Atomic 4 -- No spark

[Bob Adams]

Bob, it was a joke. Tractor-drive aux sail, Atomic four power. This could be written up by Marine Engineering Log any day now...

Yeah, I should have known that it's been a really long, HOT day!

[seo]

"Rust," I understand what you're saying, and don't disagree. But it's also true that it was thirty years ago when I first repowered a boat with a diesel that was laid out to fit into a A4 hole. It really did work pretty well. The water and fuel intake, exhaust and power output, and engine geometry all lined up with an A4 installation.
You maybe should also take into account that when you start transplanting 30+ year old parts onto a "new" engine, it's not really new anymore, because it's the ancillaries that cost you money and stop you dead in the water.
From my point of view the thing that makes it logical that "Seagold" stick with the A4 is that it's a vee-drive installation. Fitting a diesel with a vee-drive would be expensive. Adapting another engine to run with the paragon vee-drive would be expensive. So would changing to a new engine with a straight drive.
So in this case, maybe all the alternatives are more expensive than a "0" hour overhaul of the existing engine.

[ILikeRust]

Well here's hoping that Neil can help her get the engine fixed and running again.

[SeaGold 168]

From my conversation with Neil, he sounds like a nice guy that possesses the knowledge and experience to at least get me on the right track, if not to get the thing running. It's something, a guy from VA had to recommend a guy here in the L.A. area. Talk about taking the long route. However this turns out, Bill T., I do appreciate your referral and the effort, and I certainly appreciate Neil offering to take a look at the engine. My sincere thanks to everyone who has offered advice and assistance.

[SeaGold 168]

My boat is a Cal-34. I know that there is a propeller, however, not sure where it is located on the boat. I assumed it was under the bow.

[ILikeRust]

My boat is a Cal-34. I know that there is a propeller, however, not sure where it is located on the boat. I assumed it was under the bow.

No, it will be at the back end of the boat, just before the rudder. If your engine is installed "backwards," it most likely has a V-drive, which is done to save space and change the gear ratio between the engine's RPM and the prop's RPM. I believe your boat probably is about the top end of the size and weight boat the Atomic 4 was meant to reliably push around. The larger, heavier boats were fitted with the V-drive to allow the 30 hp A4 to be able to drive the larger prop size by gearing down the output. On smaller, lighter boats (like my 30-foot Pearson), it's direct drive, with no reduction in RPM - which is why I mentioned above that the Paragon reversing gear in the back end of the engine is not truly a "transmission."

[ILikeRust]

Click here for a diagram showing the layout of the Cal 34.

You'll see the engine has a V-drive and the prop comes out right behind the keel.

[SeaGold 168]

Hello,

Thank you for the diagram. Yes, I see the location of the prop--stern of boat. I've owned the boat for just about 3 years and decided to start learning to sail it last year. As you and the others may have gathered at this point, I'm still very green to the whole sailing thing. I've looked at the specs of the boat before to get an idea as to what is what. I've learned a lot about the boat and sailing in general since I've owned the boat, but of course I still have much to learn. Do I ever plan to go cruising, not really. I'm content with just sailing within the breakwaters on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. Though the boat makes for a great crash pad, a sailboat is meant to be sailed, not just sitting in the slip. My feeling is that after everything is said and done with the engine matter, I will either hate having the boat, or appreciate having it that much more. Let's see how it plays out. At this point it can go either way....

[SeaGold 168]

For those of you wondering how I ended up on this forum having a Cal 34, the answer is that I did an internet search on people who had similar issues with their engines, and it led me here. There was a guy (who I guess is no longer around..or alive), that posted a thread on this forum in 2010. My hope was to find out how he came out with his situation, which I never did. So again, Neil, Bill T.'s friend is scheduled to take a look at my engine on Sat. I can only hope that the problem is not as bad as I have been led to believe by these...so called mechanics that I have been dealing with.

[Durnik]

Durnik,

Craigslist...that's where 2 of the mechanics came from. The other was referred by a boat slip neighbor. Other than paying these guys to tell me the freakin engine does not work...I got nothing out of hiring them. Well, Bill T. got back with me and he has a friend out here that's either located in the same marina that my boat is located in, or close. Hopefully this guy will be able to get me back up and running sooner, rather than later. Even though I am in sunny California, the summer is passing me by.

