1994 Trojan 370 - Carbon Monoxide

PKKing · Post by **PKKing** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:14 pm

Hi Everyone - I'm new to the site and a new owner of a 1994 Trojan 370. I know, I know...it's not an International. Here's my story...we took our "new" boat for her first trip on a four hour voyage home. The ride was wonderful...white caps & beautiful skies. Wind was swirling. 3 hours in, I started feeling sick. By the time we reached our slip I barely got off the boat as my brain felt like it was pushing through my skull. I vomited. As did my 14 year old son. My husband was barely able to maneuver our new boat into the slip as he had to lie down (this is a guy who was a commercial diver for 20 years). Headed to the ER, after six hours of trying to rest it off, since we weren't feeling much better. Learned from our blood work that we had C0 poisoning. Stayed on oxygen tanks for five hours before being released. Talked to the Surveyor who believes it was "simply" a perfect storm of wind and boating direction that caused the build up in the cockpit area/aft deck. We had the front bimini up due to splash. C0 detector is in the cabin (nothing at the helm) - in operating order, and did not go off. Talk to me forum...is there anyone who has dealt with something similar and remedied???? The engines & exhaust were checked through the survey.

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:20 pm

welcome to the forum, I am sorry to hear of your trip. I do not know of any issues but there are members I am sure will chime in

The Dog House · Post by **The Dog House** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:45 pm

I'm not familiar with the 370. My 1971 F26 has a "station wagon" effect if I have the front windows closed. The front windows on the F26 have the bottom portion hinged so they can open. As long as I have the bottom of the front windows open, I'm o.k. Can you open your front windows? If not, can you open a hatch and leave your cabin door open? You need to do something to ensure that you have air flowing bow to stern and not curling back around on you. Can you post a picture of your boat and the helm area? That might give us some additional ideas what you can do.

comodave · Post by **comodave** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:03 pm

Get a new CO detector ASAP. Also do what was suggested about breaking the station wagon effect by opening a forward facing window. I am not familiar with the layout of your boat, but I would seriously look at where the detector is located. Possibly contact the new detector manufacturer for suggested location(s). CO must be taken very seriously since the symptoms come on slowly sometimes and by the time they are effecting you, you may be past the point of recognizing them.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:14 pm

Ditto on replacing the CO detector and station wagon effect comments. You should always try to have a forward hatch open, or at least forward window at the helm, to create airflow so that exhaust fumes don't get sucked back in to the cockpit or cabin. If you have no choice (because of rain etc) consider changing your direction of travel (zig-zagging towards your destination) so winds are blowing across the stern a bit to help blow fumes away.

The other possibility is that you have a leak in the exhaust system. Either way, make sure you get it checked out. If root cause is found to be exhaust system problems, hire a new surveyor to re-check everything the first guy said was okay, because who knows what else he missed.

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 6:30 pm

Welcome aboard and sorry to hear about your experience on your first trip. +1 on the new CO detector and windows open.

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:08 pm

The 370 has a very similar set up as any of the internationals. I think she said the curtains were open. I've never seen this while underway at speed. It does not happen on mine and i have a similiar set up. Could it be an exhaust leak?

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 9:23 pm

Welcome aboard. I agree with the above; CO detectors do not last forever. Their sensors typically have a lifespan ranging from about 2-7 years depending on make and model. Good makes will be date stamped so you know how long they've been on board or the store's shelf before you buy it.

S.A.M. · Post by **S.A.M.** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 9:28 am

The Perfect Storm: Running in a following sea at or just below wind speed for several hours could very well cause CO sickness.

But as several have said, get a second opinion on the exhaust system.

EM63 · Post by **EM63** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:40 pm

Please check if the engine vents are still connectet to the carburator !

Was reason for my 'vomit' while first cruise with open hatches.
--
Greetings - Heiner

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 2:31 pm

Sounds like it would be a good idea to get the entire exhaust and ventilation checked to make sure you eliminate that possible issue. Buy a good CO detector for topside. Then make sure when you are underway you have good air circulation running through the area.

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 4:45 pm

welcome aboard, and, what everyone else has suggested.
i believe this is the type of boat in question. if you look at picture # 8, it shows that there is a side vent window in the helm area. looks like a nice vessel btw....
aaron

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... id=2383440

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:54 pm

aaronbocknek wrote:welcome aboard, and, what everyone else has suggested.
i believe this is the type of boat in question. if you look at picture # 8, it shows that there is a side vent window in the helm area. looks like a nice vessel btw....
aaron

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... id=2383440

Same vessel minus the diesels

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:55 pm

Repeat

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Thu Oct 25, 2012 5:57 pm

right. it was just the first one i saw. there are several for sale and have either mercs or crusaders. it's a really nice looking vessel though. now, we need to solve the CO problem. could it be a pin hole in the manifold? i wonder if the genset was running. it might be that too.
aaron