Finally got our first trip out in the boat

Murv

Murv

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Don't know if anyones been following our story, but we bought our first boat, a '79 Fairline Holiday back in November. Long story short, we got shafted on it and it was plagued with problems and constant breakdowns. In fact, its only been on the water for two weeks and then it only moved 3" before breaking down again.

Anyhow, long story short, had the latest problem repaired and discovered that the outdrive now needs a new H frame but, in the meantime, we may as well relaunch and get a couple of weeks use out of it.
So, on Sunday, we went from Cuxton, down through the Swale, around the Isle of Sheppey and back.
It didn't go too smoothly, despite having 140bhp the top speed is 8.5 knots, the turbo isn't boosting properly which I think may be the problem. Also the leg kicked up again when reverse was engaged (again) so we're not going to use it any more until it's completely repaired,. We then have to decide whether to stick with it or just get rid.
But, it was a nice day out, if a bit long at 8 knots, in beautiful weather

Oh, and the relaunch didn't go too well. The jockey wheel seized on the trailer then one of the wheels broke off. Seems the bad luck that follows our boat around extends to anything that touches it!!!

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By the sound of things, although I may be mistaken, the boat and trailer have not been maintained, unless something broke.

You are now paying for years of poor quality care, in the form of expensive repairs, and who knows how long it will go on for!?

All you can do other than sell it, is start at the front, and investigate and service/repair every little item until you get to the back. Then take it to a safe place and try to break it. If it doesn't break, you have a fair chance of enjoying some use.

I hope I'm wrong though...
 
Unfortunately when buying a used boat it is pot luck as to how the previous owners have maintained it. It sounds like you have bought yourself a boat (and trailer) that have been somewhat neglected over recent years.

Dont let it get you down though. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and you will eventually get there.

Oh and by the way your boat should fly. We have a couple of friends with Fairline Holidays. Both have been rengined, one with an AD31 at 150hp and the other with a KAD32 at 170hp. Both are flying machines.
 
Thanks both, apparently the boat was a real flyer, there are rumors that it used to hit 28 knots... I think that me be a little optimistic, but anything over 15 would be nice!
Hopefully we'll get there at some point...

The trailer isn't ours, it was the marinas. They pulled it out on an old trailer to keep the cost down for us and really have moved heaven and earth to help us so I'm not criticizing them at all, it was just the sort of luck we seem to be having!
 
Murv said:
Thanks both, apparently the boat was a real flyer, there are rumors that it used to hit 28 knots... I think that me be a little optimistic, but anything over 15 would be nice!
Hopefully we'll get there at some point...

The trailer isn't ours, it was the marinas. They pulled it out on an old trailer to keep the cost down for us and really have moved heaven and earth to help us so I'm not criticizing them at all, it was just the sort of luck we seem to be having!
Click to expand...

The KAD engined boat was quicker than us (Sealine S23 with a KAD32) and we topped out at 30 knots.

I wouldnt be surprised to see 28 knots with a lightly loaded boat.
 
apollo said:
Hi

Whats the boat called?

You didnt buy it from Folkestone by any chance did you?

Mike
Click to expand...

Think it came from our club..One long tale of outdrive woe unfortunately
.Boat had been lying unused for some time.
Lets hope it is sorted soon.
 
oldgit said:
Think it came from our club..One long tale of outdrive woe unfortunately
.Boat had been lying unused for some time.
Lets hope it is sorted soon.
Click to expand...

Easily enough fixed with a recon drive unit. Often for not as much as one would expect as well.

Outdrives are great if looked after. The work of the devil if not!!
 
Just a thought...

Just suppose somebody has fitted a wrong way round prop on it, and changed the gear cables to make it go forwards, could this explain the slowness, and reverse issues!?

A long shot....
 
No Regrets said:
Just a thought...

Just suppose somebody has fitted a wrong way round prop on it, and changed the gear cables to make it go forwards, could this explain the slowness, and reverse issues!?

A long shot....
Click to expand...

Not a daft idea, I've seen that before. Of course leading on from that it could be entirely the wrong prop for the boat.
 
Thanks all, I'm fairly sure it's the turbo that's dead though.
Still, what's a few hundred more quid...

(apologies if I sound a bit bitter... ;) )
 
Don't forget that the engine has been changed to a slower revving diesel so unless leg (ratio) has been matched it will not be as fast as it was originally even if the hp is the same.

Also the prop may still be original item and therefore preventing the boat from attaining the speed to get over the hump.

The above could be especially true if the vessel was converted and kept for use on the river.

Other easy things to check incl fresh fuel, filters or tank breathers for restrictions and is the engine achieving full throttle ?

Sorry if any of above is a repeat
 
Murv said:
Thanks all, I'm fairly sure it's the turbo that's dead though.
Still, what's a few hundred more quid...

(apologies if I sound a bit bitter... ;) )
Click to expand...

I had a loooong sad episode last year which in the end turned out to be a faulty turbo. That said, now that it's all fixed......she runs like a dream. Getting the turbo repaired/refurbed was easy and I used Turbo Developments Ltd in Brentford. The boat had been running badly for years prior to me buying her (with a known problem). Pain in the bum but fixable easily.
 
Thanks all, much appreciated.
I'm reasonably sure it's turbo related, even if the prop was wrong, I'm sure the boost pressure should exceed 2psi
The conversion was done professionally, the boat was until fairly recently obtaining decent speeds for a previous owner so it seems to be a fairly recent fault
 
Could be as simple as the little pipe from the turbo that tells the injection pump its boosting and to add some more fuel, basically inj pump sees no pressure so no extra fuel is added = no boost= no power.
Even if its not split a leak can also have the same effect.
I had this pipe split on an old land rover and it almost killed it 50 flat out!
Easy way to check turbo is remove the cold air outlet pipe, anywhere between the turbo and the inlet manifold, start engine and rev it, if bucket loads of air come out the turbo is probably fine.
Which transit engine is it?


Lynall
 
Thanks for that, will give that a try.
It's the Lancing marine 130ps 2.5 FSDTI (I think that's what they call it)
 
Quick update in case anyone is interested.
We've got an engineer to take the boat back to his workshop to repair everything.
It's bad news obviously, the H frame has worn out, the reverse mechanism is broken and the UJ has destroyed itself. So, the whole thing is being replaced with a recon unit, he's also going to sort the issues with the turbo.

It's obviously an expensive option, but it had got to the point where it was either that or just get rid of the thing and give up.
I'm too stubborn for that, and I still have a (probably unrealistic) vision of taking this boat out, just for one single trip, where it doesn't break down!
Just want to say a huge thanks to everybody at Cuxton marina who really have bent over backwards to help in every way that they could, we're very much looking forward to the boat returning and getting back down there :)
 
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