How many times can a boat break ?

[b_arrington]

Every time I think I'm done fixing my in-law's boat something else comes up. It's a 24 year old boat, but it's still highly annoying.

• 2 years ago pulled the engine to replace transom assembly to fix a slow but persistent leak. Also replaced a bunch of parts at the same time while the engine was out- circulation pump, alternator, pulleys, oil pan, y-pipe, etc. Plus outdrive trim pump.
• Last year the AC strainer was not closed at splash and the boat nearly sunk. The engine was 2/3 submerged. There goes all the fresh, salt-free parts. Got some new parts installed there - starter, alternator, etc.
• This year the steering cables seized and needed replacing. The lower half of the Bravo 3 drive was shot and had to be replaced. Also needed a new battery charger, water heater, and VHF radio, and dash panels (illegible).
• This year there was a bunch of sea water in the bilge. Main bilge pump runs, but doesn't pump. Saved by the backup pump. New y-pump developed a leak from galvanic corrosion. Mechanic said the circulation pump is also leaking.

The mechanic even joked that they make a serious mid-season visit to this boat every year. I told him as he was reinstalling the engine if he sees something that needs to be repaired/replaced just do it. I don't want another call on the boat this season.

 

[wayne0]

The boat is being very mean this year

lost forward head…ended up being the hose had hose replaced

lost port engine starter solenoid

master stateroom 1 year old AC unit lost Freon….sent back to factory for repair

lost pressure switch on one year old shurhold fresh water pump

go to start this past Friday and port batteries dead….replacing this week.

lost 1 yr old salon Ac unit Friday….troubleshoot and transformer is bad…..replacement coming

Today aft head won’t reach vac pressure

Saturday cockpit ice maker goes…. Won’t get below 42 degrees

forward master hatch started leaking today

I tell you….. testing my patience right now

Welcome to boating!

 

[Shenanigans77]

I think BO been boating awhile. Just my impression.
Rumor is he got a reverse mortgage to buy this boat, just a rumor.
View attachment 130674

Maybe not this one. But the 48 that will be under contract next week.

 

[hottoddie]

I'm not sure if I should even comment on this thread but I will knock on wood before saying my 36yo 390 express has been almost trouble free last year and this. This year I had to replace the starboard engine alternator ($182) and now I need to replace the port side engine room blower ($34). Other than that it runs like a new boat and is extremely reliable. Think I'll knock on wood again.

 

[bahamabreisus]

I'm not sure if I should even comment on this thread but I will knock on wood before saying my 36yo 390 express has been almost trouble free last year and this. This year I had to replace the starboard engine alternator ($182) and now I need to replace the port side engine room blower ($34). Other than that it runs like a new boat and is extremely reliable. Think I'll knock on wood again.

They don't make them like the old girls. We are trying to sell our 1991 500, and sometimes I ask why?. Been almost trouble free. Now I'm knocking on wood too after saying that.

 

[Skybolt]

Boat
B.O.A.T.
Break Out Another Thousand

And it never stops ...

 

[OllieC]

Boat
B.O.A.T.
Break Out Another Thousand

And it never stops ...

B.O.A.T.
Blueone Out Another Thousand

 

[Skybolt]

B.O.A.T.
Blueone Out Another Thousand

Dam that's cold. Poor Blue.

 

[copb8tx]

I really miss my Sea Ray pretty regularly and keep thinking we'll jump back in in a couple of years when we retire but I have to say, I don't miss the endless chores that maintaining a boat like these takes. Especially when they start getting to 15+ years old.

Wednesday I'm doing a top to bottom maintenance on my Yamaha outboard. Should be down by beer-thirty.

 

[FootballFan]

It’s a boat, always something.

 

[douglee25]

I was thinking the same thing earlier this season. For as committed as I am to doing maintenance, I fought several ongoing problems for months at the beginning of the season. It was just relentless. I was so sick of carting tools back and forth that I just left them down there full time until it was all done. One weekend I replaced all the head hoses which required the salon floor to be pulled up. Long story short, I'm bagging the hoses as we pull them out, one hose required cutting in half to fit. I was not using good knife etiquette and the blade slipped and cut my forearm bad. Enough to require an ER run with stitches and extra antibiotics because the knife was exposed to shit. ER doc and nurses had a good laugh on that one. Gotta love boats!

 

[Fill Ess]

I got the tender to cruise around in while the big boat is down.

It's brand new, the Outboard is brand new and so are the fuel tank and lines. There is so little that can go wrong. Except now it won't start. It's that kind of season

 

[Fill Ess]

I'm not sure if I should even comment on this thread but I will knock on wood before saying my 36yo 390 express has been almost trouble free last year and this. This year I had to replace the starboard engine alternator ($182) and now I need to replace the port side engine room blower ($34). Other than that it runs like a new boat and is extremely reliable. Think I'll knock on wood again.

Hope I don't see you stranded on the Fore river

 

[The Dark Side]

lol. I had a new Volvo 8.1 (from Volvo) long block installed last year, entire process took over 6 months and killed my first season on the "new to me boat".

10 hours into the new long block this year, and now there is rod knock....mechanics say a new long block is needed. WTF?

 

[El Capitan]

This is why I gave up larger cruisers. I got tired of working on the damn boat more than going out running it. I've found that I enjoy doing what I like to do on boats just as much on a smaller boat with no systems. I spend virtually nothing on maintenance and repairs, and it doesnt sit in salt water slip rusting away from galvanic corrosion.

 

[douglee25]

lol. I had a new Volvo 8.1 (from Volvo) long block installed last year, entire process took over 6 months and killed my first season on the "new to me boat".

10 hours into the new long block this year, and now there is rod knock....mechanics say a new long block is needed. WTF?

What did the first one fail for? Did you reuse the exhaust?

 

[copb8tx]

lol. I had a new Volvo 8.1 (from Volvo) long block installed last year, entire process took over 6 months and killed my first season on the "new to me boat".

10 hours into the new long block this year, and now there is rod knock....mechanics say a new long block is needed. WTF?

Now THAT's horrible!! I'd be gutted. Hopefully there's some warranty involved.

 

[The Dark Side]

What did the first one fail for? Did you reuse the exhaust?

previous owner waited to long to change the risers and manifolds and had lots of internal corrosion since the boat sat for a while. We did all new risers and manifolds for new engine.

 

[The Dark Side]

Now THAT's horrible!! I'd be gutted. Hopefully there's some warranty involved.

yes, still within the 1 year warranty...but no getting the time lost back.

 

[firecadet613]

Damn @Blueone. That's a lot this year! Here's hoping the back half of the season is non eventful!

I'm working on something my close friends cannot believe.....we will see if it comes to fruition!