Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
Surveyed the boat Wednesday. All was going well right up to the sea trial.
Water was rough outside Port Everglades Inlet so we picked a section of the ICW where we could run it up to WOT.
We were in the channel
It was dead low tide.
I learned about a thing called "squat" that happens when going on plane.
We hit bottom - Hard.
Engine stalled, Alarms galore including an overheat alarm on the stabilizer.
We got the stalled engine running and immediately noticed a bad vibration on one side at 1000 rpm. We limped back to the dock at idle speed.
Boat is going to be hauled and blocked Wednesday. We have not killed the deal pending a proper damage assessment.
At a minimum, one prop will need reconditioning. I am also going to want the stabilizers checked out along with shaft and rudder posts.
Anything else I should pay particular attention to?
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
When it's all fixed you will need another proper sea trial. I assume that the engines had checked out OK prior to the aborted boat ride?
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
Yikes
The temp alarm on the stabs must have been the sudden shut down and loss of raw water flow while the fluid was hit
What part of the icw were you in? Boats do squat while accelerating but unless the captain was very heavy handed it should have been more than a foot. Personally I never try to get up on plane unless I have 3' under the wheels
I was in FLL on Friday, I was supposed to do a sea trial on the 70' I used to run after some engine service but didn't as it was too rough outside Low tide was mid day so that didn't help in the ditch
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
Very interesting issue. When a vessel is damaged during sea trial, and someone other than the seller is in control, whose liability? I assume that in this case, the "captain" was in the employ of the seller and therefore his agent but oft times, the surveyor will give directions. The ultimate responsibility is that of the captain but......
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
I can fill in some blanks for you guys.
Engines where in good condition prior to accident.
Grounding was at a ICW channel just south of Dania Beach in an area absent of no-wake zones. Just south of the Crowley Seefreight. We were about 500 yards from a narrow red/green channel marker. There SHOULD have been good water there.
Thankfully, the owner was at the helm when the grounding occurred.
The owner thinks the stabilizer overheat was due to hauling the boat and forgetting to re-open the seacock up launch.
I am going to write the broker today stating we will still consider purchase provided damage is not severe.
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
Not to try to sway your opinion, but I truly believe things happen for a reason. If this deal doesn't work out it wasn't meant to work out.
I hope it's minor and an easily rectified, but stay objective and don't fall in love with it until it's right.
Good luck.
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
Man, sorry to hear the bad news. Big boats take big water. Big boats also squat (ask your son about it with the ships). And it's obvious all boats dip the ass down when getting on plane.
The ICW is mess...I bet it's silted in much more than anybody expects.
It also may be the Hatteras gods...........
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
Taken an hour before disaster
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
Is that was paper taped onto the slings?
And where is the cockpit?
Re: Need Hull and Engine Surveyor in Ft Lauderdale area.
We sea trialed a boat there a week ago because of weather and the captain said it was shallow. I think our draft was between 4' and 4'6", loaded on the light side. Hope all turns out well.