6 Years Later-DeFever 44 Trawler Tour-Engine Room Edition!

It's finally here! Part 3 of the 3 part boat tour series! We climb down in to the engine room and get up close and personal with the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components to give you a thorough understanding of what makes this boat special, and what I have done to maintain and update it. I also disclose the associated costs, and I will let you know what I love and what I don't! If you are ever looking to get a DeFever 44 or you just took ownership of one, this should be hugely helpful for you, as I show you some hidey-holes on where to find certain important components. Also, how great is this!? This 3 part series has given you close to 90 minutes of a thorough tour from bow to stern by someone who has owned, lived on, and cruised aboard this beautiful and capable ocean going trawler. You will see yet again that it is hard to beat the DeFever 44 OC for liveaboards and extended cruisers alike.
Ford Lehman Owners: here is the link to American Diesel Corp to get all of the parts and information you need:
americandieselcorp.com/

[@andrewfyakim525]

Great informative video! The 44 DeFever has always been my 'dream boat'. Now that I can well afford one, I think I've gotten too old to maintain one! ☺.... My last boat (bought new in 1986) had a Ford Lehman SP 135 NA. I loved every thing about that engine. The sound. The 2 gph fuel economy. The ease of maintenance. I had that boat and engine for 29 years, with zero issues; it never once let me down, and with that huge flywheel, just a 'burp' of the starter would make it spring to life. I did all my own maintenance, repairs and parts-replacements. It had the 'good' Borg Warner Velvet Drive transmission, and it is still running perfectly even now; 7 years after I sold the boat. I met Bob Smith (RIP) once; the 'father' of the Ford Lehman, and I bought most of my parts from American Diesel; they're a great company.

[@likeariver2237]

The best walk through presentation I've seen 👌

[@AquaCultured]

Wow! Thanks so much for the compliment. I really appreciate you watching

[@harrykrumpacker871]

As an ABYC Master Marine Systems Technician, I applaud your efforts and congratulate you on your accomplishments. If you can find a little extra space, consider a fuel polisher. As for the area under your bed in aft cabin, that would depend on how you see using your boat. A little extra fuel, water or if you spend more time at the dock, black water tank. Heck, why not all three? It's always nice to have "options"...

[@AquaCultured]

That means a lot, thanks so much Harry! Ah yes, good call on the fuel polisher, that has been on my list for a future project. And I am a big supporter of having options, I am liking the way you think! Really appreciate your input, and thanks for watching!

[@robertjerome1889]

Great job explaining your onboard systems.

[@AquaCultured]

Much appreciated Robert! Thanks so much for watching

[@stevenlageson1868]

Nice old DeFever. Great cruising boat. I had a Westerbeke gas generator on a Searay back in 2000. Pain in the butt Gen set. Loved the Diesel 9KW Onan I had on my 2006 341 Meridian. That generator had 3200 hours on it when I sold it. Engines only had 600. Spent a lot of time on anchor.

[@AquaCultured]

Diesel engines are definitely a bit less finicky! Life on the hook is hard to beat! Thanks for watching

[@Harrybollox]

Thanks for pulling up and pulling out everything, these boats are really well thought out and love the space in the ER , good choice

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much! It is an awesome boat and hard to beat!

[@gobfranklin6759]

thank you for the video. great learning for me.

[@larrymills4223]

Fantastic video. Really get to see the guts of the boat. Thanks for the tour. Look forward to more of your videos

[@AquaCultured]

Really appreciate that Larry! More to come very soon, and by soon I mean tomorrow morning 😉

[@tamaravolovik9423]

Your videos are very informative. Thanks

[@CG_ret_CWO4]

Great video!

[@grahamhunter9565]

With respect to your Westerbeke genset. I have two words, NORTHERN LIGHTS. I had an old Onan that was nasty and I got lucky and bought a used Northern Lights 5kw. Everything you've heard about the Northern Lights is true. A rock solid upgrade.

[@AquaCultured]

I love Northern Lights, that definitely would have been my choice for a replacement!

[@BobEstler]

That was very well done. You included a lot of information, thanks for sharing.

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much for that feedback, really appreciate you watching!

[@markp6334]

Very good and informative tour of your engine room. Definitely seems like a full time job to maintain that yacht. I’m sure it gives you great pleasure to show her off. I would definitely get rid of that old center tank put in a new smaller one for the extra range and utilize the left over room for more storage. Nice job.

