Apologies To All, Urgent Advice Needed

[DaveB]

Hi all, first off, i had no idea really where to put this so mods if its in the wrong place please can you move it ? thanks and sorry 

We are in a bit of a situation with our boat, re its engine, its a BMC 1.5 that needs a rebuild from the bottom up, and its been a heartache from the start 3 months ago.

i managed to get a second engine with low hours( or so i thought) late last year and rebuilt her myself the only thing i didnt touch was the pistons and bores as they held fuel for two days in the cylinders, i live and learn as you have probably gathered by now we are on a tight budget.

long story short, we are now in the position where she is in a yard that shall remain nameless and has been there for the last 2 months, they have been helpful with advice but were asked to rebuild the engine 2 months ago and have got as far as removing the engine, thats it! when i asked them to do the job i said we had a holiday booked for the last week in march and was told it would be tight but she should be ready. im now being told they cant even start till after easter  is there anyone that might be able to do a rebuild job before then? we are even looking at buying an engine complete and just getting them to fit it. can anyone help or offer advice as we have a holiday booked for the second week in april and are REALLY desperate

[Vaughan]

My first reaction is that there is not much that you can do now, in the time that you have mentioned. If you have a holiday booked for early April, that is still before Easter and so you may find that hiring a boat would be the most economical short term solution.

The BMC 1.5 is a solid engine which, once fully re-built, will last you for years, and you mention that you have a spare one, for parts.

It would also be possible to buy a new Nanni or Beta engine as they are not expensive in real terms. The expense may be in the conversion of the engine beds and mountings in the boat and you may also have to consider a new gearbox.

I suggest you will have to take a long term view to this problem. 

[Regulo]

I doubt that anyone can either re-build and fit your engine, or even fit a replacement in the time you have left. I'm with Vaughan on this, hire to get your holiday in, then concentrate on your original plan. Unfortunately, in my experience yards take on too much work over winter, and with the inevitable weather delays find themselves in panic mode as re-slipping time approaches. It was ever thus. In some ways, you have to see both sides, yards want a guaranteed amount of work to see them through winter. They don't want to be twiddling their thumbs come January. Doesn't help you though.

[Polly]

I'd pm Jason Sos 247 

[SPEEDTRIPLE]

It would be helpful if we knew where your boat is, and possibly at what yard, as I'd hate to recommend a particular yard, only to find out it's the yard you're already dealing with. I totally agree with peoples comments re before Easter, as if it's in a hirefleet yard, they will understandably be seriously busy preparing for the coming season, just look at Andy at Freedom, he' finding it difficult to even get his fleet ready, mainly due to unforseen problems with some of his boats. It's just another example of why it's vital people report accidents or defects after their holidays. Back to your boat though, I'd agree your best bet is to hire for your April holiday, then chase up the rebuild of your engine when things quiet down.

[DaveB]

Hi speedtriple, no its not a hire yard and I don't want to name on a public forum as one bad experience is not an excuse to possibly damage anyones reputation.

Yeah its beginning to look like easter is going to be a non starter........ in many ways!!!!!

unfortunately we are not in a position to be able to afford to hire as every penny we have is reserved for the boat fund

[thingamybob]

Hi Dave.

Try;

Calcutt Boats Ltd
Tomlow Road
Stockton, Southam
Warwickshire, CV47 8HX
United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0)1926 813757
Fax:           +44 (0)1926 814091

They appear to do exchange recon engines and may have one in stock that they can exchange for your old one.

Good luck.

thingy.

[DaveB]

thanks thingamy! lol ill be on the phone to them later

[thingamybob]

Here is their web page:

http://www.calcuttboats.com/engines.html

They have a very good reputation on the canal system where the old BMCs are used extensively. It is a really lovely engine.

 

 

[tjg1677]

Calcutta boats have been reconditioning BMC engines for at least 25 years that I am aware of. They have a very good reputation so I figure are a safe bet. Usually they have engines ex stock too. Only other BMC  specialist that I know of on the broads is  Boulters at Horning but I know he does have quite a bit on at the moment from talking to them a couple of weeks ago when I was last in there. 

 

Trev

[oceandawn]

Would take a wild guess at the yard being on the Ant, based on a similar experience .

[DaveB]

Sir, i couldn't possibly comment  

But thanks to everyone for your help and input, after speaking yesterday to a lovely chap at calcutt boats named Roger, thanks thingamy !!!, it looks like we have a way forward i just need to make a few calls tomorrow to arrange everything, and you never know we might even make it for Easter

Edited April 2, 2017 by DaveB
Edit to add thanks :-)

[retired]

Glad that you are sorted, see you soon.

[thingamybob]

5 hours ago, DaveB said:

Sir, i couldn't possibly comment  

But thanks to everyone for your help and input, after speaking yesterday to a lovely chap at calcutt boats named Roger, thanks thingamy !!!, it looks like we have a way forward i just need to make a few calls tomorrow to arrange everything, and you never know we might even make it for Easter

That's great news Dave. I know that it is a big layout but at least you will be getting a genuine properly reconditioned engine. Some reconditioners just do the bare essentials to get the engine back out and get the money for it. Tell me about it! I bought a car once with a supposed reconditioned engine in it and the bill I got with the car was from a supposed "reconditioner".. they may have replaced the big end shells on an old un-reground shaft but it showed up when the back oil seal wore out spewing oil everywhere. They obviously had not taken the crankshaft out or replaced the oil seals.

I am confident you will get a proper recon engine from Calcutts which will bang on for as long as you keep the boat and many years after. Its good to know you have a decent engine that will not let you down.

Hope you get out at Easter. 

Best wishes.

thingy.  

[lakesailor]

Good news that hopefully your all sorted.

Goes to show how useful and helpful people on this forum are with giving you suggetions and advice.

[RegalSafari]

Good to hear you have a way forward, I was thinking about getting a second hand Perkins 4108, and keeping it in the garage. But never got round to it. But touch wood she is running well at moment. 

However she did run away 18 months ago an needed a new injector pump. It was a experience I don't want to happen again. 

 

[tjg1677]

8 hours ago, DaveB said:

Sir, i couldn't possibly comment  

But thanks to everyone for your help and input, after speaking yesterday to a lovely chap at calcutt boats named Roger, thanks thingamy !!!, it looks like we have a way forward i just need to make a few calls tomorrow to arrange everything, and you never know we might even make it for Easter

Nice one Dave. I had a canal boat for over 25 years and during that time there were a few people I know who used Calcutt,  one of whom bought a fully re-conned Bmc 1.5 ,  no complaints from any of them, so you should be on a safe bet.

Ttfn

Trev