[Public-List] Repower, rebuild or sell

Thu Dec 11 17:14:52 PST 2014

Brian, 
You asked me the same question off-list and I haven't gotten back to you. 

In my response to you from the photos you sent to me I stated that I am not convinced that water entered the oil from the crack they photographed.  In fact the crack they photographed wouldn't effect the way the engine ran at all.  Mertaugh's never diagnosed properly where the crack was they just assumed there was one.  I had suggested other ways water would enter the oil lubricated areas. A cracked block is not necessarily toast. Depending on how large and especially where it is located cracks in cast iron can be repaired. 

I believe that Mike Lehman is accurate as to the value of the boat sans engine.  The question is, how much time do you wish to spend on Manana prior to selling her or how much time do you wish to spend selling her? To be honest the trailer might add 1K value to the package. If you repower you will loose your shirt on trying to recover your costs.  If you rebuild or swap out for another used engine you might break even dollar for dollar, but you will have all the time involved in doing so.  To sell her as is in her location will also be time consuming if you will be able to sell her as is for anything more than 4K.  So you invest 2K in swapping the engine out or rebuilding and have a package which is less time consuming to sell for perhaps 6K.  It is a crap shot. 

Manana has always tugged at my heart strings as she is sister ship to Lorrie Rose.  I have sailed her and know her to be a well cared for, original boat. Let's face it, she is still a 1966 Alberg 30 laying in Northern MI/Ontario CANADA.  Local hauling trailer to boot, where is your market? 

I know you have wished to get into a larger boat for several years now.  I suppose the real question is how much do you want to invest, time vs. money, in selling Manana in order to move up. 

Good Luck, keep us posted. 

Michael #133 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Brian Zinser via Public-List" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> 
To: "Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all" <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> 
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 11:02:11 AM 
Subject: [Public-List] Repower, rebuild or sell 

I have owned #134 for more than 15 years. She has a Gray Marine Sea Scout 
which has never let us down. Two years ago I noticed some loss of power and 
this season I started to notice water in my oil. Anyway, when she was hauled 
out this fall I had the engine removed and diagnosed. This is the report I 
received: 

We did a compression test on the motor  with the following results: 
110lbs. #1 cylinder; 100 #2lbs. cylinder; 0lbs. #3 cylinder;  40lbs. # 4 
cylinder 

We found the motor has a cracked block and has two broken valve springs with 
a bent valve. 

The motor had water in the oil and the oil was very milky. 

We removed the head to do visual inspection of valves and head gasket and do 
not believe the water is coming through the head gasket, but that it's 
coming through at a different point, possibly the crack in the block. 

In our judgement we believe it would be best to replace motor. 

The shop that did the diagnosis has a used Atomic 4 they want to sell me. I 
have spoken/sent photos to Gray Marine in Illinois and he has informed me 
that he gets them like this all the time. No sweat. Cannot give me a quote 
without seeing. 

Other options include repowering with a diesel or selling the boat as a 
"project boat" 

For the most part, the boat is in fairly good shape. Only freshwater, no 
major remuddles. Average equipment, i.e. newer sails, ProFurl furler, 
dodger, Origo stove. 

I also have a decent trailer (not a highway trailer, but certainly more than 
a yard trailer - it can easily be used on secondary roads.) 

Thinking of selling. Any opinions on what might be a fair value for the boat 
with a torn down problem engine? 

Brian Zinser 
#134 

_______________________________________________ 
These businesses support your Association: 
http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html 
Please support them. 
_______________________________________________ 
Public-List mailing list 
Public-List at lists.alberg30.org 
http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org 

 1418346892.0