PORTSTBDGEN              LAST OIL CHANGE

Finish Hrs     463.2       463.5             1949.6    PORT    STBD    GEN     

Start Hrs       451.9       452.7             1892.0             353         354     1846

Used               11.3         10.8                  57.6

Warranty Issues: 

I believe that these are factory issues and need to be addressed by the factory this winter.  I am planning on being in the manufacturers area in the next month or two and am planning on dropping in and meeting with the highest person I can talk to.  We should decide what we are planning on doing before then so I can take a solid message to them.  Either they fix it correctly or we hire someone we trust and charge it back to them.  If we need to hire an attorney to send them a letter we should consider it.

Starboard Engine Mounts and Gimbal Bearing -

The engine mounts for the starboard engine were incorrectly installed during manufacture and make it impossible to properly align the engine and outdrive.  The old engine mounts need to be cut out and new ones properly installed.

The noise from the wear on the gimbal bearings is so loud you can hear it with the engine at idle from the front of the boat.

Fuel Gauges  –

As with both trips last year (2004) the fuel gauges do not accurately reflect the amount of fuel actually in the tank.  When I measured during the trip the following was indicated:

Port Fuel Gauge showing EMPTY – Actual amount measured manually is 1/3 plus.

Starboard Fuel Gauge showing HALF – Actual amount measured manually is ½  plus.

Fuel Tanks –

At no point during the trip were the tanks equal in amount of fuel.  My understanding is that the tanks are set up to equalize in volume.  I checked both tanks 3 times during the trip.  At no time were they even close on equal distribution of fuel.

Damage:

Hull & Rub Rail –

Both the Port and Starboard forward bow areas have large dents and scrapes.  These dents appear to be from someone hitting large rocks.  There is red residue in the scrape marks on each side of the bow.  There is also a large enough dent in the Port Rub Rail at the forward corner to have buckled the deck planking it is attached to.

Starboard Strake –

The Starboard Strake is bent in the center.  Someone has attempted to repair the damage with Vice Grips.  After talking to Chris and looking at the damage again I believe that this damage was done while the boat was being loaded onto the trailer.  Chris was not in after the first day so I did not get a chance to talk to him about it again BUT I believe we should approach LPM about repairing this damage.  I don’t believe a member would have tried to fix the problem with vice grips.  I will talk to Chris this week.  The last time I talked to him he admitted that the damage could have happened when LPM was loading the boat.

Upper Deck Rear Carpet –

There are fireworks burns in the carpet on the upper deck carpet.  These burns also appear on the covers for the upper deck cushions.  This was obviously done by an owner.

Upper Deck Cushions -

The upper deck cushions have cigarette and or fireworks burns on them.  This was obviously done by an owner.

NOTE:  In the case where we can identify the member(s) who caused any of the above damage they should be charged for the replacement or repair of the damage.

Repairs:

Repairs Done:

Closet Door –

The closet door next to entertainment center was sticking.  I moved the outside frame of the door 3/8” and screwed it to the floor with 2” stainless screws.  I also screwed the hinged side of the frame to the floor.  The problem is with the door frame on the hinge side.  It is warping badly.  If the screws I installed do not hold things in place I will remove the veneer from the frame, rip the frame itself and replace the veneer.  I did not have putty to fill in the holes I created in the base of the frame when installing the screws but will take care of that in the Spring.  The door should not be cut.

Forward Bathroom Lighting –

The light fixture bracket was loose and needed to be re-connected to the light housing.  In addition there was one light bulb missing and the one on the loose housing had a bad filament causing it to light intermittently.   Both bulbs have been replaced.

Flybridge Wiring –

When the Sat Phone was installed the cover plate for the wiring box on the upper deck was removed and not replaced.  In addition the wiring under the Flybridge Console was a tangled mess from the factory.  None of the wiring was secured according to code.  I straightened the wiring, secured it according to code (for the most part) and replaced the cover to the wiring box.  I used stainless screws to secure the cover (see attached pics).

