purchased first boat: 1999 Silverton 392

S

slodz

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2007
RO Number
29048
Messages
5
Dear Captains,

Two weeks ago, our family purchased our first boat: Silverton 392. I have quickly learned to replace a generator impeller and bypass the thermafuse from the Force 10 range.

I am installing a 600Watt bilge/engine heater (Xtreme) to extend our boating season here on the Chesapeake. I would appreciate any tips regarding winterization procedures for my Mercruiser EFI engines and Kolher generator.

Best regards,
Marty
 
How old are the engines. If they are newer Smart Craft Horizons, you just pump them up with air and they are winterized. If not, the boat safe heater should handle it just fine providing you have canvas (sunbrella) covers made for the air intake/exhaust vents to the engine room. They simply snap on and off. The covers serve to keep the wind out of the ER thereby allowing the bilge heater to work more efficiently. This is very common here in the Richmond, VA area. Any local canvas shop should be able to make them. Just make sure you take them off prior to cruising.

WRT to heating the interior. I assume the HVAC system is reverse cycle heat and A/C. I only know of one that is not. If that is the case, know the system cannot garner any more heat from the cooling water when the water gets to 39*F. I shall get to that point in about another month or so for a period of about 3 weeks. I use a quartz heater in place of the heat pump then. Leave your cabinet doors open in the cabin to keep some sort of heat circulating around the water pipes. Between the solar gain, the heat pump, the quartz heater, and the extreme heater, you should be able to get in some nice winter cruises.

Welcome and good luck.
 
"If that is the case, know the system cannot garner any more heat from the cooling water when the water gets to 39*"

Why is this so? My house heat pump works with the cooling medium (air) temperatures down into the teens and even single digits.

What is different about a water source heat pump? Other than it will freeze up if the water is not moving and below 32 deg.

G
 
quote:
Originally posted by gcolton

"If that is the case, know the system cannot garner any more heat from the cooling water when the water gets to 39*"

Why is this so? My house heat pump works with the cooling medium (air) temperatures down into the teens and even single digits.

What is different about a water source heat pump? Other than it will freeze up if the water is not moving and below 32 deg.

G

Click to expand...


A lot depends on the efficiency of the unit. Home units are ahead of the marine units in terms of efficiency. Additionally, the boat is 9+ years old. A friend has a 40+ foot mid 90's boat. He had to replace one of his units. Unbelievable difference in output now that the colder temps have arrived.

If you have an older unit, are you sure you are not heating via the electric strips at those temps?
 
Congratulations on your new boat! NOW LET'S SEE SOME PICTURES!!! :-)

Paul
 
Marty: Congrats on your new purchase. Welcome to the Bay, and where are you going to be keeping your new ride ?
 
quote:
Originally posted by KiDa

quote:
Originally posted by gcolton

"If that is the case, know the system cannot garner any more heat from the cooling water when the water gets to 39*"

Why is this so? My house heat pump works with the cooling medium (air) temperatures down into the teens and even single digits.

What is different about a water source heat pump? Other than it will freeze up if the water is not moving and below 32 deg.

G

Click to expand...


A lot depends on the efficiency of the unit. Home units are ahead of the marine units in terms of efficiency. Additionally, the boat is 9+ years old. A friend has a 40+ foot mid 90's boat. He had to replace one of his units. Unbelievable difference in output now that the colder temps have arrived.

If you have an older unit, are you sure you are not heating via the electric strips at those temps?

Click to expand...


I do not even keep my electric backup hooked up. I have to manually throw a switch to turn on the electric. This is because of the way that my whole house backup generator is wired. Prevents it from having these strips activated at the time the generator might come on.

I have been using heat pumps far longer for over 30 years now. All of those units have operated and provided heat down to low temperatures.

G
 
We are investigating HVAC options for the new house and are learning that the heat pumps of today are much more efficient than those of years gone by. Back to boats, our 1999 Silverton had a difficult time producing heat when water temps got below 50 deg as well as difficult cooling when water temps got above 80 deg. During the cooler months we used a portable electric heater to suppliment what the boat's heat pump could produce. In the heat of the summer we made certain we had all the windows shaded to keep the sun out.
 
