My husband and I bought our first sailboat a couple years ago. It's a 1988 Hunter 285. We spent the first summer cleaning it all up (it was neglected) and fixing some things on the boat. Because of economics and time, we were not able to get it in the water this summer. The last remaining serious problem is overheating. We know it's a great boat and we'll be in a better position to get in the water next summer. We are trying to decide whether it is worth it to sell as is now and buy a newer boat once we have the money or hold on to it and get it fixed up for next summer. We live in Huntington, Long Island which has lots of marinas and don't know where to go to get someone who knows what they are doing to do some work at a more reasonable fee.
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IF you have it all cleaned up, the sails are in reasonable condition and your only issue is over heating I'd find out what the problem is and keep it. I have an 85 28.5 and truly enjoy it even though I frequently go through 5 foot itis.
What in the engine have you looked at? Did you make certain that the impeller is in good condition? Are there any kinked hoses? Thermostat ok? Lastly and most likely the toughest job did you go through the exhaust elbow and make certain it is not all coked up and choking the engine? I don't know the Marina's on Long Island but Brewers in Stamford has done some work for me and they were almost reasonable. Parts are relatively easy to come buy and as long as you are comfortable with a few tools none of these projects are that difficult. Good Luck with your decision.
What in the engine have you looked at? Did you make certain that the impeller is in good condition? Are there any kinked hoses? Thermostat ok? Lastly and most likely the toughest job did you go through the exhaust elbow and make certain it is not all coked up and choking the engine? I don't know the Marina's on Long Island but Brewers in Stamford has done some work for me and they were almost reasonable. Parts are relatively easy to come buy and as long as you are comfortable with a few tools none of these projects are that difficult. Good Luck with your decision.
It's hard to say whether your overheating problem is something simple like a worn out impeller, a slipping belt, or a thermostat not opening, or something more complicated and perhaps more expensive. If you like the boat and it is otherwise in good condition, you should consider having the engine professionally repaired if you and your husband cannot assess the problem yourselves. The Huntington area (I grew up nearby....) has lots of marinas and repair shops. Go to a number of marinas and talk to other owners who have Yanmars. Find out who they use and recommend to repair engines. Talk to that guy and ask him for an estimate. Then make up your mind.
PS: I think a good mechanic ought to be able to assess and islolate the problem in less than an hour and charge less than $100. A bargain, IMHO.
PS: I think a good mechanic ought to be able to assess and islolate the problem in less than an hour and charge less than $100. A bargain, IMHO.
overheating
We had an overheating problem on our 1984 Hunter 34, after going thru all the simple stuff, impeller, thermostat, kinked hoses, boiled out the heat exchanger, we took out the old clogged up exhaust elbow, replaced it and have not had a problem since. I would do that first next time!
We had an overheating problem on our 1984 Hunter 34, after going thru all the simple stuff, impeller, thermostat, kinked hoses, boiled out the heat exchanger, we took out the old clogged up exhaust elbow, replaced it and have not had a problem since. I would do that first next time!
It is going to be hard to test what is going to FIX the overheating while the boat is on the hard.
The obvious things are mentioned in the previous posts.
1. impeller
2. belt
3. thermostat
4. heat exchanger
5. mixing elbow
6. hoses
7. raw water pump
8. raw water intake/strainer
You can r/r these items, but you really cannot test anything very well.
The obvious things are mentioned in the previous posts.
1. impeller
2. belt
3. thermostat
4. heat exchanger
5. mixing elbow
6. hoses
7. raw water pump
8. raw water intake/strainer
You can r/r these items, but you really cannot test anything very well.
thanks for the feedback...another question on interior leak and crack
Thanks for the feedback. We will definitely look into the elbow and some of the suggestions related to the Yanmar. My husband thought it might be the impeller (we don't know too much pertaining to engine work so we are trying to ask around). The boat cleaned up really nice (we very proudly enjoyed some cocktails on it on the hard after a summer of intensive scrubbing and polishing). There were two other items we are still trying to figure out as well. The first is water collecting in the bottom. Could it be because the mast isn't up yet? It's not a lot of water just in the bilge area. I hope I am using the right terms - my husband is the sailor I am just the helper very motivated to get it in the water next year. The other item is cracking in the interior cabin by the stern. Looks like that could have been from water damage too. You can see the fiberglass underneath it. What is involved in fixing that? Thanks again.
