river for an appointment at a boatyard in Faro. Emerald was in need of some TLC.
To the Boatyard – Our Escape From Glue River
We might as well write our plans in sand at low tide. Sailing plans can be fragile, easily broken by multiple factors - weather, boat problems or myriad unexpected issues. Sometimes the forced plan change can result in a good experience, sometimes its bad.
Plans Are Written in Sand at Low Tide
April and May in the river saw a rise in temperatures and the drying out of the land. We fixed the galley cupboard floor - a job that's been on the list a long time! And I become a water babe.
Springtime in the Rio Guadiana
2 After several boat toilet fails, we began to research alternatives. This year, we bit the bullet and chose to install a custom built composting/waterless toilet.