Sea Trial and now what? - Page 2

Capt Ray · 10-16-2021, 05:43 PM

I plan to traverse the Okeechobee (W>E) in early December for our first time, before it closes. If there is anything special I need to know about, let us know!

KnotYet · 10-16-2021, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Ray

All good thoughts. 2 things to add:

I agree with Symphony's post. Pic attached: This Racor vacuum gauge shows how much psi it takes to pull fuel thru the filer element. It has a recording needle so that hours/days after running you can see how high the pressure got last time running. Adding this $99 part takes [most] all the guess work out of fuel condition / delivery system conditions. I take a pic of it on my phone every week when checking fluids. Running the boat underway (with a NEW filter element) for an hour or 3 in not-flat-calm conditions... this gauge will tell a LOT about fuel, line, and tank conditions. (I use 10 micron primary elements... that is part of this equation too.)

Do not assume you will be able to easily get good full coverage insurance, as hinted by some. If you are not financing, and you don't need good full coverage insurance because the boat is low priced, fine. But if your risk tolerance or ability to recover from unexpected surprises is LOW, then you should jump thru all the hoops before you close on the boat: survey(s), insurance quotes, etc. Conversely, if it is "low dollars" for you on a cash deal, then it is OK to cut corners, IMO.

To avoid future confusion the units on the gauge are in inches (of HG) of vacuum,
and kiloPascals, a metric version where 100 kPa = 30" Hg.

PhilPB · 10-24-2021, 07:54 AM

Update, sorry it took so long.
So, after 2 sea trials with a captain who gave great operating lessons, a highly recommended engine tech that went through the systems and did annual maintenance along the way as well as assorted repairs (a/c, icemaker), replacements and rebuilds (raw water system, belts, all fluids & recovery systems, hynautic system work, water system flush, bilge cleanup....etc, etc, etc).... we bought, registered and insured the boat!

As with any boat there is work to still be completed, mainly cosmetic (of course other "minor"

things, but I think she is ready to go. I had the engine tech show me how to drain fluids, change filters, how the engine and genset operates, cooling and fuel system overview and many, many questions. He didn't mind of course as he was on the clock but he was an awesome guy and in no way took advantage.

I will have one more trip over to meet the tech as he had to order new engine shutoff solenoid and will clean and get her ready for partial admiral approval (she's already concerned how she will wash her hair

).

Fuel is now full and the tanks only took 50 gal. (250g cap).

Next is the crossing of the state within the next week and the plan to get her to the standard I want (thruster, paint, cosmetic stuff, update electronics, etc).

Bmarler · 10-24-2021, 08:53 AM

congratulations on the purchase. sounds like you had it looked over pretty thoroughly, and received some very valuable instruction.
remember, the things important to the admiral are just as important as the things important to you.
when i do my boat improvements i usually take care of wifey's list first. happy wife and all...
when she sees that i take her concerns seriously i get a lot more leeway to do the things i want to do without getting a lot of pushback.
obviously, safety items are handled separately, and always get first priority.

PhilPB · 10-24-2021, 10:19 AM

Thank you for the advice and I certainly understand!

Hopefully putting the the same amount into the boat as it cost to buy will get her purty enough for approval......So I hope

Comodave · 10-24-2021, 11:02 AM

Congrats on your new boat purchase. Now the fun starts, enjoy.

PhilPB · 11-04-2021, 10:32 AM

Hello All. Here is our update on the maiden voyage and Florida crossing.

Day 1: Our trip started on a Sunday when we went from Naples to Ft Myers. The Gulf knocked us around quite a bit and we were spent from the approx 4 hr run in windy & choppy water. We spent the first night at the Ft Myers Municipal Marina. It was a great stay and fueled up as well as having pump out. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. We walked 2 blocks to downtown and had a great dinner at Ford's Garage.

