New Owner

[Xfirepop]

I just took ownership of a 1985 GS 44. She has twin Cat 3208 turbos and Naiad stabilizers, so already had stabilizers serviced (5 yrs overdue) and descaled the engine coolers. Have any other suggestions? I'm currently in Virginia and plan on traveling to....? Yup, no plans other than being sure to hit the Caribbean this winter. I drove out from CA to do this adventure and am hoping the GS is a good boat (aren't any trawlers in Sacramento for comparison). It's just me and my dog so the new name will probably be...Bow Wow, 'cause we're a team.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Welcome aboard (arf, arf, arf.). BUY A TOWING PACKAGE. Locate and service sea cocks. Try to familiarize yourself a bit with the various systems (plumbing, septic, ground tackle, HVAC, electrical etc.). Buy a bunch of fuel filters and know how to change them.

There are several threads dealing with what spares and tools to carry.
Have fun and woof.

 

[mvweebles]

Replace anything rubber. Hoses, belts, impellors. Sounds like you're thinking about some distance cruising. Dual Racor fuel filters would be great but dang, they are expensive if you don't have them. At the very least, vacuum gauges on the Racors. Do a leak test on your windows with a hose to make sure they don't leak much.

Pictures please (RT Firefly - you and the hound can stand down). May have suggestions then, but mostly we love looking at boat-porn

Welcome to the insane asylum (aka boat ownership)

Peter

 

[Comodave]

Welcome aboard and congrats on your new boat.

 

[Xfirepop]

Damn Firefly, how did you get your hands on my family portrait?
It has Racors for engines and generator, I had to replace one already. The bowl had been Gorilla glued on drain valve. Going to replace the others too, I can't see thru the bowls to see if there's anything on the bottom. Yeah it looks like a lot of work and searching to find hoses and belts. Caterpillar people want specific engine numbers, not like working on cars (I'm a retired auto tech). I'm finding that's a big benefit, parts are expensive enough, don't need labor on top of that. Thank heavens I brought everything but the roll away cabinet.

 

[Comodave]

I like to mount LEDs behind the clear bowl so you can easily see what, if anything, is in the bowl.

I keep my engine serial numbers in my phone so they are handy.

 

[Xfirepop]

Comodave, the LED is a great idea and it looks cool! And thanks for the welcome.

 

[Comodave]

You are absolutely welcome. I just wired the Racor LEDs into the engine room lights so they were on whenever I was in there. Makes it easy to check for debris, no flashlight needed and no reflections.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. X. "...how did you get your hands on my family portrait?" I know things.

 

[Comodave]

Greetings,
Mr. X. "...how did you get your hands on my family portrait?" I know things.

And he has every photo known to mankind…

 

[Xfirepop]

Being a retired auto tech and old time hot rodder, I'm into a really clean nice engine compartments/room. The LEDs are definitely on the list and maybe a small disco ball!
I took the old racor mounted it on a board, added a cheap fuel pump, so now I have a fuel polisher if I get bad fuel in my travels in the islands.

 

[Comodave]

I just got a 5 gallon bucket of Extreme Simple Green this week. I really like it for cleaning the bilge and engine room.

 

[OldDan1943]

Bring enough oil and filters a change for main engine and generator, belts, spare impellers for each engine plus more than few fuel filters for each size fuel filter plus 'everything else' too. LOL That 'everything else' will occur over time.

 

[Deano]

I had a Gulfstar 44 for several years. They’re great boats. If I can help with any particulars let me know.

 

[Choices]

Check steering, tranny, and fire extinguishers. Bring extra long jumper cables.

 

[Jeff F]

Any number of minor challenges can occur with a new-to-you boat. Electrical, plumbing, etc. Rarely life threatening.

Unless you know the tanks are super clean keep a close eye on the fuel system.

Congratulations, and good luck!

 

[Delta Riverat]

Yeah, have fun and welcome to the club!

Get a 12 volt gear pump for the oil changes -

 

[fgarriso]

Welcome Aboard!

 

[OldDan1943]

We do enjoy spending others peoples money.
Where do you wish to start.

 

[Xfirepop]

Super Advice

Thanks !!! It's all good advice.
Just after sea trial, on a test run to check out FI problem on stdb engine, the port eng blew headgasket, So here I am in Chesapeake. 5 mos later and finally got eng running. 3208's are not for the faint of heart and 73 yrs old....way too heavy.
Extrapolating some of the advice here I've serviced all filters, replaced Racors (a PO had gorilla glued leak on drain!) replaced all other filters and put in new FI's. Think I'm ready?....nevermind I know the answer. Why are all boat owners cynics?
Again I really appreciate all the advice and have acted on it.
Richard B
p.s. Who in the he!! invented vacuflush! Talk about not for the faint of heart !!!!

 

[READY]

Vacuflush must have been invented by someone without practical experience. What could go wrong depending on a waste handling system built around multiple valves and seals to hold a vacuum for a long time? And just to add to the reliability let's add a few duckbill valves! And to keep it quiet let's find the most inaccessible location on the boat that is far from the toilet to mount all those parts that WILL require service/replacement.

 

[Comodave]

Thanks !!! It's all good advice.
Just after sea trial, on a test run to check out FI problem on stdb engine, the port eng blew headgasket, So here I am in Chesapeake. 5 mos later and finally got eng running. 3208's are not for the faint of heart and 73 yrs old....way too heavy.
Extrapolating some of the advice here I've serviced all filters, replaced Racors (a PO had gorilla glued leak on drain!) replaced all other filters and put in new FI's. Think I'm ready?....nevermind I know the answer. Why are all boat owners cynics?
Again I really appreciate all the advice and have acted on it.
Richard B
p.s. Who in the he!! invented vacuflush! Talk about not for the faint of heart !!!!

Vacuflush heads are not my preference. We have pulled them out of several boats and replaced them with Raritan Marine Elegance heads. Just got done replacing the VF in our Formula with a ME. Some people love the VFs but they take too much maintenance IMO. And when they get a vacuum leak, hang on…. You can spend a looong time troubleshooting the VF, and a lot of money on parts.