40 sedan bridge forum

I looked at a 480 over the weekend and I need some input about generator hours. It has a 12.5 kw Westerbeke with 3600 hours on the meter. The survey reports the owner said the hour meter quit working and he believes there is 5000-6000 hours on it. The rest of the boat is clean with some minor issues that are being addressed. How many hours is the life span of a 12.5 kw? Replacement cost for one that large? The genny is making me nervous even though the boat has been well maintained. All input is appreciated.

Keith
 
I know several fellow boat owners well over 10,000 hours on their Westerbeke

My 8kw was replaced 5 years ago as part of the sale for $11,000 including labor. I think he paid $9500 for it including a discount for buying it at a boat show.
 
I looked at a 480 over the weekend and I need some input about generator hours. It has a 12.5 kw Westerbeke with 3600 hours on the meter. The survey reports the owner said the hour meter quit working and he believes there is 5000-6000 hours on it. The rest of the boat is clean with some minor issues that are being addressed. How many hours is the life span of a 12.5 kw? Replacement cost for one that large? The genny is making me nervous even though the boat has been well maintained. All input is appreciated.

Keith

I know your question was about the genny, but, may I ask the year of the 480 and the hrs. on the mains?

And of course, where has She been?

Just trying to learn man.

Thanks, Mitch
 
I looked at a 480 over the weekend and I need some input about generator hours. It has a 12.5 kw Westerbeke with 3600 hours on the meter. The survey reports the owner said the hour meter quit working and he believes there is 5000-6000 hours on it. The rest of the boat is clean with some minor issues that are being addressed. How many hours is the life span of a 12.5 kw? Replacement cost for one that large? The genny is making me nervous even though the boat has been well maintained. All input is appreciated.

Keith

Price the boat with the generator needing replacement. Buy it, run the generator until it drops, then replace it, you'll come out money ahead.

Good chance you'll get several seasons out of the generator, and every hour it runs is essentially free.
 
I know your question was about the genny, but, may I ask the year of the 480 and the hrs. on the mains?

And of course, where has She been?

Just trying to learn man.

Thanks, Mitch
It is a 2001 and been fresh water its whole life with an exception of one winter trip to Florida (five months). The boat is in my marina and not on the open market yet, which makes the sale a little less painful since a broker is not involved. It has 3196 Cats with 1190 hours.

Also, the oil analysis on the genny looks okay. There were some high readings on some of the listed contaminants, but overall it was in allowable tolerances. When the oil was checked, it had not been changed in a year.

Keith
 
It is a 2001 and been fresh water its whole life with an exception of one winter trip to Florida (five months). The boat is in my marina and not on the open market yet, which makes the sale a little less painful since a broker is not involved. It has 3196 Cats with 1190 hours.

Also, the oil analysis on the genny looks okay. There were some high readings on some of the listed contaminants, but overall it was in allowable tolerances. When the oil was checked, it had not been changed in a year.

Keith

Your money well spent would be to get a complete engine survey by a reputable CAT mechanic on those 3196's.
 
Your money well spent would be to get a complete engine survey by a reputable CAT mechanic on those 3196's.

Already done. The Report was all good. Plus the Lubricant Analysis report looks very good. Almost all the tested Wear Metals and Multi-Source Metals were well below normal ranges. Most of the twenty-four tested areas were zero with only the Magnesium being a little high on both engines, but just barely. The seller has provided all records and oil analysis (yearly) from 2010 to current......and every year the oil looked good. I feel pretty good about the Cats since I have a pair on my current 400 and familiar with some of the issues in the past.
 
Wow Paul! Thanks for that. I'm sure I'll need to know that in the future. Just curious how you figured that out. That company had SO many options.
Ha, no problem. It was not as bad as you think once you start measuring out the critical dimensions. New rollers have been in for about 1 year, and are working great.
 
Took the boat out today, both stations have been converted to fly by wire, electronic shift controls.
In neutral you can rev the both engine above 4K rpms, however, when in gear we cannot go past 3k rpms.
A diver unfamiliar with boats took a look at the shafts and props, didn’t see anything unusual.
There is a slight vibration as well, seems like it only happens in gear from port engine.
I’m going to dive on the props to look for myself and put my daughter and friends with brushes cleaning the bottom!!
I’m also gong to change out all fuel filters and spark plugs, the engines are skipping a little.
Anyone have any other helpful hints?
Thanks !!
 
