Cygnus cygnet rebuild

I'd have a word with Cygnus Marine and tell them what your setup is.They should be able to advise you. Sounds like a big engine for a Cygnet.

http://www.cygnusmarine.com/blog/entryid/16

You need to know what drive is fitted and what the prop rpm will be after the reduction gears.

I presume that the boat has a prop. What you then need to know is the engine rpm at Wide Open Throttle or full power, then you can see if she is over or under propped.

The sea trial should be conducted with the boat loaded as normal. Tanks full and a clean hull.

You can then compare the engine rpm at WOT to the engines design max rpm

the pitch of the prop can be adjusted or the prop size changed to get this right

Very worth doing for speed and fuel economy

A company like streamlined props in Aldershot may be able to help without sea trials

Same hull but different top half

Thanks guys I'll give them both a call see what I can find out

Here's some photos

Looks good

have you bought her or is it a project for others

There is one in Poole called two ways, owned by Jason Way and his Dad, I believe that one is fitted with a Volvo D3 and outdrive, which was a retro fit, they did not like the original set up of a large OBM.

Has the previous owner given you an idea of why he was tinkering with the prop? vibration, slow acceleration, fuel efficiency, or slow.

Charlie

This should help.

Jim

Looks good

 

have you bought her or is it a project for others

 

There is one in Poole called two ways, owned by Jason Way and his Dad, I believe that one is fitted with a Volvo D3 and outdrive, which was a retro fit, they did not like the original set up of a large OBM.

 

Has the previous owner given you an idea of why he was tinkering with the prop? vibration, slow acceleration, fuel efficiency, or slow.

 

Charlie

Its a family project as the Shetland I'd bought at the beginning of the year was too small for everyone that wanted to go out. I'm putting in the labour and sourcing the parts needed and others have paid for the boat. I'm also supplying the equipment I had on the other boat which a new tender outboard and some electronics and bits and bobs. think its a fair deal all round.

Ŵ

It was built in 1995 so getting on for twenty years old but its in good shape just need some tlc. I'm not sure why the prop was off but the former owner is popping it round in the next few days with the prop. He was having it re pitched so will give it a go with the new pitch and quiz him on the reason hes been playing with it.

Just need to run a diary or well be fighting over who's taking it out ! <img src="/emoticons/default_rolleyes.gif" alt=":rolleyes:" data-emoticon="" />

PS thanks jim for sorting out the photos <img src="/emoticons/default_wink.png" alt=";)" data-emoticon="" srcset="/emoticons/wink@2x.png 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Good luck with the project Ron, hope that it all works out for you as a team

She looks like a good boat, I always like cygnus craft

Keep questions coming and no doubt you will get lots of advice

Hi. quick update

I spoke with the mechanic this morning who had previously worked on the boat and the propeller fitted apparently is just too big for the boat. The boat was not getting up on the plane because the engine was not revving enough for the fuel system to enrich properly to allow the engine to make full power.

I told the wife bigger isn't always better !! 

Charlie, when i spoke to the mechanic this morning he also mentioned the Way family and their Cygnus with the volvo engine.He said it was a fantastic boat and how pleased they are with it.

Anyway the propeller is being dropped to me later today after being re pitched and although it's not going to be right for the engine it will allow me to confirm the dimensions of the center of the propeller and hopefully get one that will match the boat better.

After a quick look round the boat we realised that the trim tabs were stuck in the down position and wouldn't come up. A quick google of the make, which are Bennett trim tabs, turned up a number of posts with trouble shooting guides. Long story short, a full 12 volts are required for them to work properly, something that we weren't getting at the motor.

We changed the terminal wiring block between the loom and the motor for a new one, as there was quite a lot of corrosion on the existing one, which did restore the full 12v at the motor. Still nothing but applying 12v to each of the valve wires and the motor forward and reverse wire along with a expertly applied sharp tap with the handle of a large screwdriver had both the valves firing and the motor running both ways. We now have a fully working trim tab system. I sure if the tabs were stuck in the down position before this would not have helped the planing situation.   

Confirmed specs for the boat are Sabre ford turbo charged diesel 6 cylinder 225l engine with borg warner velvet drive with 1-1 ratio. Still unsure of the stern drive but will confirm the make one low tide this week.

Anyway, new marine grade aluminum fuel tank, fuel sender and fittings arriving on Monday so will be fitting that on Tuesday as have a unusual free day next week so will be making the most of it. 

PS 

looking for some advice please

I'm looking to fit a couple of new batteries for the cranking system and would appreciate a suggestion on size if anyone has any thoughts / experience with this size engine.

Also looking at some new anchor rope and was thinking 12mm braid and 150ft  long what are your thoughts. currently have about 15ft of chain and no rope, boat is 23ft long       

Thanks in advance 

Hi I know this boat and almost bought it off George myself purely for the out drive.

Your out drive is a sternpowr. This is spelt correctly with no E in power. I thought it was the same as mine that I struggle to get parts for the rare mainly military 1000 series.

But it was the 100 series and there are many parts around still.

Mike at Lancing Marine will sort you out but be warned my prop on the 24ft Wilson cost me £875+vat

There is also a guy in Yeovil who has a vast stock, Google DD paciffics.

I hope that is of help to you.

Malcolm

Google DD PACIFFICS and it comes up Folley trading  http://www.follytrading.com/ribs.html  he is mainly ex military ribs and they had the sternpowr legs

Just looked and he still has them.

Malcolm

Hi I know this boat and almost bought it off George myself purely for the out drive.

Your out drive is a sternpowr. This is spelt correctly with no E in power. I thought it was the same as mine that I struggle to get parts for the rare mainly military 1000 series.

But it was the 100 series and there are many parts around still.

Mike at Lancing Marine will sort you out but be warned my prop on the 24ft Wilson cost me £875+vat

There is also a guy in Yeovil who has a vast stock, Google DD paciffics.

I hope that is of help to you.

Malcolm

Thanks for the info Malcolm, hopefully I can get the prop sorted. George dropped the re pitched prop back and hopefully it will give me a good starting point to move forward from.

Did a few jobs today and got a few things figured out. New tank arrived but didn't get round to fitting it but the boat is now prepared for it and most of the electrical problems sorted

I'm sorry that George didnt feel able to redo her but I'm sure she'll be a great boat once sorted.

Another update

Well after a few days chasing down some really weird electrical issues it looks like we're almost there. Non functioning radar now working, all nav and search lights now operating. Fues boxes replaced and two new batteries now on board and fitted along with a load of other issues solved with another team effort on Saturday.

The fuel tank was a it of a pig to get in and still needs to be connected as does the fuel gauge. Propeller tab washer was a bit of an unusual shape and size so a new one located on eBay usa and now on it way.

So minor list to complete is, rebuild starter, plumb fuel tank, small bit of fibreglassing to do and a bilge pump to replace. The sun canopy was taken off and is being used as a template for a replacement as the old one was looking very used.

We're going to sand and varnish the woodwork in the spring when it a bit warmer. We will leave the paint work till then also.

The biggest job left to do is the repair of the deck as this was cut out quite roughly above the fuel tank location by someone previously and I need to find a hatch door of the appropriate size so that it can be glassed back in. Once this is done we will be covering the deck in a non slip vinyl.

Happy days

Sounds like you're doing a really thorough job Ron....

Anyone would think you're keen to get afloat..