Aye, C/L is a source of just about everything.. including parts changers masquerading as mechanics. In an attempt to save myself the effort of pulling/repairing/reinstalling my trucks diesel, I called one who claimed 7.3 IDI experience and needed work figuring he might work cheap.. When I mentioned the engine had a bent rod from sucking water he hesitantly asked "rod? that's hooked to the piston, right?" at which point I conveniently received another call & told him I had to go. Whew! He was correct where it went.. but uncertain is not the hallmark of experience! I ended up doing it alone, but fixing things is my life, so N/P.

Anywho, you'd still need to ask if they were A: old enough to remember when engines used points & B: still affectionate about engines with points - not all that many of us in the later category. ;-)

Glad to hear Bills friend, Neil is coming by. Strange it is how the i-net has shrunk the world.. & lowered info access barriers. Hope he gets you up quickly!

Back to the boat, a Cal34 should be quite maneuverable under sail alone.. I've never had a motor on a sailboat.. tho 21' is a bit shorter than yours ;-) and I sailed from & too a mooring or anchor. Still, I've pulled off more than a few lee shores. Sailing isn't hard.. Just different. My point is, it's a sailboat.. iron jibs are not strictly necessary^*. Sail Her! ;-)

BTW, here's a forum link to a thread on a 'wooden jib' that doesn't cost in repairs _or_ fuel.. the under appreciated sculling oar - perhaps just the ticket for entering/leaving the marina/mooring area. Does anyone here remember which thread showed a couple of kids sculling around the harbor sight-seeing? I can't seem to locate it.

enjoy
bobby

* Caveat - crowded marinas can be a different story.

[SeaGold 168]

Durnik,

Craigslist...your one stop shop for EVERYTHING. A few things regarding sailing the boat; 1)Busy marina, 2) marina rules are that you cannot sail into, or out of the marina, has to be under motor. Besides, I don't want to be out there in the harbor when the wind dies and I have no motor. Yes, I know, drop the anchor and call vessel assist. No thank you. Almost had to do that last year, wind died, and the motor stalled once for about 15 minutes, one of the crew hit the starter with a hammer a few times and it was up and going again. That only happened once, and I had no problems after then...until this recent incident. I probably would not have had this problem if I had the same crew from last year. Unfortunately, due to different life circumstances, I lost my crew from last year. One moved out of the country, the other has medical issues, and the 3rd, his wife had a baby. I hurriedly put together a make shift crew this year, and here I am,...with a screwed up engine because of that decision. I seriously was under the impression that the previous owner of the boat (the one at the helm when the engine died) knew what he was doing. Geez, it appears that I was wrong about that one. You live and you learn.

[Durnik]

EVERYTHING! George Carlin would be proud! ;-)

& rules 1 & 2 change everything..

>You live and you learn. Yep!

Looks like Sat we hear more - here's hoping for good news!

enjoy
bobby

[Breakaway]

, one of the crew hit the starter with a hammer a few times

Sea Gold--make a note to self " Dont bang on starter" ( unless its a last ditch life and death etc). Does bad things to the inner workings

Kevin

[SeaGold 168]

Kevin, Got it...don't bang on starter....

[SeaGold 168]

Bobby,

I certainly hope I have good news to share after Saturday.

[Tom Freeman]

You've found a good bunch of folks on here by accident. If you are serious about keeping your boat, sailing it safely and maintaining it, then you will get a wealth of advice. We were in a similar situation to yours four years ago. The only difference is that our boat was built in 1939 and still has the original motor. The mechanical differences and maintenance concerns aren't very different. What you are starting to learn is that boating isn't a turnkey experience. The more you can learn about your boat, the systems and how to sail her will pay you back with a lot of good times or a lot of misery if you choose not to learn. As the owner and captain, you are responsible for everything that happens (both good and bad). Think about taking some US Sail and Power Squadron boating classes. You will learn a lot and meet some fun people in the process. When folks work on your motor, take the opportunity to learn how to maintain the motor yourself. It's not as hard as you might imagine if you find a good mentor. As a female, you have an advantage if you show an interest in learning.

