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MizunkY
53 Posts |
 Posted - 11/04/2009 : 10:22:38 PM
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It's been a long time coming, many countless hours researching and discussing, we made the offer (three actually), and it was accepted. Unfortunately, for more than we wanted to pay but it'll be worth it. I feel like this has consumed my thoughts for six months.
The survey is on Wednesday. The boat is a 1990 Carver Mariner w/ 5.7 Crusaders. They are the crusader classics (carbed, boo) and were installed in 2005. The boat is ridiculously clean and I knew it was the one the moment we walked aboard. Is that normal? 
I admit, we're nervous and excited as hell. It's a weird feeling. This will be our first boat. I wasn't even discouraged after reading Discriminating Boat Buyers by David Pascoe. That book would scare anyone away... interesting read.
The help you guys have provided me, specifically Bob and Bob, has been tremendous. I will continue to be active on these forums with our adventures and troubles alike. I hope you all plan the same.
After the survey, it's being hauled, winterized and wrapped. This will be the longest winter of my life, hands down. At least we get to ride on it during the sea trial. What a dumb time to buy a boat. Too bad the owner wasn't in financial trouble, hmm, that's a mean thing to say..
I've rambled on enough. I plan on posting pictures during the survey.
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Bob On This
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2009 : 10:45:42 PM
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Very cool, congratulations. I know you'll love the boat.
Do a lot of reading over the winter months and spring will be here
before you know it.
Take lots of pictures.
Bob
Diver Down |
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Jimbo Song
228 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2009 : 06:45:56 AM
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Congratulations! Photos! We want photos!
Now, I'm going to be a bit patronizing. Sorry, but I can't help it.
Since this is your first boat (I don't know how much boating experience you have nor do I know where you intend to go in your boat) there are two things I would really like to see you do. You can do them over the winter so by next Spring, launch time, you will be ready to go.
1) Contact your local Coat Guard Auxilliary and take a comprehensive Safe Boating course. You and your Admiral can do it together. If you haven't boated much before, you'll be amazed at how much you don't know. If you have boated before you'll be surprise at how much you "thought" you knew but didn't really.  Having your Admiral do it as well is a safety measure. She will then be able to handle the boat more safely if you get sick or injured and be able to knowledgably aid in things like docking, fueling, etc. If you have kids, take them with you as well.
2) Buy a copy of the Nav Regs, read them, become familiar with them and keep them on your boat at all times. Since your boat is 28' you are not required to keep a copy on board. But, again, you'll be surprised at how many times you will find yourself referring to them.
I totally understand the "we knew this was the one the minute we stepped on to her" syndrome. LOL it's a bit like love at first sight.
Any, again, congratulations.
Bob
PS: I wrote another post but don't see it so I'll write it again here. Another rercomendation is to get together with a professional captain or someone familiar with this kind of boat and operating a twin engine boat. Our beloved little 28'ers are a shallow draft boat with LOTS of freeboard. Therefore, they can be a hand full in a cross wind if you are not used to how they respond. Having an experienced person to show you some "tricks" can save you a lot of fiberglass work, especially to your swim platform
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
Edited by - Jimbo Song on 11/07/2009 10:13:48 AM |
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MizunkY
53 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 12:33:36 AM
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Thanks to both of you! :)
I will definitely take that advice. I did plan to do the boats safety course. It's a good idea for sure! Pictures soon! We're so excited we can't sleep! |
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BillN
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 08:18:54 AM
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you need to take a cruise down the Chesapeake to Solomons Island so we can compare Mariners.
Best of luck with her. |
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Jimbo Song
228 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 09:31:30 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by BillN
you need to take a cruise down the Chesapeake to Solomons Island so we can compare Mariners.
Best of luck with her.
Better yet, everyone hook up and caravan down to FL and let's get a flotilla together and go to the Bahamas.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
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Bob On This
USA
169 Posts |
 Posted - 11/07/2009 : 1:04:30 PM
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OK, lets see....
I will launch into the San Juan River, float on down to Lake Powell, jump over the dam. Another float through the Grand Canyon and into Lake Mead. Down the Colorado to the Gulf of California.
Down the coast to Panama, through the canal into the Gulf of Mexico, and take a short cruse to Florida.
I'll see you guys in March ......... of 2032!!!!!
Diver Down |
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Jimbo Song
228 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 5:17:57 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Bob On This
OK, lets see....
