Quote:
Originally Posted by mavrick211
I'm not rich enough to buy a new one
My options are the 7m Willard and zodiacs that have been reconditioned or are in good condition
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When you say Sailing what do you mean? Confusing thread, are you running the rib up the inland passage or towing or other and please explain how and by what vessel.
Regarding diesel. It's a tricky question. The 6bt / Konrad platform is extremely reliable except after being abused by the Navy. I have one and got it from one of the supposed refurbishers but now I've pretty much redone or replaced everything that was originally done. Beware of throw away work.
I also believe the Willard / 6BT exhaust design is a problem. Countless posts on boatdiesel about the problem on other boats but basically, the exhaust outlet is too low and can let in seawater if engine is shutdown in a seaway. Basically Navy gets around this by launching and retrieving these boats while still running.
Lesson #1: Don't look at engine hours. If the hours are low and the engine was installed 7-8 years ago (typical Navy rotation), then more hours might actually be better. Marine age is what kills them. Sitting idle all the time on the deck of a Navy ship, sometimes half submersed in sea water in the bilge because the only maintenance is FLOCs (Fluid lube oil change).
Lesson #2: Buying a 6BT, goto boatdiesel.com and figure out how to properly survey this engine. Exhaust especially (salt water intrusion through turbo) and measure blow-by NOT compression.
Lesson #3: If you do need to replace one or all the mechanical that goes with it, expect it will cost a whole lot.
Lesson #4: I have high standards, now that I know what I know, I would buy a hull myself at auction and redo it from scratch. Basically this is now what I have.
But mine is a Cummins QSB 330hp with a Konrad 560, so it cruises at 30-34 kts and tops at 40 kts. The cruise range is 3-3.7 nm per gallon and 200+ nm range. See the Diesel Repower thread.
It's an awesome boat though. Your post says Hurricane 7m+. What do you already own?
Regarding the Diesel Willard combo. It's very comfortable in a sea. The mod boat weight is very well balanced and the drive can trim the boat up and down effectively. Yes the shock seats won't really work (you won't need them. reg seat is fine) esp if you keep the stern box. It can be removed, but you need storage somewhere and it is a good location for the diesel.
That being said. Outboards can be fixed and sometimes more easily in places such as Alaska.
BLACK PIG
Piglet
As I understood it, he would be towing the boat to Alaska, not sailing it. That adds a new dimension
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Imogen
