Does anyone here own a Gulfstar trawler?

Update, I'm still at the marina with the boat. The Westerbeke generator parts came in at the end of the day. So no splash for another day. I have to head back up to NJ tonight. It's too bad I would have liked to have been here when they fire the engines up. I'll probably be back Wednesday. I have been going through all the paperwork in the boat. I have the original Gulfstar delivery paperwork and warranty information for the Perkins and this Gulfstar. I found out the generator is only 5 years old and it has 694 hours on it.
The diesel mechanic said he's not expecting any problems, we'll see.....
I did confirm the original wiring is all solid wire with the exception of the high current battery leads and DC primary to the various battery switches. I suspected this would be the case. Re-wiring this boat will be way easier then my Mainship. There is great access to everything.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Britanic

Good luck Bill

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Thanks Bob, it sounds like you made out fine with your new boat. I'm getting ready to leave I should be out of here in about a half hours.
Bill
 
Bill,

this diesel trawler boat has been a long time coming for you.

A change of flavors that you have been wanting for a long, long time.

I hope it all comes out tasting very, very sweet for you this week !

RWS
 
quote:
Originally posted by RWS

Bill,

this diesel trawler boat has been a long time coming for you.

A change of flavors that you have been wanting for a long, long time.

I hope it all comes out tasting very, very sweet for you this week !

RWS

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RWS yes I have really wanted a true trawler for the last 3 to 4 years.
I got to spend most of the day investigating the boat.
It's got old style raw water valves that have to go.
It's got copper water lines I'll be upgrading.
It's got a fair amount of solid wire in it, that's definitely being upgraded.
However even though this seems like a lot of work, it really isn't everything is short runs. Nothing is buried.
The diesel mechanic says he's not expecting any issues that's the one area it has to pass sea trial.
They expect to get the engines started tomorrow. I won't be able to get back to the boat until Wednesday.
I'm pretty excited to be able to start upgrading the systems and electronics once she's mine. I took lots of pictures and just showed them to my wife. This should really be a fun boat to own and be able to cruise with.
The boats 120 miles away from my home. I just got home about a 1/2 hour ago. I'm pretty beat between the driving and climbing all over the boat.
Bill
 
Why are you considering "upgrading" the water lines? Unless there is something very very wrong, I strongly recommend just leaving those alone.
 
George the waterlines are maybe 3/8th's copper tubing. Copper and well water don't mix well in NJ. I can't say I have ever seen water lines this smallMy NJ marinas water comes from a Well with a high acidic content. Perhaps I'm wrong? If so why?
This combination makes for green and blue stains. I'm planning on converting the front head to a utility room with a washer/ dryer. The rear head is getting a Marine Elegance.
Thanks,
Bill
 
You might want to consider fixing the low pH of the well water. It's going to attack anything that's metal in your water system and can contribute to having lead from any brass fittings or faucets on your boat or in the water system at the marina leach into the water. A neutralizer will correct the pH. If the water isn't already hard, that might be all you need, although freqently the neutralizer adds enough hardness to the water that it needs to be softened. This issue really ought to be the responsibility of the marina, it leads to issues on everybody's boat and for anybody that uses the water.
 
Well I got stuck in the office all day and didn't get to the Gulfstar as planned. She's in the water and the engines and generator are reported to have started and are running well. I need to see this with my own eyes and ears. I will probably get to Maryland when I return from my trip to Reston, VA this week, possibly Friday.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by surprise

You might want to consider fixing the low pH of the well water. It's going to attack anything that's metal in your water system and can contribute to having lead from any brass fittings or faucets on your boat or in the water system at the marina leach into the water. A neutralizer will correct the pH. If the water isn't already hard, that might be all you need, although freqently the neutralizer adds enough hardness to the water that it needs to be softened. This issue really ought to be the responsibility of the marina, it leads to issues on everybody's boat and for anybody that uses the water.