I will launch into the San Juan River, float on down to Lake Powell, jump over the dam. Another float through the Grand Canyon and into Lake Mead. Down the Colorado to the Gulf of California.
Down the coast to Panama, through the canal into the Gulf of Mexico, and take a short cruse to Florida.
I'll see you guys in March ......... of 2032!!!!!
Diver Down
Or just get in your car, drive here and ride with me. 
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
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Bob On This
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 5:35:23 PM
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Lets plan it! How about mid March?
I'll pay for 1/2 the gas ....... I mean diesel :-)
Diver Down |
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Jimbo Song
228 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2009 : 7:34:15 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Bob On This
Lets plan it! How about mid March?
I'll pay for 1/2 the gas ....... I mean diesel :-)
Diver Down
Hey, I'm retired so any time works for me. But, if we want to get some of the Northeast guys involved my guess is their boats will still be on the hard then. May need to try to plan it for Late April or May.
Any of you guys reading this interested? We can hook up somewhere and caravan/floatilla to the Bahamas or, if not enough time for some of you, some other interesting place.
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
Edited by - Jimbo Song on 11/07/2009 7:38:10 PM |
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MizunkY
53 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2009 : 7:52:42 PM
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Update:
We bought the boat yesterday. Pictures are coming, I swear! :)
Survey went well. Here's the important stuff which was found:
Port tach not reading properly
Throttle alignment off
Engine alarms not operational
No GFI
Add double clamps at all exhaust hoses (some are single)
Desirable:
- Swim platform had minor delamination due to water intrusion.
- Minor bend in railing
- Minor wood decay on FWD port side cockpit bulkhead (that silly wooden piece behind the dinette). It *looks* okay, but you could hear it with the hammer
- There was slight signs of some water intrusion in stateroom headliner. It was dry at the time.
- If you pushed hard on the railing, you could get the base to move ever-so-slightly.
- He smacked down really hard on the bow pulpit with his hammer and a little water with some brown gunk came out. It sounded okay with the hammer.
Basically, I need to get caulk crazy and re-bed every screw and bead every seam (bow pulpit, windows, deck/hull joints?, etc.)
So, what do you think? Is it normal for a boat to have small amounts of water intrusion? It seems impossible to keep it all out. Caulk Caulk Caulk! |
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Jimbo Song
228 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2009 : 06:31:47 AM
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The only thing there that made my eyebrows raise was the water stains in the headliner. that COULD indicate delamination of the bridge floor.
Other than that is sounds like a totally typical 20 year old Carver 28'er.
Photos! We want photos!
Congrats!
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
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MizunkY
53 Posts |
 Posted - 11/13/2009 : 12:20:28 PM
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It made my eyebrows raise a little too. But again, it's very little. It just appears a little darker right on the edge where the "ceiling" starts to curve and rise. Know where I'm talking about? He didn't tell me there was any delamination on the bridge. It sounded solid as a rock when he smacked it with the hammer a million times.
Photos are coming ;) We are headed down tomorrow to spend a night on it in the slip.
As far as winterization goes, do you guys shrink wrap? I'm going to bite the bullet and get it done (so expensive, this marina doesn't let outside contractors in, monopoly!!). I'm also going to have the marina winterize the engines, AC compressor, and maybe hot water heater. The only thing I'll probably do is dump non toxic antifreeze in the fresh water tank and run it through all the pipes. How do we winterize the dockside water and holding tank? Am I missing anything?
It's too stressful for us to buy it then immediately worry about winterizing. Time to pay :(
I just ordered 32oz. of Gas shock from USA Fuel. I'm going to dump a bunch in the tanks then wait 24-48hours for mix, then run the engines at high idle for 20 minutes to get it through the system. You should all do this!! |
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Jimbo Song
228 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2009 : 4:33:27 PM
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lol, Not me brother! That's why I moved to Florida so I wouldn't have to do that stuff and can boat all year long!
Congratulations again! I just know you are going to love the old girl!
Bob
1987 Carver Voyager 28
"Jimbo Song"
Palm Coast, FL |
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Bob On This
USA
169 Posts |
Posted - 11/14/2009 : 1:51:11 PM
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I had some water show up the light above the dinette table 
Found the fasteners for the folding helm chair on the bridge completely wallowed out. (not to mention the PO had redone the mount and left the old holes)
Filled the holes with marine epoxy and re mounted the chair.
Add a couple of flushes of the toilet with the RV antifreeze, and your holding tank should be good (make sure it's empty first).
Bob
Diver Down |
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Today was the day offer was accepted
