Hello All, New Member from Ohio

[gfr51]

Hello All,
Thanks for letting me/us join.
The Wife and I have been land lubbers for many years and
are ready to make the jump.
I have owned boats ...Star Craft 15 Ski boat many moons ago...then up to
a 30 foot cruisers with nowhere to cruise her in Central Ohio.
We have been searching trawlers and have pretty much zeroed in on
the Mainship 35 or 39. Single Diesel would be my choice.
I have been a full service backyard mechanic for many many years
with just enough diesel experience to be dangerous having owned
about 5 Mercedes and now a Chevrolet Italian chevy cruze. Love the mileage.
I cannot fathom the 3 to 13 gallons per hour with the mainships so I am pondering an engine swap with maybe a 77 hp Perkins 302.2 cu in (MF a4.300 is available up here maybe)
Anyway thanks for letting me join .
Gary

[Action]

Welcome aboard.

[firehoser75]

Hi Gary,
Welcome.
Big move to change out to such a reduced HP engine. I looked at a boat (a Helmsman 38) where the original owner had ordered it with a 69 HP engine. We sea trialled it on Lake Washington and it moved the boat at or close to "hull speed" with no wind and flat calm conditions. I had no real way to know if that engine (HP) would be enough when facing 4-6 foot waves generated by 25 knot head winds. Also, we transit many narrows (rapids) in this area where you can face strong currents. For these reasons we went with a boat with the engine size that most builders provide. More horsepower and complications than we need, but....
If we could have found a boat (our size) within our price range with about 120 HP (as KK 39's come with) that would have made me more comfortable with it's reserve power.
Just some random thoughts with nothing scientific to back them up.
Welcome again, and enjoy.