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks very much Mark P! I love her so very much, and it can easily be a full time job! Thank you for that input, it definitely makes good sense to do that! I would really love that extra storage since I don’t have a cockpit

[@outofbounds218]

Great video!! Always detailed and extremely informative.

[@AquaCultured]

Really appreciate that feedback! Thanks for watching

[@charlescanby4641]

Excellent. Loved it and appreciate all the details.

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much for watching and letting me know you enjoyed it!

[@bassiclogic]

Smart boat owner! He is capable of doing most repairs and maintenance on this boat that he knows very well!

[@MyTube4Utoo]

A fantastic, very thorough tour.

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much! I appreciate the watch!

[@earlyc5735]

under the bed, I'd put gas struts. Then I'd put in a board for separating a new black water tank and a diesel self sealing bladder. I'd forget doing anything with that old fuel tank. If it's been empty that long, there's been no petroleum film to protect it from rust. I delt with a similar thing in my 40' sailboat. Old steel fuel tanks are notorious for problems especially when you don't have good access panels on them. The fuel bladder will be easier to place into any space than a solid hard shell tank. And if you're wondering about the safety or durability of a bladder style cell, that is what is in both Bradley fighting vehicles and the M1 tank.

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much for the input. I definitely would like to install gas struts to make access down there much easier. One thing is also pretty much certain in my mind, is abandoning the fuel tank altogether. And I am intrigued by using a fuel bladder down there, I will definitely look in to that. I have used fuel bladders on deck of a smaller vessel when going over to the Bahamas so that we did not have to fill up with expensive Bahamian fuel. Thanks again for chiming in!

[@tonymarx28]

Excellent content, Very well laid out

[@AquaCultured]

Very much appreciate that Tony, thanks for watching!

[@Stop-this714]

Amazing knowledge and help for me whom maybe buying a similar boat 🙏🏼🇬🇧

[@MrJerobona]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you so very much for watching!

[@alvinlawson9740]

Great job Butch, have good week

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you Alvin! I will do my best! Really appreciate you

[@Kusokzemli]

Beautiful place

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you!

[@tomtabler5477]

great job my friend!!!

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you Tom!

[@TrawlerLifeGreatBarrierReef]

Awesome. Thank you. I had an ocean Alexander 50 and if your not going to install a water maker I would put additional water storage under the aft stateroom bed. Just my personal opinion. Love your boat!

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much Amico, I really appreciate it. I have a fond appreciation for Ocean Alexanders as well. I actually already have a water maker, I just have never used it. However, for all I know it may not be serviceable any longer and I may get a new one some day. Thank you for your input

[@TrawlerLifeGreatBarrierReef]

Just a question. Any reason as to why you do t use your water maker. I have been looking at the price of your vessel in the United States and they are quite reasonable how Ever over here in Australia they are around the $400-$500,000 mark

[@AquaCultured]

@@TrawlerLifeGreatBarrierReef Good question. The main reason to use the water maker is if I were out doing extended cruising away from civilization and good freshwater sources were not readily available. I have not cruised in areas that do not have readily available water, so I have not yet had a reason to use the watermaker. Wow, that is quite steep in price. Over here, my model boat in the vintage of 1982-1990 range in price between $120k-200k on average

[@robbjones6475]

Really love your boat, it’s a favorite of mine. Have you looked into getting a Vynal liner of some sort. Years ago I worked on Sikorsky H3 helicopters and was down in crawling around in the fuel cells working on the fuel probes. Anyway, they were all bags of fuel proof/resistant liners. It would think it could save some time and labor to consider this concept. Great videos, extremely helpful. I’m searching now for all of your videos.

[@dougabrahamsen2952]

Great content and well presented!!!! Your approach to maintenance on this vessel is spot on! The approach you used for the engines is impeccable. Looking forward to binging on your videos for a while!

[@AquaCultured]

Wow, thank you so much Doug, very kind words! I am trying to keep things on the up and up and always strive for improvement. Really appreciate you tuning in

[@haroldconnell2973]

Well done 👍

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you Harold!

[@399geekfavorites]

Welcome back, love your videos! It’s been a dream of mine to own a DeFever because of your videos… Thank You. I agree with others here that more black water storage is needed under your bed or extra storage area. Thank you again Capt Butch for your videos.

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you so much for the warm welcome back! I really appreciate the input, and look forward to putting more videos out there for you.

[@brentmeg922]

excellent tour!

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much!!

[@ronaldkott5530]

great info

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks for watching Ronald!

