Search results

Welcome. No insight on that model, but I can say that in my estimation 90% of complaints over thruster performance turn out to be power related rather than thruster related. On a lot of Mainships the bow thruster is powered from the house bank. My approach would be to figure out where the...

Agreed, and I've met a number of experienced boaters from the west coast doing the Loop as well, having either shipped their boats east or bought a dedicated loop boat. The AGLCA has really popularized the route, and there are many dreaming of doing it.

I would think that if you could solve for the challenges mentioned an annual charter fee of $50-75k wouldn't be out of line. There are many folks who buy a boat specifically to loop on, then sell after completion. I think it's hard to do that for less than $50k in sunk costs for a boat like...

Cooling is a challenge under high inverter loads. There may be good convective flow through the unit by the time the fans come on. When they do come on they should be aiding the convective flow rather than trying to reverse it. If upside down this might be a problem. If you're not hammering...

Just don't charge them. There is no danger to the batteries if they're disconnected.

And maybe their marketing budget ?

Are you sure the book says 250 hrs? My book says 250 hours everywhere, but then specifies in the details that this can be extended to 375 when using a JD filter and any approved oil. Just FYI.

I'm interested in your findings. I'm following the book recommendation of 375 hours for the same engine with a similar use pattern. No testing, but the oil coming out looks like it could have run 20 hours in older engines I've owned.

It seems long for older engines. But the 3126 was developed 25+ years after the Perkins and Ford engines. My observation is that manufacturers recommendations have changed over the years to recognize the improvements in manufacturing tolerances and oil technology. My view is that for typical...

Huh. Mine is tapered, getting wider aft. I can see how a straight pipe might not be the greatest solution.

Makes sense, but doesn't sound easy ? Thinking about alternatives for you I don't think a plate rudder would perform any better than the cone, apart from ability to keep clean. The stock fitting fills most of the available space. A plate might work better at lower throttle, but that tapered...

Do you have a bow thruster? There are lots of maneuvers I wouldn't try without mine. Now when I'm in close quarters maneuvers I focus first on stern position using a combination of prop torque and forward rudder position, and use the bow thruster to position the bow relative to the stern. It...

Heh. My tastes and budget has led me to high performance sail and low performance power. Top speed and average speed are higher on my sailboat than my trawler under ideal conditions. But ideal conditions are rare. It's probably only one day out of twenty underway in my trawler that I think...

I do lots of big river cruising, and have learned to be cautious when the forecast is for current against wind anywhere. My worst experiences with waves have always involved current.

Welcome. No knowledge of the boat, sorry. None of my business, but I'm curious about having an agreement in place now that has a six month window to sign off on sea trial. I know some brokers that strongly discourage sellers from entering into such agreements. Perth is more conductive to...

I removed mine after about a year owning the boat. I left the tube intact and capped it inside. Not long after my stern thruster died, so I've been without either since. I've learned how to do without. My experience is that it helped with some maneuvers and made some maneuvers more...

I got curious and found levels for Canal Lake. https://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/waterlevels/donnees-data?Id=80&lang=en&siteId=100419 In that section they deliberately lower the levels in the winter and spring then bring them up for navigation season. Any fluctuations after that are going to be due...

Tad, thanks for your explanations. It all makes sense to me. I'm curious about cost. If I have line drawings for my hull and am able to perform incline and freeboard measurement tests according to instructions it doesn't have to be expensive, does it? I understand that you don't want to...

My understanding based on looper chatter over the years and my own casual observation is that the problematic area is below Kirkfield Lift Lock on Canal Lake. I don't doubt that the OP can make it through, but making it through without touching hard bottom is less of a sure thing. I'd attempt...

I think he said he bought it new from the builder. They were on their way back home to WI from a trip east to Quebec City. Among loopers the Mainship 390/400 is a popular choice in that size range. Lots of loopers have boats capable of 20+ knots but regularly travel at 7-9 for decent economy...

Nice to see you pop in!

Welcome. I've admire those boats in passing. Looks like a keeper to me.

Welcome. I ran into the owner of a Linnsen recently in the great lakes. He bought it new and was just completing a 3000 mile cruise. Wish I'd had more time to chat when we met. Interesting boat. But rare in North America. You don't need a displacement boat in order to noodle around the...

I've done it end to end at all times in the season. Depth doesn't vary to an appreciable degree. My draft is about four feet and I have no concerns. Every year there is a big flotilla of loopers traveling that route, and every year someone reports hitting bottom while in the channel. Last...

I have a friend who is a broker in Chicago dealing mostly in sail, and he recommends Rick Lenschow regularly. No personal experience, but it sounds like he's active and experienced in that market.