Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

[LilAnxious]

Well the first water test run on the 72 Islander went well today. Boat didnt leak a bit. Not a bit of water taken on. Motor and drive both ran strong. Couple questions though.

1) Balance. Very little static weight load in the boat. Seats & old fuel tanks removed. The whole thing tilted when one of us moved. I am assuming once I add seats, hardware, fishing gear, and fifty gallons or so of fuel it will balance a lot better. Any input?

2) Thermostat. Water temp probably about fifty degrees. The thermostat never opened. Gauge warmed up to about the mid of the green and never past, but not sure how accurate this is. Gonna change it anyways this winter. Never got it to open either running on ears. Wondered if this was normal on ears or in cool water.

3) Little smoke out the oil breather at higher RPM's (4000). Nothing massive just a bit. Boat has been layed up for 7 years. Fresh oil and filter. Didnt know if this means I need to dig a little deeper in this motor, or maybe old build up.

I'll also ask the last two questions in the engine section. Any thoughts or advice appreciated.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

Lilanxious...glad to hear that the motor runs and that the hull doesn't leak. Two huge victories right there alone

As far as the hull rocking when you move, those deep-V hulls will do that even when it seems like the wide beam should prevent it. I've been on 24' fiberglass rigs that have 100+ gallon fuel tanks and they will still list a bit just from a 200lbs guy moving port to starboard on deck. Nothing will prevent that altogether but added weight will help.

Do you have a belly fuel tank that hasn't been filled yet? 50 gallons weighs quite a bit so that will help if it's situated low in the hull.

Possibly adding trim tabs and keeping them flat would add a bit of stability maybe, and keeping any weight as low as possible in the boat.

Post some video of her planing out if ya can...we'd love to see her in action

 

[North Beach]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

LA, that tilting thing sounds about right, although mine doesn't seem to lean but just a little to the fat captian side

What engine? 120 or 140?

And I just gotta say again your boat looks good....seriously!

 

[Kainon]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

1. Balance.. Yea.. thats what I get too..

2. Thermostat: Well if the water is cold (50) yea.. it will run cold especially if the cooling system, impeller, manifolds, circulation pump is in good order.. yea it should stay cool.. depending on the prop and how much weight in the boat will affect a little due to more strain on the engine too.. and how high and long you take the RPMS.. I see this a lot on ears as the engine isn't making much heat.

3 Smoke at high RPMs.. well could be stuck rings.. there's a few things you can do (additives) etc.. to help that.. also could be valve guide seals, valve guides.. or just 1 or 2 worn cylinders.. 1 of the first things I feel you should've done was a compression test ( as you didn't mention it ) this well give you an idea on the condition of the engine.

hope this helps. - brian

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

Your thermostat should work no matter how cold the water. Replace.
Run the engine some see if she burns oil, check compression, check oil pressure with a manual gauge when the engine is at operating temp to see if it is good.
Caution do not use any brass pipe or fittings to install the manual oil pressure gauge. Brass will fracture quickly due to vibration.
If all checks out good I would run the engine.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

Elkhunter is right, about the Heating, The thermostat makes sure it runs at the right temp reguardless of the water temp. Sounds like the thermostat is faulty or there is not one installed. Engine is also used for heating the interior. if so plumbed. Very important to get it right as a lot of problems result if to cold or to hot. It should be about a 140 thermostat if that has a in line 6 or a in line 4cy engine. Oh and use a Marine thermo. there stainless steel and reccommended.

 

[Kainon]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

Temp Gauges usually start @ 100F so if it moved off the bottom, and moved say 1/8"-1/4" that would be about right, you can put a gauge on that has numbers to help. the thermostat could be stuck a little open, given the age it's not a bad idea to change it.

See the line between 100 and 175.. that's 140, typical temp rating for raw water cooled I/O's.

And having a gauge like this classic mercruiser, the green section is huge, from 140F-220F I beleive.

How do you know the thermostat didn't open? having you hand on the hose from the therm housing to the riser.. it should be cool as cold water comes in, fills the block ( get's circulated ) only when it's hot does it come out and go into the manifold, as long as the engine wasn't overheating, that means the water it's taking in is cooling the engine, the thermostat not opening means the waters not getting hot enough, your not generating enough heat, that's a good thing !!

Still, best to change the thermostat, remove and clean the sender threads, electrical contacts and any rust inside the housing.

 

[efgolden]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

Place your thermostat in a sauce pan on your kitchen stove and observe while using a candy thermometer ......you will have your answer within 5 minutes.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

Testing the stat can actually be done without the candy thermometer . The way my dad taught me was pretty simple bring the saucepan to a boil and drop in the stat if it opens its good if it doesnt its bad . This test was always performed on new replacement thermostats ( you would be surprised how many dont open new right out of the box .)


Rick

 

[AmigoAzul]

Re: Islander Test Run.. Couple Questions

I had a 21 ft Trophy with trim tabs. If I didn't trim the balance would be off with 2 on one side. Nothing to worry about. Tell the third guy to get in the middle.