Prestige 36 with Damaged Props & Shafts - Should I buy it?

[snowdn]

Hi,
I am considering buying a 2007 Prestige 36 that was run aground and the props and shafts had been damaged. The boat yard (a reputable Jeanneau Dealer) is currently carrying out full repair work, replacing P Brackets, both shafts and one of the props, as well as all other related work.
Should I look out for anything in particular in relation to the work being carried out, and is there anything that I should be concerned with. They have been fully upfront in telling me about the damage, and they say that it will be repaired fully, and I believe them, and overall its in fairly clean and good condition.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[snowdn]

Just to add to my last post... one of my concerns is that if the shafts or props or fitted just a mm out of line, that there could be undue wear around props, shaft, engine... and that I may have to replace parts sooner than normal.

As its a brokerage boat, there is not going to be a guarantee. Should I expect a warranty on the repair work. Even if I get one, the best I am going to get is probably 12 months, but it will most likely be 13-14 months before the boat comes out of the water for servicing next season... Feb/Mar 2015

[MalcolmP]

Whilst I am not a powerboater, if it was me I would be considering; are there alternative boats, or is this one (other than the damage) good value and in better condition than I would expect for an equivalent model

You could ask for an independent surveyor/marine engineers opinions at the cost to the purchaser

Whilst I think it is good they are being upfront about the damage/repair, if it was say an Audi A6 that had been damaged and fixed, even if to a high standard, I would still expect a good discount as a trade off, or I would be looking elsewhere

Only other thing I can think of is that depending on how long you keep the boat, the issue might well come out when you resell - and that might depress the price

Good luck with your decision

Malcolm

[napoleon]

If the engines are correctly located then aligning new shafts is no different to that when they were fitted as new.
A proper installation will involve aligning the shafts with a dial indicator gauge to the gearbox output shafts using machined flanges as datums.
The P brackets will be aligned with either a propshaft or a shaft mandrel specifically designed for the purpose.
Either way there is no reason why the repair cannot be as good (or better) than the original.
If it were me I would ask for an alignment certificate or full inspection report detailing tolerences and actual achieved results.
This information must be available as it is part of the alignment procedure and will be used by the installing engineer as part of the final tuning.
I would have no qualms about such a repair especially as the dealer is an appointed agent.
Regards,
Napoleon

[snowdn]

Nov 17, 2013 20:47:43 GMT napoleon said:

If the engines are correctly located then aligning new shafts is no different to that when they were fitted as new.
A proper installation will involve aligning the shafts with a dial indicator gauge to the gearbox output shafts using machined flanges as datums.
The P brackets will be aligned with either a propshaft or a shaft mandrel specifically designed for the purpose.
Either way there is no reason why the repair cannot be as good (or better) than the original.
If it were me I would ask for an alignment certificate or full inspection report detailing tolerences and actual achieved results.
This information must be available as it is part of the alignment procedure and will be used by the installing engineer as part of the final tuning.
I would have no qualms about such a repair especially as the dealer is an appointed agent.
Regards,
Napoleon

Thanks Napoleon,
As a further update, it turns out that they did the alignment when the boat was out of the water, and this puts out the alignment as the boat is not in its natural, non-weight bearing position. They have done further realignment to get it correct.

In am being told that the job of alignment is some what of a black art, and takes time. It doesn't seem that they are using the methods that you mentioned for the alignment, and so I wouldn't expect them to be able to provide cents of alignment or tolerances. Should I be concerned  at this.

[napoleon]

It is normal for final alignment to take place once the vessel is back in the water and for the reason you have given regarding weight distribution. At this this stage the final tuning is achieved by adjusting the position of the engine on it's mountings normally in quite small increments in any of three directions.
The squareness of the gearbox output shaft and drive flange to the mating part on the propshaft can be checked with a dial indicator or with feeler gauges.
Either way the engineer doing the job will be able to tell the accuracy to which he has been able to set the engine which should be to within a few thousandths of an inch.
It is possible to have a greater amount of error if the coupling between the gearbox and the propshaft has a flexible drive arrangement either by rubber bushes or a constant velocity coupling although the latter items were not fitted as standard (to my knowledge).
Normal adjustments, although possible in three planes, are usually only required in two ie. pitch and height. This is because the effect of yaw is countered by the original engine mounting locations which once set are bolted down and should not require any further attention for the life of the boat.
If new engine mounts have been fitted it is possible that some sideways adjustment would be required although unlikely.
I would not describe the adjustments as a black art but it does require a systematic approach with frequent checks as the adjustments are made.
Once the vessel is back in the water it should be no more than a couple of hours work to achieve a proper alignment.
Regards,
Napoleon

[snowdn]

thanks to everyone for your advice.

regards,
snowdn

[MalcolmP]

Mar 10, 2014 23:00:03 GMT snowdn said:

thanks to everyone for your advice.

regards,
snowdn

So did you buy her in the end? Do let the board know

[snowdn]

Sorry Malcolm. Should have let you all know. Yes, I bought it in the end. Travelled the 10 hours only in the last few weeks on delivery trip, and it was a treat. Very happy with the boat.
info on the P brackets and alignment was invaluable, thanks again for all contributions.

[MalcolmP]

Glad the purchase went OK and you are pleased.

Do send a photo when you can - we don't get many of our power boat cousins. You can upload at:

www.jeanneau-owners.com/photogallery.html

Have a great season with her, the Irish coast is fantastic

[jeffc]

Bought my 2008 42 Fly under similar circumstances...$200k insurance claim at the end of the day. Based on multiple surveys and 120 hrs of use later I truly believe that I got a boat that was in as good, if not better, condition than when it left the factory and I got new running gear and transmissions to boot.

Enjoy your Prestige

Jeff