What should I look for in a 36 Gulfstar

I agree that's why I will be there with the marine diesel mechanic and surveyor. If it doesn't have good external filtering I can assure you it will have them after I am the new owner.
Kurt sent me a bunch of pictures let me see if I can spot any external filters. I ended up not spending as much time as I would have liked to in the boat due to a huge wasp nest I discovered after noticing all the dead wasps in the salon and bow area there were even a few dead one's in the ER. Once I found the nest it was still active probably a hundred plus wasps that tried to attack but it was just a bit too cold lucky for me.
The broker sent someone over to bomb the boat and remove and kill the nest.
I just reviewed Kurt's ER room pictures each engine and the generator have stand alone fuel filters, I can not make out the type other then they are remote filters with what looks to be screw on/off glass containers.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

I'm actually thinking about removing the entire upper helm and structure for the real estate needed for a killer solar array and antenna farm.
I have seen a few 32' Grand Banks where the upper helm and skirt was removed making the vessel a Sedan Trawler.

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Argh! I doubt I could live without my flybridge; better visibility, better breezes, better... everything. I really liked having a lower station on a previous boat... but I only used it probably about twice it our lifetime. We tried a "one-story" (rancher? boat after that as an experiment, didn't like not having visibility, especially given all the crab pots around here.

I'd consider a load-bearing hardtop, first, probably with a decent enclosure. A solar array on top of that could likely work...

-Chris
 
Bill if you are going hog wild, think about a place for a freezer. They come in handy down here in the Bahamas!

Edit: AND

Be cautious with all of the antennas. They can blank out a panel by swiping shade across the panel. But I think you know what to expect from solar. But isn't this going to have less real estate?
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

Bill if you are going hog wild, think about a place for a freezer. They come in handy down here in the Bahamas!

Edit: AND

Be cautious with all of the antennas. They can blank out a panel by swiping shade across the panel. But I think you know what to expect from solar. But isn't this going to have less real estate?

Click to expand...
I will not put a hardtop on this boat. This is answering Chris question.

Dan if I take off the upper helm and make the boat a sedan trawler I would have about the same real estate as Wireless One for solar and antennas. I might add panels on the aft cabin roof area. Since I already have an AIR-X wind generator that will add to my off grid charging. Worst case I leave the upper helm alone and install 2 panels on the aft cabin roof and just the wind generator. I'm not going to spend an enormous amount of money for a hardtop that limits my ability to have the boat transported over land, sell it in the future, take the Erie Canal or other ICW offshoots with this vessel. I do plan on doing most if not all cruising from the lower helm. If it works for me then I will think about removing the upper helm.
I am well aware of the need to limit shading when using solar panels.
I haven't given much thought to a separate freezer yet Dan. I am however thinking about adding a Hydronic hot water and heating system.
Thanks,
Bill
 
Talk to the S.O. about having a freezer if you intend to be on the water for an extended period of time. Pack up your favorites with a vacuum sealer and fill the freezer. You'll be good to go.

We have a 3 cubic foot freezer and it makes our time aboard much easier. However, I wish it was buried into a sofa or settee and I have seen custom installations of that sort.

Freezers on marine reefers are small unless you are going custom or household.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

I will not put a hardtop on this boat. This is answering Chris question.

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And to more completely flog a dead horse... :)

An enclosed flying bridge effectively adds another whole "room" to a boat, more weather-proof space to hang out in, another area for some alone time when useful, comfortable sundowners even when the weather sucks, etc etc etc.

Not to worry, I realize you'll be setting it up the way you want it... Just letting some of my own hard-earned preferences show through :)

Edit: I've seen some decent T-tops on smaller center consoles that give me the idea that "canvas" of some sort stretched over structural pipe -- with appropriate support bows for water run-off and snow melt -- could maybe enable satisfactorily enclosing an upper helm but without the full expense and extra weight of an actual hardtop... Not sure I've seen that done, though...

-Chris
 
Consider running the boat for a while before deciding to remove the upper helm. The visibility is much better which is helpful when docking, in crowded conditions, in the ICW when getting waked by an approaching boat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by pdecat

Consider running the boat for a while before deciding to remove the upper helm. The visibility is much better which is helpful when docking, in crowded conditions, in the ICW when getting waked by an approaching boat.

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That's exactly what I plan on doing Bruce, running it as is. Then I will know if I can live without the upper helm.
Chris you're telling a guy with an enclosed hardtop about the pleasures of having one. I agree with some of your points but if hardtops were the be all end all there would be few if any pilothouse or express type boats.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Chris you're telling a guy with an enclosed hardtop about the pleasures of having one. I agree with some of your points but if hardtops were the be all end all there would be few if any pilothouse or express type boats.
Bill

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Ceasing and desisting... :)

-Chris
 
quote:
Originally posted by ranger42c

quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

Chris you're telling a guy with an enclosed hardtop about the pleasures of having one. I agree with some of your points but if hardtops were the be all end all there would be few if any pilothouse or express type boats.
Bill

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Ceasing and desisting... :)

-Chris

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No reason to cease and desist, I'm at least leaving it on for the season to see if I think it makes a difference....
The boat has a Bimini top to get some shade. I'm told the owners just had all new window covers and the Bimini over the winter. I haven't seen them yet.
Bill
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

No reason to cease and desist, I'm at least leaving it on for the season to see if I think it makes a difference....
Bill

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Just figured I've pestered you enough about it :)

-Chris
 
Great news today the vessel pretty much passed it's hull survey or I should say the out of the water survey. Now I will be trying to schedule the Sea Trial. It looks like this is the "one" at least so far. Hopefully with any luck I can get that scheduled for this week! My list of systems I want to install is growing.
Bill
 
Good luck. Run it hard and hope she don't blow up!
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

Good luck. Run it hard and hope she don't blow up!

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The engines outside appearances can be deceiving. They look like they are new and not "rattle can" rebuilt. I'll run it within limits, see how they cold start, amount of smoke, etc....
Thanks Dan,
Bill
 
It should hit WOT and not over heat after some time. No smoke out the pipes except white steam if anything. Soot is no good but could be a simple fix. Good luck!
 
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