An Engine Service? That's Proper Work

From car journalism to the canals was a change of pace, but living on board tug Harry is a constant eye-opener.

- Kevin Blick

Another year, another engine service. Our poor old Lister JP3M has been showing the signs of needing its annual day at the doctor’s for some time now. The exhaust has been getting noticeably more smoky – as Mrs B will testify as she likes to sit on the roof beside the rear hatch while I’m helming the boat. And that puts her downwind and at face level to the exhaust fumes leaving the engine room stack.

Servicing the big Lister is just a little bit more involved than taking care of your average Beta 43. For starters it takes a lot of oil – a 250-litre drum of Morris Golden Film and a bit more besides. That hits the old wallet hard.

Why so much? Well the JP3M is a proper marine engine, designed for rough seas so it has dry sump lubrication and a big, separate oil tank. Just like a racing car – though in this case it’s to cope with up and down waves rather than side to side G-forces.

I know there aren’t many waves on your average canal (unless a stag partying dayboat has just been past) but the dry sump system is part of its heritage and, besides, the polished copper oil tank looks the dog’s nether regions.