What A Boat

Yesterday was our fist chance to survey the redesigned Albemarle 268XF. What a treat.
Althought she is only 4 years old with low hours (235) on her Merc 496 Mag, she shows like a new boat.
No cheap nylon fittings or plastic crap interior trim. Stainless, Bronze and Teak rule the day.

At only 26 feet you would expect little comfort and from other manufacturers you would get it!
Not so from Albemarle, This boat has a wide open fishing deck, raised helm area a comfortable cabin with a small galley and dinette that converts to a huge berth and a real stand up head. The layout harkens back to the days before the walk around craze. The most worthless design of a fishing boat I have never seen.
Jack shaft from the big Merc engine to a Bravo III is agreat design, it keeps all the engine weight amid ships and low in the bilge. Outboard fuel tanks keep her balanced.

Wiring, Plumbing, fit and finish are top notch

A surveyors dream,
Thanks Albemarle

Here comes the Turnip truck !

This vessel, a 28 Mako, owner claims to have a new engine on the port side and a rebuilt engine on the starboard.



It is ovbious from the photo, this is a LIE. The crud build up on the engine is worse than most marine engines you see of any vintage, the risers are so corroded they may crumble when the engine is run.



The owner could not make the survey, wonder why not?
I would have given him an ear full.

This crap is caused by the broker. He took photos of the boat for the listing, and never lifted the engine compartment cover for a look.

My compliments to the buyer for not throwing a fit. He had every right too!

Hey mister seller, I was not on the Turnip truck.

Good people at a good marina

Was down to marina to check on my boat. She is shrink wraped down to the waterline, like all boats should be. Inside to check things, outside to check the jack stands and all is well, back to the office I go.
On the way back to the truck one of the workers stops me and says " We were putting a boat next to yours and we hit your boat with the travel lift". I said "Thanks, does the owner of the marina know", "yes".

So I get to the office and as I open the door the owner says I left you a message this morning " We scratched the side of your boat with the travel lift, My fiberglass guy is going to be here after lunch to inspect the damage and give me an estimate for the repairs".

Back down to the boat we go. There is not alot of room betwen boats, so the shink wrap damage is hard to see if your not looking for it.

The scratch is just above the waterline, about 3 ft long the width of a quarter and does not penetrate the gelcoat.
I would have noticed it in the spring and not known how it happend.

Kudos to the marina and the workers who know the truth now, is better than a lie later.

Not enough wood for a fire!

A recent call from a prospective boat buyer.

"I am buying a boat and the broker says I must close the deal by tomorrow"

Wait a minute, slow down. If you have to purchase right away, sometimes wrong.

Well there was something wrong, or should I say many things wrong.

The vessel, 1988 bayliner 2655 which I surveyed, has more things wrong than right.
The delamination, mold, numerous active water leaks and rust heap of an engine made me want to strangle the broker for trying to sell this worthless craft.
The brokers description of said vessel was bordering fraud.

They are giving the entire industry a bad name ( it doesn't need any help)

If the deal must be closed very fast and sounds like a great bargain.

Watch out

Spend a few bucks, get a survey, cover you A**

http://www.allstatesmarinesurveyors.com

It' A Brand New Boat

Sure it's new... But it's still the worst built boat I have ever seen.
While moving about the cockpit it was obvious that the cockpit sole had more flexing than expected. A visual inspection from the head compartment looking aft and the deck hatch behind the leaning post revealed the absence of any support structures affixed to the underside of the cockpit sole.
The deck surface has numerous stress cracks on the port side of the console and forward of the head compartment door.

The deck has so much flexing that a moderate amount of pressure placed on The T-Top results in a violent shaking of the T-Top and console.

What happend to all the cockpit sole supports ?

Advertised as
100 % wood free constuction.
Except for the wood aft of the fuel tank !!

This vessel is from one of the most respected names in the center console market.
She also has a price tag that reflects her lineage.

See the T-Top in action http://allstatesmarinesurveyors.com/struck_dumb.htm

Hey..... Your lawyer is on the phone again.

http://www.allstatesmarinesurveyors.com

There Oughta Be A Law

This 36' Sea Ray aft cabin motor yacht was hauled and blocked for the winter.
The yard neglected to use the recommended 3 point minimum under the keel.

This boat weighs more than 18,000 # wet and has a foam filled keel and needs at least 4 blocks (5 would be better) under her.
The keel was severely crushed and will need extensive repairs.

As you will see in the photos the blocking board is also crushed.
The amount of force needed to crush the wood 2 x 6 to half of it's original width is enormous.

The reply from the marina manager when questioned.

" All our boats are blocked this way,
this is the ABYC recomended procedure" .

My eye it is.
This is poor workmanship and lazy ass if I have ever seen it.

How is your boat blocked ?

Update 12/15/2006

The vessel is now at a good marina (recomended by me) for their blocking methods and overall fine workmanship.

No open ended repair orders here. The repair estimates are firm.

She has six (6) double blocks under her keel

With a reduction in storage fees of 30% and proper blocking. she is very happy.

So is the owner

Hey Ham Fist, the lawery is on the phone AGAIN !!

http://www.allstatesmarinesurveyors.com

What is that horrible smell

The owner of this 1997 Chris Craft has a bilge full
of waste every spring!! ....What a treat.

The boat yard, the largest in the north east, replaced
the macerator on this vessel 3 years ago.
They also repositioned the new macerator and the Y valve and added some new hose.

---

Question: How many times do you need to replace the
sanitation system Y valve.

Answer: Every spring for the last 3 years, because it
was full of waste water and froze.

Can you tell why it freezes every winter ?

Findings

1. The repositioned Y-valve is BELOW the bottom of the
   the holding tank, It is always full of waste.


2. The loop of hose from the Y-valve to the macerator
   was added to keep sea water from reverse siphoning into the holding tank. it also serves to keep unwanted waste water in the hose and Y Valve.


3. The macerator is positioned well below the water line, A very bad idea.


4. The pumps positive wire connection to the vessels wiring harness uses a spade type connector
   

Conclusion

1. The correct procedure would be to mount the Y-valve
   to the hull side or on a bracket at the apex of the looped hose. Above
   the water line.


2. Reposition the macerator above the water line and if possible above the the holding tank. This unit is self priming to 5 feet. The current placement keeps the pump filled with seawater reducing its service life.


3. All below the water line hose connections need to double clamped. They are not.


4. All hoses used below the water line need to
   Certified and Approved for below the water line use. They are not.


5. All wire splice connections must use an insulated crimp type butt connector.


6. Replace ALL sanitation hoses with a high quality odor proof type.
   

The alterations to this vessel Do Not conform to USCG regulation or ABYC recommended procedures.

The risk of sinking has increased for this vessel.

Suggestions:

An alternate plumbing scheme is available to eliminate the use of a Y-Valve yet keep the functionality of the overboard and deck fitting pump-out options.

http://www.allstatesmarinesurveyors.com