Merry Christmas Me 2002! To all the folks who have
supported CharkBait! for the past five plus years, thank you! One of my
motivations in going "commercial" with CharkBait was to help me afford a
bigger boat. I'm a cheapskate, so for me a new boat is someone else's old
boat. That of course means I'm going to be doing some upgrading.
With that requirement, I entered one of the big problems of boat ownership
- maintenance and enhancement projects. Like many boaters I faced a
bit of a decision, do the work myself or hire on some help. Given
time constraints, and my own disability in terms of fixing anything that I
can't achieve with my trusty hammer, I hired some help. That's been
an exercise in frustration at times, there are a lot of real parasites out
there that take advantage of boater owners. Thankfully, there are also
some good workers too! This page will detail some of the projects
undertaken, some of the good experiences, and a few of the not so good
experiences.
-Great Stuff,
Mark
My
search for a new/used boat is over...for the time being. I set a
goal of finding and purchasing a new/old boat over the fall and winter of
2002.
Figured that my buying dollars would be put to best use that time of year
rather than when demand was greater in the spring. One of the
first boats I checked out this fall was an old 25' Luhrs, a 1968 built sportfisher.
The boat was owned by a fellow fisherman, who lovingly restored much of
the boat, installed a new motor and tanks, new head, and then suddenly
passed away. No
one in his family fished, so they wanted to sell the old boat. The
boat's old-school, at least in terms of cabin layout and hull design.
That's good, to my way of thinking. I wasn't looking for a speed
demon, I really wanted some cabin space, a flat deck that could fish two
or three, dual helms if possible with a flybridge. This old boat
offered all that. The pictures make the boat look awfully good, but
there are a few blemishes. And, there are a few things to clean up
and re-work. Good projects to work on. It's the biggest 25'
boat I've seen, with a broad beam and flat deck, cabin area, flybridge and
weight, it looks and feels much larger than it's size.
The boat was listed on the
Internet, offered by San Pedro Yacht Brokerage. A gal named Valerie
handled the listing, and me. I was working on a budget, this boat
was well within reach. Actually, this old Luhrs was below what I was
willing to spend. I contacted the broker back
in
early October, visited the boat the first week it was listed with Valery...as
well as several others. I'd already checked on a few Skipjacks as
well as a few other boats that weren't close to meeting the priorities I'd
set for the next boat in my life. The old Skipjacks came close...the
new one's come closer but were way out of the budget I'd set. I wanted
some cabin space, ability to sleep two or maybe three. Had to have a head.
The new boat needed a windlass, rather I needed a windlass. I also wanted
good access to the bow, and a flat deck for fishing. I wanted a
flybridge, but also wanted a lower helm if I could get it, more protection
from the elements. (Remember I had that
chunk of my scalp cut out a couple
years back...don't want too much sun! Nope, no way!!) Oh, I also
wanted a self bailing cockpit, you know, I like to take my darg out on the
boat... The old Luhrs met most of my objectives, so I made an offer.
The offer was accepted, so we moved to the next step of the transaction.
Time for a sea trial and then some surveys to provide further reasons to
buy or not to buy.
The
new/old boat passed the sea trial very well, and sailed through the motor
survey. The motor only has 65 hours on it, a Vortec Chevy 350
coupled to a V-Drive shafty (that was another thing I wanted in the next
boat - no outdrive, no outboards). The boat has a very limited fuel
capacity, that's a big drawback, but it's fixable. There are a few
electrical things to work on, some woodwork, needs a remote oil filter
instead of a knuckle busting set up like we've got... Like I said, we've
got a few projects to work on. But, overall, from what I've seen
this summer, fall and winter, this old boat offered more of what I was
looking for than the others I checked on, at my (meager) budget level.
Well,
we did the survey of the boat. I had the boat hauled over at Don's place,
Cabrillo Boat Yards in LB. He's got a good reputation, I'm hopeful of
seeing why. His rates are fair, with the haul out included in the
price of bottom painting (~$600). Having a survey done is a good
process, as was the motor survey. If you're financing a boat it's
required, same for insurance especially on an older boat. We arranged to
hook up at the boat yard at 11AM. We first checked all systems of the
boat, some we could have checked further, but without the old owner it's
hard to figure what was done, what half done, what left to do. One problem
cropped up as the boat arrived and was shut down, one bilge pump was
working overtime and wouldn't shut down. Not sure the problem, but
I'll add it to a list with a few others (it's a boat!).
Most
all of the work related to installing the motor was top rate. The boat was
already fitted with a great fishfinder, a Furuno 582, GPS from Garmin, one
Sitex radio (probably not my first choice but it's functional, and an
AM/FM cassette deck. The Furuno is a great thing to have come with
the boat. I'd have likely been too cheap to buy that model, but I'm
sure glad it's coming with the boat! We could not find an
inverter/charger. That's one new project to do. I've got to
figure out how to use the alcohol stove instead of a microwave...to heck
with that I'm getting a microwave!