[SeaGold 168]

Tom,

As this is a long thread, you may not have read it in its entirety, so I'll briefly fill you in. As I am the captain and the owner, I am aware that I am responsible for the good and the bad. However this does not mean that I cannot vent my frustrations for the ill actions of others on my vessel that's costing me time/money. Just to be clear, I am attempting to learn about the motor, via written material, videos, and I have watched the guys work on the motor. Thus far, the guys that I have had work on the motor, apparently don't know much more about it than I do, otherwise, as everyone keeps saying that it is a very simple motor...it would probably be repaired by now, or I would know at least what's wrong with it. Neither is the case at the present. As far as showing an interest in learning about the repair of the motor, which for some reason, you don't think I have,...you are WRONG. Why should I want to learn from people I feel don't know what they are doing, that would be a waste of my valuable time. These guys that have worked on the engine...I have asked them questions, I have watched them, part of how I know they didn't know as much about repairing the motor as they led me to believe. You can tell when someone knows what they are doing or not. Though I am not mechanically inclined regarding the A4, I have done a number of things on my vehicles. I know how to read schematics, change sparks plugs, oil, etc. Hell, I even know how to knock a bubble dent out of a vehicle without having to take it to the shop and pay $100s of dollars. On a different note, I know all about the sailing classes that are offered. The yacht club even offers them. If I wanted to go that route...I would, but thank you for the suggestion.

"As a female, you have an advantage if you show an interest in learning." You don't know me, therefore you cannot blindly make the statement that I have NOT shown an interest in learning. Finding a good mentor is not as easy as you think..unless I am willing to...well, I'm sure you can fill in the rest. Thank you...and...have a good day.

[SeaGold 168]

If in my previous response, I came across as being a bit pissed...you are right. I don't need anyone, especially someone who doesn't know me, or the situation, making assumptions about the steps that I am taking to get my engine problem corrected, and to learn about the motor. I've been very appreciative of the advice and suggestions that I rec'd on this forum, even personally tried some of the suggestions. Let me further add, that I have tinkered around with the motor myself, being coached by a boat slip neighbor, who is an old timer, been a live aboard in the marina for almost 30 years. The thing is, he doesn't know anything about the A4 either. I've changed the solenoid, I've checked for loose wires, I've learned the different parts of the motor, etc. As I wrote previously, I know a heck of a lot more about the engine now then I did when the incident happened. Knowing the parts of an engine, or for that matter, knowing how to change a part, does not qualify a person to be considered a mechanic. These are the type of guys that I have been dealing with regarding the motor. As far as meeting...fun people, I'm more of an introvert than extrovert. I don't too much desire to deal with lots of people unless I necessarily have to. "If you show an interest in learning"...this is the statement that pisses me off.

[Durnik]

If in my previous response, I came across as being a bit pissed...you are right. I don't need anyone, especially someone who doesn't know me, or the situation, making assumptions about the steps that I am taking to get my engine problem corrected, and to learn about the motor. I've been very appreciative of the advice and suggestions that I rec'd on this forum, even personally tried some of the suggestions. Let me further add, that I have tinkered around with the motor myself, being coached by a boat slip neighbor, who is an old timer, been a live aboard in the marina for almost 30 years. The thing is, he doesn't know anything about the A4 either. I've changed the solenoid, I've checked for loose wires, I've learned the different parts of the motor, etc. As I wrote previously, I know a heck of a lot more about the engine now then I did when the incident happened. Knowing the parts of an engine, or for that matter, knowing how to change a part, does not qualify a person to be considered a mechanic. These are the type of guys that I have been dealing with regarding the motor. As far as meeting...fun people, I'm more of an introvert than extrovert. I don't too much desire to deal with lots of people unless I necessarily have to. "If you show an interest in learning"...this is the statement that pisses me off.

Oh, you're in the right forum for _that_, you are! tho we're mostly in the bilge - said 'sotto voice' ;-)

just trying for a little levity.. I'd say your questioning shows interest..

