First time owner, you all know what I'm talking about. There are a hundred things to do, fix or upgrade, replace, etc.

So far I have been able to sail without many changes. I did have to replace some wiring to running lights, and it looks like there might be a short in the masthead (steaming) light as well.. that will be fun to trace.

I have had her out a few times this year and love every second of it.

Yesterday however, I noticed a darker than usual exhaust and some oily slick coming out of the exhaust port. This is also where the water is expelled as the engine is water cooled. This did not happen when motoring slowly or in the slip, but when I get up in RPMs the exhaust port seems to submerge partially underwater and then it belches this stuff. if i slow down, the port comes up above the waterline again and after a second, clean water and no visible exhaust smoke come out. This didn't happen when I motored over from Skipper Buds in 2 footers or any of the other times I went out.

Is this something easy that I can fix myself or should I have someone look at it? If the latter, are there any good recommendations?

Thanks!

-Zach

Congrats on the new boat.

Gas, diesel??? How long had it been sitting?

Diesel, sat through the winter.. I added that treatment at haulout to avoid bacteria or whatever.. you think its just bad diesel? That would be a relief...

Diesels like to be run hard, not just putter arround the docks. It could be a combination on old fuel and/or piston rings that need to work themselves loose. Do you know how the previous owner used the boat?

Hi Zach, welcome to boat ownership

At what rpm's and boat speed are you seeing the smoking?

From what you describe with the stern squatting noticeably you might be closing in on hull speed for your boat. Once at hull speed, increasing rpm's/power turns copious amounts of fuel into smoke instead of speed.

For example, my boat has a Yanmar 3 banger. I cruise about 2700 rpms yielding about 6.5 knots. With the current prop, if I try advancing the throttle to say 3000 rpms (I think 3200 is max) the stern squats with a bunch of black exhaust smoke and very little speed increase.

For my boat/motor/prop combination I live with cruising at a slightly lower rpm and 0.5 gph fuel burn. It's normal for my setup and might be for yours.

sorry, double post