Servicing Your Yacht’s Cooling System

Most used boats with inboard engines are provided with fresh water cooling systems. These fresh water systems in conjunction with the raw water system cool the engine during operation. The fresh water circulates within the engine and transfers the engine heat to the raw water system as it passes through heat exchangers. This article will explain the step by step approach to servicing your yacht’s raw water cooling system

But raw water cooling systems often become plugged with scale, calcium carbonate deposits, creating an unhealthy condition for the engine. Heat exchanger cooling tubes and piping will become totally blocked if left unchecked.

How does calcium carbonate form in the engine you ask? When hard water comes in contact with heated surfaces, the minerals in the water fall from suspension, Minerals, primarily calcium will then cling to any surfaces that might be there. The same occurs inside hot water heaters and in industrial power plants that use untreated water.

Become familiar with your engines

Prior to servicing the engines on your used trawler, motor yacht, sailboat or cruiser, it is important that you take some time to familiarize yourself with the raw water cooling system of the engines. Get drawings and parts diagrams if at all possible. Examine your engines and trace the raw water flow from the intakes to the exhaust. Make a mental note of each component.

There are two methods to service your used boats
engine.

Method 1 – Disassemble the Engine Cooling System

Using your parts manual as a guide, disassemble each component of the cooling system. You will need new seals and gaskets when you put it back together so keep a running inventory as you remove components. The principle sections of the raw water system are the raw water pump and impeller, the oil cooler, perhaps an aftercooler, a heat exchanger and transmission oil cooler.
Clean the cooling system

After the sections have been removed, each section must be examined. Oil coolers and heat exchangers will possibly have a calcium deposit inside them. A professional radiator shop can clean these for you but a cheaper way is to mix a 4-1 solution of Muriatic Acid and water. Immerse the components into the solution and allow it to “boil” until all activity is complete; your components will be clean. Use care to protect your eyes and skin as the acid is very hazardous.

Re-assemble the cooling system.

Once your system is clean replace all the sections back on the engine using new seals and gaskets where needed. Replace older rusted bolts too. Now is a good time to replace the impeller too

Test for leaks and proper operation

When you are refilling your engine with anti-freeze, be sure to bleed the system of trapped air. You should find that information in your operators manual. Following the re-assembly, the only remaining task is to start up the engine and check for water flow and stop any small leaks by tightening bolts

Method 2 – Clean in Place

Inspect your cooling system and locate your raw water pump on your used boat. Next, locate an intake in the raw water system downstream from the pump where you can connect a hose. On my Volvos, I have a hose that runs from the water pump to the oil cooler that I can temporarily remove. Then locate an outflow from the raw water cooling system where the water leaves the engine.

Assemble the following:

1.50 gph bilge pump
2.About 20 feet of wire to connect the pump to your batteries
3.A 5-gallon bucket
4.About 10-15 feet of hose sized to fit connections
5.1 gallon of Ph-Ospho-Ric (Home Depot paint department) phosphoric acid

Connect a portion of the hose to the bilge pump and the other end to the intake you have located. Place the bilge pump into the bucket and fill full with water and of the Ph-Ospho-Ric. Connect another portion of hose to the outflow of the engine and route back to the bucket. At this point remove the engine zincs and replace the holes with plugs.

What you now have created is a closed loop where the acid can be circulated through the engine. Start the bilge pump and begin circulating the water and acid. The water will turn a dark gray and bubble as it neutralizes the calcium deposits. You may have to add more Ph-Ospho-Ric as you continue the process.

Finally, after you are confidant the deposits are cleaned out, reassemble the engine, install new engine zincs and start the engine to flush the remaining acid.

Mike Dickens is a live aboard trawler owner. He also operates as Paradise Yachts Broker in Florida USA.

So You Want To Become A Yacht Broker

Frequently I have customers or friends say to me, It must be very much of fun being a Yacht Broker; being on boats all day, youre on vacation all the time. Sure, I do enjoy it but it is a lot of work if you want to be productive. Let me tell you what it takes to make it work. If you think you have what it takes, give me a telephone call.

The hard part.

