Putter, Putt-Putt

[ssanzone]

tomorrow morning i am moving my new (to me) vessel from her current slip in half moon bay to her new home in alameda.

technically, she is going to a yard for a bottom job and new rigging and then to her new home...

given she hasnt left the slip in 10 years, and due to her PO's health she has been ignored for 3 years and suffered a few years of serious neglect prior to those 3, anything i should be aware of.

diesel is running VERY strong and has been serviced since i bought her 6 weeks ago with new hoses, some exhaust work, filters, fluids and batteries.

i dove her and the hull is blister free, the prop has all 3 blades and is clean of excessive marine growth.

propulsion is what i would expect (tied up)

gears (transmission) is tight and responsive

and i have standard safety equipment; dink, flares, PFDs, throwables and fire extinguishers and, of course, tow insurance.

she has run at high(er) RPMs for 2 hours (in and out of gear) without oil or coolant loss.

there are no hot (or cold) spots on the block.

the steering linkage is clear of obstructions, shows no visible signs of wear / damage and well greased.

so... any thoughts on what might go 'wrong' anything else i should inspect / address before getting underway tomorrow morning or am i ready to sit back and enjoy the ride while day dreaming about actually putting stuff onto the boat (rigging, sails) instead of taking stuff off the boat (30 yr old carpet, head liners, 100 lbs of tile)?

thx.

-steve

[SkiprJohn]

Take a first aid kit and a VHF radio with you and enjoy the sail.
kind regards,

[zeehag]

take manyu extra filters for fuel. change oil before yopu leave, even if already was changed.... check for bits and pieces in that oil.
make sure you are not gonna lose a chainplate on your way
have fun
take lots of food and more water.....

[ssanzone]

zee,

i cant think of a chainplate that exists outside of the rigging. are there other chainplates that i should expect to find on the vessel (yorktown 39) or is this a general caution about how movement after a decade may affect the standing rigging?

i had a similar thought about the oil and changed it b4 1st starting the engine, let it run warm (120 degrees), changed the oil again (no metal / debris) ran it hard (er) and hot for over 2 hours and then changed the oil again (no metal or debris).

think i will get sick if i eat +/- 10lbs of oreos and drink a gallon of water in 4 hours?

[zeehag]

soundslike engine is good--just take a lot of filters with ye.
if oreos and water are the things your body is craving, and if you are young, is all in stride. if old----- mebbe also all in stride..

[Cheechako]

Once you start bouncing around, the contamination in the tank may migrate into the fuel filters, take extras. I would change the water impellor if it not been done. Have you chcked the stuffing box leak rate? Ran it in gear at the dock right?

[ssanzone]

i have ran it in gear and i do have extra filters.

i will take a look at the stuffing box tonight. i would guess the answer is 'the rate is very low' based on what is visible to me, but i dont like guessing.

thx.
-steve

[zeehag]

take toilet ring seals and rescue tape as a precaution. and many extra filters--you are going uphilland it can be rough, better ready than caught off guard, and impellers--2 of em.and belts for alternator.
activate and use spot so we can see ye

[pillum]

Re-check anything rubber, hoses, seals, impellers etc. And as Zeehag says, change filters and carry plenty new ones. Other than what's been said I'd also check all the thru-hull fittings, make sure they are double-clamped and that the valves show no signs of de-zincification (usually you can see a pink bloom on the metal).

[imagine2frolic]

Pull the fuel filtesr, and at least look at them. Locate alll bleeding spots. My Yanmar has one hidden, but not anymore........i2f

[vintageray]

I'm not from your area and not familiar with your route and you didn't say whether you'll be solo on this trip. However, I would suggest taking her out of the slip and practicing anchoring, which experience might come in handy along the way

[ssanzone]

all great advice... looks like i have a bit of work ahead of my tonight.

i have a captain Alan Hugenot (my surveyor / marine architect) who will be motoring her up with me.

i feel good about the trip but... TEN YEARS!!!

flares, a radio and boatus. what can go wrong? :P

[vintageray]

Don't feel pregnant. The PO of my boat started a refit in 1998. Stopped working on it in 2007. When I had it hauled, it had been in the water for 12 years.

[zeehag]

take cpt ron with ye for reference material. he knew what to do.....

[Ironhorse74]

I just moved my new to me boat. It sat for 2 years. Diesel ran strong at the dock. Have the fuel tanks cleaned!!!!!!!!!! Learn how to bleed the diesel. Carry lot's of extra fuel filters. Have the fuel tank cleaned!!!

Just my .02

Have the fuel tank cleaned!!