Sold My Boat

[JOHN COOKSON]

At the moment I don't have plans buy a new one. I plan on staying active in the forum at least for awhile. I enjoy the Afourian camaraderie.

My Catalina 27 was built in 1980. I purchased the boat from the first owner in early 1983. Before the purchase I asked the owner if I could look at the dipstick. The bozo didn't know where the dipstick was! I think it is safe to say that I have been the only person that has touched the engine since the boat left the factory. Nobody but me has ever worked on the engine. I never paid to have the engine worked on. I trust myself more than anybody.

The A4 has been sweet little engine. I attribute this to two things: Using MMO in the oil and gas and starting the engine every two weeks and run it at operating temp for ~15 minutes. I live in southern California which makes this possible.

Brief Engine history:
3 New coils - The first rusted out
Repack ~ 15 year ago
New electronic fuel pump
2 New exhaust hot sections
Regular oil changes and Tune ups. Still have points.
New MMI water pump. The Oberdorfer would not quit leaking. RWC engine.
Acid flush every 4 - 5 years.
Unblocked the manifold water passage 3 or 4 times.
Carb rebuild 6 or 7 times. Finally got a decent fuel filter system.
Fuel pressure gauge
Valve on the bypass.
Rewired. One solid wire from A -> B. I got tired of chasing wiring problems.
IMO not to bad for 36 years.

I am encouraging the new owner to become a forum member.

Fair winds and smooth seas all.

ex TRUE GRIT

[Administrator]

As I would say to any veteran, thank you for your service.

Bill

[Surcouf]

thank you!
It is great to have an owner feedback of 30 years of ownership, and get a good idea for equipment life expectancy!!!

[Dave Neptune]

John, great post!! I sold my boat with the A-4 some time ago now and still "play" on the site. I have a fondness for old engines. The oldest I have worked on was an irrigation pump of about 8 HP and weighed 1700 pounds including the flywheel. Really early pre 1900 and fuel injected as carbs hadn't been developed yet.

Stay active as your advice is some of the best!!

Fair winds _)

Dave Neptune

[roadnsky]

John-
Please don't be a stranger.
You are a valued member and contributor to this wonderful "ship of fools"!

[thatch]

John, A4s may run on gasoline but they "survive" on maintenance and sound repair methods. Thank you for all that you have contributed to our A4 world.
Tom

[sailhog]

Thanks for all of your help through the years, John. MUCH appreciated.

[Don Moyer]

Thank you!

John, just to add my personal thanks along with the rest of our MMI Team for your generous sharing of your experience over a large number of years. Your contributions have most helpful to a great many people. Don

[DDO]

Very interesting... thanks.

I loved your post. I took over my dear Atomic 4 in 2006 and was shocked to find no one would work on it nearby, so I became the sole caretaker. It turned out that I love caring for it and have since become very interested in engines, history and design as well. My list is growing to look like yours, just a few more things to do... By the way, the engine is in a sailboat, not like just sitting in my living room... Ranger 29 sloop.

[Mo]

Thanks John

This is not a good bye, as we know you'll be around. Sure enjoyed your posts over the years and looking forward to more. Catch you on the fly brother.

[JOHN COOKSON]

FREE MOYER A4 MANUAL

My days of dwell and carburetors are over.

I am offering my good as new Moyer manual to the Afourian community free.
I'll pay the shipping charge.
I will send it to the the first member that sends me a PM with their mailing name and address. The winner will be notified by PM.

This is the same way that I received the manual from a "retiring" forum member. I feel that it only fitting to continue the what I hope becomes a tradition.

ex TRUE GRIT

[Administrator]

This is not a good bye, as we know you'll be around. Sure enjoyed your posts over the years and looking forward to more. Catch you on the fly brother.

+1. Tnx for all.

Bill

[Dave Neptune]

Keep the A-4's alive!

John, thanx for your insights and shared knowledge. I too no longer have an A-4, however I still have a great love for old engines like the "venerable A-4". I sold her about 3 1/2 years ago and I still consider this site as "playing in the sand box". I did buy a bigger boat with a stinker and now I am maintaining her. Not really a lot different other than the fuel and HP.

I still have my MMI A-4 coffee cup aboard for my coffee. When it gets noticed and I get a comment I always say, "I think the diesel is getting weak and I'm considering replacing it with 2 A-4's". Then I get very surprised faces and a comment or two.

Dave Neptune

[Ando]

John-
Please don't be a stranger.
You are a valued member and contributor to this wonderful "ship of fools"!

Yes!