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Caterpillar recommends rod bearing replacement after 25,000 gallons of fuel and engine overhaul after 30,000 gallons.

When I lived on the sailboat in South Florida, we had a wet head so mostly used the dock shower. That was fine when we were 25 years old but I am not interested in dragging my old bones down the dock to take a shower. Like drinking cheap scotch, I do not need to do that at this stage of my...

Our motorhome only has one waste water holding tank so all grey and black water goes to this tank. What kills us is taking showers. Both of us like long hot showers. Should not be a problem if gray water is allowed to be dumped overboard. I am assuming that treated black water is no longer...

Reviewing vessel specifications, it appears that the holding tank volumes are fairly small compared to the freshwater volume. It seems to average (on the vessels I am looking at) 40G holding tank to 400G potable water tank. Since there is not both a grey and black water tank listed, I am...

I found an article by Caterpillar that recommended engine overhaul at 30,000 gallons of fuel consumed. This was for a 3208 engine in a motorhome chassis. They seem to be the most concerned with the rod bearings as the recommendation was to replace these bearings at 25,000 gallons. I would...

In buying a used trawler type vessel, what would be the maximum operating hours or years in service of the Diesel engine beyond which an overhaul would be considered necessary for reliable service? I know that you can perform SOAP samples and cylinder compression tests as a aid in diagnostic...

I do, or should say that I have. As happens to most older vessels, the Cat has been down several years for restoration. She is one of the last LandSeaire conversions which modified the old girl into a flying yacht. Hopefully she will be back airworthy in the next couple of years.

I agree that most repairs will have to wait until the vessel has stopped, whether at dock, anchor or at sea. My experience with the sailboat has not been pleasant when I had to perform repairs or maintenance of any kind while under way. Even with a cold engine there are many ways to damage...

Bayview must have preformed the Vulcan mind meld on me, his list contains everything I consider important and a few issues that I had not considered at all. I know that buying a vessel with every item that I want and in the condition I prefer is probably nearly impossible at any price. What...

My requirement for a standup engine room is my belief the easier the engineering spaces are to access the more they will be entered to inspect and maintain, especially underway. Little maintenance is preformed at eye level but quite a bit of inspection is.

The bathtub comment was a “tongue-in-cheek” comment about how compact and small the living spaces below on the sailboat were. We do not wish to be required to go on deck to have enough space to change our minds. You showered while sitting on the toilet and then had to go into the passage way...

Having relatives and guests invite themselves for extended stays are an occupational hazard during the winter when you live in Southern Florida. I have found the best solution is to hide the beer and turn the pool heater off. Would there be space in the forward cabin of a DeFever 49 RPH for a...

The wife likes the POC’s ability to run for cover if need be. The 57 with it’s optional day head and dedicated laundry spaces are interesting. With this logic I could be in the poor house with a 68 before it is over! On another subject, but along with things to consider with an older vessel...

We plan on paying cash for the vessel so a well founded 1980 or newer is the target. From the forums, the mid 80’s and later boats seem to have fewer blister/gel coat issues. I fell in love with the DeFever 49 RPH and researched it for the last several years. The wife and I had the chance to...

As a former live aboard sailor moving into retirement, my wife and I are starting to look at trawler type vessels. When I moved off the sailboat, I said that I would not have another boat that was not big enough to have a bath tub. Sailors can probably relate to that. Tired of living at the...

You are quite correct regarding the magnetron life of older systems. Most are becoming obsolete and are beyond their design life. Keeping them active will help retain their refresh rate and screen contrast. Sadly, 3,000 hours of actual cruising is far more than 90% of cruiser will do in their...

Another good reason to always operate the radar when underway is to promote the longevity of your radar system. Keeping the radar operating on a continuous basis keeps the electronics warm and drives out moisture. Keeping the antenna active keeps corrosion down on the operating mechanism and...