Definitely to not be knocking any participants on this thread, we all offer our 'two cents' with best wishes.. whether or no that particular bit of wisdom is the answer.. well.. I believe the standard i-net responses include -

IMHO, YMMV, YADDA, YADDA

BTW, you (usually, but not only ;-)) meet the nicest people in a sailboat.. It's not How Many, but How Nice!

Ah, yes - IMHO, YMMV, YADDA, YADDA ;-)

looking forward to good news on Saturday,

enjoy
bobby

[Tom Freeman]

I hope everything works out for the best. Good luck.

[wizbang 13]

geeze, we didn't fix that thing yet?

[Durnik]

geeze, we didn't fix that thing yet?

Na, man, we've been waiting for you to sail by & toss some epoxy at it.. ;-0

enjoy
bobby

[SeaGold 168]

Sadly to say...not yet, can't seem to find a qualified mechanic who knows what he's doing.

[SeaGold 168]

Thanks Bobby,

"Definitely to not be knocking any participants on this thread, we all offer our 'two cents' with best wishes.."

I would like to think that is true, but when someone starts prejudging me or the situation without knowing all the facts, that does not set well with me, as I guess you and others have noticed. I so hope that I will be able to put this thread to rest on a positive note rather sooner than later. Until the next time...

[seo]

Maybe you should get a wooden boat. Wooden engines are much easier to work on.

[SeaGold 168]

To those of you who have been waiting to hear the news...It's bad. Sea Gold's internal organs are shot. Life support is not even an option. Not only is the situation bad, it's worse than what I initially thought. 1) the engine is seized, 2) Oil system is compromised, and there are a few other things going on. Now that I KNOW...and not guessing what's going on with the engine, or paying someone to move a few wires, or feed me a line, it's time to make a decision. Either get a rebuilt motor, have this one rebuilt, or sell the boat. As Neil pointed out, even if I get a rebuilt, I will still have a 67 Cal 34. If I sell, will I replace her? Maybe. My thought is this, if I decide to make another boat investment, it may as well be in a more recent model boat, maybe with a diesel engine. Am I bummed about the news? Sure I am. Though I have not owned her long, she was starting to grow on me. Am I devastated...no. Will I lose sleep over the matter...doubtful. MANY THANKS to those of you who have taken the time to offer your advice and suggestions regarding this matter. BILL T., thanks. Neil is a very knowledgeable, experienced, polite gentleman. Neil,...thank you again as well for your efforts.

[Durnik]

To those of you who have been waiting to hear the news...It's bad. Sea Gold's internal organs are shot. Life support is not even an option. Not only is the situation bad, it's worse than what I initially thought. 1) the engine is seized, 2) Oil system is compromised, and there are a few other things going on. Now that I KNOW...and not guessing what's going on with the engine, or paying someone to move a few wires, or feed me a line, it's time to make a decision. Either get a rebuilt motor, have this one rebuilt, or sell the boat. As Neil pointed out, even if I get a rebuilt, I will still have a 67 Cal 34. If I sell, will I replace her? Maybe. My thought is this, if I decide to make another boat investment, it may as well be in a more recent model boat, maybe with a diesel engine. Am I bummed about the news? Sure I am. Though I have not owned her long, she was starting to grow on me. Am I devastated...no. Will I lose sleep over the matter...doubtful. MANY THANKS to those of you who have taken the time to offer your advice and suggestions regarding this matter. BILL T., thanks. Neil is a very knowledgeable, experienced, polite gentleman. Neil,...thank you again as well for your efforts.