Day 2: Cruised to Clewiston and stayed at Roland Martins. The lock for the marina stays operable until 8pm and they only monitor chan 16. We were met at the Marina dock by Cap'n Sam with a fedora feathered cap, he lives on his boat and when he hears you coming he greets you. He helped us dock and hookup, gave us the low down on and we settled in. Had a fantastic dinner at the restaurant and a good night's rest.

Day 3: Fueled up and decided on taking Route 2 around the Lake. Well marked, great cruise until we ended up at the swing bridge at Slims Fish Camp where the operator wasn't there. The Fish Camp gal who runs the store answered our calls to the bridge to tell us the swing bridge operator had an emergency and would be gone for an hour or so. She invited us to tie up at their dock and she put on a fresh pot of coffee for us, amazingly nice of her. We hung out in the bait shop/store and chatted with her and the customers that came in, such a nice time and everyone was so inviting. Since we lost a bit over an hour I didn't think we'd make it to the

St. Lucie lock. We cruised route 2 and had a flock of seagulls following us quite a bit of the time and then made it to Port Mayaca Lock. Called the operator and we were in the lock rather quickly. Our cruise down the St Lucie went well and we made it to the St Lucie lock at 4:20, just in time. Started to call marina's in the Stuart area and found a spot at the Safe Harbor Yacht Club. Showered, ate dinner and we passed out.

Day 4: Fueled up and started out trek to the intracoastal waterway and we overheated so had to drop anchor and texted with the mechanic we used in Naples. He suggested opening up the radiator cap and look at the level (empty!). Waited for the engine to cool down and added about 2.5 gal of water. I checked the oil for a milky look and was happy to only see black so hopefully our heat exchanger is the culprit. Made the trip at 170f down to our slip (30-40ish miles).

Awesome trip and we made it unscathed. This was the admirals first time on a vessel, other than a cruise ship or a children's camp daysailer many years ago. We were both impressed with my docking skills on a single screw, no thruster boat....stern in at our slip too!

OldDan1943 · 11-04-2021, 10:39 AM

Fantastic!!!

sunchaser · 11-04-2021, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilPB

Day 4: Fueled up and started out trek to the intracoastal waterway and we overheated so had to drop anchor and texted with the mechanic we used in Naples. He suggested opening up the radiator cap and look at the level (empty!). Waited for the engine to cool down and added about 2.5 gal of water. I checked the oil for a milky look and was happy to only see black so hopefully our heat exchanger is the culprit. Made the trip at 170f down to our slip (30-40ish miles).

Overheats can prove quite serious on these older Perkins. Troubleshooting the heat exchangers is not straightforward and can prove difficult to repair or find new, MESA maybe as a source. What kind of HXer do you have?.

PhilPB · 11-04-2021, 12:05 PM

Not sure. I just plugged in the model engine and it looks like MR COOL has them for $380. I plan to go to the boat and try to get some pics of if I can figure out what I'm looking at. I'm hoping since after the overheat, cooldown, filling with water and about 1/2 gal antifreeze then about a 4 hr trip running at about 170f, docking and checking oil after another cooldown (black not milky). Hope those are good signs. I'm not a mechanic so someone will be paid to fix.

JohnEasley · 11-04-2021, 02:29 PM

You'll get past the overheating issue. Congratulations on your new boat and a successful move across the state. Sounds like you're off to a great start!

AquaDestiny · 11-04-2021, 04:00 PM

Congratulations and good job! Always a good feeling. We have a Mainship 40, you would have passed right by us just prior to the St Lucie lock. Good luck with the overheat. Hopefully that's the right exchanger, sounds cheap.

Comodave · 11-04-2021, 04:35 PM

Congrats on your trip. Sounds great.

rgano · 11-04-2021, 05:06 PM

Were you checking the engine coolant recovery bottle levels before engine start and after engine shutdown during the trip? What was the level after you got home?

Not sure about your engine, but I was glad to find my Yanmar has a coolant level alarm as part of the expansion tank on the engine.