Okay, the survey got done, last minute jawing with previous owner, etc.
Two things stood out. The survey is very useful for me to know what to fix. It is also useful for negotiation with the current owner. Where it sucks is the insurance company. We had hell getting it insured for a reasonable amount. Had to tell one agent to take a hike. Then ran into a very nice guy. But they still are getting very dicky about the older boats. I have a feeling there will be a day when you will find it impossible to insure some of the classic plastic. What is curious about this is that I am much more confident about my 1982 Hunter than a current one. The boat came in above average on the survey!
Point two. We get moved on, are cleaning up, fixing some hatch dogs, filling up water tanks etc. We have a very productive three days, and it is time to button her up, and go back to the house. I lay down, and lift the floor panel off, and check the auto bilge pump. (I am a paranoid by nature). I have checked this beast twice, and the surveyor once. It will not come on. I jiggle the float, start shaking wires, and it comes on. And then a puff of smoke, and some burning insulation. And it will not work!
The pump comes on manually thru the breaker box. The float will not turn it on. SO a trip to West Marine, and I am putting on a new float with the crimp on butt joints. While I am doing this, the wire breaks 8 inches up. I get to checking it, and there is a 12 inch section with absolutely no integrity. When you peel the insulation back, there is literally orange dust in there. I have no idea hows the hell the pump was coming on to begin with. So new wire and it all works.
As a aside, the installer had not wired or ziptied the wires up out of the bilge. There was not a ton of water in it, even with it sitting, but it has been submerged. The prop was shot on survey, and I think it was due to the wire/bad connector leaking current into the water, and helping the electrolysis along.
So hours later, she is working, wires up out of the bilge, and we are on the road. There will be a ton to do, but I love this boat.
The more time I spend on her, the more I respect her. Cherubini was a helluva designer.
My previous ride was a Tayana 42 Vancouver center cockpit. I think I actually like the 37 better.
Two things stood out. The survey is very useful for me to know what to fix. It is also useful for negotiation with the current owner. Where it sucks is the insurance company. We had hell getting it insured for a reasonable amount. Had to tell one agent to take a hike. Then ran into a very nice guy. But they still are getting very dicky about the older boats. I have a feeling there will be a day when you will find it impossible to insure some of the classic plastic. What is curious about this is that I am much more confident about my 1982 Hunter than a current one. The boat came in above average on the survey!
Point two. We get moved on, are cleaning up, fixing some hatch dogs, filling up water tanks etc. We have a very productive three days, and it is time to button her up, and go back to the house. I lay down, and lift the floor panel off, and check the auto bilge pump. (I am a paranoid by nature). I have checked this beast twice, and the surveyor once. It will not come on. I jiggle the float, start shaking wires, and it comes on. And then a puff of smoke, and some burning insulation. And it will not work!
The pump comes on manually thru the breaker box. The float will not turn it on. SO a trip to West Marine, and I am putting on a new float with the crimp on butt joints. While I am doing this, the wire breaks 8 inches up. I get to checking it, and there is a 12 inch section with absolutely no integrity. When you peel the insulation back, there is literally orange dust in there. I have no idea hows the hell the pump was coming on to begin with. So new wire and it all works.
As a aside, the installer had not wired or ziptied the wires up out of the bilge. There was not a ton of water in it, even with it sitting, but it has been submerged. The prop was shot on survey, and I think it was due to the wire/bad connector leaking current into the water, and helping the electrolysis along.
So hours later, she is working, wires up out of the bilge, and we are on the road. There will be a ton to do, but I love this boat.
The more time I spend on her, the more I respect her. Cherubini was a helluva designer.
My previous ride was a Tayana 42 Vancouver center cockpit. I think I actually like the 37 better.
