Repowering a 54' Donzi Sportfish

Got both gens loaded up pretty good and seems all well. The new electric steering is purged and on line. Feels pretty good. Maybe slightly more resistance than old system but that’s a good thing. The old hydraulics turned a bit too easy for my taste. 5 turns of the wheel lock to lock. If memory serves that’s about what the old system was.

New carpet continues to go in. Taking longer than expected but hard to keep everyone out of the way. And I don’t want to rush them as I want a good install.

Finalizing the install of the new drivers/transformers for the LED lights. We changed all the fixtures throughout the boat including getting rid of the 3 UFO looking saucer lights over the galley peninsula.

Anchor and rode reinstalled with windlass tested. We did an end-for-end on the rope and re-spliced to chain with the fresh end (former bitter end).Hung it from a crane with 1500 lbs on it to set the splice and test.

Dinghy goes back on tomorrow. All new wiring throughout dinghy, new VHF antenna and mount, fresh fuel and a carb tune. Put Slime in one chamber to seal a nuisance leak. We were able to roll the boat up on its side and back to get good coverage on the slime. 3 weeks now and holding great. Nouvarina wanted $6k for a new bladder. The slime cost about $30 I think . I figured why not try? We’ll see how long it holds. Also had a new cover made for the dinghy.

New cover for cockpit awning now installed.

Had some challenges programming the ZF Smart Command. Apparently they come from the factory assuming you are using joystick and pods. Got a hold of a good ZF Tech Guy and he not only talked es through it but texted us all the codes we needed. Cleared all errors and all seems good now. This system is pretty amazing with all the choices you have. There are like 10 time delay options for how fast you want to be able shift back and forth. Getting this kind of support is exactly why I bought stuff from places we have strong business relationships with. Spending millions a year with places like CAT and ZF has really helped us get first class device thus far. Of course, every customer should get great service but they are really Johnny on the spot to date.

Refer Tech scheduled for Saturday to charge and light off compressors for galley system and cockpit freezer. This, of course, was all rewired and install cleaned up.

Testing, testing, testing continues. CAT still on track for Monday morning.

CAT arrived first thing this morning as scheduled. They did the initial visual inspection and are very happy with the install. Working thru all the typical checks and bugs. First engine was just fired up a bit ago. Even though I only get to hear it over the phone right now, what a sweet sound!! Doubt she will get underway today but hopefully they get both fired up before end of day.

Had some trouble with cockpit freezer compressor. Somehow it ceased up while sitting there over the months. New one on order. Galley compressor fired up fine and is all charged up. Continuing to get thru testing and lots of little things. Carpet install is just in finishing details. Here's some pics of the new carpet and the new headliner with new LED fixtures installed. For the carpet, I was going for a classier, richer look vs. the Polynesian look the old palm frond design had. But I didn't want to go with a dark color. Keep in mind the sun is a rare thing up there so dark colors are depressing.

Thanks PB. I struggled with the selection. I kept being drawn to darker colors that would likely look more expensive. But I just couldn't put a dark color in given where we do our boating. But, of course, I got final sign-off from the boss (wife) on this selection. Happy wife, happy boating

Hoping to hear the boat gets away from the dock on its own power today. One engine fired up yesterday, hoping for the other this morning. Apparently these C-18's are a bit challenging to get the fuel systems primed. We had fuel up to the engines prior to CAT arrival but the on engine fuel system still took awhile. The STBD side should go easier since that fuel system is shorter and doesn't plumb over like the PORT side does.

Wood floor in both heads and galley only. Salon is carpet. I thought about wood for the salon but decided against. I need the warmth of carpet and wanted extra sound protection. You have to keep in mind, 70F is a heat wave where I am. Warm carpet is a must IMHO.

Early trials info. This is from texts from the electrician. They are still out running so this is all I have so far:

WOT - 2360 rpm and 34 knots
2346 rpm and 33.2 knots at 96% load and 59 gph per side
200o rpm and 26 knots at 80% load
1600 rpm and 17 knots at 60% load

that’s all the info I have at this point. This is a significant improvement. I’m very happy. I’m also relieved we are not over propped. This is full fuel, water and 6 guys aboard. Probably 300 #’s or so of stuff still to go back on but nothing heavy.

Forgot to mention- CAT guys say they are very happy thus far

Yeah, I’ll get all the detail data, get everything back on the boat and load her to the gills. I’ll run it for the season keeping good notes. Then may tweek the Interceptor strips a bit.
I couldn’t be happier. Especially with the 80% load speed results.
My guys also said she runs smooth as silk. At WOT temps held Steady at 185/186.
Still some details to wrap up. I fly up in 2 weeks to see it and run it for 10 days. Can’t wait!!