CO2 Sensor Replaced –

The CO2 sensor in the forward bedroom went off and I could not reset it.  The connections in the copper tubing supplying propane to the stove in the kitchen were loose and leaking gas.  That was setting off the alarm.  I replaced the old sensor with the new spare we had.  I am not sure if the old sensor is good.  We need to get another one to replace the one I used.

Propane Connector Fitting Lose on Stove –

The copper tubing supplying propane to the stove has a splice behind the stove.  The connection was loose and causing the CO2 sensor to go off in the forward bedroom.  All connections on the stove and supply tubing have been tightened and checked for leaks.

Floor and Ceiling Holes –

There was a large hole in the floor behind the stove which allowed mice to get from the main cabin into the hold.  That hole has been plugged with aluminum foil.  The wire box in the floor on the upper deck had a hole with a large gap where the wires passed through.  This allowed mice to get from the upper deck into the ceiling.  That hole has been plugged with aluminum foil.

Component Cables –

During a previous maintenance visit I added component cables to the DVD player and TV.

Suggested Repairs:

Awning Pinholes –

On the day we departed I notice several pinholes in the awning in several areas.  These pinholes were cause by welding splatter when the awning frame was built.  I could not find the fabric glue and sunbrella material we had left on an earlier repair trip.  I will take a file and more fabric during the Winter and make the repairs.

Hull Repairs –

We should plan on either making repairs on our own to the damaged areas in the bow and rub rail or have the repairs done.  I am not sure how difficult it would be to pound out the damaged areas.  The bent portion of the strake should be cut off and replaced.  This could be done this Winter.

Re-caulking of Shower –

The white caulking where the upper shower lining meets the wall is shrinking and exposing raw fiber board backing to water.  This should be repaired over the Winter or in the Spring.  I left a new tube of white caulking on board (I did not have the time to make the repair).  The shower sleeve and wall should be taped off with painters tape before the caulk is applied to avoid the kind of sloppy caulking job done at the factory.  I will do this during the Winter or during our Spring cleaning retreat.

Jet Ski Lift –

On check off I noticed that the pin hole for the pin that holds the Jet Ski lift in place are no longer aligned.  Due to time constraints I was not able to fix the problem before I left.  I will make the repair during the Winter or Spring cleaning.

Sat Phone Wiring –

I have never seen such a sloppy job of installation in my entire life.  We should either make the installer clean it up and do it right (not likely they are capable), redo it ourselves or take the thing out.  It is an eyesore and the shielding for the wiring will not last 2 seasons exposed to UV and elements.

Upgrades:

Lower Bedroom Hallway Sink –

This Lower Bedroom Hallway Sink is lake water.  We were told on check in that it (as well as the top deck sink) are fresh water.  The top deck sink IS freshwater.  The lower bedroom hallway sink is LAKE WATER.  This makes the sink virtually useless for brushing teeth or anything else requiring clean water.  We should install a fresh water tap similar to the ones used in the other sinks on this sink.  I would be a simple matter to install a faucet and tap into the existing fresh water lines below decks.  This could be done during the Winter or in the Spring by us.

Plank Extension with a Water Tray – 

During out stay we raised the forward part of the plank leading to the beach and put it on a stand sitting in a tray of water.  During out stay on the lake over 15 mice drowned on the water tub at the base of the stand because once the got in the tub the could not climb to the plank (see pics).  I would strongly suggest we have a plate with small support pillars fabricated that will be fit the end of the plank and be stable enough to hold weight.  This plank can be placed in a tub of water.  Between the plate and tub of water mice will not be able to get on board. 

I have taken measurements and will draw up specs for a bid for fabrication.

Moving the plank connection plates back 2” from the bow would also make it more difficult for mice to get on board even without the plate and tub.  This would require fabrication of new mounts and welding.

Lacking such a system the plank should be removed when not in use and at night.

Stereo –

The stereo worked but should still be upgraded when funds allow. 

