Sandman

Interesting CHB web site:

https://marine-trader-trawler-nostra-signora.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-good-check-list-for-buying-any-new.html


Update: As of 8/15/2020, no further action is being taken on Sandman at this time.

Survey findings included:

  • Hull

    • About 30 blisters that needed to be repaired.

    • 1" crack at on starboard side of keel, about center of boat.

    • Bottom paint exhausted.

    • Hull repair, epoxy barrier coat, and bottom paint have been completed at Seabrook Shipyard.

  • Engines

    • Aft motor mounts loose

    • Starboard engine, aft port motor mount rubber shot, motor mount needs to be replaced.

    • As of last communication with broker, Progressive Diesel was working on the engines.

    • None of the engine gauges function for port engine.

    • Engine gauges for starboard engine don't agree from upper to lower helm.

  • Numerous other problems, including:

    • No ELCI (didn't exist when these boats were built), and no GFCI outlets.

    • Aft shower hose from pump to shower sump cut/broken - shower draining to bilge

    • Questionable function of AC's and fridge (though fridge did eventually hit freezing after survey).

    • Auto pilot does not function.

    • Backup camera screens do not function.

Summary:

Sandman appears to be suffering from extended lack of use and upkeep. Even if the existing issues are resolved to an extent that the boat can be purchased, and insurance secured - there would be a lingering expectation that any number of other issues may pop up soon.

I will continue to monitor progress on the repairs completed on Sandman, but have moved on to considering The Venture.

Sandman is a 1987 CHB (Chung Hwa) 40 Sundeck Trawler

Offer contract for purchase was signed on 7/18/21. Next up:

  • Engine survey

  • Marine Survey

    • Sea Trial

    • Haul out for bottom inspection

While this boat is marketed as being in very good condition - I'm of course already starting to-do lists:

Immediate Needs:

  • This will be subject to survey findings.

  • Check following:

    • Fire Extinguishers - augment to one in each major area.

    • CO detectors

    • Life Jackets

    • First Aid Kit

    • Flares

Need education on:

  • Oil Change System usage

  • Dingy Crane usage

  • GPS usage

  • Radar usage

  • Autopilot usage

  • Holding Tank size?

Near Term Projects:

  • Install monitor bracket, set up work station

  • Replace mattresses.

  • Replace all light bulbs with LEDs (maybe start with LED bulbs, then replace fixtures as time allows).

  • Water tank level sensor.

  • Holding tank level sensor.

  • Swim ladder

Long Term Projects:

  • Repair water damage of starboard wall at main salon entrance.

  • Add "down" switch for windlass, or worst case, perhaps replace windlass with a version that has a wireless fob. Can wireless fob be adapted to current model?

  • Can a wireless fob be adapted to the bow and stern thrusters to make line handling at docking easier? - Vetus makes a widget for this!

  • Does Washer/Dryer work?



Random details:

  • Westerbeke 8Kw Generator - 3.3qt oil each, ~1.3gph fuel

  • Lehman SP275 diesel engines - 24qt oil each

Questions:

  • Kitchen and head sinks - do they go overboard directly or to soap box?

  • Holding tank capacity? How hard to replace? Y-valve location? Macerator? Where to install sensor???

  • Are heads fresh or raw water? If raw water, where are the thru-hulls?

  • Anchor windlass brand/model? (wireless remote available?)

  • Measurements for washer/dryer (can these be easily replaced?) - and door opening measurements for washer/dryer removal.

  • Autopilot model information - need to find and study manual.

  • Galley has a LP Gas solenoid control. What uses LP Gas on this boat? Where is the tank(s)?

  • How to use the oil change system?

  • Is there a way to use the swim ladder without having to flip it down so that you have to flip it back up to get onboard?

  • Where is the depth finder transducer? Is it calibrated to water depth, or depth under keel/sensor?


  • Divers - cost? How often? Contacts?

  • Pump outs - Services? Costs? Contacts?

  • Wifi at Blue Dolphin?

  • Need to renew Navionics


Random stuff to look at:


Engine Survey

Initial engine survey discussion was had with Red at Progressive Diesel on 7/27/21. As they pulled oil samples and made an initial run and test of the engines, he noted the following issues:

  • Serious oil leak on port engine. Running the engine at high speed or load could potentially create a risk of fire due to high exhaust temperatures in proximity to high oil ejection from the turbo..

  • Bad fuel. The fuel in the engines was found to be very stale (smelled like varnish). AlgaeX system has been installed. But fuel (tank about 1/3 full - 400 gal total) needs to be polished and tanks should be cleaned. (new fuel pump on generator, AlgaeX cleaner, and inspection ports on tanks may be indication of past issues)

  • Transmission engine mounts were loose. This is sometimes done in an effort to quiet rattles due to other problems (bad alignment, running gear problems, prop issues, etc.). Tightening the engine mounts was ill-advised until the reason is discovered, or at least the engines and running gear are checked out.

  • Port side packing gland seeping, with long term residual - packing gland needs to be addressed.

  • Generator - Fuel pump has been replaced. Oil probably due for changing (no record of recent oil change?) Impeller is currently pumping plenty of volume - but may also be overdue for being changed. Note that generator impeller is on outboard side of generator - very difficult to access.

Hull Survey and rest of Engine Survey conducted on 7/29/21.

Boat was hauled and pressure washed. 10 zincs were replaced. However - zincs in bow and stern thrusters could not be replaced due to lack of access (will require dis-assembly / removal of the thruster props).

Bottom was in bad shape - paint was exhausted. Lots of blisters. About 30 blisters requiring work. New barrier coat and bottom paint required.

See survey for additional details.

NOTE: Survey failed to mention finding of: Ground wire / ground strap to AC pump had broken off. Loose wire is laying next to pump in main engine room.

Engine Oil Analysis from Engine Survey:

  • Main engine oil on both engines was normal. Generally - it was "too clean". The oil had been changed recently enough that no significant data was available from the analysis.

  • Transmission oil was in BAD condition. Need to change oil and filters, and test again after at least 12-24 hours of run time.

  • Generator oil indicated significant usage - needs to be changed. Note that generator impeller is on far side of generator, and generally difficult to access. It should be serviced immediately.


Helm Instrumentation -

Many of the analog guages on the upper and lower helms were either inaccurate or non functional. Conversion to digital data could be considered:

See this issue of Styled in Fiberglass: https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8933012486?profile=original

There is an article about a CC owner that converted his helm to digital iPads (will also work with Android tablets).

Used the Actisense EMU-1 interface ( https://actisense.com/products/emu-1-nmea-2000-engine-data/ ) to convert analog engine sensors to NEMA 2000 format, then tied the NEMA 2000 display to his tablets, and had a nice cabinet built to support the tablets.

See this site: https://www.thegpsstore.com/ They were listed as distributors for Actisense products, but the EMU-1 was not listed there...

Other options may exist. See also http://www.gemeco.com/