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travellerw · 06-11-2014, 12:47

Alright... I have a boat under contract but I have some questions.

I will be initially inspecting this boat before a survey and am looking for suggestions of things to put on my list. I have joined the owners group and spoke with a couple of owners, but trying to make sure I don't miss anything. I have read this website and will be taking a printed copy with me.
Marine Survey 101, Do your own marine survey

Any suggestions based on experience with Island Spirits, or experiences with Cats in general! I appreciate any responses..

Ostinato · 06-11-2014, 23:10

Aside from what I mentioned on the owners group page, I would check the transmissions. With the engines off make sure when you put it in reverse that the props lock immediately and when under power, there is no obvious slippage. This, of course, is most easily elevated underway.

Engines in these boat varied but all to my knowledge used saildrives - probably ZF's which are basically Hurth transmissions mated to a drive.

I have had mixed results with Hurths. Some people feel that you don't get much more than 2000 hours out of them and that they aren't worth rebuilding. I certainly agree with the latter sentiment.

You might also want to take engine oil samples back with you to have them evaluated.

Good luck. It has been a great boat for us.

travellerw · 07-11-2014, 06:38

Thanks, I have been compiling a list. I was hoping someone will weigh in on the motors (Volvo MD2030).

Ostinato · 07-11-2014, 11:41

Can not help you with those. Suggest you put up a separate post in the Engine and Propulsion section of this forum.

travellerw · 07-11-2014, 11:50

Thanks.. I will post there as well.. I might ping Mark of S/V Reach. Someone mentioned that he has in depth knowledge of Volvo s.

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Zuri · 09-11-2014, 03:40

Contact me directly, I owned one and sold more than 20 of them new and used. I was involved in the manufacture of Island Spirit .

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Ostinato · 09-11-2014, 07:24

Zuri - For some reason I can not send you a private message. I am trying to find out the OD of the Island Spirit rudder bearing. In other words, the ID of the SS shaft the rudder and bearing sit in. Can you help?

travellerw · 09-11-2014, 07:28

I don't think Zuri has enough posts for people to send private messages to... Zuri I would love to speak with you.. I'm trying to gather as much information as I can.

Zuri · 09-11-2014, 07:50

The shaft should be 50mm (all the IS are metric) and the bearings were made out of Delron. the tube will also be metric.

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travellerw · 09-11-2014, 08:18

Zuri - Can you e-mail me... I have a temporary e-mail address here:

temp@laserthing.com

Ostinato · 09-11-2014, 13:48

Zuri - the rudder shaft on my boat is 45mm. The drawings for the rudder specify a SS tube with an OD 80mm that the shaft fits in. They also specify a 5mm bearing (out of delron like you said) which means the SS tube has an ID of 55mm. In effect the walls of tube are 12.5mm or about 1/2". Does that sound correct?

PPLepew · 05-06-2020, 09:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by travellerw

Any suggestions based on experience with Island Spirits..

I had my four worn out rudder bushing removed and new one made (US$310). Obviously done during a haul out. (You'll know when they need it done, they'll rattle at every turn). Make sure they get to block the boat high enough, or have them removed & replaced while in the sling during the above haul out.

travellerw · 05-06-2020, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by PPLepew

I had my four worn out rudder bushing removed and new one made (US$310). Obviously done during a haul out. (You'll know when they need it done, they'll rattle at every turn). Make sure they get to block the boat high enough, or have them removed & replaced while in the sling during the above haul out.

Dude.. That post was over 5 years ago.. Since then, I changed the bushings twice. Simple procedure like you describe. I choose to use Acetal instead of the expensive "unobtainium" that was originally used (vesconite). Acetal lasted about the same amount of nautical miles as the vesconite ones (about 7500). No water swelling either.

I had the outer diameter machined slightly oversized (a few thou), then froze the bushings so I could insert them in the tubes. The first set I froze with dry ice, but a standard freezer was used for the second set. I just left them overnight, where the dry ice took like 10 min.

Sadly, our adventure is over and the boat has now sold.