[@mikekremer5417]

Been waiting for your next video. We own an '83 Defever 44'OFC. Wish we were stabilized. Love our boat.

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you fellow DF 44 owner!! I certainly do love my stabilizers, but I have been running the boat without them operating for a bit now and she still handles quite well! Thanks for watching!

[@clarenceclark8592]

Good video great job

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you Clarence!

[@seanfisher236]

I would use that space for storage

[@AquaCultured]

That’s definitely a top consideration! Sure would make up for not having a cockpit

[@pnwgentleman]

Nice series, thanks! I have a Tayana Pilot House 42 which was also designed by Defever. I can see the similarities. The biggest trade offs are I have the pilot house and a cockpit with good sized swim platform, but my engine room is literally half the size as yours.

[@AquaCultured]

Joe, thanks so much! Oh wow, I actually was not aware that there was a Tayana pilothouse, and designed by DeFever to boot, that’s awesome! Ah yeah, there is always those trade offs! I would be okay with sacrificing some engine room space for a pilot house

[@fedupdomer5654]

ive seen those boats for years.. no idea they had an almost stand up engine room! i lived aboard a present 42 that had a very similar setup and equipment.. would have loved that headroom though! did the ICW from st augustine to NYC after i bought her... had to get used to the 8kt cruise.. but yes those engines were very musical.. they can hypnotize you while at the helm

[@AquaCultured]

The DF44 is definitely unassuming for the size engine room it packs! Big selling point for them, among other things of course. Very nice, I am looking to do that trip sometime in the not so distant future. And yes, you can definitely be lulled by the hum of those little red beasts

[@anothertransientslip7668]

Seems like I am always trying to find a pump out. I would love to have more blackwater capacity. Thanks for sharing!

[@AquaCultured]

Right there with you! Thanks for watching!

[@lardal1502]

Excellent engine room and tech tour. I suspect if you filled the under bed fuel tank you would get sloshing as the boat moved. If I had one of these boats I would find a way to add another black water tank since I would anchor out most of the time.

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you Lar Dal! Yeah potentially, we will see if I ever find out! Haha. More black water storage would be ideal

[@Jmmondeau]

Don’t remove the rear fuel tank. I fixed mine and when your cruising full time an off the grid, you will appreciate the extra fuel to run the generator for long times to make water, cook, etc. you can always make water, and black water but you can’t make fuel. Plus it gives you the option to price shop fuel when you can carry more to get you to a better destination with better fuel prices.

[@AquaCultured]

Those are all very good and valid points! Thank you Jean

[@mvintrigue-trawlerdiy1101]

Love these kind of more technical tours. I love the idea of a sea chest. BTW I have a Westerbeke panel P/N 036539 with new P/N 30760 15 foot harness if your interested Of course the harness could be extended if needed since it has the appropriate plugs. Id let it go cheap.

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much! I do love the sea chest. There are some compromises with it, but overall I am very happy that I have it. Oh really?? I may be interested in that harness! I will look in to that to see if it would work. Thank you!

[@mvintrigue-trawlerdiy1101]

@@AquaCultured No problem just let me know. I'm just north of you in New Port Richey. Work at Tampa Airport.

[@AquaCultured]

@@mvintrigue-trawlerdiy1101 awesome, I will definitely let you know

[@kenlane5011]

Like all of this.🚢🚢🚢👍👍👍😎😎🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@AquaCultured]

Right on! Thanks so much friend! 🤙

[@dougfaulkner6799]

Just a thought here about that tank under your bed, i would replace it with a smaller tank and relocate the batteries in the extra space to be able to clear the side of the engines to more easily get to those critical systems. Great series on your vessel. As a former resident on dock 4, you're making me homesick lol.

[@AquaCultured]

Oh man! That is an excellent idea, why didn’t I think of that!? Thanks so much for that suggestion. That would definitely solve two problems at once. No kidding, when and what boat did you have on dock 4?

[@dougfaulkner6799]

@@AquaCultured i lived on my Morgan Outisland 41 named Molliespirit. I really miss the lifestyle there. I would like to find a good trawler to live on and coastal cruise on there. Too old for the sailing thing anymore and im solo now.

[@dougfaulkner6799]

Also the benefit of moving the batteries keeps them up higher in the event you do take on water you dont lose critical bilge pumps and other systems you need in an emergency event. Just my 2 cents.

[@AquaCultured]

@@dougfaulkner6799 Roger that! Hope you can get back out there on a Trawler!

