wrasster Posted August 8, 2010 Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 Really frustrated not to have been out meeting some of you guys for the fun day and, more importantly, THE FISHING, but Sea Bee is currently in Salterns Boatyard with the engine and leg out. On first going out on her for the trial up the river at Colchester, where she was built, I noticed a strange graunching noise on start-up. The guy said, oh that will go when the engine beds in, which I reluctantly accepted at the time. Also, she was not achieving the revs that we were told to expect. The noise didn't go, and being the pessimistic soul that I am, I started to worry about taking her out, in case there was a problem and it was doing damage somewhere. Ummed and aarhed for some time but finally couldn't take it any longer, and got back in touch with Aquafish. He didn't sound unduly worried, but also didn't want an unhappy customer either, so he contacted Yamaha, who asked me to take it to Salterns to have them investigate. Took it over there - the engineer said 'start her up'. I did - he said 'does it always make that noise' - yes - and 'the engine jumped on start up'. 'Put into reverse' - I did and he said - 'something definitely not right here. Could be alignment, or clutch plate, or cush drive'. So, as I say, she's in bits at their yard, currently waiting for a part from Japan - may take two weeks. Apparently the 'doughnut', cush-drive bush that goes on to the fly-wheel had far too much play on it, possibly causing an alignment issue, and that is to be replaced. Hopefully that will do it, but will it then rev as it should, or is there a prop issue as well? (We were also told at Colchester that the props they sent down to put on it were not the same as the ones it was tested with, but 'these will be fine - probably even better'. Again, I wasn't convinced but didn't know any better, so accepted that until the other problem emerged.) We have since learned that Yamaha can't even be trusted to send the right leg for the engine, but have checked serial numbers on both, and thankfully they at least are OK! Now I am determined it will be right before I get it back, but I do have faith in the engineer at Salterns, who certainly seems to know what he is talking aboutand also talks my language. So - I feel vindicated for my pessimistic concerns, but that doesn't make me any happier about having a brand new boat I haven't been able to get out in! Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted August 8, 2010 Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 and this boat was built and supplied by...........? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick Martin Posted August 8, 2010 Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 Dennis sorry to here of your woes At least you are in good hands at Salterns. One of the engineers there (Martin) has worked on AWOL several times and I have nothing but praise for him his knowledge and his skills Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomBettle Posted August 8, 2010 Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 (edited) Bad luck Dennis. The boat and engine separately are both very good I am sure. Sadly there have been a few grumbles about the particular builder if it is who I am thinking. Not from me, just heard a fair few comments banded around. Salterns will sort it out for you, but be aware, there is some talk that Yamaha are completely pulling out of the inboard market. They have never been big players with inboards and have recently lost a big contract which I believe went to Yanmar. Make sure you can get your spares. Tom Edited August 8, 2010 by TomBettle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan Posted August 8, 2010 Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 Bad luck Dennis. The boat and engine separately are both very good I am sure. Sadly there have been a few grumbles about the particular builder if it is who I am thinking. Not from me, just heard a fair few comments banded around. Salterns will sort it out for you, but be aware, there is some talk that Yamaha are completely pulling out of the inboard market. They have never been big players with inboards and have recently lost a big contract which I believe went to Yanmar. Make sure you can get your spares. Tom you scaremongerer you............ whilst Toyota's announcement to move away (finally) from their 4.2 straight 6 diesel will eventually impact Yamaha's 420STI (?), and Yanmar's 6LP etc range, there will be plenty of stock for some time to come - esp relative to Yamaha's unit sales. I'm not convinced that Yamaha could have taken on the initial marinisation development of the new Toyota engine given their volumes, whilst Yanmar will have been delighted to have a new generation block to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrasster Posted August 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 Tom - We had heard about Yamaha pulling out of the inboard market, but a local contact said that as the navy use a lot of them, there should be no problem with spares for at least ten years. (Some good news then!) Wedger - the company that produced the boat, in Colchester, are well known for their hulls - they also mould for Princess and Oyster - but do not seem to have too much experience in actually fitting them out, and this is where we feel they need to concentrate their future efforts! We have no problem at all with their willingness to sort all our issues out to our satisfaction (yet, anyway!), so we are not trying to bad mouth them at all. Something to be said for fitting out yourself, but we were trying to save time, and get a boat which was ready to use this season! Such is life. (Well mine certainly!) Thanks to all who have replied for your interest! Dennis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedger Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 Good to hear they are trying their best Dennis. Be great to see you on the water soon. I know how you feel and so do many of us in the club. A dry boat during summer months is very frustrating. Only just got back in myself with a new leg and props. Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam F Posted August 9, 2010 Report Share Posted August 9, 2010 It was Coastal Rides that have the bad name with fitting them out, Cair Paravel who mould and invented the Aquafish pulled out of Coastal Rides in 2009, as they too had problems with them. Dennis - Ive sympathy for you, it's frustrating. However we dont have a production line boat and every A'fish built is unique and to a slightly different spec - I guess this makes ironing out little niggles tough! We had a few teething issues with the Volvo in JV. Hang in there you'll get it sorted and start to enjpoy her. PS: I had a sneaky peek today whilst I was down antifouling JV - SeeBee looks a cracker! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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