Woody
Well-Known Member
That's what she said
Aging bodies and keeping up with maintenance.
- Thread starter Ken Wolkens
- Start date
Ken Wolkens
Active Member
Ollie and Chip mentioned Outboards and while I like the idea, wifey wants the maximum swim platform that inboards give. I keep reminding her about the photo she took of me in "The Hell Hole" (like Crazy Diver) which was in the bilge stbd side back by the transom in the 390. Had to slither over the exhaust tubes and then contort to a kneeling position. One time I went in there when I was working alone and thought to myself if I had a medical event the'd never find me until I was stinking the place up. Then to get my body out they'd have to cut the deck to get me up and out.
If the style of the new 37 DA with outboards was even close to my taste I'd consider it but I just don't see the current designs and lines as anywhere near graceful.
I'd lean toward a 2005'ish 42 Sundancer as that's the last of the style I like and I'll pay the ship costs to bring one down from the Great Lakes or LOTO.
If the style of the new 37 DA with outboards was even close to my taste I'd consider it but I just don't see the current designs and lines as anywhere near graceful.
I'd lean toward a 2005'ish 42 Sundancer as that's the last of the style I like and I'll pay the ship costs to bring one down from the Great Lakes or LOTO.
Last edited:
Soon to be 60 for 32yrs was a electrician at a Power Plant every thing there was big and heavy to the point that I wasn't lifting much had cranes for that. Still in good shape average weight no health problems. Been known to crawl into other peoples boat ER to do repair for them. The whole electrical and mechanical back ground lends itself to that and I'm always happy to help. To be honest I really don't know who people without any skills can afford a boat and don't get ripped off.
I thought the same thing just dreading it... so decided to hire out the compounding/waxing of everything white above the rub rail....wholly crap!!!! Just like that I was cured
This was the boat 2 years ago... I said are you sure you were on my boat to do this quote?... there is no way it needs wet sanding... he took offense...
Woody
Well-Known Member
My guy did do a light wet sanding, I didn't think it needed it but went with his recommendation. He tried to weasel 3,800 bucks out of me for just doing below the rub rail. Problem for him was that I came up and stayed on the boat while he was working so I knew how much time he put in, I ended up giving him 2K for the blue and that was generous IMHO.I thought the same thing just dreading it... so decided to hire out the compounding/waxing of everything white above the rub rail....wholly crap!!!! Just like that I was cured
View attachment 99192
This was the boat 2 years ago... I said are you sure you were on my boat to do this quote?... there is no way it needs wet sanding... he took offense...
View attachment 99193
bbwhitejr
Well-Known Member
I like to do my own maintenance because of all the thoughts mentioned above. I am soon to be 65 with two bad rotator cuffs and this boat will be my last "project." Boy is it a project....working on boats has turned into quite a hobby for me. I have good days fixing things and days where I feel I have accomplished nothing. As Dave mentioned early on, there is no one on Lake Lanier that is dependable. By dependable, I mean "do what you say when you say you are going to do." The two bigger marinas that have Service Departments seem to just look for things to charge you for whether you want or need them. Currently, the 42DA has much better engine access than the 44DB except for the port side of the port engine. The entire port side of the ER is a pain. There is also a lot of truth in the post above about slowing down. I always envision changing oil/filters and all fuel filters in one day. Now it is much easier over two days. I have finally learned taking 2-days is just OK....
Thanks to the people here all is doable.
Bennett
Thanks to the people here all is doable.
Bennett
Last edited:
Pirate Lady
Well-Known Member
68 here. I do my own bottom paint and hull clean / wax. My engine room is such that even with a 454, i can sit on each side of the engine and do work in a vertical sitting position (change oil, clean space, etc) but i do not do any work that requires me to be upside down and do no work on the outdrive. I pay for that. this spring i will pay a mechanic to replace manifolds and risers, new water heater, new engine room blower. I am catching up on replacing things on this boat that i purchased in May, and after these, i wont have much in way of major repairs that i can think of, so i should be able to handle going forward. I am lucky that i have an good long-time friend in the slip behind my boat and he can do just about any kind of boat work, especially electrical, and he is cheap (friend discount).
