I was swapping boat headache stories with our dock neighbor yesterday and he had quite a tale.
So he's got a pristine 07' Silverton 50 convertable with 815hp Volvos. Turns out this season they decided to intermittently not start (not even turn over) - nobody can find the problem. So a few weeks back, after turning the keys on/off for 15mins, the engines suddenly start! So he heads over to a Shelter Island anchorage to enjoy the day -- leaves the engines running the whole time at anchor afraid they wouldn't start again. Goes to pull up the anchor, but no luck. It's snagged in 70ft of water. Tries everything to free it but finally snaps the line -- loses $2000 in ground tackle. Even better, the line whips back and smashes his spotlight -- bang, another $2500. On his way home, notices the starboard engine fuel burn is 2x port side and when he pulls into the harbor starboard engine dies in a cloud of black smoke. 5 mins later, port engine quits - now he's adrift in 20knt wind with no anchor heading straight for a bunch of steel draggers. Gets the port engine running at last minute and finally gets into his slip. Gets the Volvo experts to drive out to Montauk to take a look -- starboard engine needs 2 new injectors. They finish the work and he gets the bill... Wait for it... $10,000! Parts alone were $6000 - $3000 per "kit". Best part is -- engines still don't turn over. He's stuck at the dock.
I walked back to my boat jaw on the ground. hit the start button - engines started up instantly and went out for a cruise. Nothing helps you forget about your small problems better than someone else's BIG problems. And that's a near-new boat!
Sorry for the long winded post (trust me I left out a lot of detai)l, but thought you all might be entertained.