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Actually the well at our marina had a huge problem due to EPA, Pinelands Commission and local laws when the well fails they need to tie into the City water. That's going to cost everyone big $$$'s something they are trying to limit in this economy. My water at home has loads of Iron in it in addition to high acid content. It's unique to living in the Jersey Pinelands. The boats got 2 filters on it. I'm just not used to seeing such small waterlines on a boat and rigid copper as well? I use a Carbon filter on my Mainship to reduce some of the crud from the well but I have new Poly water tanks and all PVC lines on the Mainship not the Gulfstar.
Bill
 
If it is 3/8" it is likely soft (bendable) copper. Not altogether a bad choice for plumbing lines. Our old Mainship actually has some soft copper fuel lines. If it is working without having obvious problems, it would be a ways down my to-do list. The water pump on the boat probably doesn't pump all that fast, so the size of the lines may not be a big issue. You probably can't use more than one fixture at a time due to the pump's limitations, so the pipe size may not matter. Even with new PVC water lines, the acid water is going to eat your faucets. Is is really that expensive to hook up to City water when you spread the cost over all the users?
 
quote:
Originally posted by surprise

If it is 3/8" it is likely soft (bendable) copper. Not altogether a bad choice for plumbing lines. Our old Mainship actually has some soft copper fuel lines. If it is working without having obvious problems, it would be a ways down my to-do list. The water pump on the boat probably doesn't pump all that fast, so the size of the lines may not be a big issue. You probably can't use more than one fixture at a time due to the pump's limitations, so the pipe size may not matter. Even with new PVC water lines, the acid water is going to eat your faucets. Is is really that expensive to hook up to City water when you spread the cost over all the users?

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The boats got a pulley/ belt like system fresh water pump. I'm used to high volume of water and pressure. My Mainship has a large 2 stage tank-less pump and 1/2" lines.
I'll probably upgrade it my wife isn't into camper style boating. I'll try it as is and see if I feel it's enough. I'm adding a Marine Elegance fresh water head as well.
Bill
 
Well I'll start by saying life is full of surprises. In my case mostly good ones lately. I sea trialed the boat yesterday with the broker, surveyor and myself. For starters the generator would start but not come up to speed and the freshwater (potable) system is not working and was not commissioned. Both were promised but the marina's mechanic fell short. Here is the surprise the engines were thought to be 4-236 85hp Perkins. They are not. They are the 4-154 62 hp Perkins, there's nothing wrong with these engines they are just a lower horsepower version of the 4-236. We cruised for about 20 minutes checking for oil pressure, noise and using a heat gun for cooling. At 1800-1900 rpm the boat cruised at almost 6 knots. There was no smoke on start up and no lifter or rocker noises. After we ran about 20 minutes we bumped her up to 2400 rpm no smoke and the cooling raw water pumps were pushing water like they should. These engines are rated for 3000 rpm pleasure craft rating then the broker pushed it to 3300 rpm. Everything sounded great but some visible smoke appeared but then disappeared. I wasn't comfortable running it at 3300 rpm but the broker insisted, everything was fine once again the surveyor and I had the hatches open and there was no steam, oil drips and temperatures were normal. We drpped back to 2200 rpms for the next 15 or so minutes until we returned to the marina. Once again we checked everything leaving the engines idling at the dock. Finally after about an hour we shut them down. The boat doesn't need a thruster she handled like a dream when docking. There was only minor vibration at very low rpms while in gear but I believe that's because these 4 cylinder old school diesels have no counter balance shafts and are known to have some vibration at low rpms while under load. Once we synced the engines while in gear the vibration went away.
The generator is supposed to be fixed as is the fresh water system early this week. I expext to close this coming week.
I'm pretty excited at this point and expect the 2 remaining open issues will be resolved this upcoming week.
A few more points the bilge was dry before the run and after the run at no time did we have excessive smoke. Oil presure was 30+ PSI that's what is called for in the engine manual I found inside the boat. It's been owned by 2 people it's entire life and it is pretty clear the motors have new starters, raw water pumps and has had periodic maintenance. The spares are all on the boat.
Bill
 
Glad you are happy. Sounds like it is a bit under propped. Not a problem if you keep rpms lower and are satisfied with using less hp

There must be a reason for the propping. What is the rated rpm of the higher rpm engines? Are you looking at the rating tag????
 