To start with, Florida boat Brokers have served a 2 year apprenticeship as sales people, before a full Broker position can be attained. Other states have different requirements. As a Broker you may own the company or merely work as an Employing Broker for a parent company. As an owner/Broker as I do with Paradise Yachts, performance of a yacht sales business includes marketing, sales, marketing, accounting, banking, web site design and building, search engine optimization, tax collecting, and bottle washing. So I have to allocate my time based upon what needs to keep the business operating. But for the purpose of this article, well just be assuming you will want to become a yacht sales person.

So to start, the primary thing is you have to like yachts; no, you have to live yachts and boating. But theres more. You must know boats and yachts like the back of your hand; its got to be your life. You have to be able to discuss yachts in detail; your customers will certainly be able to do so.

Do you own a boat? Have you ever owned a boat? What is your experience operating a boat? Your customers will want to talk about how to work things while underway, how to dock a twin screw boat, and how things aboard operate. Can you walk the talk? Have you ever done it? Can you guide your customers based upon experience?

Whats your personality? Are you outgoing and able to reach out to clients? Most of the individuals you meet will be total strangers.

Are you a self-starter? Are you prepared to make it happen; if you dont go to work, no one will be there to remind you?

Do you possess a basic sales perspective? Are you a customer service type of person?

Can you exist without a paycheck for 1, 2, 3 months? It does and can happen. boat Brokers only get paid when we sell a yacht. Money management skills are critical.

Are you prepared to work 7 days a week, every day including holidays if necessary? I work every day, usually 12 hour days. Clients look at boats everyday and you must be willing to take the call or answer the email at any time, Sundays and holidays included.

Are you computer literate? Can you handle your way around a website? Youll need to own a powerful computer, printer, and scanner and have internet access to upload listings online.

Are you an accomplished photographer? Can you use a digital camera and use photographic software. Youll need to own at least a 8 mega pixel digital camera. They are not cheap!

Can you survive a full background investigation? If you wish to work in Florida, its required to be conducted before you are issued a license. If you are in another State, you cannot even enter the State of Florida as a Broker if not licensed.

Are you willing to dish out $600.00 every two years for the exclusive right of having that license?

Do you have a cell phone, and/or a Blackberry; they are essential.

Are you willing to work in the hot sun, sometimes in the pouring rain to show yachts to customers?

Are you willing to put up with annoying customers that often want something for nothing?

Can you live with many nos before getting a yes; you must as it occurs all the time.

The easy part

Do you wish to have an infinite income? Yes, the money you make is up to you. You receive a portion of the commission when you make a sale. Boat sales commissions are 10% of the selling price; a yacht selling for $100,000.00 will net the company $10,000.00.

Do you like to have fun? Yes, its a lot of fun meeting a new, happy boat owner. And yes, you get a lot of boat rides.

Do you like taking on many new friends? Every stranger I meet is just a friend I havent yet made.

Do you like being your own boss? In the boat business, you get to call the shots.

Mike Dickens, the author, is a boat owner and owner/Broker of Paradise Yachts in Florida USA.

Paradise Yachts offers used quality yachts to customers worldwide.

Consider A Trawler Yacht – Part 1

In looking for the right powerboat, consider that they come in a variety of styles and configurations. They are all generally the same, all having staterooms, salons, heads, etc.

In choosing the one that best fits your needs I think it is important to determine what you will do with it. Will it always stay at the dock or will you do some island hopping on her? Is a fast moving boat the right one for you or do you like to take it slow and easy. Do you like to use 4-8 gallons of fuel an hour or can you handle 40 gallons per hour? How about construction? A wooden boat has her charm but requires more bottom maintenance and insurance may be an issue. All of these must be considered.

If taking it slow is your cup of tea, the trawler may be just for you. Taking it slow and easy stopping to smell the salty air and watch the osprey soar overhead. So why choose a trawler? The modern trawler is comfortable, roomy, stable and seaworthy coupled with reliability and economy of operation.

WHAT IS A TRAWLER?

