Update. Feeling optimistic. Lengthy post with Headings:
General.
The boat looks in good condition and appears to have been very well cared for for the most part. Very good news, considering I bought the boat in online auction, sight unseen, with no info except 2000 hours on engine gauges, and “engine condition unknown”
.
I’ve been in PR for three weeks, and lucked in on my fantasy wish list items:
#5. On day two, I struck gold in the form of a helpful neighbour. He’s very willing to help, he worked for ten years as an engine rebuilder, AND he runs a 470 in his boat and has two spares in the garage. Hallelujah!
#4. My brother, nephew, and neighbour are generous with tools.
3. My brother and I haven’t driven each crazy other yet. (Bourbon consumption is increasing though
)
1 and 2. The boat is still parked uncovered, but it’s conveniently right outside the door. I haven’t needed shop space.
I’ve been working on the boat at a very leisurely pace. (
@InterMechanico: “proceed in a manner that keeps you on a timetable as much as possible”). I’m trying, but not very hard
. The mixed blessing of being newly retired. Can’t resist going prawning and boating when the opportunity arises (two days with four traps down, $50 in gas, 16 prawns — beautiful calm days on the water though, and some if those prawns are Big!
). Also can’t resist the distractions on board: shining up random things here and there (my boat might not be seaworthy, but man, those newly laundered curtains sure look better), tracing random hoses and wires out of curiosity, sitting at the helm and daydreaming, … .
Engines.
Nice to hear the port engine run. Started it up for a few minutes on muffs, lots of raw water out the leg, shifts ok and all sounds good to my inexperienced ear.
Stbd engine: replaced one lifter, head back on. Tried start. Starter didn’t turn from helm key. It did when jumped directly from battery. About to check wiring between key and starter.
Also, exhaust elbow badly corroded at coolant ports. I have a spare from neighbour, but it looks pretty badly corroded at the other end. I’ll use it for now, if we can get the plug and hose connection out to swap them to match my cooling configuration.
Any recommendations for sources of new or used exhaust elbow?
Exhaust manifold is also pretty badly corroded at the same coolant ports, so if I keep these engines a while I willhave to find a better used one. Recommendations for that?
Wiring.
Boat came with two 12v and two 6V. I was baffled for a while by the multitude of leads from all four batteries, but it boils down to: both engines and some house were being run off one 12v. The other batteries were basically being used as connectors.
Other house stuff was on a cable that was disconnected. I think I should check the load end of all the house wiring before I connect it. Is that necessary? There’s lots of it, and seems not easily accessible to trace.
One 12v was shot. The two 6V in series looked shot too, but the cells were bone dry. After filling them and 3-4 days on trickle charge it looks like they might have some service in them.
I got a new battery, which I might not need, but I’ll put it in. I’ll use the old one for starter and the two 6s for house and see if they last, with the new one ready if they don’t. The charger is a three-battery ProSport 20 Plus; the manual says not to operate it without all three sets connected to individual batteries.
Steering.
The steering lines are disconnected at the cabin helm. Connected at the bridge helm. No idea why. I’ll flush and bleed them and reconnect and see if the reason is suddenly obvious! Hopefully there’s nothing to be done at the after end, because the hydraulic ram and steering rods look like a real challenge to access behind the engines.
Equipment.
The boat was stripped of everything that could be used elsewhere or sold. No electronics at all (original gauges are here and working), no dinghy, no anchor, chain, or rode, windlass motor removed, no fenders, no life jackets, trumpets removed from horn, no bilge pump, …
So I have some shopping to do, at least the regulation safety gear.
And equip myself with the PCL.
Oh, and check the through-hulls.
And then sea trials, see if it floats! Exciting!
If I’m missing anything important, someone here will tell me. Please!!
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