After watch Buggaboo video of his boat at 26 mph at 3800, I don’t believe my tachs.
I also need to check to see if fly by wire to ensure the stroke is correct.
 
After watch Buggaboo video of his boat at 26 mph at 3800, I don’t believe my tachs.
I also need to check to see if fly by wire to ensure the stroke is correct.
Growth on running gear can really bog down the engines and cause vibration. It doesn't take that much of it. I recommend to check that first.
 
Took the boat out today, both stations have been converted to fly by wire, electronic shift controls.
In neutral you can rev the both engine above 4K rpms, however, when in gear we cannot go past 3k rpms.
A diver unfamiliar with boats took a look at the shafts and props, didn’t see anything unusual.
There is a slight vibration as well, seems like it only happens in gear from port engine.
I’m going to dive on the props to look for myself and put my daughter and friends with brushes cleaning the bottom!!
I’m also gong to change out all fuel filters and spark plugs, the engines are skipping a little.
Anyone have any other helpful hints?
Thanks !!
What were the logistics and costs associated with the fly by wire retrofit?
 
For you guys with gas engines.....For the last 2 weekends, my port motor has vapor locked while trying to idle out of a tie up spot. 3 different days consistently. It’s been hot here in Oklahoma in the mid 90’s with little wind. Anchored, and running the genny for a few hours really builds up some heat in the engine room.
Blowers always remaining on with any engine running. Engines both start easily, but the port side will not stay running until I,ve got some airflow running through the vents. Popping the lazerette hatch helps, but that’s not cool every time. A friend’s Carver does the same thing. I have not cleaned the spark arrestors yet, so that may help some. Anybody run into this, or have a solution? The thought of losing an engine and possible loss of control in a tight area at the wrong time is not good.
 
For you guys with gas engines.....For the last 2 weekends, my port motor has vapor locked while trying to idle out of a tie up spot. 3 different days consistently. It’s been hot here in Oklahoma in the mid 90’s with little wind. Anchored, and running the genny for a few hours really builds up some heat in the engine room.
Blowers always remaining on with any engine running. Engines both start easily, but the port side will not stay running until I,ve got some airflow running through the vents. Popping the lazerette hatch helps, but that’s not cool every time. A friend’s Carver does the same thing. I have not cleaned the spark arrestors yet, so that may help some. Anybody run into this, or have a solution? The thought of losing an engine and possible loss of control in a tight area at the wrong time is not good.

Not sure if this applies but I had a similar problem where after sitting in the sun, dock or otherwise we would get vapor lock, at time our then boat only had one engine. Turned out, we had filled up at a place that was still using "winter fuel" which has a higher volatility, this was causing the fuel to vaporize before it reached the engines. In our case the simple fix was to add summer fuel.
 
Need help with one of my port voltmeter. It pins to the right when the ignition is on and also when the motor is running.

Not sure what to looks for.
 
Just finished re-dying my bridge upholstery and upgrading electronics. The next two jobs on my list are:

1. Replacing the floor in the transom trunk. The previous owner removed the gasket and the fiberglass has deteriorated to the point where I have to replace. Has anyone done this and if so any tips?

2. Recovering the bolsters in master stateroom. I read in this thread that they pop off but it seems after pulling on them there must be screws hidden somewhere. Again looking for advice

upload_2018-6-4_16-36-4.jpeg
upload_2018-6-4_16-36-4.jpeg
 
Bolsters are a breeze. They have the little plastic Christmas tree connectors in them, and just pull straight out. No screws. I did my own in an evening in my garage, and just went right over what was there using an air powered staple gun. They're pretty cheap if you already have a compressor. It will take a ton of staples...The hardest part was stretching it on the compound curve and keeping it wrinkle free in the bend while at the same time stapling it on the back. Probably easier with 2 people. I used a really high quality vinyl like Ultraleather that was very easy to work with and had nice stretch. Very soft, and easy to clean. Really happy with how it turned out. Post pics!
 

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