[@AquaCultured]

@@dougfaulkner6799 the batteries are actually at about the same height as they would be under my bed since my stateroom is at the same level as the engine room and the batts are up on platforms.

[@Junkyardnedreck]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 “I’ve had the boat for 6 yrs…… it’s on the list, it’s on the list, it’s on the list, it’s on the list…….” Glad to hear it’s not just me bro……🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AquaCultured]

The list looks like a damn CVS receipt!

[@Junkyardnedreck]

@@AquaCultured I’ve had my carver for 2 yrs, basically rebuilt everything mechanical, still replaced gauges & switches……. Love my boat, it’s great for a little weekend getaway, but damn it’s never ending……. Alas, if I ever actually had nothing to work on, I wouldn’t know what to do w/ myself, think I’m addicted🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AquaCultured]

@@Junkyardnedreck right on! I like to call it therapy rather than an addiction 😅

[@Junkyardnedreck]

@@AquaCultured 😂😂😂😂😂 I’m texting u & watching ur vids @ the same time, godbless technology

[@Junkyardnedreck]

@@AquaCultured & I’m not sure how therapeutic it is w/ all the cursing while fixing sh!t……. Oh well 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@BellsRidesAboardSeaBoss]

Are the engines basically tractor engines, I was a owner operator of a excavation company and they look very similar to an old ford tractor I used. What size is your investor? Great engine room. You haven’t needed the tank in the last 6 years so I would use it for storage by adding struts to make the access a lot easier.

[@AquaCultured]

Yep, exactly! They are essentially marinized tractor engines! Ford diesels were used for farm equipment and then the Lehman Manufacturing company marinized them for use on boats, hence why they are called Ford Lehman’s. Yeah I am leaning toward storage under the bed and using struts for easily lifting the platform to access. But we will see when I get in to it! Thanks for all of your input!

[@blake-taylor]

That boat and engine room looks the same as 'Tulas Endless Summers

[@AquaCultured]

They are quite similar in design and layout. Main difference is age and size, their’s is a 70’s model at 43’, and mine is a late 80’s model at 44’.

[@stephentaylor8217]

Tank under the bed ... change it to battery box& remove the boxes from the side of the engine for more room

[@AquaCultured]

I have been thinking about that, it is a really great idea. I might tackle the project of removing the tank this year and will see what makes most sense to me when the time comes. Thanks for chiming in Stephen!

[@andrewnewson8563]

Interesting to see all the mechanical bits. We have a Motorhome (RV there) and we have to watch the payload very carefully, as it can be dangerous AND we can be fined for being overloaded, so regularly we load up and go to a weigh-bridge to check. Question, how do you monitor the cumulative weight you’re adding to your boat, as eventually you’re going to be at some risk of sinking etc once you pass a critical point? Or have I got that wrong?

[@AquaCultured]

Andrew, thanks so much for watching! That definitely makes sense for vehicular travel. And smart and responsible for going to a scale to make sure you stay in check. In regards to recreational vessels like my trawler, especially with a displacement hull, added weight is not much of a concern since you would really have to go out of your way to overload the boat. Stability concerns are usually for commercial or fishing vessels that load tons of gear up on their decks or carry cargo or passengers. So in my case, I am not concerned with adding weight in reference to my recreational use. The next consideration would be for performance, where again, with a heavy displacement vessel, performance reduction is not a concern. You would be more concerned with a sailing vessel or planing vessel where added weight can definitely affect performance. The one thing I do pay attention to is balance, where I do not want to cause a list, as this could cause discomfort and annoyance, and can affect maneuvering and tracking. I simply pay attention to the waterline in reference to my bottom paint to determine if I am out out of balance in any direction. You of course also don’t want your boat to sit heavy to the point where the waterline is above your bottom paint top edge.

[@makesumwake]

thanks for the video! no need to move the black water tank - just install a new 2nd high water switch in a more convenient location and dont use the old switch behind the black water tank? did you have any issues with mold or mildew smells? i often notice smells on older boats.

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so much for watching and for that tip, great idea! That is probably the smelliest part of the boat, although still not bad! Overall the boat doesn’t have that typical old boat smell

[@dalemorris8609]

Keep the tank !! Bad fuel ⛽ or something in the other tanks is a problem. Isolate the tank for redundancy 😮...always have a backup plan 🤔

[@brianlowe753]

Enjoying your channel. Have you communicated with Tula’s endless summer ,just curious. Thanks

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks so very much, Brian! I have communicated a bit with them, especially when they had their DeFever 43. I hope to meet with them in person one day, they are one of my favorite follows.

