Fairline sedan 36 unused for 2 years...talk me out of it!

Mr Googler

Mr Googler

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Apr 2008
Messages
5,909
Visit site
Evening all

Having been boatless for a couple of years, I am considering a return.

The boat in question is a sedan 36 1988 with tamd 61a. 2 years ago a great deal of money was spent with new props and shafts, full servicing and electronic controls retrofit.

Since then, it has been in the water and literally not moved. Not even been turned over. It looks a right state, more green than white but none of the cosmetics concern me greatly. The marina is sea water but with a large amount of fresh thrown in everyday.

In reality, does 2 years of no use make the mechanicals junk? I am prepared for fuel to be full of bug and water and various fittings to be useless. Should I expect risers to be rusted out, cutlass bearings to be seized etc.... Does anyone have any direct experience of reinstating a boat in this condition.

The up side is the price I would hopefully secure the boat for would be competitive. That said, I don't have a blank cheque book thereafter. I know the sedan is renowned for terrible engine access but I have a small child with their own overalls! In many ways, it seems a very well respected model.

A list of must check things would be helpful. Any comments greatly appreciated.
 
Plenty of boats have idle periods. You are presumably not going to buy without first arranging some sort of trial and survey?
 
The Turbo 36 I bought early this year had not been used for a number of years although she had been stored ashore. Two years is not than long. I think that if you have the right surveyor and engineer to check the boat over so you know the extent of of any remedial work you should be OK.

The trick is to bring the boat back to life slowly.

Have the boat lifted for survey before the engines are run and check the state of cutlass bearings before the shaft are turned. Make sure the shafts can be turned and if necessary apply some lubricant to the CB. Have an engineer do the engine survey and be on board with him for the initial start up. Bring the electrics and electronics back on line one after another if poss rather than all at once.

Get access to the tanks remove a fuel sender and have a poke round in the bottom of the tank if you have the bug the evidence will be obvious.

Its really just a matter of being methodical in the purchase and then in re commissioning.

I spent 6 weeks preparing mine after I purchased it and have just completed a faultless trip round from Chichester to Windsor at an average speed of 20 knots on the tidal part of the journey.

Make sure that you test all the services its amazing how things like toilets and shower pumps light fittings gas systems run away with the money when you start re commissioning.
Good luck sounds exciting
Dave
 
FARSCO said:
Evening all

Having been boatless for a couple of years, I am considering a return.

The boat in question is a sedan 36 1988 with tamd 61a. 2 years ago a great deal of money was spent with new props and shafts, full servicing and electronic controls retrofit.

Since then, it has been in the water and literally not moved. Not even been turned over. It looks a right state, more green than white but none of the cosmetics concern me greatly. The marina is sea water but with a large amount of fresh thrown in everyday.

In reality, does 2 years of no use make the mechanicals junk? I am prepared for fuel to be full of bug and water and various fittings to be useless. Should I expect risers to be rusted out, cutlass bearings to be seized etc.... Does anyone have any direct experience of reinstating a boat in this condition.

The up side is the price I would hopefully secure the boat for would be competitive. That said, I don't have a blank cheque book thereafter. I know the sedan is renowned for terrible engine access but I have a small child with their own overalls! In many ways, it seems a very well respected model.

A list of must check things would be helpful. Any comments greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

With the right surveyor and volvopaul, you will know exactly the scope of what you are getting into and base your offer on that - I am sure the current owners have a valid reason why they haven't been able to use her and would welcome if someone could take the boat on - it will only be worth a lot less next year.
 
My first boat (a 33 footer with twin diesels and many years ago now) was a similarly unloved, not particularly well-maintained, and unused boat. Arriving early for the viewing/trial a boat owner on the same pontoon even told me to be wary as he'd heard it had sunk in Ramsgate Harbour. Long story short - a surveyor I knew through my Dad who also had a good knowledge of Perkins engines gave the boat a thorough going over and declared it basically sound, with a surprisingly short list of inexpensive things that required immediate attention. Bought it and over a period of time brought it back up to scratch. Had it for seven years before trading it in for something larger, and got a very good price for it too.

A competent (and even better well recommended) surveyor and engineer are a must, and given the money spent on it in the not too distant past, you may well find an absolute bargain lurking under the dirt and grime.

Good luck.
 
quite the opposite - sounds like it might be a hidden bargain. Get it surveyed and the engines running under load
A few hours with the jet washer will get the green off.
Then exactly as idelesprit suggests - slowly and carefully check everything - go through every electrical connection you can find, take it apart clean it and check for tightness, replace anything that's past its best. Give the engines a really really good service and you should be good for years.
 