Well, bluntly, that's a bummer - tho glad, at least, that you received some competent assistance! First thought - a '67' Cal 34 was a well built boat - made to last for years, more-so (IMOO^*) than newer boats. That's one point in favor of fixing. For me, it'd be an easy choice - but that's because I rebuild engines meself! ;-) Still, it'd be the one (granted, my view is from a distance) that I suggest first. Once done, you'll have a quality classic boat & engine.. & since I have greying hair, sometimes creaky joints & don't feel ready to be 'thrown away', I'm kinda partial to 'classic'. ;-)

Back to the engine - online research suggested a broken crank as a possibility - which could show as 'engine seized' - while being a not too seriously difficult repair - possibly new (used, actually, but good-to-go) crank & bearings. The mechanic who tears her apart will know for sure. Also, V drives are not the stoutest beasts in the world - what are the chances of damage there seizing the engine output shaft? Wondering if Neil's check's followed that path? Also, I thought there was rotary motion to the distributor shaft (which the points ride on) & at one point, a spark? This doesn't correlate perfectly with a seized engine. I must be remembering wrong & my slow i-net connection is not encouraging me to reload & read the thread! Ah, well.. ideas & 'second guessing' are easy from the comfort of my seat by the fan. ;-)

Ultimately, do _you_ like the old boat? & if so, can you find a mechanic who likes the old boat? A mechanic who thinks 'new is better' will never do an 'old' boat justice. Meanwhile, throwing money at a good old boat ain't a lot different from throwing money at a new boat.. It's still a hole in the water that eats bills - & gives you thrills & joy aplenty! ;-)

Good luck!

enjoy
bobby

^* In My Opinionated Opinion ;-)

[ILikeRust]

To those of you who have been waiting to hear the news...It's bad. Sea Gold's internal organs are shot. Life support is not even an option. Not only is the situation bad, it's worse than what I initially thought. 1) the engine is seized, 2) Oil system is compromised, and there are a few other things going on. Now that I KNOW...and not guessing what's going on with the engine, or paying someone to move a few wires, or feed me a line, it's time to make a decision. Either get a rebuilt motor, have this one rebuilt, or sell the boat. As Neil pointed out, even if I get a rebuilt, I will still have a 67 Cal 34. If I sell, will I replace her? Maybe. My thought is this, if I decide to make another boat investment, it may as well be in a more recent model boat, maybe with a diesel engine. Am I bummed about the news? Sure I am. Though I have not owned her long, she was starting to grow on me. Am I devastated...no. Will I lose sleep over the matter...doubtful. MANY THANKS to those of you who have taken the time to offer your advice and suggestions regarding this matter. BILL T., thanks. Neil is a very knowledgeable, experienced, polite gentleman. Neil,...thank you again as well for your efforts.

Bummer!

I echo a couple of Bobby's comments - I had thought you had it cranking a couple times, with spark. Although it is possible that it subsequently seized. The question then would be exactly where is the seizure occuring? Of course, I dunno what exactly Neil did to diagnose the issue, it's potentially possible the seized bits could be after the end of the crankshaft - i.e., the reversing gear or V-drive.

You obviously have some deciding to do. One perfectly legitimate option is to have the beast rebuilt, or do a Moyer Marine engine exchange - you send them your old engine, they send you a freshly rebuilt, warranted engine. The Cal 34 indeed is a stout, well-built boat. If it's otherwise in pretty good condition, you could do far worse with a more modern boat. Again, of course, you've got some deciding to do - there legitimately is a valid attraction to finding a boat that someone else already has dumped the money into and is plug-and-play.

Best of luck to you!

[wizbang 13]

We nutters with our woodies do it regularly, throw too much time and money at a boat.

[SeaGold 168]

Yes, it did crank for a while, then after the 2nd mechanic...it cranked no more. Neil did not say for sure what may have caused the engine to seize. He took the starter off and tried to turn...the flywheel (I guess) by hand, would not budge. He also noticed that the oil sender was very loose which was causing oil to leak into the bilge. The structure of the boat itself is good...just in need of...new internal organs. Do I like the boat enough to continue to deal with it? Well, the jury is out on that one right now. For now, I will continue to use it as a crash pad, I think I am going to inflate either my dinghy or the kayak today so that I can at least get a sense of being out there. One of my boat slip neighbors came by yesterday with his friends on their motor boat, to keep from being totally bored, I hopped over the stern rail of my boat into their motor boat and off we went cruising around the harbor for a bit. So even though I rec'd bad news about the engine, I didn't let it ruin my day. "To much time and money at a boat"...I don't know if I want to continue to do that. Until the next time.