With
the on-the-water checkout concluded we had the boat hoisted out of
the water to inspect the hull. The surveyor checked for obvious things,
and some subtle ones. He poked around the hull, no bottom
blistering, a couple on the side which where attributed to being the
result of paint layers upon layers of bottom paint. The surveyor took an
awl and poked into one blister, smelled it. He was looking to see if
the boat had a fiberglass problem. Nope, no vinegar smell.
The
blisters are from the paint layer, not the glass. That's what I'd hoped.
From my understanding, old boats built prior to 1973 have less issues with
big time blistering. The big problem years were the early 70's
because that's when the primary materials changed formulations which
produced the blistering we've all come to hear about (like old Uniflights...).
That's one of the reasons I wasn't scared off by this boat's age. There
are a lot of boats from this decade that are better than one's built ten
or twenty years later in my book.
Another
thing that was obviously apparent, the new/old boat needed new zincs, all
the way around. They were almost all gone at the trim-tabs, shaft also was
in deep need of new zinc. The big one on the stern was okay, but fit for
replacement, too. The big pancake on the rudder was still working,
but needed replacement. New zincs all the way around.
I'd better start keeping a list of
things to do (TTD list) once I get the boat back - not in order of
priority. As well, I'll post what I learn along the way about the folks
doing the work for me. I don't have time to do everything myself,
nor am I that mechanically inclined. You know, if I can't fix
something with my hammer it's not fixable by me. There are a lot of
guys like me in that regard. We trust in others to do things we're
not qualified to do, or just don't have the time to accomplish. In
the world of boating, when it comes to maintenance and improvements there
are companies you can trust and firms you can't.
I'll let you in on what I
learn.*
1. Secondary VHF -
done 06/26/03
2. Motor sensors and malfunction alarm system
3. Inverter/charger for shore power and charging, and running some
other electronic gadgets. - done
07/18/03
4. Remote oil filter rig
5. Costmetics inside front window - port side -
windows replaced 06/26/03...BUT
still not complete, ancillary damage by workers...07/27/03 still not
done!!!
6. Costmetics outside starboard side cabin, glass over small
dent/compaction... - done 06/26/03,
still not totally completed...more to go.
7. Fuel capacity must be increased, add minimum of 50 gallons -
done 06/24/03
8. Service windlass - done
9. Auto halide system...
10. Flo-scan device to monitor fuel consumption -
done 06/26/03
11. Find my old diver's mask and fins...if I get a tangle on this boat I
won't be able to bring up the outdrive or prop for clearing or
inspection... To every upside, there's a downer. That's the drawback
of the rudder and shaft (as well as maneuvering getting into the slip...), but the benefits are big in my book in terms of
maintenance and reliability.
12. That reminds me, need to draw the prop. and re-do the packing -
done in January
13. A 'fridge sure would be nice
instead of the old ice box. That thing gets moldy, is inconvenient,
and never has a cold one ready for me when I get to the boat...
Done 04/04! I added an AC/DC
fridge!!! I'm a lazy guy,
had Boat's Inc. do the work for me...one day and it was a done deal!
14. Hmmm, what's next?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lot's of stuff wrong with the
boat? Not really, there are always "projects" associated with any
boat. But, these criticisms were within the parameters I'd set for
purchase. Nothing major wrong with the boat, and a lot of things
right with her. So, I agreed to purchase. The next step was
getting a copy of the survey, zap it to the insurance agent and get a
policy on my new boat. I left her at the yard for bottom painting,
picking her up a week or so later to move to her new home. I made
arrangements to park the boat in Huntington Harbor, Peter's Landing, with
good proximity to a few restaurants, a bar, and close-in parking to the exit of
Huntington Harbour. I was able to buy the boat for about 60% of what
I'd budgeted. That's good, because the ballance of my budget will be
used to enhance the boat and turn her into the kind of platform for
fishing that meets my needs.
On another fun boating tale, I got
an email from Al Gardner offering to do some
research on my
old/new boat. He found some info, remembered the boat from his days
working with the Port of San Diego. He even drove one around, as
project Engineer for the Harbor Police boat renovations...among other
duties. Again, I owe a lot to this website, it's been a great
networking device of fishermen helping other fishermen. I've got to tell
you, Al made my day, more likely week! Al's going to be
sending me over some old boat plans for the hull. I'd tried getting
info from Luhrs, but the plans stayed with the old owner of the firm prior
to the Luhrs boys buying the company back from BP in the early '70s.
