Brian's Repower - Gas to Diesel - 12/05

jav · Post by **jav** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 9:12 am

Brian, when I repowered my Trojan to diesels, I had an intermittent oil pressure problem. When hot, the guage would nose dive to zero for a split second... somtimes repeatdly and sometimes it would stay at zero to 1-2 seconds before coming back. Never got an alarm but it scared the crap out of me with all that $$ in diesel engines. I replaced guages and sending units and the probem went away for a little while then came back. I thought sure I'd be pulling an engine. turned out to be not 1, but 2 bad (brand new - ) Teleflex 2 station sending units. Gauges were fine and the sending units tested fine at the dock... it was only when they got hot that they'd act up.

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:42 pm

George, I'm still stuck in the shed!!! Things are getting uncomfortable. Two weekends ago the owner of the 45 SeaRay in the back corner was going ballistic on Eddie cause he still hadn't finished his job. Supposedly, he was the first to commit to repower last fall. Two Yanmar 500 h.p., a 13 kw generator, new bow thruster, etc. $150K +/-. Now Eddie's been trying to finish his job with generator, underwater lights, etc. Eddie also dropped in two Yanmar 440's in the Stamas opposite mine prior to getting mine going. Lots of broken promises, missed deadlines and poor excuses!!! I have one engine hanging in the bilge waiting for shafts to mount and align. The other engine and generator are still sitting behind the boat. I was in Boston yesterday on business, so I stopped in to check on progress and he hadn't touched the boat since Saturday!!! I gave him an earfull last night as this is bordering on ridiculous. Can't imagine making this weekend as was his last promise and now I'm even doubting the following weekend. I've now contacted my attorney to see in I have any practical options. You were lucky to get out only a month late, I'm quickly approaching two months late!!! Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

Rick · Post by **Rick** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 2:21 pm

Sorry to hear it Brian.....you're not missing anything anyway with all this rain. This place sounds terrible at planning and you're officially promoted to micro-manager. Phone calls every other - if not every - day. Rick Ticket 85 SF Falmouth, MA

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:09 pm

Sounds as though they over booked temselves for the winter. It pains me to hear this because I know it's not a good situation for anybody. I feel sorry for everyone involved. Brian, as Rick said, at least the weather isn't making anyone anxious to get in the water yet. I've been out in my boat one time and it's not looking good for this weekend either. I'm starting to wonder if the shindig at Oak Bluffs will be rained out in August.

Aussie Syd · Post by **Aussie Syd** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:06 am

Hey Brian Really sorry to hear about your delays, why do think its taking so long for Eddie to complete jobs? to many booked , under staffed and what does he say to you when you have words with him over it? I under stood from Gail my boat is due to come out of the water on thursday the 8th and due to the very wet weather you are experiencing in your part of the world at the moment was partly to blame for the delays. Naturally I have a vested interested as to what is happenning so I would appreciate if you would keep me informed of developments. If you get a chance can you still take those photo's and check out my boat.You can e-mail me directly if you wish. Thanks Regards Syd meyer@iinet.net.au

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:29 am

Brian, That is unfortunate because Eddy has a tremendous reputation which I hope he is not tarnishing with bad scheduling. I also think he is a very nice guy whose only intention is to do very high end work. Hope it works out.

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 11:32 am

Your not missing anything Brian, only 2 trips out on the boat for me and I've been in since April. The season just keeps getting shorter every year, what a waste. Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:09 pm

George, Any suggestions as to what you would do in my situation? I was originally told I would be in between April 15 & May 1 just like you, but you were lucky enough to depart on Memorial Day Weekend. What would you be doing/saying if you only had one engine partially installed on June 8th? Any thoughts? Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 6:28 pm

