[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by Capt J

The fuel tank pickups always pickup fuel from the bottom of the tank, algae grows on the sides of the tank and in the fuel itself. When the fuel level is low, it sloshes around more and could knock more of it loose from the sides of the tank....Not enough more to be super worried about...However, the fuel level might just be so low they're afraid of running out. I would add the additive and run it down, bring extra filters and know how to change them (it's relatively easy), as well as a can of diesel to prime the fuel filters.......then topoff the tank with the additive and fuel.........run an additive from then on out.

If biocides have been used wouldn't that dead algae indeed be floating on or near the surface waiting to be sucked in when fuel levels are low? As they get low and hit that first clogged filter change they should see from the condition of the filter whether polishing is called for.

[Capt Bill11]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

If biocides have been used wouldn't that dead algae indeed be floating on or near the surface waiting to be sucked in when fuel levels are low? As they get low and hit that first clogged filter change they should see from the condition of the filter whether polishing is called for.

I've never see it floating on top. Always sunk to the bottom.

[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by Capt. Bill11

I've never see it floating on top. Always sunk to the bottom.

You could be right as I've never seen it inside a tank (in diesel), and it does collect in the bottom of the Racor bowl, but we just had an algae bloom in our waters a few weeks ago and it was indeed floating. In fact it was so thick that it looked almost as if someone had pumped out.

[Marmot]

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

If biocides have been used wouldn't that dead algae indeed be floating on or near the surface ... ?

The skeletal remains of their little mortal coils sink to the bottom as a gray sludge, like superfine talcum powder that when disturbed goes into suspension like a fog. It will clog filters but is almost invisible on the elements, it is seen as cloudy fuel.

They can get you coming and going.

[ScrumpyVixen]

The boat sounds like it has not been looked after (electrics, bent prop, auto pilot, dirty fuel, hoses etc). Fair bet the engines and such have not been regularly serviced. In the hands of the bank - not normally know as boat people.

If you are good with boats then you can fix it up. If not....., it is going to cost you far more than you think to get it back in shape. If you don't spend the money to do so, likley there will be a constant niggle of problems that will your enjoyment of the boat. You really need to find good boat mechanics/electricians/chandlers.

This may sound high, but you are not going to get any change out of $5,000 on the first fix up:
service both engines & genset + parts
Fix fuel issue
Fix electrics
Antifoul
prop
auto pilot
There will be other issues (shaft alignment/corrosion/water/ etc)

Don't mean to sound harsh, but get used to $200 to $300 to change a hose. Nothing costs less than $100, and most bills are in the thouands. Yes i know it sounds flippant, but that is the way it is with boats. Any marine part/work costs twice as much as a non marine part/work, and you normally need two of them.

When was the last time any baot owner said, god that was cheap, it cost less than my corolla to run.

Rule of thumb - major blowups aside, its costs about 10% of the boat cost a year to bearth, insure, run and maintain.

I think it has been mentioned previously, but it may be less hastle spending a little more on a newer boat.

Sorry, not an uplifting post, but boats can be frustrating money pits.

[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by ScrumpyVixen

boats can be frustrating money pits.

Can be? Two things that nag at me on this are that no good, independent mechanic or surveyor has looked at it and that bent prop. That symptom could lead to so much more. The OP does seem to have a good equity margin though as long as they have that cash set aside to spend on the repairs. Unfortunately that usually can't be worked into the mortgage.

[Pascal]

and the red flags keep coming!

sorry to be blunt but i dont' think 11k will cover the costs ofthe items you listed. take the props for instance, you reallon should have the yard make sure the shafts are straight and the cutlass bearings still within specs. Otherwise you will be chasing vibrations for months. How could a sea trial be conclusive if the props were bent? or was it because there was a vibration and you were told "the props need to be reconditioned"? if so, check the shaft for true and the cutlass bearing (was hold the shafts in the strut)

i'd also check engine alignment now, jsut to be safe considering the boat checkered history. it's cheaper than transmission issues.

About polishing, there is more to it than just hooking up the "machine". to be effective you need to open the top of the tanks and use a wand wot try to rinse the sides of the tanks to loosen up as much crud as possible.

if the boat doesn't have dual racors with changeover valves on each engine, you may want to upgrade that, jsut in case you have filter issues. this allows you to switch filter on the fly and get home. replacing racors in a hotr ER isnt' fun!

I believe the 4 hours quote to replace the AC manifold since it's probalby buried somewhere where it can't be reached. poor access to systems is why so many labor bills are so high. if you can't reach something with both hands without having to remove other things first, it will take 4 times longer!

[K1W1]

Hi,

I dunno about the rest of the members here but I do feel that as the OP doesn't seem to be taking much of the advice and warnings that have been repeatedly given here it is a waste of bandwidth to write too much more just now.

It is better to wait and see what the next thread from said OP is all about.

It is my hunch it will be something a lot more significant (costly) than a battery charger.

