Searching for a first yacht

[Phillip]

I think we all do this:

We change or fix external bolts, belts hoses, electrical stuff, oil and filter changes....

But for most of us if it goes internal we turn to the experts. Cheaper that way

[Troppo]

Phillip is a fount of wisdom. I agree with what he says.

Outboard I prefer to have serviced by a reputable person. They can see problems arising and I can't. They are also way quicker than what I would be and know what they are doing. However, I know other boat owners who have learnt how to fix everything on outboards. Some are good with motors, I am not.

Diesel motor: The one I had for about a year, I discovered I could change the oil and filters and bleed the system all by myself. When the head needed removing for work on the valves, I read up on it, took it off myself and handed it over to a mechanic who would have charged an arm and a leg to go out to the boat and do the same thing. Being encouraged with what I had done, I bought a torque wrench and when the mechanic finished his job, I ended up putting the head back on.

With other mechanical things needing work, the mechanic did end up getting onto my boat and charging me an arm and leg.

So, for me who is not very good with motors, basically I don't try and be a hero with them. Too easy to break something which a professional charges big dollars to fix. Some general maintenance is easy and can be learned from asking people and from manuals. I was surprised how easy it was to do some servicing with the diesel motor and especially surprised I managed to get the head off and on (using a manual and buying the right tools). However, my standard approach is to get a professional to do the tricky work.

Louis

[Peter57]

Hi for info on all boat systems I find that Nigel Calders Boat Owners Mechanical and Electrical Manual is invaluable - it is expensive but well worth it and has a lot of useful information. I agree with Phillip's estimate on fuel used and in my current Rival 34 with a Yanmar 3YM30 at 2000 revs use about 1.5 litres/hour so say 6 nm for that. in my old tophat Marinka with a really good nani diesel used about 1 litre/hour for about 5 nm. Went for a sail out of Mooloolaba today for first time in a long time and beautiful day and sail. With diesel maintenance as long as clean fuel and air filter I have never had any trouble with them but do change the oil etc regularly and check filters and that no water in tank often. Good luck in finding the right boat - they are all good fun and you are always learning. Cheers Peter

[dism]

Great will suss out that book Peter.

These outboard vs onboard fuel efficiencies are helping to decide where to moor it too. Either close to home or river mouth. Thinking now the latter.

Anyone know if Pacific 27s or similar length Roberts designs any good relative to TopHat, different keel so assume less friendly in a seaway?

[Peter57]

Hi Dean, re Pacifc and Roberts - depends what you want to use them for - the Pacific 27 has a bolt on keel but that said so do most boats that are not full keelers including the S&S 34s but I prefer the full keel or similar shaped and fully encapsulated keel like the Rival 34. the Roberts 25 has lots of room for a 25 footer but is apparently abit of a dog to sail and ugly as a bulldog. but some people like bulldogs. there are a lot of nice boats out there that one can get for a bargain. I think anything up to 40 feet is managable but the Tophat 25 is really good value but I would not want to live on one full time and I like the room a 34 to 38 footer has - really like the swanson 38s for example. There is a bargain basement Westsail 32 for 27,000 in Brisbane at the moment and that is the cheapest I have seen one of those listed. I really like them and almost got one before I got the top hat and probably would still ave it if I did. It is fun looking for a boat and considering different ones.Enjoy cheers Peter

[Miker]

Good thoughts on engines all. They all new and foreign to me. Where did you all learn to fix/maintain engines (just give it a crack/course/book)?

Miker - plenty around but hardly any for sale at moment!

http://yachthub.com/list/search.html?ac ... =all+words

That's what's on Yachthub at the moment.