Spring Preparation

[Skip]

Tomorrow Cummins Power Systems is coming out to tweak the Thundering Cathedrals of Torque in Truly Blessed II. Once the tech is done we are going to light the fires, cast off the lines, wind up the turbos and make some serious wakes on the Potomac. Am I excited to be back at the helm after a four month hiatus filled with home improvement projects, trips to Disney World, visits by the inlaws, etc.?

Well, a little.

Now to the point. Big boats (outside the southland, where layup is the week in which you wax and re-apply bottom paint) typically have a layup period in the insurance policy, during which time the boat is either on the hard or shrinkwrapped in her slip, as mine was all winter. During layup, your ability to move your boat around is constrained by the language in your policy--you can move from slip to slip, to affect repairs, or to save the boat from damage. Interestingly, my layup period is 01 December 06-15 March 07 on my current policy through NBOA--one day after the Cummins kid tweaks the 450s and we go for a ride.

I called NBOA and nope, I would not be covered tomorrow if a catastrophic event occurred on the service ride. I asked, and NBOA obliged me by adjusting my policy to reflect the layup ending tomorrow.....so I am covered while I am out listening to the TCOTs roar. I have an e-mail from my policy representative confirming the change to the layup to protect me tomorrow "just in case."

I am probably not the only lunatic out trying to jump the gun on boating season. Read your policy and ensure that any joy riding (and I do mean joy) is covered.

regards
Skip

 

[osd9]

..so I am covered while I am out listening to the TCOTs roar.

Skip:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.....Military folks LOVE their acronyms..... :lol: .....

Good catch and great advise on the insurance for all of us northerners looking to get in early.. :thumbsup: ....easily something that could be overlooked....

Now remember, today's run is for maintenance.....It's not for enjoyment....NOT.....

I'd say you'll come home with about a two-day-face-smile..... :grin:

 

[Skip]

So--the Cummins Tech has come and gone. Report card on owner maintenance of the Cummins: A. Zincs looked good all the way around, coolant level and coolant chemistry all good. Aftercoolers are good; fluid levels all good; impellers were ready to go, so the replacement was very timely. Of note, the new styhle sherwood impellers back out with only a bolt threaded onto the shaft. The previous design required an impeller puller. Using only a bolt (16MM I think) the impellers came out quick and easy.

A loose fitting was the source of the oil film on my port turbo oil supply line. I went for the obvious fix by tightenting the fitting where it blts to the turbo without considering the feed line itself was loose. A good lesson learned.

Overall, a great day. I added Diesel 9-1-1 to both tanks as a preventive measure; started and ran the gen set and the 3 banger kubota quit after 3o seconds or so. Sitting for four months apparently allowed an air lock in the system, so we had to prime and bleed the fuel system at the genny lift pump. Once we got the air out she started and ran great. The CUmmins tech said that off the record (the non official cummins position) they have seen very few problems with ULSD fuel; I intend to stay with the lubricity and cetane enhancers anyway.

Ahh..Fresh Water. Despite sitting for four months, the bottom is pretty clean and my zincs on the tabs are still in great shape. We pulled out of the slip, cleared the breakwater, and pushed her over on plane. I was grinning like an idiot. 2650 RPMS, 32 knots WOT; full fuel, no water, minimal gear.

Also cleaned and painted my rather discolored windshield wiper arms and replaced the holding tank filter. I plan to try to find KenPCFL's post on recharging those filters with aquarium charcoal and PVC parts.

A great day. We are heading out on Saturday to put some hours on the big girl.

Cummins tech also gave me a spiffy Chrome Cummins logo that Cummins is now installing on the side of all the new engines. As I am a redneck at heart, I installed the emblem on the transom below the 420 graphics.....Git 'er done!

regards
Skip

 

[SearayPaul]

Picture Skip?

 

[papogator24]

Yea this thread is worthless without pics of the emblems :grin:


Good to hear everything is going great. :thumbsup:

 

[Skip]

I will admit to being a luddite when it comes to posting pictures. I will figure that out and post some shots of the big girl. And the Cummins emblems.

Skip

 

[JC3]

Skip, Reading your post got me all excited about next week. Iam flying down to haul my old, big girl and get her some cosmetic work
on her bottom and some nip and tucks to spruce her up some. Glad your spring has sprung and those TCOT's were burning right. :thumbsup: JC

 

[Skip]

JC,
You have bought a real nice boat. I still remember every day of spring prep last year. I took a bunch of pictures of the boat being hauled out as a filthy mess and going back in looking brand new. I remember the planning and packing (buffers, cleaners. extension cords/ladder/cutting pads...etc. etc) for the work that had to be done (by me) and the daily trips (1.5 hour drive) to the yard to work on her. I'd arrive at 7:00 a.m. when the yard opened, and they would kick me out at 5:00 p.m. closing time. Hard, demanding days physically. No stops in between. I graduated from the Korean Army Ranger Course and US Army Airborne School when I was younger and far more ignorant, but the days cleaning that boat were hard by any measure. But I remember how good it felt to see her come up looking brand new.

Enjoy every day of the spring prep, it is a great time and you can learn a bunch by side-saddling with your diesel mechanics and other techs. Take lots of notes and when in doubt post the question here and call 1-800 SRBoats. It is all good and enjoy every minute. You've earned it.

regards
Skip

 

[jrirvine1]

Spring prep took a giant step backwards today with 3†(so far) of the uninvited frozen white stuff. :smt009 31 degrees today and it was 76 two days ago in Annapolis!