[ILikeRust]

"To much time and money at a boat"...I don't know if I want to continue to do that.

That is the very definition of a boat. BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand.

I mean, you must have heard the old saw: "A boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood, metal or fiberglass, into which you throw money." No?

At this point, I've got probably double the current fair market value dumped into my boat - and I'm not done yet doing all I want/need to do to her, not by a long shot.

[Canoeyawl]

If you have an old Atomic 4 gas engine, Beta Marine provides many of its engines with Atomic 4 mounts, at no additional charge. This makes installation simple and you get all the advantages of a diesel engine - no need to modify your engine beds or stringers. Engines available with Atomic 4 mounts include the 10 HP Beta10, 13.5 HP BZ482, 16 HP BZ602, 20 HP BD722, 25 HP BD902, and 28 HP BD1005.
If your engine is old, but your transmission is still in good shape, we can provide you an engine with the "bobtail" option, allowing it to interface with your current transmission. That will save you money.
Give us a call and tell us your boat model, prop size and pitch, and current engine, and we will provide a quote on a drop-in replacement that will be quieter, more fuel efficient, more compact, and weigh less. Our toll free number is 888-792-BETA (2382).

http://www.betamarinenw.com/Applicat...tomicfour.html

[SeaGold 168]

Hello all,

Still no fix on the A4, so I decided to purchase a Cal 25, which I closed the deal on yesterday. Title in hand. Baby sister to the Cal that I have, even the inside resembles the 34, just more compact. Pop top, so I don't have to be bent over. Outboard starts right up, boat is clean, and everything seems to be working as it should. Good rigging, nice sails, new lines, sheets...and I got a GREAT deal. WOOHOO!! Now that I can sail again, I can take my time and deal with the A4 on the 34 and not feel pressured. 2 boats--2 marinas. I know what you might be thinking,... but as you know, INSTANT GRATIFICATION does not come without a cost. Besides, if it makes you happy, IT'S WORTH IT. The 34...crash pad, the 25, sailing only. What more can you ask for? Ok,...maybe a Cabana boy. Shift+R improves the quality of this image. Shift+A improves the quality of all images on this page. I'm looking forward to getting the baby Cal out. I will keep you posted on the progress with the A4 in the 34. Thanks again for all of the advice and suggestions.

[Durnik]

Hello all,

Still no fix on the A4, so I decided to purchase a Cal 25, which I closed the deal on yesterday. Title in hand. Baby sister to the Cal that I have, even the inside resembles the 34, just more compact. Pop top, so I don't have to be bent over. Outboard starts right up, boat is clean, and everything seems to be working as it should. Good rigging, nice sails, new lines, sheets...and I got a GREAT deal. WOOHOO!! Now that I can sail again, I can take my time and deal with the A4 on the 34 and not feel pressured. 2 boats--2 marinas. I know what you might be thinking,... but as you know, INSTANT GRATIFICATION does not come without a cost. Besides, if it makes you happy, IT'S WORTH IT. The 34...crash pad, the 25, sailing only. What more can you ask for? Ok,...maybe a Cabana boy. I'm looking forward to getting the baby Cal out. I will keep you posted on the progress with the A4 in the 34. Thanks again for all of the advice and suggestions.

Life's tough.. glad you're making the most of it.. & with its present record, I can't recommend looking on Craigslist for a Cabana boy, if you know what I mean? ;-)

enjoy
bobby

[SeaGold 168]

Bobby,

You're right...CL would not be the idea place to find a cabana boy. However, if I put enough subliminal thought into it...the universe will one, maybe two of them to me. It's amazing the power that the mind possesses. Ok, I'm getting a little weird...

[Durnik]

Bobby,

You're right...CL would not be the idea place to find a cabana boy. However, if I put enough subliminal thought into it...the universe will one, maybe two of them to me. It's amazing the power that the mind possesses. Ok, I'm getting a little weird...