Sounds great it is good you ran the engines up to speed to check them out completely and the boat ran very well for you.
Practically speaking your speeds will be at 6 knots or less to achieve that great mileage you are seeking so making sure that any engine affects at the corresponding rpm's is a larger key.
Congratulations and hope the genset checks out as well.
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

Glad you are happy. Sounds like it is a bit under propped. Not a problem if you keep rpms lower and are satisfied with using less hp

There must be a reason for the propping. What is the rated rpm of the higher rpm engines? Are you looking at the rating tag????

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The rpms were taken directly from the Perkins manuals that were provided as the original ships delivery and warranty paperwork.
This boat is interesting the 1st owner took delivery in California, then the owners I am purchasing the boat from bought it from a broker in Point Pleasant NJ. It's lived in the Chesapeake since 1984. It was taken care of until 2010 when it was pulled from the water and appears to have most of the above mentioned work done over the last 2 years. It looks like the 2nd owners were getting her ready for a possible launch but I think medical conditions and possibly their age (they are in their mid 80's) caused them to put the boat up for sale.
I will be getting all new canvas including window screens that they had made over this past winter along with a dingy crane.
The generator will be fixed I don't think it's a major issue and if it is we have already discussed a used working replacement or a reduction in the sale price.
It's not all Rosy 2 of the below the waterline valves will need to be replaced they use the old style (looks like a house spigot) valves. These are known bad issues. Lucky the engine and generator through hulls are already upgraded to the proper valves and work freely. I'm purchasing the vessel knowing the AC wiring needs some serious upgrading the current wires are not stranded. However every circuit works with perhaps the 12VDC fresh water (potable) pump circuit being bad. I was going to bring my voltmeter to the vessel and see if it was getting power. It's the type that uses a small V belt and it's free to move either the motor or the water pump. I forgot to test the circuit I wasn't with the surveyor for the last hour he was on the vessel I was busy up at my work truck on my laptop (making money) preparing a closeout package for Fannie Mae, Reston, VA. where I was prior to making my way to the marina yesterday morning.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

Glad you are happy. Sounds like it is a bit under propped. Not a problem if you keep rpms lower and are satisfied with using less hp

There must be a reason for the propping. What is the rated rpm of the higher rpm engines? Are you looking at the rating tag????

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Possibly under propped Bruce but we only had 50 gallons of diesel that's 200 short of topping off the tank. I did purposely fill the 100 gallon freshwater tank. So I'll probably be adding at least 2000 pounds potential weight not including the additional fuel. I'm installing a 50 gallon waste tank, PuraSan HNT system, 6-8 AGM Unigy 1 DEKA AGM's, a sine wave inverter/ charger, (2) 3" Aluminum masts for the KVH M3, FLIR, Garmin GMR-eHD Radar, Skipper 150 (Fleet Broadband dome), LED flood lighting as well as initially (2) 225 watt solar panels.
If it's still under propped at that point I would be surprised. If I need new props I'll probably go with 4 blade props for smoother cruising. Otherwise I'm leaving the props that are on the boat as is. I won't know until the boat has all it's new equipment installed and the fuel tank is topped off.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

Glad you are happy. Sounds like it is a bit under propped. Not a problem if you keep rpms lower and are satisfied with using less hp

There must be a reason for the propping. What is the rated rpm of the higher rpm engines? Are you looking at the rating tag????

Click to expand...

3,000 rpms per Perkins and the delivery documents
 
Glad you're off to a positive start with her. Got to be a nice feeling to feel reinvigorated about boating again.

I had the same experience over the past few years after getting lots of things done to the boat, and a brand-new marina that does not require a boat shuttle to get to/from boat during our extended drought w/ low lake levels.

Look forward to hearing and seeing more of your journey!

Paul
 
I was not clear. It is possible that someone adjusted the fuel rack for higher hp. Forget all paperwork and read the engine plate. Check rpm for the two ratings on makers specs sheets. There is nothing wrong with under propping as long as you operate within specs. Under propping might give better acceleration after being stopped by a wave. Big waves are common in ca.
 
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