Ken Wolkens
Active Member
This seems to be the key but my problem is the workload that allows me to afford the boat only gives up so much spare time to use it so I always want to get the stuff done and get out on the water.
I know...First world problems.
Joint Custody
Well-Known Member
After the first year of ownership and understanding what it took to keep the boat clean and properly maintained I decided to hire out for the annual cut and buff I also hired one of the dock workers to wash it weekly. I think having the wash person has been one of the best as when we get to the boat we can load and go. Before it was get to the boat spend two hours cleaning and then we where to tired or rushed to get off the dock. The person who washes the boat also in the off season Dec- March runs the boat in the slip weekly for 40 min just to keep the engines fresh. I hire out for any internal engine maintenance. For all other annual services we do ourselves.
I am very lucky that the Admiral likes to be involved in all the maintenance and helps with all that needs to be done. She also keeps me young! She has learned how to do the complete service on her own.. oil, fliters, fuel system, gen service, trans services, pump out, fueling... etc.
" She is the only one that can get that damn starboard impeller out and changed"
I could see as I get older getting tired of doing it all however it is a labor of love for me and good therapy for now.
Last edited:
Pirate Lady
Well-Known Member
Are you wearing pants?
Joint Custody
Well-Known Member
That would be my lady
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,189
- Boat Info
- This is listed in my signature
- Engines
- This is listed in my signature
The 8.1s are easy to work on. You lay a thick furniture pad across the top and laying on that gives you easy access to the plugs and impellers using basic socket and extension sets. The fuel filters are easy to access as well. The genny is less friendly but the step ladder is easy to remove and that gives you reasonable access to the fuel filter, spark plugs and impeller. The carbon filter for the head is very easy access and is mounted just above the water heater, but is not in this picture. The entire floor lifts up electrically and with the day hatch open (it is closed in this pic) you can stand straight up and pass things back and forth to a helper. All things considered, it works well even for a tall person. I'm 6'3" and can kneel in the space between the mains with the ladder removed.
Last edited:
Craig
Well-Known Member
- Feb 8, 2007
- 1,044
- Boat Info
- Boatless
- Engines
- Boatless
At 60, I am no longer able to contort myself in the engine room. Not my svelte youth anymore. I pay to have most maintenance and repairs done now. If I can reach it I'll do it. I still like doing electronics installs and projects it just takes me a longer. No more waxing or bottom paint either. Sucks getting old. Well...At least I can afford it now.
- Apr 26, 2009
- 5,821
- Boat Info
- '97 330 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 suite with radar, Mercury 310 Hypalon w/8hp Yammie 2stk
- Engines
- 2X 454 carbs w/ vDrives
57 and 5'10 /200. I still "fit" in the bilge and will do any maintenance.... if I want to. There are some things I don't want to do. Impellers on the v-Drive I will not do. Heavy buffing I will not do. I have some old shoulder injuries from hockey that flare up if I put too much time on the buffer with arms overhead. I don't mind some aches from a good hard days work, but staying awake all night is not worth it. I earn a good living so someone else can do that stuff for me.
- Apr 26, 2009
- 5,821
- Boat Info
- '97 330 Sundancer, Raymarine C80 suite with radar, Mercury 310 Hypalon w/8hp Yammie 2stk
- Engines
- 2X 454 carbs w/ vDrives
Yeah but there is something wrong with your bilge. Your engine mounts must have broken and the engines shifted apart by a couple feet compared to my boat.
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,189
- Boat Info
- This is listed in my signature
- Engines
- This is listed in my signature
Ken Wolkens
Active Member
What engines are in your 460 DA?
Joint Custody
Well-Known Member
Cummins 6CTA8
I can't see myself ever giving it up totally. I'm too cheap and can't beleive the prices some of these places charge. So I look for boats with an eye of how hard it will be to maintain. Which is why I like my current boat -- simple as simple can be. Everything is accessible, for the most part. But with that said, recovery time from each project last a day or two at my age.
Compared to most sea rays I have seen, those Tiara engine rooms are a sight for sore eyes. I was in one today. I'm a big fella, and I could get down there, turn around, move and get to just about anything.
