We’ve agreed on a price, oh shi*, now what.

I am about to be owner of a 40’, 1980’s Trawler with twin ST 6.354M Perkins, engine.

Our goal is the Loop once were comfortable and familiar with the systems/operation(this fall or 2022)

In the process of locating a surveyor ( on the Ohio River, in the KY, IN, and OH
Area if you have suggestions). I want both, an engine and full boat survey with haul out. Is this practical even if I pay it?

Are there any references on how to quickly getup to speed on the maintenance items and frequency.

I’ve owned power boats, wave runners, and sailboats. So, I have some practical knowledge.

Any help would be appreciated.

Welcome aboard and congrats on your new boat. Yes, definitely get a hull and engine survey.

Welcome to TF. Yup, get both surveys so you will find out before you complete the deal what is wrong with the boat and will need to be repaired.

Welcome aboard and do yourself a big favor and do both. There is a lot you can overlook on an older boat. Im always repairing something or another. Good luck!

You will need a survey anyway to insure your new purchase so the extra knowledge and piece of mind comes free

Be on board when these are being done so you can see what is being commented on and ask any questions there and then. You will also have a quicker idea of if the deal should go ahead with out waiting for the formal written report.

In my case it helped immensely as my mechanical surveyor was very helpful and informative onboard but then disappeared to a big job and I never was charged for nor did I receive his formal written report. Strange but go figure.

Good luck

Definitely be on the boat during the survey. Sometimes the report has items that belong to someone else’s boat!

Greetings,
Welcome aboard y'all.

ChriAdel said:

I want both, an engine and full boat survey with haul out. Is this practical even if I pay it?

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Yes, very typical, good practice... and the buyer usually pays for both.

-Chris

Thanks for the feedback.

Is there a good source of knowledge on Perkins diesel engines? I have very little experience with diesels, but very willing to learn.

A boat that age has probably had several owners in the past 40 years. You will find that some have been great at upkeep and have kept meticulous records. Others, "not so much". The present owner should allow you to peruse all the maintenance and upkeep records prior to purchase. It's a good place to start to begin to formulate a future plan.

Don't expect it to be complete. And don't hold it against the current owner if he is one of the "not so much" mechanics or record keepers. It will all be reflected in the purchase price.

pete

Congrats on the boat, and I hope you have the trip of a lifetime on der Loop. I have not had a boat that really fits the "Loop" requirements, but have enjoyed seeing the cameraderie of Loopers when in the same marinas along the Mississippi. Actually, in Grand Rivers, Kentucky.

With a boat the age of yours I don't believe it is reasonable to expect perfection or even close, but that does not mean that it cannot run well and meet your voyaging requirements. I was surprised at the number of Loopers I met who bought a boat "just to do the Loop" and fully intended to sell it when done. At first I found it a rather foreign idea, but as I met more of them I came to think of it as more of an "I climbed Mt Everest" thing. Something they intended to do "One and done", but that they could lay claim to.

Have a GREAT time, whatever your plans. And yes, be sure to get an engine survey in addition to a general one. The engines are what really count, right?

Not sure if this was mentioned or not...

Including to the overall survey with boat on the hard:

If at all possible when having mechanical survey - have the mechanic surveyor aboard during sea trial.

IMO, a well reviewed sea trial is one of the most important portions of purchasing any boat.

Sea trials a must to hear and feel the boat.
Floating at the dock or sitting on the hard is fine for the visual survey.
I agree mechanical survey should start at dock and end with sea trial.

Survey

Absolutely agree with Soo Valley and Art. The engine surveyor MUST see the engines while they are chugging away on the sea trial. If not it would be like a doctor trying to check a patient's heart under stress not on a treadmill but while the patient was sitting comfortably in his or her office.

Congratulations on your soon to be yours boat! Where is the boat currently located, and where do you intend on mooring her in the near term?
Currently near Lexington, KY, but moving to boat in PNW soon!

Good luck. You'll find lots of knowledge here on the motors and systems. The 40 wasn't a common boat, but a lot of the issues you are likely to encounter are also common to the Mainship 34s of the same era. Be prepared for coring issues in the decks.

Comodave said:

Welcome aboard and congrats on your new boat. Yes, definitely get a hull and engine survey.

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And yes, you will pay for it.

OldDan1943 said:

And yes, you will pay for it.

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But... probably not as much as you might need to pay if you did not complete the surveys.

Surveys are like the first insurance [assurance] you pay on your boat.

Thereafter, if you do purchase, the survey will likely assist you in locating a good ongoing insurance policy.

Before I bought a boat that old, I would first find an insurance company which will write coverage for it, especially if it is wood.

rgano said:

Before I bought a boat that old, I would first find an insurance company which will write coverage for it, especially if it is wood.

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Some yards will not lift a wooden boat.

ChriAdel said:

Thanks for the feedback.

Is there a good source of knowledge on Perkins diesel engines? I have very little experience with diesels, but very willing to learn.

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I am not much of a resource for Perkins since I have Lehmans but I believe there is a company called TAD, Trans Atlantic Diesel or something like that, that is a good resource for Perkins. Do a google and see if you can find them. They can probably help you.

OldDan1943 said:

Some yards will not lift a wooden boat.

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Nor dock it.

OldDan1943 said:

Some yards will not lift a wooden boat.

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They always hooked up a couple extra straps for mine in California, Alabama, Texas, and Florida

Comodave nailed it- https://tadiesels.com/ Good source-good people
T6354M are good engines and will serve you well. TF member J Leonard is very knowledgeable with Perkins. He helped me a lot and is a great guy to boot
Good luck