Search results

The Awlgrip on Sherpa (24' troller) is getting faded and its time to seek out quotes. I was recommended Embry Marine in St Petersburg and was given a very rough quote of $20k for a bottom job and to Awlgrip the hull, deck, and wheel house. This process assumes the Awlgrip is in decent...

It seems most used boat buyers (I'm guessing around 90%) rename their boat. I am likely in the minority and kept our boat's name--it had a really interesting back story and I'd rather not anger Poseidon :) Fortunately, the name was not vulgar or overly personalized. I am curious if anyone...

Hoping to be a more "social" boater, I explored various yacht clubs in my area. The clubs generally had various activities and events--many would be of interest to my wife and daughter. Well, I checked the membership applications and they require a sponsor or are invitation only. No thanks...

Hi! A few months ago, I had posted here my saga of my MD2030's white smoke issue, which was largely resolved by servicing my injectors and a water restriction. Well, I am now seeing some steam (not smoke) and elevated engine temperatures. Nothing is odd suggesting a head gasket issue--oil...

My wife, little one, and I enjoyed yesterday cruising around Boca Ciega Bay. We returned to the marina and, while we were just 200-300 or so feet away from my slip, I was suddenly unable to shift into neutral. She was stuck in gear and coasting forward. My wife was on the bow with the hook...

My MD2030 does not have a coolant recovery tank. There is an overflow hose that runs to the bilge; the radiator cap appears to be a standard cap rated for 13 psi. I would like add a tank, so I can more easily monitor my coolant level. Volvo Penta sells a setup that includes a tank, modified...

I have bolts that are loose and I absolutely cannot access the bolt's head but there is plenty of stem sticking out. Is there a tool that would keep the bolt from spinning while I tighten the nut? Maybe a tool that would bite on the bolt while I tighten the nut? Pliers would tear up the...

I was able to remove two out of three injector injector reducers for my MD2030, but the last one is not budging. I am concerned about damaging the injector threads or having metal shavings fall into the block. So far I have tried reverse pliers, which removed the other two; but the last one...

My Volvo MD2030 (601 hours) has been blowing out some white smoke, which is getting progressively worse. The amount of smoke produced increases with RPM. It is NOT coolant but definitely stinks like fuel. There are no issues with coolant level or consistency, so I am ruling out a head gasket...

I had my diver remover my prop, which required balancing/truing and slight reduction of pitch. We had to slide the prop shaft out to provide enough clearance for the prop puller. There was a safety wire connecting the two set bolts on the coupler. I failed to take a photo beforehand and the...

Over the weekend, I saw two ICW channel markers, several miles apart, with a pair of gloves and hard hat nailed to them. I assumed these were placed there in memory of a worker who was killed. I didn't see a name on the hat though. Is my assumption correct?

Prior to departing yesterday, my wife and I were going through our pre-departure checklist. Checking the strainer for debris is top on the list. I pulled the stainless steel basket from my Perko strainer and found a rusty finishing nail! I spent several hours trying to figure out how a nail...

I spent several weekends with my wife repairing, replacing, and adjusting on my Vashon. :thumb: 1) Inside helm pump (Wagner 701) sent off for rebuilding 2) Outside helm (Seafirst) seal replaced 3) New wheel installed 4) Heat exchanger replaced 5) Touched up the interior with Pettit Shipendec...

Hello, All. Poor Sherpa is in the direct path of Irma. She is secured at Loggerhead Marina in St. Petersburg, but I don't expect her to make it through intact. Her slip is relatively protected so who knows. Most importantly, I hope all my fellow Floridians are and remain safe. I live in...

It has been a while since I posted photos of my Vashon troller. Here she is going in the water a few weeks ago after some annual maintenance to include Awlgrip touch up, cosmetic fiberglass repairs, new prop shaft, and a bottom job. Sorry the images rotated when I posted them!

My Volvo MD2030 is due for its first 400 hour diesel injector inspection. Any recommendations on someone who works on diesel injectors and can test pressure/pattern, clean, and rebuild (if necessary)? I can take them out and ship. No problems with the engine. She has low hours but has never...

Just my luck... only me... After a full day of boating, I decided to change the oil and filter. As I always do, I inserted the extractor hose in the dip stick tube and began pumping. Perhaps I should have a waited a little longer for the engine to cool a bit because the oil and plastic tube...

Well, I did it this time... fortunately, no damage to my engine but I learned a good lesson. Let me tell the tale! Two weeks ago, I had flushed my Volvo MD2030 with fresh water via the top of my sea strainer. Fast forward to yesterday morning. My wife and I decided to take a Saturday...

After what seemed like forever (almost six months), Sherpa is going back in the water at the end of the week. Work included re-painting of a few areas and touch-ups, various fiberglass repairs, engine was removed for repainting, heat exchanger cleaned, oil pressure sensor replaced, new custom...

More work is needed on Sherpa. She's been on the hard for over a month at Progressive Marine Service in St. Petersburg receiving some more work to keep her 100%. I'll post some photos in the near future. I really miss being out on the water! - V-berth windows are leaking and cracked with...

As most projects go, a simple raw water pump change resulted in a huge project. My goal was to replace a leaky raw water pump. One bolt was particularly stubborn as a result of seawater corrosion. I soaked the bolts in penetrating oil and three of the four came out with ease. The "stubborn" bolt...

I just stumbled upon this 36' "1993 Ocean Star Custom" trawler on yachtworld. :thumb: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1993/ocean-star-custom-trawler-2716678/indiantown/fl/united-states#.U5SAUctOX4g I'm not a steel hull kind of guy, but I'd seriously consider this trawler if I was in the...

Knowing that we are probably a very cautious lot, I'm guessing many of us will stay home or at port. I generally avoid boating on Memorial Day because of the yahoos on the PWC and open fishing boats. Pinellas County Florida's ICW is already challenging for slow trawlers on regular weekends...

Hello. I have a rather peculiar issue involving the reverse polarity light on my Blue Sea AC distribution panel. Reverse polarity light is faint (but lighted) when shore power is plugged in and the AC switch is off. Meter on the AC panel also reads around 35-40 volts AC.:confused: HOWEVER...

Nope, I'm not selling Sherpa. I have no interest or involvement in this listing... I just thought it was interesting as it is not a common sight. I stumbled across a Vashon for sale in Alaska--somewhat rare to see one on the water let alone find one for sale. I've been told by the original...