No Maintenance Logs

[kernr]

Daniel B.

So, the guys on the forum are giving you pretty good advice and I agree with most of it.

In Feb of 2020 we bought a GB 47 that was in Miami FL. She is a pretty boat and no maintenance logs but a lot of original manuals. She passed the survey with flying colors (she was doing 25+kts) two items needed to be fixed or financially accounted for at closing. (1) The port shaft was leaking thru no drip shaft seal badly and I had to get boat up to RI before May. She was hauled at owners expense and new shaft seal installed on Port shaft and a new cutlass bearing, (2) the C9 aftercoolers had never been replaced or inspected - cost of doing replacement was accounted for at closing by owner.

So, with that we headed North. The PO was a really nice gentleman and pleasant to do business with on the purchase. On the 1,000 + NM trek North everything started breaking down. The genset kept shutting down, the crane leaked hydraulic oil all over the place, the Honda 35hp dinghy engine would not start, the starboard NAIAD dumped all of its hydraulic oil into ER bilge, the Starboard lower helm door fell off its hinges ( they broke off) and the list went on. The C9s always started and we had a dependable set of engines.

Why all the failures on the transit and a solid survey - the boat had not been used over past two years. I have done most of repairs myself on non engine systems - excellent CAT mechanic takes care of C9s - well worth the money.

My bottom line is - you could have all the maintenance logs in the world and a great survey but it would not have prevented what I went thru - get an engine survey. A good
Mechanic can tell you a lot about that engine.

A great thing you have going for you is it’s a KK. Just like with us - we bought a GB - they are solid reputable trawlers. Because of the system failures on my boat I know her like the back of my hand.

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your new to you KK. I am sure she is a beauty.

Best
Bob

 

[Slider70]

I have purchased six boats from 17' to 41' in my life. The last one has two main engines and a generator. NONE had what I would call good maintenance logs. That obviously didn't stop me from buying those boats. What it did was cause me to do is look long and hard at the present conditions of those engines and associated gear along with the condition of the rest of those vessels.

But then again, I would still do that even if there were good maintenance logs.

 

[ronobrien]

In the process of finding and buying a trawler and looked yesterday at a 1985 KK42 with a Ford-Lehman engine with over 4,000 hours. There are no maintenance records or logs at all. This is concerning, particularly with respect to the engine and drive system but for other systems as well.

The broker said an oil analysis will reveal everything we need to know about the condition of the engine. I'm skeptical.

Is this a fatal flaw? What could a mechanic do to assess the engine, other than an oil analysis, that could give us some comfort the engine is sound?

Should we be prepared to overhaul or replace then engine -- hope for the best and plan for the worst -- and make our offer reflect that contingency?

I think the boat is worthy of further consideration otherwise.

Grateful for any thoughts or experience that can be a visual inspection will give some indication as to what maintenance may have taken place based on general condition. A cold start up is a good first indicator. The engine should start readily after one rotation give or take. A long crank could indicate a compression issue as diesels are compression fired. After start up IMMEDIATELY look for smoke out the exhaust. A little haze that clears after a minute or so is normal. Any other smoke should be noted for color and duration. Also look for any sheen on the water after start up. Excess oil sdischarge will leacve that indicator.

In the process of finding and buying a trawler and looked yesterday at a 1985 KK42 with a Ford-Lehman engine with over 4,000 hours. There are no maintenance records or logs at all. This is concerning, particularly with respect to the engine and drive system but for other systems as well.

The broker said an oil analysis will reveal everything we need to know about the condition of the engine. I'm skeptical.

Is this a fatal flaw? What could a mechanic do to assess the engine, other than an oil analysis, that could give us some comfort the engine is sound?

Should we be prepared to overhaul or replace then engine -- hope for the best and plan for the worst -- and make our offer reflect that contingency?

I think the boat is worthy of further consideration otherwise.

Grateful for any thoughts or experience that can be shared.

Cold start up is an indicator of engine condition. It should start after one rotation or so. A long crank could indicate low compression (although fuel issues will affect this). IMMEDIATELY check for exhaust smoke. I light haze for a minute or so would be normal. Any other smoke (blue/white/heavy black) should be noted as well as how long it presents for. Obviously listen for any unusual noises and check oil pressure oil pressure at idle. Open the coolant reservoir and look for any bubbles that may indicate a bad head gasket. Run the boat under load and at temp and look at exhaust again for smoke (same colors). Check oil pressure at temp and at idle again and compare for a drop off from the cold readings. A large drop would indicate worn main bearings. All of this non invasive inspection may best be done by an experienced diesel mechanic. They will have a good idea what to look and listen for. Good luck.

 

[Daniel B]

Thank you all for your responses. They have been helpful. We've decided not to go forward with this particular KK42 but are still in the hunt for one.