In need of a good guy near South Portland, Maine

[gary randall]

Forumites,

I am posting this for my son, Kyle. I have been helping him get his engine working and we have made some progress, but I have some things I need to do and can't help out a while:

I have a Tartan 27 with a 1980's A4. I'm trying to go south for the winter, but first I need the engine to run consistently. I can do the work but I need somebody to tell me what to do, or at least point me in the right direction. Does anybody know a guy in the area?
Thanks.

[ArtJ]

There are some excellent people on this Forum that can help you.
Perhaps you should begin by relating what you have done already,
and most importantly what problems you are having.

Regards

Art

[ArtJ]

If you are really intent on getting a mechanic, perhaps you might start
by contacting Hansen Marine in Marblehead Mass. They are a Westerbeke
distributor and should be able to steer you to some local mechanics that
are familiar with the Atomic 4 Engine.

[jhwelch]

It is already the middle of November. Even if Kyle's motor was running 100% perfectly it is too late to be going south in a small boat. You don't want him to be in the news as someone the Coast Guard had to pull in after a storm.

The latest I ever left to go south was the 1st of October, and it was a pretty miserable trip: cold and waiting out a lot of storms.

[hanleyclifford]

I have to agree that it is getting late unless you are prepared for a winter passage. Any sort of trouble could delay you in a place where you would not be in a position to turn back. I left Massachusetts once October 26 and sailed into Fernandina on Christmas day. Now my personal rule is to leave no later than mid September. Of course if you are prepared to spend the money to stay in Marinas that changes the equation.

[sailbristol]

its too late

I left from CT nov 1st and it was a miserable and exspensive trip south had to spend many days at marinas to wait out weather and keep warm. I would get the boat and motor in tip top shape and do it next fall

[hanleyclifford]

Whether or not to make a winter passage is a personal choice. As I look back on it the experience was challenging and educational - but I was sixteen years younger! As a former winter fisherman (scalloper) I am familiar with the issues of life on a boat in winter. If you decide to do this talk to your local fisherman about the best clothing, oilers etc. I do respect anyone who does such a passage. BTW, know that even with a 5' draft you can run the inside between Manesquan and Atlantic City PROVIDED the Hwy bridge is operating at Brielle - call ahead! You will have to go out between Atlantic City and Cape May unless you can make 35' bridges.

[UsailIbail!]

You can do it!

Gary,

This IS a wonderful site for advice. My son is working on a rebuild and the folks here are a HUGE help! Read his adventure on the thread "12 year olds rebuild" if you have the time. Generally, if you post a question you will have plenty of suggestions by tool time the following day. I reposted a picture for you of my son just before he got to the heart of the problem. He is having lots of forum help in the recovery process. (Sounds kind of like a 12-step program for motor junkies!).

Good luck!

Jay - Ebbens dad.

[ArtJ]

I have often known of people heading South that wouldn't leave until
November in order to avoid the Hurricane Season.

No personal experience though.

Regards

[smosher]

I love the smile on your son !!!

He'll remember the project that he did with his dad for the rest of his life,

[smosh]

Forumites,

I am posting this for my son, Kyle. I have been helping him get his engine working and we have made some progress, but I have some things I need to do and can't help out a while:

I have a Tartan 27 with a 1980's A4. I'm trying to go south for the winter, but first I need the engine to run consistently. I can do the work but I need somebody to tell me what to do, or at least point me in the right direction. Does anybody know a guy in the area?
Thanks.

Gary - i know it's 5.5 years later....is your son still in South Portland? My Tartan 30 in South Portland summers.

and i'm looking for an A4 guru in the area.