Post by skycheney on Aug 17, 2020 21:55:08 GMT -5
I get the bug every so often to do a repower. This year I had more compliments than ever before on the boat. I guess since many of the older boats are not maintained well, you just don't see as many nice examples as you used to. But, I have around 5000 hours on the 6v92s that really do not push the boat where it needs to be for a legitimate fast cruise. My Allison transmissions turn the shafts in neutral with the oil cold and should probably be rebuilt as well. I also need to refinish the parquet floor in the pilothouse and we need new carpeting in the salon. SO.........what a great time to do all of that by repowering.
I have tried to look at what I could replace this boat with that would have the same room and amenities but cruise a little faster. All that I can come up with is a 49, 53 or 57 Marlow for between 1 and $2M used. And that ain't gonna happen. So why not repower?
I know I would never get my money back out of a repower but after 17 years of ownership, I think I could be happy with this boat for another 17+ years so I guess that doesn't matter. And at some point I would still have rebuilds to contend with anyway. This would be a huge undertaking though. I would have to tear out my pilothouse seat and bar area so I could cut in an engine room hatch for extraction. Then cut out the bulk heads in the hallway between the engine rooms to get the other one out. Then there is the clean up and fabrication of new mounts and new exhaust. The voltage issue too which I think I would go with 24v and convert everything over so I would use the original battery cable and switches and such.
I keep coming up with reasons to convince myself like: DD parts are getting harder to come by. No one makes a 32v inverter anymore, etc, etc. But the overall scope of the project continues to deter me, especially since everything still works great on the boat as is right now. So, I guess maybe I'll just start to investigate the options. I had always thought QSM11's would be great, but I have read that they have issues with the dry manifolds and turbos getting too hot and warping mounting surfaces resulting in exhaust leaks. So maybe Cat C12's or Volvo D11's would be a better choice. Then there is the shafting issue. I'm pretty sure my 2" two-piece shafts won't handle the extra horsepower, so I will also need all new struts and shafts and props. Wow, maybe its just too much to tackle. But it sure would be nice when it was complete.
I have tried to look at what I could replace this boat with that would have the same room and amenities but cruise a little faster. All that I can come up with is a 49, 53 or 57 Marlow for between 1 and $2M used. And that ain't gonna happen. So why not repower?
I know I would never get my money back out of a repower but after 17 years of ownership, I think I could be happy with this boat for another 17+ years so I guess that doesn't matter. And at some point I would still have rebuilds to contend with anyway. This would be a huge undertaking though. I would have to tear out my pilothouse seat and bar area so I could cut in an engine room hatch for extraction. Then cut out the bulk heads in the hallway between the engine rooms to get the other one out. Then there is the clean up and fabrication of new mounts and new exhaust. The voltage issue too which I think I would go with 24v and convert everything over so I would use the original battery cable and switches and such.
I keep coming up with reasons to convince myself like: DD parts are getting harder to come by. No one makes a 32v inverter anymore, etc, etc. But the overall scope of the project continues to deter me, especially since everything still works great on the boat as is right now. So, I guess maybe I'll just start to investigate the options. I had always thought QSM11's would be great, but I have read that they have issues with the dry manifolds and turbos getting too hot and warping mounting surfaces resulting in exhaust leaks. So maybe Cat C12's or Volvo D11's would be a better choice. Then there is the shafting issue. I'm pretty sure my 2" two-piece shafts won't handle the extra horsepower, so I will also need all new struts and shafts and props. Wow, maybe its just too much to tackle. But it sure would be nice when it was complete.