An unexpected view, part II

Friends Nat and Diane Smith enjoy the sun aboard the center console craft the author rented while his SeaRay was undergoing repairs. Photo by Tim Plouff

Spring 2024

By Tim Plouff

Two loud metallic bangs on attempted start-up halfway through our day was followed by engine compartment smoke. The key was literally soldered into the slot, the backfeed of current coming from a starter trying to turn metallic parts that were colliding with other metallic parts. The engine was, literally, dead in the water.

After a two-hour tow we trailered Tegoak to Port Harbor Marine in Holden. Water in two cylinders told the story; something had failed and created havoc.

With 1,225 hours on the clock, the debate started: replace, rebuild or just start over with a different boat? The cockpit showed some minor wear and tear from 24 years of use, but, overall, my SeaRay was in great shape.

With a relatively new Venture aluminum trailer underneath her, and the boat not being of much value to anyone without a functioning engine, I elected to go the re-manufactured route. Sourcing a new “long-block” – re-manned block with new pistons, crank, etc. – Port Harbor would combine this with any components from the blown engine that remained viable (water pump, pulley, water jackets, etc.). The starter and alternator were toast.

The block arrived in less than 10 days. Port Harbor mechanic Brian Cassidy had the old engine already out. While most of the stern-drive components looked remarkably good for their age, the bell housing connecting the drive to the engine had two faults that could prove problematic if not remedied. So we elected to replace selected pieces while so much of the drive system was accessible and already apart.

Unfortunately, the bell housing ($810) did not arrive for another 12-weeks – late October – essentially wiping out the rest of the boating season for Tegoak.

Yet, during this interlude, the summer’s weather had dramatically improved. By late August I badly needed some time at sea, and sought out a rental boat option through Port Harbor. Mike Soucy had a viable remedy – a 23-foot Finseeker center console. Powered by a 225-hp Mercury outboard, the Finseeker would be an entirely different experience from my boat, which featured a cuddy cabin and was powered by an inboard/outboard. Over the long Labor Day weekend and four distinct boating trips, we learned a lot about the virtues of this hull design.

While day one’s trip exposed us to heavy winds returning home – and a whole lot of spray – the three other trips were more conventional, and comfortable. Free to roam around the expansive deck, and enjoy the spacious forward seating, the “crew” soon found themselves basking in alternative spaces upon each succeeding island adventure. We tied our inflatable tight to the stern cleat, which worked better than expected.

We departed from four different ramps with the Finseeker; Ellsworth on the Union River, going around Blue Hill and Union River Bay; beautiful and protected Sedgewick along Eggemoggin Reach, using the hard gravel beach to head to Deer Isle and Stonington; Manset in Southwest Harbor for a day of hiking on Frenchboro; and finally, one of my favorites, Seal Cove in Tremont for a day at a remote beach on Swan’s Island with late-day beverages at Thurston’s in Bass Harbor. The fun of summer had returned.

A month later, we took one more trip with the Finseeker. Fittingly, we towed to Bath to complete the journey that had been interrupted in July – visit Perkins Island Light in the Kennebec River, Seguin Island Light, as well as Burnt Island Light at Boothbay.

After leaving Boothbay Harbor, we followed two go-fast boats under the Southport Bridge and through the no-wake zone of Townsend Gut. I told the crew to hang on as we approached the red can exiting the no-wake zone as the louder, faster sport boats were going to hit it hard. They did, and we did, too.

After learning of a “short-cut” between the islands leading across the Sheepscot River during our towboat ride, we cut straight across the channel, while the two go-fast boats split; one heading north around the numerous islands, the other south. I knew both boats were faster, but we had a short-lived edge in distance.

After crossing the mile-plus wide Sheepscot, the two go-fast boats were closing on us as we entered the Sasanoa River. The waters were calm and traffic very light as I pinned the Finseeker’s throttle. We were barely touching the water’s surface, cruising along at roughly 42 mph, as the two sleek speedsters caught up to us at the top of Knubble Bay, just south of lower Hell’s Gate. They each gave a hearty wave, as they rocketed by each flank, disappearing into the meandering turns of the narrow Sasanoa passage and under the bridges on the Kennebec River. An exhilarating climax to a disappointing boating season.

By Late October, Tegoak was ready for a sea trial. Leaving the dock in Hampden on the Penobscot River – one day before the docks were pulled – Brian and I headed upriver. Tegoak was vibrating too much. Something needed tuning. Brian fiddled with the timing and the plugs, which helped some, yet the constant vibration up through the deck and the helm seat begged for further remedy.

A subsequent sea trial without me indicated another issue had arisen as mechanic Andy Graham joined Brian on a very cool ride. The boat’s throttle body was running way too rich, flooding the cylinders on one side of the V-8 engine. And the fuel pump seemed to be malfunctioning, as the SeaRay labored to get back to the speeds formerly attained. More parts, more tuning necessary to get Tegoak to 100%.

With winter around the corner, a plan was cast to perform further work in late winter/early spring as Andy and Brian collaborated on options, solutions. At this point, my monetary exposure was at the projected estimate for repairs – just under $10,000. Anxious to be ready for 2024, doubts crept into mind about whether Tegoak would be as good as before. Would a newer model boat satiate two-foot-itis – the persistent desire for a slightly larger boat? Would the center console rental experience forever alter our boating view? Why are there so few models like our current SeaRay? And why do they all cost so much?

Spring 2024 will arrive with answers to some of these questions.

Tim and his wife, Kathryn, the navigator, live lakeside in Otis, Maine, 30 minutes from Acadia, where they trailer-boat up and down the Maine coast with their 2000 Sea Ray 21-foot express cruiser Tegoak.