Click for Mulder Click for Abeking Click for Mulder Click for JetForums Click for Nordhavn

older symbol motor yachts

Discussion in 'Symbol Yacht' started by john perez, Nov 16, 2005.

  1. john perez

    john perez New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2005
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    litle river sc
    i have a 1987 symbol 52(50.5) with twin 3208 cats. i have had her for 5 years and find the boat to be a fine motor yacht.i am interested in communicating with other owners of this vintage vessel especially conversing regarding any special problems which have occured and their correction.

    for example, on acquiring the boat a odor was present which was nor cured by replacing the holding tank but was cured by draining fetid fresh water from the boats keel and installing a keel plug.

    has anyone had similiar problems or problems with water absorption in the hull

    jack
  2. forkliftt

    forkliftt New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2005
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    Kemah Texas
    Older Symbol yachts

    John-
    I recently signed on- our 28 Bayliner 2859 Classic sank during Katrina and we are in process of replacing it. We had a purchase agreement approved today on a wonderful 1983 42' Present Trawler sundeckwe located in Kemah Texas. My understanding is that Symbol and the old Present's were built at the Chung Hwa shipyard in Taiwan. We will have a survey and haulout done in mid January and wonder if you can offer and areas of concern I need to be aware of. This boat has twin 135's and our initial inspection was very positive. Last weekend during our inspection I was allowed to inspect work being done to the iron fuel tanks. A liner was being painted in (used for pipeline applications) and this seemed to be an acceptable way to handle the repair/ maintenance. I do not know that the boat had a tank leak, but suspect it did not (the bilge did not smell like it.) Any thoughts are welcomed.

    Steve
  3. Noodlyarm

    Noodlyarm New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    34
    Location:
    Seattle & Anacortes, WA
    I just recently became the proud owner of a 1994 54' Symbol PHMY. I don't have enough experience yet to offer much help, other than to say that my boat also has a smelly bilge. My first step is to replace the head waste hoses. If that doesn't work, I'll look at draining the keel. How did you do that?

    Also, where can I find parts such as the lenses for the lights on the stairs leading down to the cabins? How about handles & knobs and other hardware?

    Thank you,

    Peter
  4. Noodlyarm

    Noodlyarm New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    34
    Location:
    Seattle & Anacortes, WA
    I fixed my "smelly bilge" problem with new hoses and a new holding tank. I simplified the system by removing the Y-valve thereby disallowing direct overboard discharge. Now it is a straight shot to the holding tanks which can then be either pumped out or emptied overboard.

    No more smell. Sweet!
  5. jimnlouisiana

    jimnlouisiana New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2015
    Messages:
    3
    I have not experienced bad smells, but I do notice on my 86 Symbol Classic that the front bilge always has water in it. I suspect that because the outlet to the shower sump and bilge pump are under water that back pressure leaks some water through the pump.
  6. Noodlyarm

    Noodlyarm New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    34
    Location:
    Seattle & Anacortes, WA
    I discovered a different nasty smell aboard. Turned out to be wet rotting wood. The plywood subfloor in the forward head was soaking wet and had been that way for a while.

    The shower pan leaked around the drain. Now I'm tearing out the subfloor in the entire shower, under the toilet, and the sole from bulkhead to bulkhead.

    The good news is that now I will rebuild it correctly and put an access hatch in the floor so I can get to that section of the hull and under sole areas.

    Just a few boat-units...
  7. Ernie Hart

    Ernie Hart New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2017
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    SC
    I have a 1987 SYMBOL 51 with a fuel tank leak. I would like to. Know more about the tank “painting” process, if that might repair our tank and who does this kind of work. Thanks
  8. Noodlyarm

    Noodlyarm New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    34
    Location:
    Seattle & Anacortes, WA
    Hello John,

    Just an idea. Have you thought about inserting a fuel bladder inside the existing tank? You may need to open the tank to remove the baffles and install the bladder. I think this would produce a very skookum tank solution. Probably costs more than painting, but may be less than replacing the whole tank.

    Good luck.
  9. Ernie Hart

    Ernie Hart New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2017
    Messages:
    2
    Location:
    SC
    Noodlyarn,
    Thanks for your suggestion. Yes, we explored that option, but the clearance would still require the engine and generator to be moved. At that point, the cost of a new tank becomes a minor expense. We are still looking for more information regarding “painting” the inside of the tank.
    Thanks again,
    Stan
  10. jhall767

    jhall767 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2010
    Messages:
    319
    Location:
    Middle River MD
    My cousin just purchased a boat with an aluminum fuel tank leak. A company out of NJ came out. They pumped the tank out. Cut an access panel in the side. Went inside the tank and welded it up. Welded up the access panel and pressure tested the tank.

    Not sure what it costs but they fly all over the place to do this. I think the seller paid for the work but he might have the paperwork. I can ask him if this is something you want to pursue.

    I'm sure it's not cheap.

    Good Luck

    John
  11. Cpt. Jon

    Cpt. Jon New Member

    Joined:
    May 26, 2020
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    Usa
    I just purchased a 51 symbol in fort Myers, I am just getting to know the boat. Thanks for the add and any advice.
    Jon
  12. SeaLion

    SeaLion Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2013
    Messages:
    204
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Welcome to YF, Jon. What year? Please post some pix, just be sure they're not too big. YF pic guidelines are somewhere in here...
  13. Noodlyarm

    Noodlyarm New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    34
    Location:
    Seattle & Anacortes, WA
    Hello Jon,

    Congratulations on your new-to-you Symbol! +1 on the pics!