Close to pulling the trigger on a 1977 F36

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 6:19 pm

Hart wrote:I think the teak aft deck was stock, but an option over the fiberglass.

The main cabin entry door HAS to be custom; I was thinking "Egg Harbor", but you and I are on the same page, Aaron.

I am hoping the surveys next Tuesday (which will include a sea trial and compression check w/spark plug replacement) will indicate the boat and mechanics are sound enough for me to drive it back across the pond, about a 7 hour trip in decent water; I wasn't planning on doing anything in Wisconsin other than looking it over, finish the close with a wire transfer of the money, and head northeast for Manistee.

Certainly not any mechanical work.

she is just beautiful. yeah, i can see ''egg harbour'' but i think more hatteras and or bertram. if i were feeling better and i could pass ride, i'd come with you on her inaugural in a minute!

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:57 pm

prowlersfish wrote:Don't be surprised if you compression readings are not that great to start with as the engines have been sitting . a recheck after a good run would give a better reading.

Define "not that great".......

I believe the sea trial will become before the mechanical survey w/the compression test. Would a half hour run qualify as a "good" run?

What kind of improvement would one expect in the compression readings after a break-in?

Thanks for the advice and help, BTW. I appreciate it, and am trying to learn as much as I can.

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 10:00 pm

Would love to have you along, Aaron. In a NY minute.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 10:50 pm

Hart wrote:
prowlersfish wrote:Don't be surprised if you compression readings are not that great to start with as the engines have been sitting . a recheck after a good run would give a better reading.
Define "not that great".......

I believe the sea trial will become before the mechanical survey w/the compression test. Would a half hour run qualify as a "good" run?

What kind of improvement would one expect in the compression readings after a break-in?

Thanks for the advice and help, BTW. I appreciate it, and am trying to learn as much as I can.

Valves and rings can stick causing low readings . A 30 minite run should do it.

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 9:51 am

Any further advice on old gasoline? I'm not sure how much they kept on board during the layup, but I'm guessing ......not much. I do know that they stabilized it, and they run E-10 fuel in Wisconsin. The broker mentioned adding an octane booster for the ride home would be a good thing to do.

Do I need to worry about emptying the tanks altogether and starting with fresh fuel? I'm not fully versed on whether the fuel system in this boat has been fitted for ethanol, but looking at the photos of the tank separation valves and what else I can see, it strikes me that it may have been. I don't know why it wouldn't have been.

I'm trying to check off as many boxes as I can before the 8 hour run home across Lake Michigan. Getting stranded 40 miles out is NOT the way I want to begin my ownership of this vessel.

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 10:04 am

Hart wrote:Any further advice on old gasoline? I'm not sure how much they kept on board during the layup, but I'm guessing ......not much. I do know that they stabilized it, and they run E-10 fuel in Wisconsin. The broker mentioned adding an octane booster for the ride home would be a good thing to do.

Do I need to worry about emptying the tanks altogether and starting with fresh fuel? I'm not fully versed on whether the fuel system in this boat has been fitted for ethanol, but looking at the photos of the tank separation valves and what else I can see, it strikes me that it may have been. I don't know why it wouldn't have been.

I'm trying to check off as many boxes as I can before the 8 hour run home across Lake Michigan. Getting stranded 40 miles out is NOT the way I want to begin my ownership of this vessel.

i've used an MDR product called EZORB and their STORE N START products for years with great results. an octane booster would be good to to give the fuel a little more punch. as for the ezorb, i've poured it into the tank and just ran it through the engines as well as treating with store n start at the beginning and end of the season. ezorb microencapsulates the water molecule and allows them to 'burn' when used. than again, there will be many more suggestions on here for you, i'm just giving you my routine. ezorb w/ every fuel up. man i wish i was able to run up there and help you with this.
aaron

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:26 pm

Thanks for that, Aaron. We'll see what the surveyor comes up with. I've articulated my fuel concern to him.

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 7:37 pm

Hart wrote:Thanks for that, Aaron. We'll see what the surveyor comes up with. I've articulated my fuel concern to him.

no matter what condition the fuel is in, you can only enhance what you have by treating it. when is the sea trial?

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 10:52 am

The surveys and sea trial are next Tuesday.

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 11:04 am

Hart wrote:The surveys and sea trial are next Tuesday.

and i'm going to be plotzing the entire day wanting to know how things went.
you have got to call me and let me know how things went.

treatment usually begins around 1600. i get there at 1400 just to be in position. i really hope things go well. i'm excited for you.

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 12:19 pm

Thanks, Aaron. I'm excited, too. A little nervous, but more excited.

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 8:53 pm

Surveys look good. Spoke w/the broker who (not entirely unexpectedly) was glowing. Haven't spoken w/surveyor yet, but so far, report is the boat ran very well, bilges still dry after 2 hours, no old gas hiccups, oil clean (one hour on it), ran it wide open to 3800 rpm, sweet spot looked to be around 2800 rpm. Port water pump was a little slow to pump fully, likely the impeller set or was a little stiff after two years on hard?

Only negatives so far is they had to replace the starboard battery and the pump in the shower sump doesn't appear to be working. No word on electronics, though I'm assuming fine.

Again, no detailed information from surveyor, but preliminary info looks very promising.

Will post verbal results from surveyor when I get them to feel the group out.

Thanks again for sharing in my excitement - this is a really great time for my family and I.

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:27 pm

Spoke w/surveyor. Compression 115-125, WOT was about 3500 rpm.

3100 rpm was 21-22 mph; 2600 rpm was about 18 mph. Oil good, dropdown test good, electrical all good save the replaced battery and shower sump pump (which was taking power, but they thought the impeller might be stuck).

Good cooling to 150-170 depending on load, good water flow.

Gas lines are all copper tubing, hoses and belts look great.

He said it was a nice, solid boat that he'd have no trouble buying were he in the market for one, and wouldn't hesitate to make a Lake Michigan crossing.

Final close next Wednesday morning, voyage home starts with the sun on Thursday morning.

I'm a happy man tonight. Thanks again to all for the encouragement and good wishes - you're a great group.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:09 pm

I would say new impellers are a must ( change be for crossing if possible) at the minimum carry spares . stock up on fuel filters to be safe carry spare fluids . Get sea tow or boat us towing in advance just in case .

Hart · Post by **Hart** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 9:04 am

Not a single Sea Tow location throughout the entire Great Lakes.

Incredible.

We'll have a full afternoon and evening to go over the boat and see what we might be able to do before departing. Broker indicated that he had a good selection of spare parts on board (including impellers, belts, plugs) so we'll have to see. We're bringing some tools along just in case.

How long does an impeller change take roughly?