Two.. seems a bit greedy.. tho there _are_ two Cabana's.. er, boats.. ;-) Spirit/my mind, whatever, likes to throw me curves.. so I ain't even _thinking_ about Cabana girls. hmmm, hmmm.. .. ;-)

enjoy
bobby

[SeaGold 168]

Greedy, the boats or the cabana boys...? Not at all. Heck, I couldn't get the A4 up and running in big sister Cal, so I went out and got her a sister. It was such a bummer sitting in the cockpit watching other people heading out to go sailing. I've missed 2 mos. of sailing and since I wasn't making any progress with the A4 on the 34, and this GREAT deal came along, I said why not. Besides, you only get one life to live. Why not enjoy it, and if one can spoil themselves every now and again in the interim, that's not such a bad thing. I work hard when I need to...and I play hard when I want to. That's my motto.

[Durnik]

Greedy, the boats or the cabana boys...? Not at all. Heck, I couldn't get the A4 up and running in big sister Cal, so I went out and got her a sister. It was such a bummer sitting in the cockpit watching other people heading out to go sailing. I've missed 2 mos. of sailing and since I wasn't making any progress with the A4 on the 34, and this GREAT deal came along, I said why not. Besides, you only get one life to live. Why not enjoy it, and if one can spoil themselves every now and again in the interim, that's not such a bad thing. I work hard when I need to...and I play hard when I want to. That's my motto.

Rule # 1 - _Never_ pass up a good deal.. the greedy is two Cabana boys.. ;-)

Rule # 2, of course, is Play hard.. even when you're working..

as for two boats.. bop around this forum for a bit & I suspect you'll find 2 being the low end of 'normal', whatever _that_ may be! I'm completely abnormal with only a canoe right now.. but it rides atop the cap on my truck & with the paddles inside, I'm good-to-go whenever I see likely water.. ;-)

Have fun Sailing!

enjoy
bobby

[SeaGold 168]

Rule # 1 - _Never_ pass up a good deal.. the greedy is two Cabana boys.. ;-)

Rule # 2, of course, is Play hard.. even when you're working..

as for two boats.. bop around this forum for a bit & I suspect you'll find 2 being the low end of 'normal', whatever _that_ may be! I'm completely abnormal with only a canoe right now.. but it rides atop the cap on my truck & with the paddles inside, I'm good-to-go whenever I see likely water.. ;-)

Have fun Sailing!

enjoy
bobby

Hello again,

Well, for the last week I have been prepping the new boat for a sail tomorrow. I will christen her and then off sailing we will go. I haven't forgotten my other Cal. For now, that situation is on the back burner. I'm looking forward to getting back out on the water and try to make up for some lost sailing time. You only get one life to live...may as get as much out of it as you can. At least that's my motto. Until the next time.

[seo]

What a peculiar thread on a woodenboat forum-the travails of owning a plastic boat with an engine that doesn't have the good manners to start as needed, and then to live in a hole without complaint. Good help is so hard to find these days...

[SeaGold 168]

Seo,

I don't understand..."live in a hole without complaint"...? On a different note, today was the maiden voyage for the boat that I recently purchased. BTW, her name is JOY (name the previous owners gave her). Hopefully she will bring me much more JOY than Sea Gold has lately. We christened her, poured champagne on the bow (no, I didn't break the bottle on the bow), and off we went. Thus far, everything seems to work as it should on her. I haven't forgotten about Sea Gold. The next time that I am there, I plan to use some marvel mystery oil to see if I can at least get the engine from being seized. Who knows,...I might just be able to get the engine to the point so that some other things can be tested on it. I'll keep everyone posted on my progress with that. Until then...

[Tom Freeman]

My boat is a Cal-34. I know that there is a propeller, however, not sure where it is located on the boat. I assumed it was under the bow.

Hopefully the new boat has a similar configuration. It's always interesting to drive boats when you don't know exactly how they are set up.

[SeaGold 168]

Hopefully the new boat has a similar configuration. It's always interesting to drive boats when you don't know exactly how they are set up.

People drive vehicles all the time and don't know what type of engine is in it, 4,6, or 8 cylinders. A lot of people couldn't even tell you where the dip stick for the transmission fluid is in their car. So why is it any different with a boat...? For the most part, unless a person has looked at the schematics of their boat or have taken a dive to personally look at the bottom of their boat,...they probably wouldn't know where the prop is located either. Both my boats are Cals. The new boat is a Cal 25 with an outboard.