So, Al's generous offer will certainly be of benefit and of interest.
Who did the work, and how
did they do?
Personal Opinions -
Here's the run-down on who's been working on the
boat and how they've done. These are my personal opinions based on
my experiences.
I used the Cabrillo Boat Yard in Long
Beach for my bottom painting, and as a place to park my boat while getting
some exterior work accomplished that my dock master didn't want done at my
dock space. Don at Cabrillo is a great guy. They did their
share of the work in a timely manner, with proper advance estimates which
were accurate.
I contracted with Boat's Incorporated.
to handle the bottom scraping, engine maintenance and installation of the
inverter/charger, and the additional fuel tank. These guys were
professional in their work, kept promises about completion dates, and did
things right. Every bit of work they did was pre-approved by me, with
an accurate written estimate prior to work. I can recommend them highly, without reservation.
They are not cheap, but they do things professionally. Chris Putrimas
(President) has been my contact. Their phone number is 866-750-BOAT.
Please let them know I referred you to them should you require their
assistance. They are professional, and their workers are very good, as
is their communication and follow-through.
In early April I noticed a crack across one of
the front windows of the new/old boat. There had been some water
intrusion when I ran the boat through slop at speed (well maybe not
"speed" but quickly enough to take some spray. Could be that the heavy
rains in March followed by the dry Santa Ana winds helped produce the
crack. I was referred to Greg owner of Marine Windshield in
Newport by a visitor to the shop, was told they did
good work. So, I began the process of getting them
down to the boat and getting the work started. That was April.
Greg made it down to the boat quickly, came back with an estimate, and
suggested I work with Hans Van Iseghem to take care
of prepping the windows for re-installation once they were pulled. I also
decided to have Hans take care of some of the uglys on the boat, paint and
clean up some woodwork on the exterior. He worked on one spot on the
starboard cabin. Never finished that job, and screwed up another.
It's now July 27, and the work is not completed.
Far too many interruptions, slowdowns, and obviously bigger boats to work
on for Greg to take care of my boat in a timely fashion. I don't mind
paying for work done right, and given the age of the boat, you'd think
these folks would realize I could be a cash-cow for 'em. But, they've not
worked out to my expectations. The new windows weren't even installed by
mid June. Were it not for a tournament we held at the end of June
and a number of phone calls, I doubt he'd have the glass in by now.
But, it gets worse, while Hans had one of his workers painting (poor
match) the interior area of the windows, the gal got too hot and decided
to open a window that was not to be opened. Sure enough she cracked it by
forcing it open. Greg and Hans have said they'll take responsibility
for fixing/replacing the window. They didn't do anything in
terms of interior clean up from their work, which I'd have expected them
to take care of as part of their service. I can say that Greg did a
good job putting the front glass back in, and Hans did a good job with his
part of the window work. But, the delay's, poor communication, and
now ancillary damage have left me disappointed, and frustrated.
We'll see how quickly they get the side window they broke fixed. If
this one takes two months to fix, or if they damage the interior wood,
don't make a good match on the window's tinting... You get the picture,
what should have been quick and easy has instead been a drawn out pain in
the butt.
Well, the replaced window is done. First
off, it again dragged on way too long. To top it off, they got the
measurements wrong and had to get a second pane of glass. To add
insult to injury, Greg came up with a cock-and-bull story that I owed him
for the mis-measured window (which he and Hans took the measurements
from...). Jerks. Greg can replace a window well, it's just the
ethics and timeliness of completion that were disappointments to me. The
window they replaced also now has extensive leakage, they did not seal the
track properly! It never leaked before, now leaks like a sive.
Further issues of dissatisfaction, no written estimates were supplied
prior to final billing or even at the start!! Work was billed without prior authorization,
too.
These guys literally wasted months of my limited fishing time, and Hans
never finished his work satisfactorily. I'd say they were
frustratingly unacceptable. I feel like Charlie Scheen when he was
asked why he used Heidi Fleish's hookers instead of normal dating to
accomplish sexual gratification, "I pay 'em so they'll go away..." I
paid Hans and Greg for much the same reason, though I've not paid Greg for
the side window glass...until he can actually deliver the second pane to
me personally (which I doubt he'll do given it was the wrong size...).
I gave up on Hans and Greg at the end of August.
Through the suggestion of another local boat owner I began working with
Pepe Alvarado. This guy did more to fix the uglys in one week
than Hans achieved in several months of procrastination, dropped projects,
and bar-fly assistants. And, he left my boat clean, AND didn't damage
anything. Pepe does great work, and is efficient.
He's very good at cosmetic stuff, painting, rotten wood dissection and
correction, patching, fiberglass fixing... I can recommend his work, and
have enjoyed working with him.
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