[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

On 13/08/2019 at 22:55, Regulo said:

Glad you have walked from this one! As has been said, are you only going to use it on the river? If so, I can't see that twin engines are any great advantage. Apart from having twice the worry of maintenance, you'll never be able to use them to full potential. Of course, if you plan going coastal, that's a different ball game entirely.

Yeh - walked away 😆.. Will let some1 else have it 🙄. Keep looking when I have time 😉

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

5 hours ago, TheLaird said:

So if the G clamp  has not been 'noticed' in 5 - 6 years, has the oil and filters been changed in that time?  The general wiring looks like a disaster!  I think there is something in the BSS about suporting cables and insulation.

Check BSS part 3.2.1R    2R & 3R       and  part 3.4.2R   January 2013  

Also BSS  part 3.3.1

Is the lower wire connected and the 'loom' above looks a bit short of insulation.  (Arrows).

But I am a bit picky!

Clive.

Yes Clive, 

I can't believe someone would own a boat for 5/6 years & not look at the engines, but maybe some do & I am coming to think I could believe it of these owners 🤔. 

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

13 hours ago, Regulo said:

Why are you even considering a boat with mechanicals held together with G clamps? In my opinion, it's the sign of a major bodge-up, and doesn't bode well for what you might find later!!

If I'd have noticed the clamp I wouldn't have gone back.. I rushed looking it over I suppose as I was going to look at another boat that day.. You're quite right.. Think maybe the owners have just run it into the ground (me thinking originally just the exterior & woodwork)! 

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

13 hours ago, Smoggy said:

To run like that for a short while to get round a problem is sort of understandable but to present it like that for sale would have to be very cheap to even consider it, makes you wonder what the engines are like inside.

Have you heard it run or had a trip on it underway?

Had both engines fired up on first look at boat, didn't have a run then. I had to postpone River trial week later due to my work, & was to have a run after the survey last Friday, but I didn't bother after looking at the engine with the surveyor. To be honest the first Seamaster I looked at with 4107s had been better treated engine wise I think. I probably didn't look close enough at this boat's engines 1st time( should 've taken some photos, can't really remember seeing the clamp tho - so? 🤔). 

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

13 hours ago, Regulo said:

Why are you even considering a boat with mechanicals held together with G clamps? In my opinion, it's the sign of a major bodge-up, and doesn't bode well for what you might find later!!

Yeh, I guess I rushed looking over it first time, or maybe the g clamp has been more recent than the owner said. Like I said to Graham at Maffett marine think boat has been neglected engine wise & been serviced pre sale & bodge of clamp onto starter been quite recent to get boat going. 

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

Thanks for the info guys & suggestions. Here are a few pics I received late on Monday evening from the surveyor. 1st pic is of st. motor on port engine I think & next 3 pics showing starboard eng with "incorrect st.motor" -(surveyor said that - which is facing wrong way secured in place by g clamp & plastic piece placed between main starter cable & stud foot). Sort of job you'd expect by Homer Simpson really! 

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

2 minutes ago, SPEEDTRIPLE said:

Why not give Graham at Maffett Marine a call?.  He can come out and do an inspection and advise you, or do the job for you. He was raised on 4108s when as a boy he would help and learn from John Cressy who could build them with his eyes closed, he did hundreds of them.

Thanks Speedtriple, I offered less than the asking price for the boat - as a Seamaster 27 nearer to my home with 4107s I could have bought was a nice boat but I wasn't sure about a boat with 4107s & interior had been changed to new teak finish. Boat with 4107s was better exterior wise - engines looked older but guy had looked after it. This boat I thought engines looked cleaner. Seller has come down more in price re st/motor, so I'll have to speak to someone who can look at it. 

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

No, I think both engines are proper marinised 4108s. I've asked Glenn to send pics to me. Think the owner or previous owner has not wanted to spend money for the proper part. 

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

Hi Vaughan, 

Thanks for your reply. By the looks of it the current owner or owner previous to him has fitted a cheaper starter motor & a g clamp has been used to hold the starter motor in place as obviously the incorrect motor's mountings don't line up. Glenn Lowman the surveyor said it was not the proper st.motor for the engine. I originally thought the exterior of the boat had been neglected - woodwork etc & engines looked decent, but think the current owners have not bothered with the engines really. 

[Perkins Diesels On Seamaster 27.]

Hi all, 

Thanks for the suggestions re my last post/ questions. I spend too much time on fb I think. 

I'm in the process of buying a Seamaster 27, had a survey done last week, and one slightly concerning problem that showed up was that the starboard engine had an incorrect starter motor fitted apparently on the wrong side & held in place with a g clamp. The seller has told the broker he wasn't aware of that, & didn't know anything about it - (owned the boat for about 5/6 years). This is on boat with twin 4108 engines. Don't think the boat has been used (driven) a lot apart from used for staying aboard, but not something I'd not notice if I had boat for that time. There is a st.motor & 2 alternators in storage under front v-berths; which seller did know about. 

Any advice, very grateful. Thanks. 

[Seamaster V Lytton.?]

Hi all, I haven't been on to the network for ages. Just wondered if anybody had any advice.. I was considering buying a boat, have looked at a few & quite liked a couple. One was a Seamaster 27, the other a Lytton 850. I previously had a Seamaster 8 so know they're pretty good. The 27 is older than the Lytton but think the boat has been looked after & esp the engine (perkins diesel). The Lytton is a good boat but not sure as seems to be a lot of white fibreglass esp in the cockpit which I'm not too keen on & not sure if the engine has been as well looked after (Thorneycroft 1.8 d) tho it has everything I need - also thought the Seamaster seemed a stronger constructed boat. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks - Si.