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

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:54 pm

Quick update... Both engines are in and complete, shafts and struts are in and aligned and he has installed 4 blade 24" x 28" props. They began to install the Norpro 7kw generator with sound shield on Thursday 6/15. I called to check on it and they informed me that the sound shield was not going to fit height wise and that I'd have to go without the sound shield. Now mind you, 2 - 3 months ago when the generator came in I measured it and suggested to him that it was going to be a very close fit, plus the exhaust was coming out at the bottom edge where the muffler had been. He assured me that they would be able to get it to fit, but obviously didn't do any measuring or inspecting themselves. I very much wanted a sound shield for both noise reduction and corrosion protection. I wasn't convinced when he told me nothing with a sound shield would fit so that night at home I went through my generator options file and found the Kohler was slightly higher but the Westerbeke 7.6 kw was 3/4" shorter and about an inch wider and longer. I called Eddie and asked him to return the Norpro and get me the Westerbeke. He initially balked slightly, but finally agreed. I also recalled to him our conversation in the fall when he told me both generators were close in price, so that shouldn't be an issue. However, after the generator came in, he now informed me that the new genrator with the new style sound shield was $2K more! [:(!] What an experience this has been, I certainly have learned a lot. The Westerbeke is now installed and boy its tight all the way around. Should make maintenance a little tough but still doable. Very nice unit overall though! He's also informed me of a 25% upcharge on the props and a 47% upcharge on the shafts due to a fit and face surcharge(?). Additionally, he's also hitting me up for a riser kit at an incremental $1,150. I'm still trying to digest this before sitting down to review. I'm talking with Mack Boring and others to get another perspective. And to think he had my money in the bank for 5 - 6 months before even starting my repower. No real apologies or even any $ concessions for the 9 - 11 weeks delay! Will be launching and sea trialing later this week, and I get to bring home for July 4th weekend. At least I have 2/3 of the season left I guess, but now I have to scramble to get new carpeting too. The saga continues, but only for a few more days! Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:58 pm

By the way, Syd from Australia is repowering his new '88 SF with Eddie this summer too. I think Eddie promised to haul his boat on June 8th to start the project, but the boat is still in the water and he appears to have 2-3 repowers incomplete and ahead of him. If only they could be honest with us and not promise unrealistic timelines that they know they will never meet. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:59 pm

Brian, Maybe they will winterize your boat for you at no charge.It might be snowing before you get it.

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 2:08 pm

ooops i guess i missed your next to last post on page 11....so i am glad it will not be snowing when you get your boat just your wallet will be alot lighter...hopefully your boat is so awesome that you will get pat this after a few boat rides.

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 4:55 am

Reading this whole story of whats been happenning with brian makes me scared **** about ever getting a repower. What if you put a penalty clause in the comtract before you start. Is that possible.? Mike

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 5:49 am

Mike, Repowering is like renovating your home. It always takes longer than you think and always cost more than you think.I think you can always count on 5-10% in extra charges.My repower went fine and went over budget by about 5%. Knowing now what Brian is going through it just gives you knowledge of what to expect so you can plan accordingly.

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:03 am

Brian, I find it odd that Eddy has absolutely no response? He was appologizing to me for being 3 weeks late. He is not appologizing and not taking any responsability? He must have an opinion (right or wrong) why this went wrong? Have you asked him what the hell happened? I am very surprised to hear he dropped the ball.

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:04 am

I find his superficial apology a little insincere, myself, when he says it's been due to losing one of his mechanics back in March/April. He still has 3 repowers behind me that can't be happy campers either (I know one of the guys isn't very happy). The fact that he's not even offering a superficial discount or anything due to the late delivery is amazing to me. And let's face it, he committed to Syd knowing exactly what he had left to do and how much help he has, telling Syd he'd start him in June and haul him on June 8th. Like I said, Syd's boat was still in the water last weekend and probably will be there this weekend? Clearly he overcommitted himself promising delivery dates that he couldn't make. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:47 am

How did it come out? I hope you are at least happy with the result after all this. I know you want to kill him but everyone I show is very impressed by the end result and I think you will ultimately be happy. Trust me when I tell you, it is going to feel like a new boat so cheer up. The coolest thing is that with 2 people and no provisions or 4 fat fisherman and everything we can carry it seems unaffected by the weight. My humble opinion is that 370s are overkill in a big way but it is gonna be insanely fun to run at 30 - which I really think will be your cruise speed. Enjoy!

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:01 am

Well here's the update you've been waiting for... the boat was launched on Saturday, July 1st! I was getting real excited when we started out on the sea trial till he kicked up the trottles and we couldn't get the boat out of the hole [:(] The 24 x 28 props were way to much and the engines were overloaded, thus the turbos didn't even kick in. I drove up to Boston on Monday, for Eddie, to pick up another set of props to try again. He went with 24 x 24 with a #4 cup. Monday afternoon we tried again. Still a little slow out of the hole, but then the turbo kicked in and it felt like a rocket! Here are the readings I took: Against the wind - 2400 - 19.4 knots 2500 - 20.3 knots 2800 - 23.8 knots 3000 - 26.0 knots 3100 - 26.8 knots (Eddie says this is cruising rpm) 3300 - 29.0 knots (engines rated max rpm) With the wind - 2400 - 19.7 knots 2500 - 20.0 knots 2800 - 24.6 knots 3000 - 26.8 knots 3100 - 27.8 knots 3300 - 29.5 knots 3450 - 30.8 knots (WOT) This boat flies and handled the power well with no issues. He's going to tweak the props a little more to try and improve out of the hole. He's talking about changing the pitch slightly. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Hopefully, I be able to bring it home to my marina this weekend if he gets it straightened out. My wife is talking about tethering down the kids now[;)] Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Guilford, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:27 am

Holy **** 28 kts cruise, now thats what I am talk'in about. I think you are going to forget all the other crap that went on before. Man 28kts, that is totally nuts. A very humble mike

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 5:50 pm

Very good Brian, Now it would be great to see the fuel burn numbers.Do you have any way to check the flow?

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:37 pm

Brian, I'm GREEN with envy. I don't think my boat has ever seen 30 knots, except maybe when it was a just a barrel full of fiberglass resin heading down I-95 to Miami Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:06 am

Man, that thing will fly. Due to the fact my engines are getting on, I took mine down from 23 x 26 to 23 x 24 just to take some load off the engines. I'm going to squeeze every hr. i can out of them. But when I hit the Gulf Stream I'm lucky to get 17 kts with a full load. Not that it ever got more than 19 kts. Maybe i'll repower with 4 cyl. Yannies and turn it into a trawler. Gene Dugan

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 4:17 am

Brian, Glad to hear that you're finally splashed and running. A cruise of 94% of WOT seems a little high to me. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]