Two years is not that long and wouldn't bother me particularly apart from in one area. Anodes will probably just about last two years under normal circumstances, but if ether have been any stray currents it will have long since lost any catholic protection so I would want to check the state of the underwater gear closely. If there is a bit of anode material left you should be ok.
 
Thanks for the replies and all comments taken on board.

I will make sure I check all ancillary items and of course, have a survey undertaken. I feel reassured that 2 years stood still may not result in certain disaster. I am having a look next week so will update.

Thanks again
 
Two years in water. Anodes will be shot maybe electrolytic corrosion of props valves & Skin fittings.

Engine has been left without anodes also.

If there is a yard with a hoist nearby I would be tempted to get the owner to get towed to get it out of the water and washed off for a good inspection before running up.

I had an 86 Sedan 36 an excellent sea boat.

The fuel tanks rust through on the tops from spray coming through the engine room vents.

The water injection bends last about 14 years between replacement.

If you make an offer do it subject to survey, also an inspection by a competent marine engineer familiar with those engines and subject to seatrial.
 
Last edited:
Fortunately, the marine engineer who did the work on the boat is showing me round. Problem in my view is, he is somewhere in the middle between me and the seller. Not a great spot to be in really hence I want to look at all the right things.
 
FARSCO said:
Fortunately, the marine engineer who did the work on the boat is showing me round. Problem in my view is, he is somewhere in the middle between me and the seller. Not a great spot to be in really hence I want to look at all the right things.
Click to expand...

Look over boat with him and see how you feel then if you think it's worth buying get your own engineer to check over to confirm its all as should be.
 
I would pay close attention to the anodes in the Gearbox and Engine oil coolers. If these are shot the VP standard use of brass on these coolers makes these susceptible to dezincification and failure. However, the gearbox ones are easily replaced with Bowman coolers for a fraction of the price VP want. I converted the crap VP coolers on my Turbo 36 with TAMD60C Twin Disc gearboxes to Bowman for < £200 for both engines.

If the oil coolers are on their way these would be a lot more expensive to sort out, but I would add I am not that familiar with the up close detail of the TAMD61A engine oil coolers. I would expect the gearbox oil coolers are similar as they will likely be Twin Disc boxes.

If you do buy it I still have all the manuals from my Turbo 36, which was the Sedan's stable mate. The Fairline Owners Club is also worth a visit for further information.

Fairline also used brass gate valves, so check if these have any green staining on the bodies - if so replace as a priority with DZR ball valves.
 
So had a look today. One engine started first turn from cold....minimal smoke. Battery was flat on the other. At one point an owner has removed the kitchen and put in a bunk bed cabin. Why you would that is beyond me. Terrible use of space. The boat is in poor order but I am approaching it as buying a hull and engines. Does have a genset but no one has seen it working in recent years. I am going to make an offer but it will be super low with a view to put it ashore for 6 months and gut the inside. Like a mini Vas project (very mini by comparison!!) I feel the oily bits are in good order despite standing and a sea trail will reveal any major issues I hope. Will let you know how I get on. I would add, my offer will be a lot lower than the boat oldgit kindly provided a link to. I will be using that as an example in my bargaining!! Thanks oldgit
 
Well an offer has been accepted!! Absolute amazement from my side at the price. Sea trails in the next few weeks with a lift for inspection. Very excited. Have some grand plans which no doubt I will need lots of advice with. New re-build thread coming I hope!!
 
Had the sea trail yesterday. Big news was that the turbo is siezed. The engineer reckons they are hard to come by for a tamd61a so Volvo replacement with superseded unit with new brackets and adapters is £2.5k!! Anyone shed any light on parts avalability of parts for a rebuild? Engine was great up to 1500 rpm. The other one looks good. I did think about just unsiezing it but bearings a probably toast....or would be?

Lots of other systems not working. Onan generator, shore power tripping, radar, vhf etc.... I have therefore gone back to the table with a revised offer as it sits. Any tips on turbo options greatly recieved!!
 
If the vanes have stuck on the housing, then un-seizing might be possible.
If the bearings have seized, then consider a refurb - probably more cost effective than a new unit.
 
FlowerPower said:
If the vanes have stuck on the housing, then un-seizing might be possible.
If the bearings have seized, then consider a refurb - probably more cost effective than a new unit.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.

We think it's siezed due to lack of use. How do I tell if it's siezed to the housing or bearings?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

W
  • Locked
KAD32 Injector and sleeves
Replies
0
Views
121
Wobbo
W
boatmike
Merry Fisher 695
Replies
3
Views
239
Bouba
Bouba
ianc1200
Sureseal shaft seal.
2
Replies
20
Views
561
ianc1200
ianc1200

Share this page

Top