'38 flat deck project need help!
 

Fellas,glad to find the site and forum is an understatement!
Just got a wake up call from a friend/mechanic helping me with my recently aquired '38 offshore..
We had agreed the TRS drive units needed replacement or
upgrading(cracked housings) but disagreed on initial prices of
bravo(XR) drives (rebuilt) found in lauderdale.
I for one figured I'd try you guys here first..
Then out of the blue he calls and tells me something catostrophic is wrong with the hull and he doesn't believe I have the stomach or wallet to withstand the strain.
After days losing sleep he does agree to meet to discuss problem but has offered to buy my problem?
Then calls to postpone but after pressing the issue explains that a transom gasket has been blown by hydraulic fluid or
pressure and must be the reason boat was sold or auctiuoned?
He also states hull integrity has been compromised( prior
owner must have hit rocks-he says) and boat likely won't float!
I understood these hulls to be some of the stongest on the planet and foam filled so why shouldn't it float?
Tell me this isn't the transom gasket that's between the
gimbal and the transom..? With the transom plate on the inner flange ?Somebody tell me I'm getting bull****ted here?
Thanks in advance B..

Welcome
I think your friend/mechanic is talking with a paper a$$hole. Where are you located so we can find someone for you to looks at this?

I would not think it's all that bad... tell us more, post pictures of what is the problem... It's fiberglass so almost everything is fixable, up to a certain level... get a moisture test see how bad the hull may be, if ever it is...

Sounds about as fishy as stories come.

We have someone around you who can look at this for you. I'm assuming you looked under this and didn't see sunlight shining through the bottom so you're most likely OK. If it's the transom that's the issue, you do have the possibility of needing it replaced- that's common and not a big deal. It's dirty work but very do-able for someone with basic skills and there's no shortage of guys who can do it for you. If you were going to Bravos it needed to be done anyway- the x-dimension between the TRS and the bravo is different- basically you'd need to move the outdrive holes in your transom- meaning you have to plug it first before relocating for the new drives.

You're right- while everything is certainly breakable, the Cig 38 is pretty much up at the top of the food chain as far as nearing un-breakable. They are not foam-cored. They're fiberglass-cored. The lay glass in the mold, then they lay more, then on top of that, they add more layers. ;) They're built old-fashioned tough.

Sound like he's feeding you a bunch of crap.

i'd second that, especially if he is offering to buy it.

Hey thanks for the input guys ..it goes along way in allaying my fears and learning curve.
My BS sensor has been going off for three days!
I will be looking for an alternative shop and or storage so I
can obtain a second opinion.
I'm in the annapolis,maryland area and would greatly appreciate any ideas for someone objective to look over what
I'm dealing with.
Yeah when someone offers to buy my problem and get me
out of a jam ,the BS sensors go wild!
Much thanks Bert...email [email protected]

Try MDG Performance in Edgewater...410-956-5381. Ask for Dave. I have had a good experience with him working on my 35 Cafe.

You might want to consider going with Konrad drives as opposed to the bravos. I think that they would hold up better on that heavy hull and be an easier swap. P.M. ''Biggus" here on OSO and He will fill you in.

Roger

Thanks for the recommendation Roger! Cigg, Konrad Marine offers a bolt-on replacement drive package for the old TRS units. Warranteed to 800 hp.

Feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] and I'll send over a brochure.

Kurt

bingo, dave just did my motors as well and he is an experienced Konrad installer, saw 3 of them done in his shop in the past month.

who is the guy you are dealing with now?

Hey,thanks Chris ,Offshore,and Kurt, no there's no daylight
coming thru the hull in any direction and my BS meter has
slowed to a steady hum..
I've had the boat a few years now but only recently sold a business which should allow more time and energy to focus on my project.
I have met Dave a few years back and he was quite helpful
but at the time I didn't have a trailer and I beleive he'd just moved to new digs in Edgewater from Rhode river.
I will give him a call,I'd rather not disclose the guy right now,
he's not commercial or retail so you won't run in to him other than on the bay..
Does this board have a tech section? Wondering do later
bravo XR set ups not require transmissions? just couplings?
Thats not right is it?
Somebody throw me a lifesaver ! Jeez... Bert

This is your best bet, Call Kurt at Konrad, Great guy, great product

Randy Wild

I could be wrong - I am relatively new here myself, but I would be leary of any Mechanic that suggests XR drives as a suitable replacedment for TRS drives and doesn't mention the extensive modification of the Transom, engine placement that will be necessary to make that switch.

Again, I could be wrong here but I don't think the BRAVO XR's require transmissions - the TRS's sure as hell do.

Dave @ MGD perfomance marine in edgewater. Has konrads and experience w/ cigarettes.

If you need another option, Andy Imhoff at MD Offshore Performance in Rockville, MD is doing a beautiful job on my Sutphen.

Maryland Offshore Performance.
235A Derwood Circle
Rockville, MD 20850.
301 294 5936
www.mdoffshore.com

Cigg, here's a little testament to Cigarette strength. This boat belongs to a friend of mine. Drove it up to the top of that jetty at night after missing the channel marker! Set it back in the water the next day with a crane working from a barge and DROVE it back to the marina to put it on the trailer.:D

Now, that boat is still floating and running today. I can't see where you would have any damage so severe that the vessel can't be repaired. And, as everyone has chimed in - the Konrad is the way to go for TRS replacement. Much reconfiguration would be needed to convert to Bravo and they probably wouldn't hold up.

I'll also recommend Dave at MDG Performance. Give him a call. My 38 should be off of my trailer and on my lift in the next week to ten days. Let me know if I can help, you can throw your boat on my trailer and I'll tow it to Dave's place for you.