[@stargasm1000]

Regarding the fuel tank issue, you'll need to decide what's more valuable, more fuel cap. or more black water cap.

[@AquaCultured]

For sure, to be determined!

[@josephkordinak1591]

As far as your under bed fuel tank. I assume is a steel tank. I wouldn't mess with trying to fix it. I would replace it. I am a more range kind of guy so I would keep it fuel but splitting the difference and adding a fresh or black water tank back there would be good. I wouldn't add batteries back there as some have suggested. To much of a possible fire hazard for my taste.

[@AquaCultured]

Thank you Joseph, I like that approach and is definitely a serious contending option for once I decide to tackle the job. Really appreciate your contribution!

[@mikenagy938]

Seems very complex with many systems to maintain. I have a question about dual engines, why? It seems that two engines would make the boat roll more due to the pendulum effect where a single would be in the center. Can you run the boat on one? How fast? Two engines also double the maintenance cost and complexity.

[@AquaCultured]

You can go down a rabbit hole on the one engine vs two. I haven’t heard much on the effect two making the boat roll more. With the extra engine, you have more weight down there, so it may be awash? The primary reasons for the two engines is better maneuverability in tight spaces, and having redundancy if you lose operation of one of them. But yes, that means double the maintenance and cost. With a single, you have more space in the ER and easier access to all the parts on the engine, so you are more likely to stay up on the care of it. I would be very happy with a single. I can run the boat on one, and can get speeds of 5-6 knots. Also, my transmissions are the type that I can allow the props to free wheel, so I don’t have to worry about locking up the shaft on the inoperable engine

[@markmallette5114]

I just looked at a '02 defever 49' (the extended cockpit version of your boat). I really liked it but it was not stabilized and I think if I'm going to go in on a "slow boat" (current boat is semi-displacement and can inefficiently cruise at 19 knots) I think I'm going to want stabilizers. I know you said your stabilizers are currently in-op but I would love to hear your opinion on the effectiveness of the stabilizers. I primarily boat in the great lakes (looking to do some coastal cruising in the future with a better boat) and great lakes can go from flat to nasty real fast and usually the period on the waves is quite tight. With the stabilizers active, do you have a threshold wave height / period where you will not cruise in? Just trying to make an informed decision on my next boat. Thanks for your videos - love 'em

[@AquaCultured]

Hi Mark, when I was looking for my boat, stabilizers were on my list of items that I really wanted. They do make a substantial difference in mitigating roll. Of course they aren't going to do anything going in to a head sea. There have been times that I was dealing with really short period head seas, and I would alter my course to get the swells more on my beam so that the stabilizers would get to work and make the ride much more pleasant. You will hear folks say that stabilizers are not a safety feature, but more for comfort. But, in my opinion, they are a safety feature in regards to helping you avoid bodily injury when moving about the boat. And they can keep you from being distracted by drawers and refrigerators flying open, and stuff crashing about, and let you concentrate more on the task at hand in navigating the vessel. Also, fatigue will be less, which further contributes to a safer voyage. I try to avoid cruising whenever the seas are forecast to be over 3-4 feet, but that also depends on wave period and direction. Stabilizers are also great when coastal cruising or going for a little jaunt and an inconsiderate boater wakes you. The stabilizers will help keep your valuables below from crashing to the floor when you did not prepare to be cruising offshore. Hope that helps. Maybe I should do a video on this topic! Much to say! And thanks so much for watching!

[@markmallette5114]

@@AquaCultured Thanks so much for your quick response. Stabilizers would be a good topic. I couldn't really find a great video that actually showed the difference they make in real life & real time. My wife and I have been looking at "new" boats for a while and I really like the defever 49 but she's worried about the speed capability of the boat (although we often cruise at displacement speeds). I've definitely been in situations where having the option to pick up the pace and get back to port more quickly is a big bonus. However, if the "new" boat is a displacement hull and stabilized, then maybe the need to get back to port more quickly due to conditions becomes much less urgent, within reason. Thanks for your videos and glad to see you made it through Ian relatively unscathed.

