Engines & Running Gear

Motor City

We're talking gas & diesel here.
Got 427s?

No more of those FE engine for me!

Eric,
Will take some getting used to but am going to put forth the effort to make this switch! Lots of choices etc. Will have to talk to my younger son who can navigate my way through these things.
Mark

Easy as pie!

See, they send you a message to your home email server to let you know.
See?
Great stuff, no?
No?
Well, thatz my story and I'm sticking to it.
Like glue!
Cheers,
Eric

First post with pictures

Eric,
The pictures with the Fords never showed up the first time so I just went back to see how my post looked and the Fords just showed up! Did I show you the Cats??

I Need Help!

This may be off the topic, but I'm hoping someone will be able to help me. I am looking for alternatives to getting a new generator. Is this older Kohler 10kw repairable? Also, being that my Roamer was built in 1965, I have a 32v system. I am looking to replace my batteries soon. Any suggestions?

Needle in the hay...

..., otherwise known as a "good marine electrician".
I'm afraid thatz what it will take.
Yikes!

Changing to Diesel Engines:

The boat my brother and I want to buy has gasoline engines aboard it now, and unfortunately they were resently install new: Merc Cruisers, 454's. So if we do purchase this one then it will be a while before we change to diesel engines, and I was wondering what kind of diesel engines we should save up for. She is a 37' Roamer. Any suggestions?

Capt John S. Keller
Great Lakes Pilot

Choices, choices.

Jeepers, new Mercruiser 454s in a 37' Riviera are a pretty good combination.
Granted, they suck a bit of fossil fuel, but they dont cost anywhere near what a good diesel conversion would run you.
Yanmar 370s would be my choice by the way.
Figure $50K for the motors alone.
(buys ALOT of gasoline).

As they say in Golf: Never up, never in.

We'll certainly keep that in mind Eric, which is why we've been looking for a Roamer with Diesel power all along. The problem has been that there are so few roamers 40 feet, or under in length that have diesel power that we've even considered going bigger. Which has been a big obstacle for my brother as he's never handled a boat, making a dock, and such the way I have, and is a little intimadated by anything over 40 feet in length. Costs alone rise exponentially the bigger you go, and he's very fruggal, as am I. Larger requires more skill the larger you go. We aren't talking about a runabout, or rubber dingy here. Things like power, and mass, sail surface, and current become bigger facters for beginners when they are trying to ease up to a fragile wooden dock, or cement pilon without a bow thruster. A steel hulled boat can crush a wooden dock, and I don't even want to think about what could happen taking on a concret dock in anything other than a steel hulled boat as is reflected in all of the damaged boats for sale down in Florida this year.

Capt John S. Keller
Great Lakes Pilot

Here is the boat that I'm talking about:

Opposites Attract?

Frugality vs. Powerboating: Timeless classic.
Guess who wins?
Which is not to say that I'm not very careful with what few "boating dollars" come my way.
Still, itz important to remember why we go boating - to relax, right?
On to the Regal 38 "Survivor" shown in your picture.
She's a very rare '70 WITH a real wood interior. (Itz also has the top quality wood interior with extra trim on the door edges; and sounds like she also has the optional teak toerails ).
You will not find many of those.
Steel of course is steel, and demands an owner who knows how to maintain the hull - which this boat (at least from here) looks like it benefitted from.
The electric head is a nice feature, and if the generator runs well - she's a pretty attractive package overall.
Obligatory notice: Get a survey of course, they always pay for themselves.
Beyond that, it's up to you and your brother - I'd love to see this one fall back into good hands.
Keep us posted - she's a beauty!
Eric
PS - WIth wideset props and lots of torque, this size Roamer is really pretty easy to handle around docks. The bridge will catch a bit of wind, but, just reverse the gear settings (one forward, one in reverse) and she turns on a dime. ONce you get the hang of it, she makes you look like a pro everytime !

Try that on a 439 ft tanker with only ballest in her with twin inboard turning screws and you'll wish you had a dime. LOL But yes, this was one of the reasons that this boat was so appealing to us. As far as we can tell she's been kept ship shape, and bristol fashion by her present owner, who rarely takes her out for a jaunt on lake Michigan, let alone for a long cruise. It has been recently surveyed, but we intend to have it surveyed again if we put down a bid for it. My wife and I will bring it home over the water around the lower Pininsula to Lorain, Ohio if we purchase it.

Capt John S. Keller
Great Lakes Pilot

We have two seasons on Interstate batteries and all has been well. Dad and I have have 12 of them with no issues. I think they were the workaholic series.
Doug...

new question on running gear

Being new to this (or any) forum, I'm jumping in here with an engine and running gear question . I am looking for information on the 58 motoryacht (aluminum) with 8v71 naturals (56 or 57 aluminums would have close specs also). Spefically with Allison M-20 gears. Can anyone tell me what the reduction is on an M-20? Also, what RPM and speed did this combination provide for cruise? I am trying to determine the shaft RPM in order to calculate new power and reduction.

Thanks, Art

My understanding is M-20 is a 2:1 ratio, where as a M-15 would be a 1.5:1 ratio.

Nicley done engines...Would anyone be able to tell me the exact purpose of the large exhaust castings that look like baffles or water coolers for exhaust
rounded casting...Whats the purpose of all that heavy casting and water circulation system?
thanks

Those are your exhaust risers.