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Big performance improvement

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 12:56 pm
by AMCarter3
By the way, you guys might be interested in this.

We just completed some serious engine maintenance over the last couple of months and have seen a huge performance improvement. The work involved extensive engine maintenance and fixing some serious running gear issues. The results has been an increase of 400 RPM's (3400 to 3800), about 1.5 kt increase in top speed (to over 18 kts) and visibly quieter, smoother running engines.

Tri County (local Yanmar experts) did the engine work. First, an excessive oil consumption issue on our port engine was solved -- the oil cooler had a bad gasket and oil would blow thru into the exhaust at high RPM's. Second, the valves were adjusted on both engines (they had never been adjusted since the boat was launched). Third, the 8 fuel injectors were inspected and tested by Yanmar -- they were all rejected as not functioning properly and not repairable, so they were replaced ($200 ea.)... $5,000 total.

Seaview North (local boatyard) managed the work on the running gear. First, we sent two of our 17x15 props out to be re-pitched to 17x13. Second, we pulled both shafts and sent them to the Prop Shop in Seattle to be aligned (the starboard shaft had a serious wobble). Third, we replaced the (original?) cutlass bearings and the dripless shaft seals. Fourth, we replaced the original "Drivesaver" spacer between the transmission flange and the "Prop shaft split flange" with a custom designed SS shaft coupler. Seaview discovered the connecting bolts were NOT the same dimension as the trans flange plate holes... in other words, the connection between the shaft and the transmission on both engines could not be coupled together tightly with zero "play"... $6,000 total.

So, $11,000 later, we have engines and running gear that are performing significantly better and more reliably than what we had when we bought the boat two years ago.

Re: Big performance improvement

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 3:30 pm
by deising
Thanks for sharing all that info, Mac. Sorry about the price tag, but if all is well now and much better than before, I am sure you are happy about that.

Re: Big performance improvement

Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 9:05 pm
by AMCarter3
Thanks, Duane! The money spent this round was well spent. I have no regrets at all. It's improvements like this that make me (and my wife) feel a LOT more confident about the boat... We feel it's worth it since I maintain most aspects of the boat and especially since we have the boat in contract with San Juan Yachting's charter business. We and quite a few "charter guests" take the boat out for weeks at a time from Spring thru Fall. I hate when a "trouble" call comes in. We just want the boat to be SAFE, RELIABLE and FUN... If the boat meets or exceeds everyone's expectations, it enhances our reputation and we do get return business.