26 Hinkley

[Old Mud]

He said he feels confident in saying the soft spot appears contained to just the area inside the cabinet - about 1 1/2' square. And that the "blisters" are not osmotic blisters but rather from fasteners that didn't hold. The seller said he put extra fasteners in that area to hold that tumblehome hull shape. I have spent time with a couple boat builders I trust to get an idea of the cost of repairs and more permanent fixes for the water/moisture issue and I'm still feeling good. So I have a hotel, car and flight booked from Boston to Tampa for a little boat ride on Thursday. Just my luck though, seller says the forcast is high 50's and winds 18 to 23.

Good on you. It's better to go for a test run if its snotty. You will learn much about the way she handles. They ALL run good on the flat.

 

[CaptMD]

My sentiments exactly Old Mud!

 

[Fishonnelsons]

Two completely different things. Definitely get an oil analysis. Possible contaminants - water, antifreeze, worn parts metal, etc.

My bad, thought it was an inboard diesel

 

[CMK]

He said he feels confident in saying the soft spot appears contained to just the area inside the cabinet - about 1 1/2' square. And that the "blisters" are not osmotic blisters but rather from fasteners that didn't hold. The seller said he put extra fasteners in that area to hold that tumblehome hull shape.

If that's right, that is very good news indeed. I'd be feeling pretty good right now if I were you.

 

[CaptMD]

If that's right, that is very good news indeed. I'd be feeling pretty good right now if I were you.

I'm feeling very good and grateful indeed! Excited to board it and take it out Thursday morning. It's really a dream. I look forward to getting it right and being the one to take care of it for the next 20 years, if I'm lucky.

 

[CaptMD]

My bad, thought it was an inboard diesel

So, no on an oil analysis you're saying? I have gotten a lot of conflicting answers on this oil analysis idea. I am going to have a mechanic do a computer diagnosis and compression check and we are sea trialing.

 

[WoundUpMarine]

If they are there, do the analysis. Someone on the forum a week or so ago was saying they bought a boat and didn't know there was water in the oil. He ended up buying two new engines. Do the sample and see what it says, it's worth 50 bucks. If their is water in the oil, it's something to consider, I wouldn't worry too much about the oil being diluted with gas though, the bigger Yamahas can be know for "making oil". And enjoy the boat ride, keep us posted.

 

[Fishonnelsons]

So, no on an oil analysis you're saying? I have gotten a lot of conflicting answers on this oil analysis idea. I am going to have a mechanic do a computer diagnosis and compression check and we are sea trialing.

Wound up marine has more knowledge than me on outboards, I’m at zero in that realm. If it costs that little, and can tell you something, then do it. More tests the better.

 

[Dillion84]

I'm feeling very good and grateful indeed! Excited to board it and take it out Thursday morning. It's really a dream. I look forward to getting it right and being the one to take care of it for the next 20 years, if I'm lucky.

Well, how was the sea trial? I’ve enjoyed following the journey and am looking forward to the next installment. We had 8 degrees this morning in kittery, so 50 and choppy sounds like a dream right now.

 

[CaptMD]

Well, how was the sea trial? I’ve enjoyed following the journey and am looking forward to the next installment. We had 8 degrees this morning in kittery, so 50 and choppy sounds like a dream right now.