[@AquaCultured]

@@markmallette5114 The stabilizers definitely make going slower much much better and tolerable! But keep in mind that is when the swells are coming from off the beam, or following, but going in to a head sea these boats like to pitch (buck), especially in short period swells, so that can be quite uncomfortable. I know its a bit of a deviation from the look of a 44/49, but the POC DeFever models might be a good alternative if you are open to a larger vessel like that. They typically have CAT's that can get your vessel to a top speed of around 12 knots, and many of them do come stabilized as well. I am a big fan of them. Keep me posted on what you decide to do.

[@bucknaykid4236]

Interested to know why you never used the water maker?

[@AquaCultured]

I have never been in a situation that I needed it. I can go 2 weeks on a tank of water, so I am normally back in a marina well before needing to refill the tanks.

[@Artist_Kevin]

30:40 , capture grey water from shower for use in toilets conserving fresh water?

[@AquaCultured]

That’s a great idea

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Wow under your bed would be a great spot for freshwater you can never have enough freshwater

[@AquaCultured]

It certainly would be! Thanks!

[@andrewnewson8563]

Question: if you wanted to could you add a bigger black water tank?

[@AquaCultured]

I could potentially replace my current black water tanks with larger ones, but it would be quite difficult due to the access to get them in to the space. It is an awkward location where they reside. Alternatively, I can put a much larger tank under my bed if I do remove the existing fuel tank.

[@andrewnewson8563]

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

[@steve447]

How often do the engines need to be refreshed? i.e. major service intervals

[@AquaCultured]

I would classify major service as an over haul which you could easily go 10,000-15,000 hours with a properly cared for Lehman engine without needing one

[@benjaminchong82]

would you recommend if you have a water maker in exchange to remove one of your water tank and covert it to fuel tank or others ???

[@AquaCultured]

I do have a water maker, although I have yet to use it. I think it’s best to keep the water tankage as is. Say if you were depending on a water maker and then it died or became unusable for whatever reason, you will want to have that water storage capacity. The fuel and water storage capacity onboard is quite adequate , even without the 3rd fuel tank. The one thing I would like more of is waste storage.

[@benjaminchong82]

@@AquaCultured thanks for your advice. Always looking forward to see more of your video

[@AquaCultured]

@@benjaminchong82 much appreciated!

[@bayareaspf]

Rip it out and use it for storage 💪

[@AquaCultured]

I like that idea! 😎

[@paulthompson1216]

How many hours typically before a major overhaul on those Fords?

[@AquaCultured]

I have seen anywhere between 10,000-20,000 hours. All depends on how they have been cared for

[@paulthompson1216]

@@AquaCultured Wow. Thanks

[@donaldsnow6618]

Best if booth heads have there own black tank system for rudundancy

[@scot12358]

I'd fix the tank

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks Scott, it is certainly still a consideration. I appreciate you watching and contributing

[@richarddelfino5766]

Your black water capacity is definitely undersized for a boat that big. I would put more black water capacity under the bed. At least 100 gallons

[@AquaCultured]

Boy would I love to have 100 gallon capacity! Thanks for the feedback Richard!

[@christiangutierrez2198]

new water tanks under your bed . make your existing water tanks black water. get rid of bow black water tanks .

[@AquaCultured]

Wow, that would be quite the change-up! I like the thinking outside the box

[@rockerneck]

Every single westerbeke in our members boats doesn’t run.

[@AquaCultured]

Wow!! That’s terrible

[@user-vh7cr8tp5f]

Take the tank out and install lithium system

[@leighnorman2579]

😳 ᴘʀᴏᴍᴏsᴍ

[@davidnguyen7281]

Hide drugs or immigrant in the 3rd fuel tank for extra $$$$

[@davidclark291]

Great tour! I think I’ll stay with sailboats although they have their own problems.

[@AquaCultured]

Thanks very much David! They all have their compromises, that’s for sure

[@kenlynch6332]

⛴ ⛴ ⛴ ⛴ ⛴

[@AquaCultured]

Always good to see you Ken!

[@robbjones6475]

Really love your boat, it’s a favorite of mine. Have you looked into getting a Vynal liner of some sort. Years ago I worked on Sikorsky H3 helicopters and was down in crawling around in the fuel cells working on the fuel probes. Anyway, they were all bags of fuel proof/resistant liners. It would think it could save some time and labor to consider this concept. Great videos, extremely helpful. I’m searching now for all of your videos.

[@AquaCultured]

Hi Robb, thanks so very much! It’s hard not too really love this boat, my feelings have not changed about her after all these years. I have thought about a fuel bag, and am still considering it. They make a lot of sense. Really appreciate the kind words and support!