fuel flow meters, etc.

I'm back. 🙂 Just returned from reading posts from some other groups

I'm a member of four other boating groups, the Yahoo Albin Cruisers Group, the Yahoo Rosborough 246 Group, the AlbinOwners Group and C-Brats. I read a lot of posts about engines and boats.

The Rossi 246 folks have been asking "what's the best outboard" motor for the past several days. General conclusion was that it's a case of picking the "best of the worst". What I also picked up was that the engines were great until a problem arose, then local techs had to call for help (complicated engines and systems) and parts were hard to come by.

The Yahoo Albin folks are always fixing something on their 20+ year old engines, but I don't recall any one with a Yanmar engine having a problem. Maybe mine was the only one with a Yanmar? 😉

The AlbinOwners Group seem to have few engine problems, but they also seem to take really good care of their engines. As a whole, they also seem to be very experienced and knowledgeable.

Gene
 
So you're an old Albineer?,I remember the Albin 25 I owned (with the AD-21 diesel...try to get local parts for that!) called their transmission something like a "speed reducer"or "direction contoller" or some such thing. It was a nightmare to get the adjustments exactly right to get it to work.

I wouldn't be surprised that in Yanmar's vernacular they call the same thing a "marine unit" on marinized engines and a "PTO" on farm equip. and a "power output selector" on garden tractors. (it could be something as simple as the wrong fluid)
 
SlackwaterJack,

Those old A25s (30+ years) are neat vessels. 🙂 I will have to admit when I hear current A25 owners talking about their projects, I'm reminded of my days with Triumph motorcycles in the early 70s and British sports cars in the early 50s. They worked, but required a lot of maintenance. Some of the stuff was primitive, however I never got stranded. Seemed like a solution was always at hand, such as taking the carbon rod from a flashlight battery and using it in a distributer of an an old MG. 😉 Yet, the British made the Shure tone arm which was a precision device and was honored in a London technical museum.

I didn't mind, and expected, to have difficulty running a 20 year old Albin. But, in fact, I didn't have any problems to speak of with my Albin. The battery charger was a problem, after 20 years. I had some fuel flow problems, which I think came from tanks that hadn't been cleaned in 20 years. I replaced the overhead light switch in the pilot house. Almost all of the work I put into it came from installing radar, chartplotter, GPS, sattelite weather module and all the circuitry and antennas.

I do have difficulty with brand new equipment that doesn't function as it should. The oil in the gearbox is correct. The first shift after sitting for a couple of day is fine; you can't even feel it. But the following ones are rough and loud. The gearbox howls like a banshee. I'm sure Ranger, Yanmar and others provide good support within certain areas. I'm just kicking myself for not doing my homework to see what service is available in my area.

I bought another sailboat two weeks ago, after being without one for over a year. If my neck says in the same condition as it is presently, I'll probably sell the R-21 EC and buy a C-Dory, a Rossi 246, or something similar. Or, maybe just stay with sail. I could buy another A27 AC with a Yanmar.

Gene
 
My experience with Yanmar has been good. I had the 125 with hull # 6. It would start on the click of the switch. The service call I did have with the engine was in Rockledge Florida. Over heated trubo. Turned out it was not the Yanmars fault, it was to much cooling water was going to the heater and shorting the turbo. They fixed it and billed the factory. He told me the worst thing you can do is not run the engine fast enough. To always rev it up at the dock before shutting it down.

I mentioned once before on this site. a friend with a new 240 Yanmar. He started the engine every week and let it run for 1/2 hour. When the time came to sea trial it for buyers, the trubo would not kick in..... It was siezed. It would idle, but with increased rpm it smoked and sputtered. Lost the sale.

A knowledgable Yanmar mechanic told me to run the h--l out it. Never had any problems with that engine that I could blame Yanmar. Like the drain plug falling out on the heat exchanger.

I think if I had to do it all over again I would get the 150 Yanmar. Or better yet, the 29 footer with the what is it? 260??? :mrgreen:
captd
 
Darrell,
You better hurry if you are going to get that 29 footer this year! They are almost sold out for the year. In fact, they could be depending on how Jeff did on Saturday and Sunday at the boat show.
 
David,
You are right, but the big problem going through our minds are: After the wonderfull week at the rendezvous, we enjoyed the Pacific Northwest so much we will want to tow the Lucky Fin back and forth. Can't give up the Bahamas and now can't give up Puget Sound. What is a guy to do? Besides now I have installed my remote controll for the thrusters. 😀

Darrel
 
CaptD,

Easiest Solution would be to keep the 29 in the PNW...You now have tons of friends who would help you maintain her when you weren't around 😀 ! Then you can trailer Lucky Fin to where ever you need her. Problem solved!
 
Darrell,
You can give up the Bahama's! Maureen and I were and still are truly amazed at the warm welcome we got from all of the folks in the PNW. You could buy that new 29 and moor it at Port Orchard for $259.00 per month! No more towing! Maureen and I had such a great time in the PNW that we have decided that we are going to spend a considerable amount of time on the sound. Now, most of you don't really know me very well but, I love HOT weather and too give it up for the sound, that has to say something!

We are currently working with Jeff on the purchase of a new R-29 which would be delivered in November if all goes well ($$$$). We will moor it in Port Orchard as this will work well for me for work. Maureen and I will get to spend two weekends per month on it plus I will spend the week in between instead of staying in a hotel. If all of this comes to fruition, she will be named "Karma". She will be "Mako Yellow" (a very pale yellow that Mako Boats uses). In fact, anyone driving past the factory in Kent will see that we left Solitude there...... Again, it is not a done deal yet.... still have to finish working out all of the details will all of the involved parties.... Everyone keep your fingers crossed! We will let you know once it is finalized!
 
All right David and Maureen!

Another 29 in the Pacific Northwest! What a great plan...

If you need someone to take it out and exercise the engine....let me know 🙂

Mac
 
Mac,
Thanks for stepping up and taking on the hard jobs! You are my kind of person! Take that job that no one else wants!
 
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