[Pascal]

there is no such thing as equity in boats in this market.

after the repairs have been completed, add 6 to 8 months of depreciation and the owner will be upside down on the loan or, if not financed, will have more in the boat than it will resale for.

[NYCAP123]

[QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Pascal

and the red flags keep coming!

sorry to be blunt but i dont' think 11k will cover the costs ofthe items you listed.

I believe that 11K is in addition to the 95K to 120K equity mentioned in post 34. They should be prepared to spend much of that equity and hopefully have it put aside as I don't think it can be included in the mortgage.
I agree with K1W1

It is better to wait and see what the next thread from said OP is all about.

It is my hunch it will be something a lot more significant (costly) than a battery charger.

The follow-up post after they get the boat to a surveyor and mechanic who actually works for them should be interesting. Hopefully not as unsettling as most of us think it will be.

[Sydian]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

I dunno about the rest of the members here but I do feel that as the OP doesn't seem to be taking much of the advice and warnings that have been repeatedly given here it is a waste of bandwidth to write too much more just now.

It is better to wait and see what the next thread from said OP is all about.

It is my hunch it will be something a lot more significant (costly) than a battery charger.

Sorry...don't know what an "OP" is. Can you elaborate for me? Thanks.

[K1W1]

Originally Posted by Sydian

Sorry...don't know what an "OP" is. Can you elaborate for me? Thanks.

Hi,

Let me help you out with this.

OP = Original Poster which in this case is you.

[Sydian]

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

I dunno about the rest of the members here but I do feel that as the OP doesn't seem to be taking much of the advice and warnings that have been repeatedly given here it is a waste of bandwidth to write too much more just now.

It is better to wait and see what the next thread from said OP is all about.

It is my hunch it will be something a lot more significant (costly) than a battery charger.

Thanks, for clarifying that I am the OP. What I don't understand then is your comment that I'm not taking the advice and warnings of the members of this forum seriously. I can assure you that if I didn't have respect for some of the members here, I wouldn't bother to keep posting.

[Sydian]

Originally Posted by Pascal

and the red flags keep coming!

sorry to be blunt but i dont' think 11k will cover the costs ofthe items you listed. take the props for instance, you reallon should have the yard make sure the shafts are straight and the cutlass bearings still within specs. Otherwise you will be chasing vibrations for months. How could a sea trial be conclusive if the props were bent? or was it because there was a vibration and you were told "the props need to be reconditioned"? if so, check the shaft for true and the cutlass bearing (was hold the shafts in the strut)

i'd also check engine alignment now, jsut to be safe considering the boat checkered history. it's cheaper than transmission issues.

About polishing, there is more to it than just hooking up the "machine". to be effective you need to open the top of the tanks and use a wand wot try to rinse the sides of the tanks to loosen up as much crud as possible.

if the boat doesn't have dual racors with changeover valves on each engine, you may want to upgrade that, jsut in case you have filter issues. this allows you to switch filter on the fly and get home. replacing racors in a hotr ER isnt' fun!

I believe the 4 hours quote to replace the AC manifold since it's probalby buried somewhere where it can't be reached. poor access to systems is why so many labor bills are so high. if you can't reach something with both hands without having to remove other things first, it will take 4 times longer!

Thank you, Pascal. We have checked the shafts and cutlass bearings and both are fine. I appreciate you pointing this out to me. I'm going over everything and getting my own quotes so I can see if the additional $11K off is enough. I know that there are at least 4 Racors on the boat, 2 for each engine.

We are paying cash for the boat. This is our 3rd boat, so we are very familiar with the expense and maintenance of them. However, this is our first diesel boat. We've had experience with all the electronics except auto pilot and have been boating for 7-8 years now. Previously we've owned 2 boats and 4 jet skis. However, my husband is in sales and not mechanically inclined, so we both greatly appreciate all the great "mechanical" advice you all have been giving us so we are not taken advantage of. I do feel that this trio involved on the other side of our sale are all in this together and we are the "odd man out." But I feel confident that with everyone's help here, we'll make the right decisions. I still have not let go of one dollar!

[NYCAP123]

Originally Posted by Pascal

there is no such thing as equity in boats in this market.

after the repairs have been completed, add 6 to 8 months of depreciation and the owner will be upside down on the loan or, if not financed, will have more in the boat than it will resale for.

There is always equity although most often today it is negative. But, if that boat can't be gotten for less than say 300K (hypothetical) and they can get it for $170k and have the other $130 banked to put into repairs and upgrades it can work out OK. I wouldn't look for profit or even a fast sale though. It is a boat. I had a client a while back who wanted to get into the business of flipping boats like some do houses. I told him good luck with that.
I think the OP has taken the comments here seriously. But what they don't seem to have is someone on hand that they can trust to tell them to walk away. I've seen it many times. Once a potential buyer puts on the rose colored specs it's hard to get them off even when your conscious mind sees the problems. We all have (or should have) that 'how can I make this work' attitude. It's hard to shut off, which is how we get experience and pay our dues. They've gotten a lot of good education here so at least there will be fewer surprises.