I have an older similar boat a 1993 Mainship 40 Sedan Bridge, do yourself a favor and replace your AC/Heat units with circa 2006 and up units they operate more efficiantly and produce more heat than my old units that were properly maintained. I have 2 16,000BTU Cruisair units for the salon and suites and one 15,000BTU roof mounted unit on my hardtop to help at the helm. I also use supplimental 5200BTU electric heaters when needed. Good luck with the new boat and enjoy it.
Regards Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

......and one 15,000BTU roof mounted unit on my hardtop to help at the helm......

Click to expand...


Do you have any pix of this? I have a hardtop on my 330 Dancer and have wondered about doing this on my boat.

TIA
 
Thanks everyone.

Our family was on the Bay this Saturday: It was great. The waves slashed as high as the bridge! We anchored in protected area in Middle River. My boys fished and played on the dingy (tied to our boat). It was cold, the fish were not biting, but everyone was having a great time! I will post photos.

The prior owners docked the boat in a covered slip. Therefore, the canvases are rolled up in the stateroom! It has been too cold to unroll and hang the canvas. Any suggestions?

The boat runs on 125/250Volt 50AMP power. My marina said that would be no problem if a purchased a 30/30 to 50 125/250V reverse Y. Unfortunately, the reverse Y only gave half the current need to run the boat. No matter how I plugged in the 30/30 (side by side at one box or slit to different boxes) I never received full power. I reviewed prior threads, but I am still unsure what is happening. The marina is 250V that split into 125V with two 30amp outlets. The electrical supply is about 15 years old? Is this a phase problem or bad luck? I will have to change marinas if this is not resolved before I winterize. Any suggestions?

Best regards,
Marty
 
The marina is supplying you with 60 amps of 125 volt, 30 per side, which should be more than enough power for your needs if you learn which loads are on which legs. The stove will be the big draw and you may need to turn off something else while using it. Learn your panel and you will be fine with the splitter.

I live aboard all winter in Toronto with the same setup and no problems.
 
Marty,

That's a hellava first boat.

How are you managing handling it around the docks etc ?

BTW.. welcome back from CU BA Gary
 
quote:
Originally posted by slodz

The prior owners docked the boat in a covered slip. Therefore, the canvases are rolled up in the stateroom! It has been too cold to unroll and hang the canvas. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...


It will be much more comfortable on the boat with your panels installed. You will need a sunny day with no wind to install them. During the warmest time of day, install the panels by first attaching the top corner [snap or zipper?]. After you have all the panels started, go to the bottom and attach the bottoms to the boat. Finally, zip the sides together.

It takes a while to get the hang of it. Of course, next year, install them earlier in the year while it is warm during the day.
 
Thanks...I am waiting for warmer weather to install the panels, but this our first boat and even in the cold air we are having a blast!

The boat is docked at Chesapeake Yatch Center on the Middle River. The nice folks there are trying to sort out the power issue. If they are unsuccessful, I will be forced to move the boat before I winterize it. I want to maintain it close to my house in Towson.

Regarding docking a large boat: it has two propellers, but like my 8 year old son, where I may lack skill...I am full of confidence...until I crash into the pilings!

Best regards,
Marty
 
Good attitude Marty, just don' loose the confidence when...I did say when, you do hit those pilings. A wise old skipper once told me "if you don't run aground or make a fool out of yourself docking once in a while, your not boating enough" Congratulations! Mike
 
Marty,

Form one Bay boater to another, I wish you many happy days on your Silverton with your family. Since this is your first boatI would make two suggestions: (1) Over the winter months find a USCGA or Power Squadron Safe Boating Course. You'll learn a lot and meet other boaters from your area; (2) Book a Captain to do some "on the water training" with you and your family. Its worth every penny! I can suggest Boatboy Marine Training (Capt. Russ Cohen). Do a google search and you'll find his website.

Oh, one more thing... learn how to winterize the boat's systems.... NOW!!!
 
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