Craig

People helping people, The OSO family. Between the advice and the offers so far , certainly worth joining!!! Plus we need pics!!!

Croozin ..I haven't laughed so hard in weeks! That shot is priceless! Ok so rocks are no biggee huh? I'm impressed..
Thanks to all of you for the suggestions and offers, Old school, Wild, Seafordguy,Jammin,Spitfire,and Biggus ,I'd love to get the Konrads but they may just be out of my pricerange
for the moment.
I have however gotten a line on some SSM#3 's and the
entire package would come in around 10K ,that may be my
budget or close to it and they still need install.
Any opinions on Speedmasters and redone trans w/extra
clutches..
Oh and Craig ,I now have a trailer but may need some pointers on offloading without a crane?Just how is that done..
Best to all ,thanks Bert
PS where do I sign up ,I've already got my dues
worth in advise..easy

I signed up just to look at the pictures but it is also helpful for technical advice (looking at pics), etc.... Best 20 bucks I spend boating.

Step #1 unhook everything and install drain plugs in the transom

Step #2 Attach some lines to the boat and have someone hold them

Step #3 Back up the truck until the top of the tires are wet and slam on the brakes

Step #4 Park the truck, get in boat and have fun!!!







Just kidding. PM me your phone # if you need some help and I'll meet you at the ramp and give you a hand.

Craig

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

If you think the Konrads are expensive, wait till you get the estimate on Converting to Bravos and doing the transom work, sorry to give you the news, but Konrads are going to the cheapest way to go once its all said and done

Kurt can explain, just give him a call. it will be worth the long distance bill

Wild

Yep.

Well guys the update is that it's not sinking (of course).I think he's re-thought his attempt at undermining my determination
to re-rig and get a float this season.
Yeah,the gimbalhousing gasket didn't pass muster ,oh well
next, i damaged the boat by leaving unspent fuel aboard?Huh?
The closest I can compare this to is the Seinfeld episode
when the mechanic says you can't care for this car(Saab) as
well as me so I'm leaving with your car!!! Hilarious LOL!LOL!
That may be so but it is mine right !
Will get pics over the weekend of my cig '38 ,this visit I was
too pissed to see straight! thanks guys..Bert

Smartazz!!!!:D:D

Actually, what isn't so funny is that many people have no idea about those 4 easy steps or many others. And they are the ones we pass on the water each weekend!!!!:eek:

Get your boat out of there ASAP!

I'll second that for ya!!!!


How have you been Roger? Still tooling on your little project in the shed?

How have you been Russ? It's been a while. Still working away on it as time and money allow. I'm building some new bolsters for it with power drop out bottoms of my own design right now. Do you still have yours?

Roger

38 Cig
 

Bert -

I'm not clear on where you are, but if you are in Maryland, I am here in Baltimore and also in OC. Hot Duck (Will Lynch) is also in OC. I only work on my own stuff but I've owned 5 Cigarettes and Will has owned a bunch, so we can certainly give you an educated opinion if you need help.

At various times this week I will be in Ocean City and Baltimore, if you want me to look at the boat, I will gladly help.

Barry

Bert's in DC.

Now I'm curious about the joker, I mean mechanic, that had it.

Yes guys,I'm in DC.. boats in Annapolis Md, Craig thanks for the pointers but I was born the day before yesterday! Not yesterday!! I meant other than the water is there a safe manner to dry store off load without a crane? trailer to shore,
I've pretty much figured a way to take my trailer through
inspection once I've launched the boat..brilliant!!
And Barry I may need to take you up on that but i'm moving it
this weekend will keep you posted really appreciate the offer.
Chris and I have been discussing a means for me to get moving on this project and I amd really appreciative of all the comments and sentiments positive and otherwise you just don't know the level of anxiety this previous guy was trying to
convey!
Robert you really don't know this gentleman(quack) and don't want to,...he's kind of a want to be frustrated boater
retired civil servant..
Will keep all posted as soon as I register formally can send
PM's with number ,well cell 202 413 7811,thanks Bert

All you need to get the boat off the trailer is 3 screw jacks. You lower the tongue all the way down and set two jacks in the rear, under the corners of the hull, preferrably right at the outside strake. Then you crank the tongue back up. You'll probably have to put a few turns on the screws to get it up a bit. Then you put a third under the keel about halfway up (remember, the boat's center of gravity is about 12 or 13 feet up from the transom- the weight is in the back) and you lift it off. Move the trailer forward and you'll have to lower the front to a jackstand to reposition each time you come to a trailer crossbeam.

Bert,

I hope all goes smoothly and you are on the water this summer. If so, we'll have to meet up some time. Post some pictures!

Bert, youar eon the right track by getting it out of there and setting your own agenda!! Use this board to gain knowlage and get advice to find reputable people. Most of the people on this site live breath and sweat offshore and at one time or another have been in your shoes. Accept the help offered you will find you have made some good freinds.


Roger, I have been around and am still all intact. I am happy to see you are still moving forward with your project. Any power yet? My cig has never been better. I have a slip at Reefpoint now in Racine and have slowed back down to liesure boating with the hook out at the beach and a little Capitain in the cup. Give me a ring if you are ever up north maybe we can catch another big water day!!

Russ
630-215-7504

Good to hear. No power yet but have a couple of prospects.
Reefpoint is a nice marina. When I have mine together I will be spending most of my time up that way. Always enjoyed the pool.

Roger

Update; Thanks to all concerned I have successfully retreived
my boat!!! Hallelujah!!! Safely moved,stored and covered..
Appreciate all the pointers and thumbs up looking forward to
making her seaworthy this spring ,pics still coming..Bert