Sherrill Marine Services & Consulting

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Sherrill Marine Services & Consulting

Sherrill Marine Services & Consulting relies on 40 years of marine service and experience to provide unmatched excellence in marine surveying. We work for YOU.

Our goal is to bring that marine service and experience to YOU — the consumer — to work with you on your marine needs. If you need a vessel survey — on power or sailing vessels — Sherrill Marine Services & Consultation can fulfill your needs and exceed your expectations.

06/11/2022

It’s HOT and time to check a few things you don’t think about until it’s too late. 1.). When was the last time you opened and closed your through hull fittings ? A common finding on surveys are frozen through hull fittings. The ball valves. It happened to me this morning trying to shut the valve off to clean engine intake and AC intake filters. (Something worth doing now the water is warmer). They were hard to open and close. I exercised them and made note to do this at least twice a year. You should think about incorporating this into your routine maintenance.

2.). Check the water level of your batteries if they are not maintenance free batteries. This hot weather will dry them up. My 4D took a half a gallon of water. It’s not any old water make sure it distilled water. If you let them dry out until the lead plates are showing you could have a major problem on your hands. I did once, filled it up and came back five hours later and the batter was swollen and so hot you couldn’t t touch it. Dead short is my guess. It could have caugh fire. Be careful if you have plates showing. If so consider replacing the battery. At least get it off the boat, charge it in a safe environment. And see how it goes. Monitor closely.

That’s all for now. One more thing. When you cycle this through hull ball valves make sure the overboard discharge one is locked to prevent opening. If it’s not the Coast Guard could levy a Hefty fine if they so desire.

Rob Sherrill
Society Of Accredited Surveyors

09/02/2021

When was the last time you chexk your Co2 monitors or smoke detectors on your vessel? Did you know that most manufacturers recommends replacement after 7 years? Do you check them monthly? I must confess I don’t always chexk them unless I am going to be on the boat overnight. For the record mine worked (on the left) but they were 9 years old so I replaced them. It’s a safety thing that could save your life.

09/06/2020

So did you ever start a job that you thought could only take a half hour and 3.5 hours later your done? Installing new electronics on the boat and installed new rudder position detector. Of course it was slightly bigger than it’s 15 year old sister. The gray piece is of an $8 cutting board at WallMart. Ever try to get a small piece of starboard? Can’t be done and that stuff is expensive. A man at the Kemah hardware looked at me and said “buy a cutting boar at WalMart. It’s the same stuff”. He was right and for bundles of bucks less. It does come in white as well. Good time for this small starboard projects

04/30/2020

Recently I heard of two Runway Diesel Engines incidents that I would like to share some insight to all diesel owners. There isn't much anyone fears more than a runaway diesel engine. According to a diesel mechanic I respect (and use personally) there are two major causes of the runaway engine. Both are caused by leaking fuel pumps, either the high pressure pump or the low fuel pressure pump. This can be cause by a gasket or diaphragm failure which will cause diesel fuel to seep into the oil crankcase. As this happens the oil level will rise to the point where descending pistons will pick up the oil/diesel mix and cause the engine to "runaway". In most cases the only way to stop the runaway is to starve the engine of air intake. It's possible that shutting off the fuel line will stop it as well but if the oil/fuel level in the crankcase is high enough it will run until it lowers it until the pistons will no longer pick it up. A runaway engine could be a disastrous costly event.

Best way to avoid a runaway Diesel engine is to check the oil level before EVERY START. Oil level should be between the full mark and add mark always. If you over fill the oil or it's mysteriously rising it can cause the runaway event to take place. There are probably other things that can cause a runaway but these described above are the most common.

Check that oil level before every start. I know I haven't but that was then. As my high school principal once said. "A word to the wise should be sufficient ".

Rob Sherrill, AMS (Accredited Marine Surveyor - Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors SAMS

04/20/2020

Good morning all boaters. What you see in this picture is the end of a Yanmar heat exchanger that’s 15 years old and a brand new one. You decide which is which. What has occurred is corrosion due to dissimilar metals. The heat exchanger is made out of cast aluminum and the mixing elbow that bolts to this heat exchanger is mad of cast iron. Because they are dissimilar you can see the corrosion. The worst part about this is that you’ll never know it’s happening because it will continue until the corrosion breaks into the coolant section of the heat exchanger which will allow coolant to enter the engine piston area which will develop hydro lock and result in you needing a new engine. All Yanmar Diesels are subject to this. 3&4 JHE type are the most susceptible. Get a good diesel mechanic to chexk yours out if it’s between 15- ?? Years old. The fix is expense and chances are you will have to remove the engine to do it but if you don’t it will be 3-5 times more costly for a new engine.

