Crew Wanted: husband needs captain, stuck in hampton, virginia.

[CarlF]

Is this Action Master Marine? Their web site says they started as a "mobile mechanic" and will travel to your dock. Most mechanics will travel reasonable distances.

Replacing a transmission is usually (but not always) a quick job that can be done in less than a day. They'll like just charge the mechanics travel time for the 15 miles.

https://www.actionmaster.com/

[rramsden]

I agree with some previous comments. You don't need a master, you need a tow. Or better get the work done in place. There are mobile diesel mechanics.

[altinr]

Try Blaine Parks,

https://parksmarineservices.com/

(843) 870-1424

blaine@parksmarineservices.com

QUOTE=In Training;3542961]boat needs new transmission. action marine at cobbs marina has it and ready to install but we need a captain to move the boat from salt pond marina to cobbs in virginia. our insurance requires us to have 100 hours with captain before we are on our own and bob planned to get that on trip down to florida and in florida. unfortunately can,t start that trip until transmission replaced and have to move boat to get it done. anyone know of a captain in hampton virginia area who could move my husband. i just drove from indiana to florida and will await him here. my husband's power cord is packed in my car somewhere so hw doesn't even have internet now.[/QUOTE]

[Bill Seal]

My wife and I changed the transmission on our MD11C by ourselves. No biggie, just rigged some ratchet straps to support the weight and started removing bolts.
Actually did it 3 times. Pulled it and rebuilt it, put it back in and found it was leaking saltwater from the cooling jacket, pulled it and put in a used one, found out it had a shot foreward clutch, pulled it back out and replaced the input shaft with the one from the rusty one, put it back in and SUCCESS!
Now I'd like to get the other input shaft relined for a spare. Any suggestiones?

[stormalong]

Depending on the transmission and engine installation this can be an easy or difficult job. Some engines share mounts with the transmission. Removing the transmission means losing support for the back end of the engine - IOW the engine has to be blocked up to remove the tranny. Others have very heavy transmissions or no access to it without removing the engine.

I have no idea what the OP's setup is. With a little thought it might be possible for the OP to do the job himself.

My boat has a Hurth/ZF V drive transmission that only weighs around 50 pounds. Because it is a V drive in is totally accessible - it faces forward in the engine space. I have removed and replaced it many times over the years. Access to service the PSS shaft seal requires it's removal. It takes less than an hour to remove it.

So, repeating myself this could be an easy job or a nightmare.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

Interesting thread.

How did "competent captains" move sailboats prior to invention of internal combustion engines?

Let me start with I have brought boats in with transmissions that were dodgy. And I have docked catamarans with engines that failed. But those issues happened while underway

In the real world, as a licensed master, I become responsible the moment I step on the boat. As a licensed professional, I am the “expert” the owner hired.

If I untie this boat from the dock, the transmission fails while undocking and I hit something that results in an insurance claim, I am responsible. If I get the boat to Cobbs, the transmission fails, and I crunch something (even going slow there can be damage), I am responsible. If while moving the boat the transmission fails, and something happens to the boat I am responsible. In all three cases I should have had a tug/tender to assist.

When the next person goes to hire me to move their boat, I will be need to fill out an insurance form. On that form there will be a question similar to, “Have you ever had a loss”. Who would hire a person who undocked a vessel knowing the transmission was bad, failed to have a tug/tender as back-up and had a crash?

To avoid thread hijacking, should you feel the need to debate- feel free to start a new thread. I am simply replying as you questioned my skills and competency as a licensed master.

[Chotu]

What a strange thread this has become. Lol these two marinas she is talking about are neighbors. 15 miles on the road. Going around the water. That’s how far apart they are. Just a couple towns over. Strange that this turned into a big deal.

[Niall leslie]

As a former marine technical specialist and company owner for what it's worth my comments are:
- If the combination of the present vessel and available crew mean that effectively the boat can't be sailed from A to B then change the combination so that the trip can be realistically entertained.
- Rent a car to move the gearbox and then engage a local company ( or if technically competent do it yourselves ) to install the gearbox, align and test OK etc.
- Engage the existing company that repaired the gearbox to install / test it on your vessel where is.

These kinds of issues are not uncommon when cruising and are all part of doing exactly that. That's why it is not for everyone. Make sure that you're both reasonably comfortable dealing independently with this type of inconvenience or stop cruising.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[In Training]

Regular survey didn't show problem and we went out on the boat. However I had engine survey done and fluids sent out and was glad I did. Best to have new transmission put in before we start our journey.

[Siberian Sea]

Why not just ship the transmission to the boats location and install it there? It’s not a complex task to install a new transmission and proper shaft alignment.

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by In Training

Regular survey didn't show problem and we went out on the boat. However I had engine survey done and fluids sent out and was glad I did. Best to have new transmission put in before we start our journey.

Are you now saying that the existing transmission is working? That is a completely different situation from what you first said. Is the oil analysis the only indication that you need a new transmission?

[In Training]

yes, that is what i am saying. owner claimed he had no idea there was any problem, but fluid reports said issues, so we did get a discount on the purchase and would like to replace to be on the safe side before cruising.

[JPA Cate]

What a strange thread this has become. Lol these two marinas she is talking about are neighbors. 15 miles on the road. Going around the water. That’s how far apart they are. Just a couple towns over. Strange that this turned into a big deal.

Doesn't seem strange to me at all. When the OP started questioning skipmac's reputation and qualifications, was he to turn the other cheek and not respond at all? I don't think so. You don't spend years of your life as a professional and have your reputation slanged by someone you know nothing of. I certainly wouldn't. It is way easier to lose respect than to get it back. Inappropriate comment needs to be politely rebutted.

Ann

[japarker11]

Originally Posted by In Training

yes, that is what i am saying. owner claimed he had no idea there was any problem, but fluid reports said issues, so we did get a discount on the purchase and would like to replace to be on the safe side before cruising.

OP, I think there is some confusion here with your husband's requirements. Some assumptions on my part (beware ASSUME), new to you vessel, limited experience with this class of boat, purchase surveys on vessel and rotating equipment that included lubricating fluid analysis.

As a Bav49 is listed as having a sail drive, I am guessing the sail drive gear lube indicated water contamination. Your replacement "transmission" is actually replacement of the sail drive? This requires a haul out, which Cobb has the capability. This type of contamination is the failure of the shaft seal.

Barring significant other presence of metallic bits in the specimen, replacement of the seal in conjunction with other inspection actions could be all that is required. In any case, the boat needs to come out of the water. It is unlikely gear and bearing wear due to lube problems has progressed to the point that another 2 hours on the clock will matter. As for insurance, there has to be a licenced captain near by needing to stock his liquor cabinet. Think Capt Ron!!

Ain't boat ownership in retirement fun?

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Doesn't seem strange to me at all. When the OP started questioning skipmac's reputation and qualifications, was he to turn the other cheek and not respond at all? I don't think so. You don't spend years of your life as a professional and have your reputation slanged by someone you know nothing of. I certainly wouldn't. It is way easier to lose respect than to get it back. Inappropriate comment needs to be politely rebutted.

Ann

What is strange, Ann, is that these marinas are right near each other and the obvious course of action is to just have them drive the transmission over.

You could do it on a bicycle (with trailer) they are so close.

To devolve into a grudge match about how professional some masters are (I have a 100 ton master, so I get it) and conversation about ways to move the boat is just strange. It’s not even necessary to move it.