Problems:

Mice –

When we took possession of the houseboat there were at least 6 mice on board from previous usage.  We caught all of them but one and think we managed to poison the one that got away.  This problem CAN be avoided with a few simple steps (see above). We caught over 16 mice during out stay trying to get on board (see pics).  Despite a record problem with mice on the lake no mice got on board while we were on the lake (they all drowned trying to get on board).

Transducer –

The transducer the factory sent appeared to have the correct plug fitting BUT it was the incorrect transducer.  The transducer sent was not a flush mount and would have stuck out from the hull over 2” had it been installed.  I did not install the new transducer.

Starboard Engine –

A)  The starboard engine was a little stubborn starting and had to run for several minutes before it would run when put in gear.  A tune up should fix the problem.

B)There was an exhaust leak I could hear but could not find.  It appears to be on the starboard side of the starboard engine.  It was difficult to locate due to the noise the gimbal bearing was making.

Engine Compartment –

The blower motor located on the Port side inside the engine compartment is making noise like the bearings are going out.  I suspect the blower has been run continuously while some owners have been underway.  The blowers used on this boat are not rated for continuous running.  I checked the amount of air being displaced with the blower running and it was insignificant.  The blower needs to be replaced.

Slide –

A) The white plastic hose that feeds water to the slide on the rear of the boat is cracked and broken.  It should be replaced with special black polymer hose or copper.  I have black hose and will replace the hose this Winter or in the Spring.

B) The end of the slide has been damaged.  The underside should have fiberglass applied to prevent further splitting and separating.  This could be done during out Spring cleaning.

Outdrive Tie Bar –

When the houseboat was removed from the water I noticed the outdrives were not aligned properly (not even close).  Upon further inspection I noticed that the bolt holding the tie bar (located in the engine compartment against the transom) to the port outdrive had dropped out and the outdrives were no longer physically connected.  LPM said they would re-install a new bolt.  We need to check to make sure a NyLock nut has been used to prevent this from happening again.

The outdrive position indicator had stopped working on our way into the dock.  My guess is that was due to the bar coming loose.  This should be checked when the tie rod is re-bolted to the port drive.

General Notes:

oI noticed that the skeg on the port outdrive had been sheared off and repaired with a weld.  Both skegs had damage and were tweaked.  My concern is not only that the problems are occurring but also that the management group of the houseboat was not / has not been notified of the damage or repair.

oOver the season the houseboat has sustained a significant amount of exterior damage.  We have not been notified and it has not been reported by owners or LPM.  The damage is significant enough to have been easily noticed on return of the boat.  The damage could not have been done without noticing when it took place.  The fact that we did not receive notice from a member or LPM is very problematic if we intend on maintaining the value and asthetics of the boat.

oIt is my understanding that if damage is caused to the boat by negligence by an owner, the owner causing the damage is responsible for the repair or cost of the repair for the damage done.  We need to find a way to strictly enforce this or we are going to have a bucket of bolts in a few years.

oSome of the repairs done by LPM could have been done by us for less cost.  A good example is small holes that were welded in the hull.  If these were above the water line we could have used aluminum epoxy as was done with 2 other holes that were above the water line.  The cost for repair for those holes was less than $6.  the epoxy is every bit as strong as the welding that was done.  I know that LPM only has 24 hours to turn the boat but it seems like we should have some mechanism in place for approval of work done on the boat before it is done.  Otherwise it is a blank check for LPM.

oWhen the owners complain about the additional fees for our yearly fees they need to be reminded that it is only through their diligence that we can avoid additional expenses (carpet, cushion covers, slide, hull damage…..the list goes on).

oIn talking with LPM they mentioned that they are starting to see problems with weakening of roofs on the rear of houseboats when the newer heavier Jet Skis are being stowed on the upper decks.  We upgraded our boom to handle heavy Jet Skis.  We need to keep a close eye on this and be thinking of a way to prevent a problem.