01/06/2018

It’s official. Passes my AMS exam last year. Now I am fully Accredited 😎

12/20/2017

Keep up with your zincs (anodes) this is a prop anode for a flex-o-fold. When a anode gets to 50% in size it loses 70-80% of its protection ability

04/20/2017

Here is the difference between anodes (Zinc's). I hook two of these groupers on my standing rigging which is bonded. The one on the left was installed on January 20, 2016 and the right today. Should have been done sooner. When a anode (Zinc) loses 50% of its size it will lose 80% of its effectiveness.

02/10/2017

Well is now official. Sherrill Marine Services & Consulting now has a new member. Welcome aboard Steven

09/04/2016

Time to change the packing gland material. 6 years ago I use this GFO packing on my boat and thought it might be time for a change. The pictures with the four small pieces of packing are the GFO from my shaft. The far left is the new material. The other three are what came out of the system. As you can see hardly any wear. The nicks are from the tools getting it out. Next time you service your packing gland get the GFO that's right for your shaft. Google GFO packing and you'll find the web site complete with a chart to order the correct size. It's easy to change and as long as your bilge pump is running it won't sink your boat. It doesn't really gush out that fast first time is a bit scary. Happy Boating

02/02/2016

A good way to help enhance your zinc efforts is to install zinc groupers as seen in this photo. These are installed on my vessel and hooked to the shroud which is bonded. The groupers are usually attached to a 30 foot cable which could allow direct connection to the propeller shaft. They are great at assisting prop and shaft zincs for stray current corrosion. The new one at top and one after six months at the bottom. Make sure you are properly zinced. It could cost you a lot of $$ if you aren't.

08/08/2015

Take care boat owners. This heat is demanding on AC units and the power cords that supply them. Check the regularly to avoid a serious hazard

11/25/2014

LPG Tip for November: today was a ver nice day for doing small things around the boat. Something small but could have a MAJOR impact is the condition of your LPG system. Leaks of LPG are deadly and something not to be taken lightly. LPG is heavier than air and will settle into the bottom of the boat and if not vented overboard properly it will explode if given an ignition source.

The key components to check are the tank storage area including the vent overboard. The regulator and pressure gauge and finally the rubber hose and connections to the tank, regulator and stove.

To check the system turn on your solonoid, turn on your tank, check the pressure gauge then start all your surface burners to make sure the lines are purged of air. Shut off the burners, leave the solonoid on and recheck the pressure gauge and make a note of it. Wait 15-20 minutes and recheck the pressure gauge. It should be the same. If it drops you have a leak in the system ad you need to find it and make repairs.

The two pictures are of the LPG lines and the tank and locker system. My system passed the tests until I re-pressurized the system. Wiggling the connection lines I found a leak at one of the swaged fittings. Only leaked if you wiggled it. The hose was 10 years old hard and brittle. The long hose is the new replacement.

Take time to check your system soon. These nice fall days if your lucky enough to be sailing 365 like we do in Texas. If you boat is stored for the Winter make this a priority on your Spring launching.

Happy Thanksgiving
Captain Rob

09/13/2014

A severe case of stray current corrosion. Sail drive and this occurred in 14 months. Check your zincs and measure for stray current. This is very expensive

07/18/2014

It is finally official. Hit the membership roster this afternoon.

07/07/2014

Approved. I am officially a member of SAMS

04/27/2014

Wednesday Night Races on Clear Lake. Catalina -22. "D-Fib"

04/26/2014

Thermal Imaging? Something to think about? Could be the next best thing. (this image NOT taken with expensive thermal imager)

04/19/2014

New Hat :-)

04/13/2014

Surveyor Tip of the Month: When your trying to sell your sailboat make sure you clean the boat better than if you were keeping it. You all know what I mean. Especially put up and roll out sails that have been stored for long periods of time. Nothing like the dust storm raising the sails on a sea trial with a pound of "dirt robber dust" inside. Leaves a perception you don't want to leave with a perspective buyer

Address

2134 Emerald Cove Drive
League City, TX
77573

Website

http://sherrillmarineservice.com/

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