Rodman 800 fly

[sailorsal]

Hi

Newbie here. Would much appreciate the advice of the more experienced. Am considering buying a Rodman 800 twin engine for the first time. What I would like to know is how on earth you get access to the engines to check the oil level on the dip stick without being a contortionist. I have found the one for the right hand engine but the left hand engine seems to be completely inaccessible??

Would also appreicate anyone's experiences of this model. Is to good and seaworth? Am I wasting my money?

Many thanks shipmates.

 

[AndieMac]

Hello sailorsal

Not sure about the Rodman, but will help to get you back to the first page again, so somebody else may .

There is a helpful guy called Tom Bettle (forum ID is nautibusiness) based at Poole, Parkestone Bay yachts ??? I think, who could possibly steer you in the right direction.

Good luck.

 

[MarieK]

There may well be a hatch directly above the engine so you can check the dipstick from above.

 

[RodmanUK]

Hi Sailorsal,

The port dipstick can be a bit tricky to get to on the earlier model 800's if fitted with twin Volvo 150's, there is a small cupboard on the port side of the saloon behind the helm seat, I know that some boats have had a modification for a deck hatch fitted inside the cupboard which you can unscrew to gain easy access to the port dipstick, if she hasn't had this then you can buy one for about £10, it's an easy fix.

If she has been fitted with the Yanmars then I believe that the dipsticks are handed.

Thanks Sailorsal, please feel free to ask should you have any further questions.

Ben.

 

[Ripster]

Rodmans, as I am sure many others will agree are generally very good Seaworthy boats - think there is a test published somewhere on line on the 800 at Sea. The boats themselves are very well made. But as with many such craft its engines and maintenance that are key. We very nearly bought an 800 with twin Yanmars some years ago but that boat turned out to be a dog - so we pulled out. For the size the accommodation is not bad we thought, but the FB itself is very small. The 900 is better but access to the engines even on that is not very good.

TBH, engine access was one of the reasons for not choosing one in the end.

 

[watersideboatsales]

I would give RBS Marine a call in Chichester, they are the official Rodman dealer for the UK and they know the product including older models very well.

Ask for Ben or Paul and they will look after you

 

[sailorsal]

thanks

thanks for all your replies guys