new here. about me, and a question.

[scoobert]

if i was single, and the boat was well insulated, then i would consider it.

[Phil Fill]

Thanks for the additional information and that your primary focus is for our wife and bumps safety. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying it can not be done. During the second year of being a live aboard our daughter with new born, a week old, 7 year old son and 2 year old daughter move on to the boat with us for 2 years. We drop about 30 grand into the boat to make it child prove and ready. We were already in a protected/secure marina and a good slip so the boat could be tied up so the swim platform was over hung the dock and 6” off the dock for easy entrance. I paid the marina to have the slip rewired to have reliable 50 amps 120 volts, and lined/roped the 200 ft length of the dock.

We canvas enclosed and remodel the back deck, rewired the AC 120 volts, added diesel heat, increase the holding tank to 50 gallon, added another refrigerator/freezer plus all the basic child proof stuff like gates, drawer/door/toilet latches etc. We thought the boat was in reasonable live aboard ready, but adding children into the mix made if big difference.

My wife is the more adventurous one, I am the conservative one, so we balance each other.

[scoobert]

yes, the dock can be dangerous, i have to agree there. young babies going for a splash in average temp water is not so big of a deal thou. they have some sort of built in, dont breathe in water thing(no idea how to describe it) but they would be ok up to a certain age. of course we will be teaching our kids to swim as well. we would be dumb not to.
hmm, i may have to give the child safety aspect another look, i still know very little about them.
why did you rewire the 120 volt?

[Blue Heron]

I bought an above average 40 foot Heritage on 2012. I brought it home last June. I have spent the last year and approx cost doing the following mostly on my own but with some technical help or yard work on bigger repairs. Also this was just required maintenance to be able to be safe and secure;
- remove and install new Toilets and associated lines - $900.00 self
- Haul out remove and replace new thru hulls - $2,300 professional
- painted lazerette corrosion removal &400.00 self
- installed new chart plotter/radar/transducer/nav $3500.00 professional
- replace stbd engine Exhaust hose $270.00 pro
- wet sand and deoxidize hull to waterline $1500.00 pro
- repair fly bridge canvas $800.00 pro
- paint and remove corrosion engine room and bilges $1200.00 self
- replace 2 VHF radios with new and install new Antenna $900.00 self
- restore all teak and bright work $300.00 self
- replace manicooler stbd engine $2500.00 professional
- replace and custom build three wet exhaust elbows ( no longer made OEM) $2000.00 pro
- repair/recaulk/revarnish sun deck teak $600.00 self
- install new mattress master $500.00 self
- install EPIRB $800.00 self
- install new Fire Bottles $300.00 self
- haul out for etch and new bottom paint repair 5 large blisters and barrier coat $3500.00
- purchase new 30 amp elec $150.00 self
- new 300 foot anchor line /11 feet of chain and anchor $250.00

This doesn't include purchase of misc to make vessel compliant with USCG or comfortable.
Doesn't include fuel or electric or slip fees or insurance

This $ 22670.00 or 26% of the value of the boat for the first year! I just point this out because it is probably pretty typical.

I still have much cosmetically to do but this was simply to be able to enjoy the boat with wife and son

Your Milage may vary.

[scoobert]

that must be one nice nav system. they have an awesome package now for $2000.
i think you overpaid for the cooler/exhaust too?

[Phil Fill]

You seem to keep miss the points!

Why don’t you actually go down to a marina full clothed for winter weather, jump in, and see how hard/difficulty it is to get out of the water. If you can not or have a hard time, then don’t expect your wife and/or child to do it. You have to get down to their level and strength. Whole different perceptive/view down there. It does not matter how long they can hold their breath as the cold water will sap their energy/strength in minutes. My wife slipped in twice, and luck to be alive as I had live rings and lines in easy reach and installed dock ladders at the bow and stern. When looking at boat make sure you wife can get on/off the boat with one hand, and no long/high steps.

We rewired as we installed additional electric refrigerators/freezer, heater and plugs, and it was recommend in the survey. Glad we did as the wiring had some issues and not enough recommend breakers. We also installed additional smoke, CO, and propane alarms. It’s OK for us to risk our lives but not our children and grandchildren. Having the responsibility of a wife and child changes your whole perspective/view.

Most of us older member have been there, done that, made mistakes and learned from them, so take advantage of it! That is what we are here for. I am here basically to play if forward as I learned a lot from others over the years, and hopefully you will to.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Phil Fill

You seem to keep miss the points!

Why don’t you actually go down to a marina full clothed for winter weather, jump in, and see how hard/difficulty it is to get out of the water.

why would i be in the marina in the winter?

[Blue Heron]

Originally Posted by scoobert

that must be one nice nav system. they have an awesome package now for $2000.
i think you overpaid for the cooler/exhaust too?

My nav system is typical Garmin 18HD 740S and labor was standard at 6 hours for removal and reinstall

As for the manicooler and the wet elbows I suggest you do some homework. They are expensive. TAD Diesel look up manicooler for 6.354 NA Perkins and then google MESA MARINE Alabama. The stainless steel elbows are custom made and only ones available.

Hey I gave you the factual info. Yours to do what you want with. Recommend you not try to question the truthfulness of the facts given I have no reason to lie. Also trawler owners are notoriously frugal. My costs are good deals as others will attest they are factual.

Good luck amigo you will need it with your attitude

[scoobert]

i am not calling you a liar. simply saying there should be a cheaper way.

[scoobert]

they list 3 different part numbers. all about $700.
Perkins Heat Exchanger

[scoobert]

what was wrong with the wet exhaust elbows that they could not be refurbished?

[Blue Heron]

Originally Posted by scoobert

they list 3 different part numbers. all about $700.
Perkins Heat Exchanger

Those are not the manicooler made by Bowman to replace the current all in one coolers.

As for the other question, they are no longer made by Perkins. They quit making this engine Circa 1992. The company MESA is renown for making parts custom out of stainless steel instead of iron as originally built. Iron corrodes over time and the passages much like an artery clog and corrode.

My costs are pretty representative of expenses. Yours to analyze.

[Blue Heron]

[Blue Heron]

Your question about GPH burn rate: at 8.5
kts and 1900 rpm I burn 2.5 gallons per motor.

Economical.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Blue Heron

Your question about GPH burn rate: at 7 kts and 1900 rpm I burn

sorry to hear that, glad you have new fire extinguishers!

[Blue Heron]

Originally Posted by scoobert

sorry to hear that, glad you have new fire extinguishers!

I edited it after fat fingering.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Blue Heron

I edited it after fat fingering.

ouch, have you tried one engine?

[Blue Heron]

Good luck you are going to need it.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Blue Heron

Good luck you are going to need it.

indeed.
live long and prosper.

[scoobert]

i still cannot grasp why you could not refurbish the old elbow. passage ways can be cleaned. the only thing you cant fix, well, is cracks, but then i had cracks welded in cast iron on my bayliner, held just fine. point being is if you spend a bit more time you could repair them and save cash. i am not sure how the coolers are made, but i am betting there is a method of referb on those too. wish i was here to offer the advice on this when you needed it and not in hindsight. my diesel engine abilities are intimidating. if you have another engine issue feel free to PM me.