SAFEBOATS Defender 25

Spartan Islander · 06 December 2014, 01:23

This thread is for those of you interested in the wave of over 500 Safeboats that are coming out for auction by the US Government.

Please browse gsaauctions.gov for around 5 sample boats for sale as of this writing.

I will be discussing what equipment they usually are sold with/without and how to bring the boat up to condition without breaking the bank.

There is the official operation manual with heaps of information (search for COMDTINST_M16114_37A on the net) . I am open for your questions.

Chapter 1, painting.

tworotorturbo · 06 December 2014, 22:48

Its probably noted in the manual but I havnt got that far yet... How are the collars attached? Easier to paint them while still attached rather than remove them?

Keep the pictures coming! Thanks

Spartan Islander · 09 December 2014, 12:50

The removal of collars promised to be very involved and time consuming so we painted in place. It came out real fine . The collars had just been installed by the coasties so I did not want to mess with a professional installation . Plus Safeboats is not really catering to the second hand individual customer . If some part breaks during disassembly, I would be pretty much in by myself .

Spartan Islander · 12 December 2014, 00:54

Chapter 2 engine installation.

The boat's transom is uniquely built to accommodate 30" shaft outboards. The smalles t30" outboards are 225hp, making the repower a very expensive proposition. Plus, as its intended use as a survey/workboat, did not require a 50 knot top speed. After much deliberating, we decided to design a custom bracket based on stock (off the shelf) structural aluminum angles. The bracket would offset the engines from the transom about 18", while providing a 5" inch drop I mounting position to fit 25" shaft outboards. Then 115 hp 4stroke Yamaha's were installed. Trial runs with 3 crew, full gas, 2 foot seas is 32 knot top speed and a 21 knot cruise at 4600rpm. Motors are not giving full rpm's so it may benefit from a drop in prop pitch. However, we are satisfied with current performance. Motors are not counter rotating. Pictures to follow .