[Breakaway]

So why is it any different with a boat.

Agreed, SeaGold. But consider that you can't just roll to the shoulder and walk home from a boat. No parking brake in a boat, so if there's no time to drop the anchor after the engine fails, you could end up on the rocks. Also, cell service tends to be unreliable after a more than couple miles offshore.

The car analogy seems intuitive, but really doesn't apply to boats.

Kevin

[SeaGold 168]

Agreed, SeaGold. But consider that you can't just roll to the shoulder and walk home from a boat. No parking brake in a boat, so if there's no time to drop the anchor after the engine fails, you could end up on the rocks. Also, cell service tends to be unreliable after a more than couple miles offshore.

The car analogy seems intuitive, but really doesn't apply to boats.

Kevin, I was simply making a point. I know that you just can't pull to the...curb...in a boat. However, as they have towing service for cars...they have it for boats as well. Engine fails...drop the anchor, call vessel assist, either through coast guard on vhf, or cell phone. I have an installed VHF (on both boats) and a hand held VHF radio. Now that I think about it, I've always had 2 of everything...well,...just about everything. Now, if anyone goes out without an anchor, and their engine fails...that would be on them. I think it would be quite foolish for anyone to go boating without an anchor.

Kevin

Kevin, I was simply making a point. Engine fails, drop the anchor (to go out without an anchor would not be wise). Call vessel assist via Coast Guard on the VHF or cell phone. I have an installed VHF (on both boats) and a handheld VHF. Now that I think about, I seem to always have had 2 of a lot of the same things.

[oldsub86]

Having read this whole thread, I have to wonder if it has been properly checked out.

When the motor was declared to be seized because it would not turn over after the starter was removed, had the spark plugs been removed?
Is it possible there is water in the cylinders and it is hydro locked?

If it was turning over on the starter after the problem arose, then I find it hard to believe it is now seized up.

Has the distributor been checked to see if the shaft is actually turning?

There are so many very simple tests on such a basic engine that it just seems silly that more than one "mechanic" has failed to diagnose the problem.

I cannot help but feel that the odds are very much against any major issue.

Randy who has come into this rather late

[SeaGold 168]

Hello Randy,

Better late than never. Thanks for adding your input. I appreciate it. As you've read...3 so called marine mechanics could not figure out the issue. One of them, I don't think he wanted to figure it out because it was not in his best interest to figure out the problem. Yes, it was cranking AFTER the incident, until the 2nd mechanic did something, and then it no longer cranked. I think it was sabotage myself. He's the guy that it would not have been in his best interest to get it running. He has a shop that rebuilds A4s and sells A4 parts. Supposedly the distributor has been checked. As I wrote earlier...at this point, I don't know what's wrong with the engine or what's right with it anymore, that's why I put it on the back burner for now and went out and bought another boat. We christened the new boat and took her out for her maiden voyage on Saturday. She sails great. I'll pay a visit to Sea Gold next weekend and drop some Marvel mystery oil in her cylinders to see if that will help.

[SeaGold 168]

Hello Thud,

Mysteries can be exciting. I guess it would depend on the characters involved...

[oldsub86]

I love a mystery. I sure wish I was closer to wherever you are.

Me too. I would love to have a look at it.

I got a 74 140 HP OMC I/O running last Saturday for the first time in about 4 years without much trouble and I am working on a 74 165 HP Mercruiser inline 6 I/O that has not run in more than 20 years from what I have been told. It would not fire but the reasons were fairly obvious. I have pulled the distributor and am cleaning it up and installing new points etc. I will try firing it up again this weekend if I get the chance. I think it will run. Most of these old motors are pretty basic. It may not run all that well until I rebuild the carb but I believe it will run.

And I am not a mechanic. I am a lawyer.

Randy

[seo]

The witty and delightful heroine, surrounded by villains, beset by their machinations. The Deus Ex Machina being the old family retainer, an engine that wheezes, coughs, does its best but then falters.