Brian, Unfortunately, I do not know what recourse you have. From what I've been reading, Eddie is a good guy who appears to do very good work, but also over-booked himself for this winter/spring. I guess I would ask Eddie what he will be doing to insure my happiness/future recommendations? Personally, I'm more convinced than ever to have my mechanic do any repower that wil be in my future rather than a big yard. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

jav · Post by **jav** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:29 am

Brian, I feel for you... and it's just not right. I don't blame you for being upset. I've known Eddie for years (bought my engines from him) and he truely is a nice guy and pretty talented. Fortunatly or unfortunately, whats happening to you is more the norm in the marine industry than the exception. I don't agree with it, I don't understand it and for the life of me, I can't explain why marine outfits are so laxed. Beleive it or not, this is why I did my own repower and have yet to regret that decision. Not to defend Eddie, but many shops are worst and I know he struggled with personel issues all year but that shouldn't be your problem. I'm not sure what leverage you have to act proactively but if it were me, I would have a sit down and come up with a realistic plan of action from where you are now - in writing. Given the previous history, I would also do everything in my power to agree upon penalties for failure to perform. It's a tough call but I doubt legal action will help anyone other than the lawyers. Pulling the boat is an option but then where do you put it?... it's not like theres any lesser evil that I know of.

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 3:50 am

Brian, I feel for you because your enthusiasm about having this done was obvious all winter. It is just a tough situation. I am not sure just how I would handle it but a lawyer would not be in the equation. In fact, I would not even threaten to bring that into the equation. It will only make things worse between you and Eddy and I suspect he will feel less than threatened and be twice as likely to put you at the end of the line. Butting heads with him will not work. Doug, unless your yard has done a gas to diesel conversion, or better still, several, I think you would be nuts to have them do it. I consider the guys at my yard top-notch and they openly agreed that it would be very tough to take this on for a reasonable price. Mostly because they are not sure of the pitfalls. Plus, it can't possibly come out as good - an experienced shop has the benefit of knowing what works and what doesn't. My mechanic was very impressed with the result and admitted it would have taken him all winter to get it right. In Eddy'd defense, he was late but I got what I paid for and he was spot on to his original quote - no "extras". I am hoping to get many years out of this so I tried really hard to remind myself that a month late done right is better than just done. I know that is tough to swallow in Brian's situation.

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:13 am

George, I see your point. That being said, my mechanic is an independant who does outstanding work that I trust implicitly. As you stated, this would be a winter job for him. Anyone that knows him will tell you that it would be done right and on time and he has done a number of conversions. FYI: I haven't forgotten that I still owe you for the Flo-scans. We're installing them a week from today. Provided everything goes as planned will test it next weekend and send $$ directly. Thanks for your patience. Are you/did you install the flo-scans for diesels? What did you burn for fuel on your trip home? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:26 am

No flo-scans for the diesels since I am way less sensitive to total range - I used them mostly to stretch how far I could go to fish. Now I can go as far as I want without a thought. Scary for those that fish with me! As for burn, I ran from E Providence all the way to Falmouth (3.5 hours or so), picked up my wife, and ran to Menemsha (about 15 miles each way). Of course I am testing at all speeds and taking a less than conservative approach to fuel (for now). All in, I used 85 gallons so my guess is about 17 or 18 gallons an hour running at 23 knots most of the time. Could even be less because I never topped off from the test rides. Not to worry about the Flo-Scans I trust you will pay me. I doubt there will be a problem they were new last year.

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 4:45 am

George, That's great. I can't even begin to imagine how cool that must be. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

BECCA ROSE · Post by **BECCA ROSE** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 5:02 am

Can't wait to read that Soundings article, should be a good one! Hope it sheds some light on how boaters are held hostage by the person doing the work on their boat, and how little recourse the owner, who is spending a rediculous amount of money, has. Thankfully the real world doesn't run like the marine industries do. Doug, you are very lucky to have Andy as your local mechanic, he would deliver on his promises, and deliver on schedule, no matter what. Brian, remember "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". Bill 33 FBC Ipswich, Ma. [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... a_Rose.jpg[/img]