Feeling the 65 degree sun was a dream yesterday, I am back in Eliot and the thermometer reads 12 degrees now. Phew, it was the longest 24 hrs just to take a 45 minute boat ride. If I count from the moment I pulled out of the driveway until I pulled back in, it took 37 1/2 hrs in the most efficient shuttle and flight schedule possible to go down there and back. I am one tired person today! Sooo, I'm finalizing the sale this morning at the office of Gray & Gray Yacht Brokers in York, Maine. Annie Gray is the broker I'm paying for my protection since this is a private seller in Florida. Luckily he agreed to do it this way. Annie Gray has been holding the deposit and executed a purchase contract for us last week. The seller will sign and notarize the bill of sale and turn over titles and what not. He gave me the boat plans yesterday. I give Annie the funds and she wires them to the seller. Then this afternoon I give the go ahead to people down there to do the next steps: the mechanic who did the compression test will winterize the Yamaha OB, someone yet to be found will shrinkwrap and then the transporter picks it up and it will get parked in the yard of Salty Boats of Maine in Eliot. I had great support in phone calls earlier this week from Salty Boats owner, Cabot Trott and he has room in his schedule to start the work in 3 weeks so a great timeline for me. Diesel Jerry from this forum gave me his brother's name as a contact to repair the boat but I was told by his boss at KPYY that there's no open time in their schedule for getting the boat done in time for the upcoming spring season. Cabot is no second choice either by any means.
Back to yesterday, the compression check gave perfect readings of: 204, 210, 205, 200. The computer diagnostics using Yamaha OEM software showed only one "fault" from 2 years ago which was nothing, shift lever position it said. The mechanic showed me what that was on the engine and said it was a minor hiccup that never happened again. The oil was clear and beautiful. The readings showing percentages of time the engine was run at different RPMs was fascinating, I didn't know it would show this: 20% between 0-1000 rpm; 6.4% 1000-2000rpm; 7.3% 2000-3000; 9.8% 3000-4000; 56% 4000-5000; 0.4% 5000-6000; 0% 6000-7000. And the amount of hrs were verified at 376.9.
The bottom needs paint for this season, transom and swim platform and a few teak trim pieces here and there need refinishing now too but nothing major. Things like a half dozen or so fasteners on grab rails or such have loosened. There's some checking in a few wood pieces that need 5200 and clamping. Overall, all other painted surfaces on the outside of the boat are showing fatigue of 5 years in the FL sun but don't have to be done this season, I'll see how my time goes this spring. Seems like that hardtop roof takes a beating from the sun - could that be sanded and sprayed with gelcoat? One and done? There is a long punch list of small cosmetic things to fix most due to the Florida sun and humidity.
I went into this knowing about the soft spot in the sole and that the design allows for no water to escape or be pumped out of the bilge so Cabot and I had a long conversation about that. I am prepared for the possibility that we may take up most (all) of that sole and maybe even have to remove the fuel tank to put in limber holes. This "worst case" scenario doesn't concern me and I actually welcome it. I'll know that it's right once and for all and it also affords me the opportunity to add plumbing and holding tank for a flushing toilet. There's an enclosed head and plumbed sink with a pressurized pump and water holding tank but no toilet or the infrastructure to add one and that is a must. I do not want a porta porti.
How did the boat feel in the water? First impression is how stable it is. It does not rock whether its drifting or under way when people move about it. I mean strikingly so, first thing the surveyor commented on when we got off the boat. We got up to 27mph easily and quickly. We were not in any chop but the wind was 20mph. There were no handling issues but it's not a speed boat by any means, you can feel the weight of the boat. And honestly, I need more time with it to really be fair, 20 minutes at the helm is not enough and its very different from the boat I've been driving for the last 11 seasons, that boat is light on its feet and fast! I need to get used to this one and learn its strengths and weaknesses. I very much like how I never lose sight ahead of me as it goes into planing. My friend's Hydra Sport leaves you driving blind when rising up to plane, I hate that. I seatrialed a Bertram 26 for sale this fall and it did that too, I find that too unsettling for my comfort level. Oh, I hated the old timey wood steering wheel. Changing that right away to SS, anyone looking for a wood one, I have one to sell! I'll have to get used to digital readouts of all the info on the Garmin screen now, I do miss the look and ease of checking analog gauges. The cockpit felt spacious; the berth was super comfy, he had some extra nice cushions made. The portholes open, they'll need screens. Oh I guess the chartplotter needs some $300+ chip so that it doesn't plot a course over land.
I have to go to the broker's office now.

 

[WoundUpMarine]

Glad it all went well and you have a plan moving forward to make he boat "yours". Keep everyone updated in the projects, and most importantly, enjoy it!

 

[sailor of fortune]

congrats! Its going be a few long months waiting for spring

 

[CMK]

You've certainly put some good effort into making this happen. And it takes a certain amount of courage to go off the beaten path. I think you're going to find it was well worth it. A boat like this is a real rarity, and once you get it all sorted, it is going to be fantastic.

 

[CaptMD]

Glad it all went well and you have a plan moving forward to make he boat "yours". Keep everyone updated in the projects, and most importantly, enjoy it!

Thanks John. That's just what the surveyor said, I need to "Michele-ize" the boat now.

 

[CaptMD]

You've certainly put some good effort into making this happen. And it takes a certain amount of courage to go off the beaten path. I think you're going to find it was well worth it. A boat like this is a real rarity, and once you get it all sorted, it is going to be fantastic.

Thank you thank you. I feel a great sense of adventure ahead of me.

 

[Fishonnelsons]

Congrats, neat looking boat, certainly did your due diligence on it.

Annie is great, she brokered a sale for me this past fall when I bought my 29 Dyer out of Salem, Ma. Please give her my regard, Rich

 

[MouseTrap]

I'm really interested in seeing this custom-built boat. Congratulations! Do you have a hauler? I can recommend the guy that hauled my boat to Maine when I bought my boat in FL a couple years ago.

 

[CaptMD]

I'm really interested in seeing this custom-built boat. Congratulations! Do you have a hauler? I can recommend the guy that hauled my boat to Maine when I bought my boat in FL a couple years ago.

Mouse Trap, I need that hauler's number please! I have not hired one yet. Thanks.

 

[CaptMD]

So much work to acquire this boat. I have been getting insurance quotes. Since the sale was finalized today, I had an agent put a binder on it even though she's still working on quotes for me so at least its safe. I called a dozen haulers to get quotes and finally hired one. He picks up Friday and it will be in my driveway Monday! I've decided to have a heavy duty tarp tented over the pilot house to the stern and held down tight with lots of rachet straps instead of shrinkwrap. There is so little shrinkwrapping done in Florida that there are so few people doing it and they are out of their minds what they charge. And they don't build a structure to shed snow like we do here and even if they did, the snow shedding structure is likely to be a problem on the highway for 1400 miles. I have a mobile shrinkwrapper from north shore Mass coming to my house Monday to do it the day the boat arrives. Now to get the OB winterized as soon as it arrives. I can't source marine anti-freeze or fogging oil anywhere down there!

Any thoughts on it being on the road for 2 -3 days without being winterized.

 

[Diesel Jerry]

How close are you to Freeport ME?