Sarah Too, part deux

Well, I’ve done it again. Purchased a boat. It’s never a good idea. Especially this time. It’s the biggest boat to date, by quite a bit at 40’. It’s my first twin, and first diesel boat. So, here we go!
History on SARAH TOO is limited, as the previous owner died and he had been keeping this boat a secret from the family lol. His brother inherited it and then he died. So I bought it from the estate. Don’t worry, I feel okay so far, except for having intense anxiety over the purchase. Not sure why, but in the last few weeks of owning it the feelings of intense anxiety are lessening. I’ve never been the most impulsive buyer but I have brought home plenty of poor “investments” over the years lol. So anyway, from what I can find out the owner was a third generation tug boat captain and the company still operates around here. They were so well established that they even named a boat ramp after the family. So that made me feel a little better about it.
As far as design, here’s the details on this shabby old gurl.
Length 40’
Beam 12’
Disp. 11t
Hull aluminum
Power- twin Isuzu c240 engines
Drives- penta 280 outdrives
Fuel- 95 gallon
Water- 55 gallon

As far as installed equipment, there’s almost none. No house battery, no AC power system, no furnace etc. no gray water tankage either, everything just plumbed overboard except the shower which has a sump pump, which goes overboard. Just had a simple porta potty thing, which I’ve already given away.

The boat was claimed to be home built, and I’m not sure it totally was, but it has some very home built looking welds in some places. I’m starting to think that someone started with another existing hull and then built on to that. It was far away from any marina in a river for a long time, and nit plugged in to anything so the hull materials are in very good condition. I loathe outdrives in general but that’s what we got so I’m trying to like them. The engines run well but will need to be gone through and checked out before I can rely on them. Already had one of the exhaust pipes fall off into the bilge and caused a lot of smoke in the engine room. Everything needs a good once over. But the good news is that the hull is dry, and being aluminum I feel that I can do work and make modifications a little easier than a glass or wood boat.

So the short list of planned mods and upgrades include:
Solar feeding large 24v house bank, ac inverter charger
Diesel furnaces, and diesel hot water heater
Gray water tanks
Upgraded fresh water tanks increasing capacity
Larger bed in pilothouse (I’m 6’5”)
Add a large swim step welded on transom
Hand rail stanchions
Repair bow damage and possibly change shape
Welded stabilizer fins on sides
Install galley stove
Try to make below storage area and bathroom “less creepy”
New flooring (remove carpet)
Shade cloth system for aft deck
Create a composting toilet.
Refinish topsides, bright aluminum and painted.
Install anchor winch system and locker, pulpit.

Still debating the benefits of a generator, so far I’m leaning against one.

Sweet! Another project boat. You got yer hands full there fella! Best of luck.

Crusty Chief said:

Sweet! Another project boat. You got yer hands full there fella! Best of luck.

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My hands were already full!

Solar/house bank/inverter install seems like the logical place to start, as we are without power otherwise. Oh ya, this boat is on the hook and has no services that can’t be brought by dink so.... we need power to run power tools/blender.

I was able to source 1200w of panel, fitting nicely on the top roof. Then I found a great deal on batteries, these are 190ah 12v agm. I got 8 of them going in, for a total of 1520ah.

Also scored a mastervolt 4000w inverter with remote for 450$, and an mppt solar charge controller. It will allow me to run the panels at 108v output

And in case you’re wondering how much these batteries weigh, that’s 1100lbs of them in the back of my car. Don’t do that, your car will hate you.

Sigh. Why do my pictures end up sideways?! So annoying. If I edit them first on my iPad they will stay straight. Otherwise they flip out there “in the ether”

Crusty Chief said:

Sweet! Another project boat. You got yer hands full there fella! Best of luck.

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Looks like a fella....