Supposedly, this W50 has 1200 hrs. We were beginning to replace the engine mounts yesterday after redoing the shaft & coupler end-to end. I reached up under from aft and the forward side of the bell housing is LOADED with oil. There is always a drip in the engine tub and also coolant showing regularly. I assume the rear seal needs replacement.
The engine generally looks O.K., I can feel a little surface rust on the oil pan. The dipstick is down a hair from full. The boat has been sitting for probably 5 years. Don't know if was "well winterized" or just laid up and left.
The debate is whether to pull the engine and replace, pull the engine and take it for rebuild (as the guy with the Sabre 42 next to me did), or rebuild in place. With the crane or manlift, I think I can get it out fairly quickly after pulling the Balmar off and disconnecting everything. Plunk it in the back of the truck and take it to John at Downeast Diesel for rebuild. Hinckley put in thousands of the Bekes.
OR go with the likely $15,000 expense of picking up a Beta 35. I still haven't pressure tested the fuel tank or gotten through any interior systems with my "float float, go forward go forward" credo. Hull is tight, sailing/deck hardware is almost all new - just needs final installation. I also want to pull two chainplates just for shits and giggles. Port forward and starboard aft. The former has a crack next to it that opened up, and the latter did some serious groaning when tightened. Haven't even powered up the extensive electronics array.
Eric . . . what was his name . . . Kimberlite. He wanted my son to manage and watch over his Amel Maramu in St. Thomas years ago (after he sold the way overdone T37). I don't see getting into THAT kind of refit, but it feels like I'm headed in that direction. I got on Kimberlite I, the T37, when he first delivered it to St. Thomas circa 2003(?).
Point is, 2+ years of basing out of St. Thomas and downisland is the plan, maybe do the Canal, hit the Galapagos, love to go down below Santiago, Chile. Have friend with salmonid sporting camp in Patagonia. Giant salmon and trout. We'll see about all that. I just want a boat tough enough to go to Vanuatu or Gibraltar if I so choose.
I think I'm going to wait until April/May to book it south, get all this other stuff done. It's one thing to do a refit in the Virgin Islands for a "water winnebago weekender" and beat the crap out of it. It's something else altogether to beat the hell out of it going down the ICW or Bermuda-St. Thomas, each having it's problems.
Nitpick me.
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