Thanks for the feedback. We will definitely look into the elbow and some of the suggestions related to the Yanmar. My husband thought it might be the impeller (we don't know too much pertaining to engine work so we are trying to ask around). The boat cleaned up really nice (we very proudly enjoyed some cocktails on it on the hard after a summer of intensive scrubbing and polishing). There were two other items we are still trying to figure out as well. The first is water collecting in the bottom. Could it be because the mast isn't up yet? It's not a lot of water just in the bilge area. I hope I am using the right terms - my husband is the sailor I am just the helper very motivated to get it in the water next year. The other item is cracking in the interior cabin by the stern. Looks like that could have been from water damage too. You can see the fiberglass underneath it. What is involved in fixing that? Thanks again.
I'd recommend putting a bucket or something upside down over the mast step, and then trying to get to the boat shortly after (a day or so) it rains. Feel around on the cabin walls, in the back of cabinets, inside of lockers, etc, to look for that tell-tale leak. Usually it's nothing that disassembly, cleaning and a little silicone sealant can't take care of! Take a hard look at deck fittings, especially any that may be loose or seem like they were added on.
Another possible reason for the water -- if you have been using the icebox, most of them drain into the bilge. Not sure about the 285 but my H34 drains into the bilge.
As for your engine, everyone pretty much covered the basic steps above. I really feel that every owner/captain/crew should know how to change an impeller, it's something that I have had to do out on the water and it's not that hard. I don't mean to sound preachy, but I will tell you that the Yanmar manual is a very good investment and will give you great piece of mind later if you ever have a problem. Diesels aren't that mysterious once you learn a little bit about what they like and dislike as well as basic troubleshooting.
I'd say don't give up the ship and best of luck! I've always liked the lines of the 285s and I'm willing to bet fixing the engine is cheaper and easier than getting a whole new boat!
-Mark
Another possible reason for the water -- if you have been using the icebox, most of them drain into the bilge. Not sure about the 285 but my H34 drains into the bilge.
As for your engine, everyone pretty much covered the basic steps above. I really feel that every owner/captain/crew should know how to change an impeller, it's something that I have had to do out on the water and it's not that hard. I don't mean to sound preachy, but I will tell you that the Yanmar manual is a very good investment and will give you great piece of mind later if you ever have a problem. Diesels aren't that mysterious once you learn a little bit about what they like and dislike as well as basic troubleshooting.
I'd say don't give up the ship and best of luck! I've always liked the lines of the 285s and I'm willing to bet fixing the engine is cheaper and easier than getting a whole new boat!
-Mark
In addition to all the good posts, I'd encourage you to take a diesel mechanics course at Mack Boring(Yanmar dealer) or the like- its a 2 weekend course and it will give you familiarity with the engine and someday maybe save your ship.
I took the course 25 yrs ago and it has paid for itself many times over by allowing me to DIY.
I took the course 25 yrs ago and it has paid for itself many times over by allowing me to DIY.
Don't know which engine you have but Yanmars are fairly easy to work on. Here are service manuals for some of them. Maybe yours. Keep the boat you have. All boats even new ones have problems.
http://www.motoren.ath.cx/menus/yanmar.html
http://www.motoren.ath.cx/menus/yanmar.html
will be in Huntington i grew up their and my cousin knows yacht motors!!!
we will have you ready for next summer and will be a free bee!!!
we will have you ready for next summer and will be a free bee!!!
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