So what is a trawler? A trawler is not to be confused with fishing vessels although the idea originated with the seagoing fishing vessels. Trawlers in general are boats with long, deep keels to prevent running gear damage in the event of grounding, boats with top cruising speeds of 7-10 knots, and boats with large panoramic windows for good views. Trawlers have large fuel and water capacities to enable extended cruising and have crew creature comforts that will match any vessel afloat. The primary draw of a trawler is the traditional salty lines that turns heads at every dock.

TRAWLER ADVANTAGES

The advantages of owning a trawler may not be so obvious. In addition to the graceful lines, here are some of the most important traits.

Very economical to operate. A trawler uses only from 2-8 gallons/hr. at cruising speeds of about 9 knots.

Large fuel and water capacity.

Very large onboard storage in the many lockers, cabinets and drawer.

Large rudders make docking simple.

Many were embellished with exotic teak, even below decks in engine rooms. Teak is resistant to rot.

Slow RPM diesel engines produce anywhere from 10-20,000 hours of use before any serious work is needed.

Very high resale value due to tight market. Unlike cruisers and motoryachts, the trawler market exceeds the supply.

TRAWLER HULLS AFFECT PERFORMANCE

In choosing a trawler, one needs to choose between full displacement and semi-displacement hulls.

Displacement hulls are generally found on ocean going vessels. These hulls can carry more payloads due to their design. The hulls do not plane and power is directed to pushing the hull rather than raising it. The hulls are generally rounded which produced a soft ride.

Semi-displacement hulls combine round bottoms forward and flat bottoms aft. As it moves the hulls partially raises out of the water. These hulls give a bit more speed but may sacrifice a soft ride. These hulls are not suitable for blue water crossings.

TRAWLER STYLES

There are five trawler styles. Each style features unique floor plans and layouts. Trawler styles are as follows.

Classic or Trunk
Sundeck
Sedan
Pilothouse
Passagemaker

Trunk styles are considered to be the classic, double cabin trawler. They have wide walk-around decks and access to the salon from both side doors. It sits low to the water making boarding easy. The fly bridge is normally 3 steps up from the trunk deck and has ample sitting area for guests. The traditional mast with boom holds a sail to prevent rolling in heavy seas. The boom can also be used to launch the dingy. The interior provides an aft stateroom and private head. Two steps up is a large salon for entertaining. Forward is the galley, which may be up or down. A dinette is usually provided adjacent to the galley. Further forward is the guest quarters with another private head. I love the look of the trunk but it does not allow a place to be when the weather is bad other than indoors.

The sundeck model made its appearance in the mid 80s. Sundeck models are similar to the classic trunk styles except that the sundeck is enclosed allowing access to the bridge via the sundeck from the salon in inclement weather. Sundecks have wide bodies with decks higher than trunk styles. This allows for a very large master stateroom. A swim platform is provided which allows access to a dingy while away from the dock. Some are fitted with wet bar on the sundeck to entertain. Bridges are. large that will allow 6 to sit while underway. If you consider yourself to be an outdoor person, this is the model for you!

The sedan model is a trawler preferred by many due to few steps to negotiate. Everything is on one level with the exception of the bridge, which must be accessed by a ladder. The model has no aft cabin and all of the cabins are somewhat smaller than other models of similar lengths. There is a salon aft, with the galley forward generally with a dinette up. Two staterooms are forward, generally with a single shared head. The cockpit allows entertaining but only in favorable weather.

Many boaters, especially in northern climates, prefer the pilothouse model. The pilothouse models feature a single helm, which is completely enclosed. It affords excellent visibility. The typical layout includes a large galley, salon and cockpit on the lowest level. The master stateroom with private head is located amidships below the pilothouse. The guest stateroom and head is located forward of the master stateroom. A fly bridge overhang protects the aft deck and side decks. A large deck extends beyond the fly bridge allowing room for dingy storage etc. An advantage of this boat is operability in inclement weather. A disadvantage is having to use the generator and air conditioning during hot months in southern climates.

Passagemakers are the last type of trawler, which are designed, and intended for making the Trans-oceanic passage. Passagemakers are usually full displacement and over 45 feet in length.

In the next posting well discuss the different sizes, accommodations and engine selections.

The author, Mike Dickens is a trawler owner and owner of Paradise Yachts, a Florida yacht brokerage.