- Joined
- Feb 14, 2018
- Messages
- 713
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Wanderlust
- Vessel Make
- 1999 Jefferson Rivanna 52'
Morning everyone,
Our search for our next boat has kind of been across the board. But that's part of the process of narrowing down what we really want and need, right?
Most recently, we've started to settle on criteria that led us to the 53' Defever. (We also like the 49' Defever Raised Pilothouse) Some of the things we really like about it are the reputation for sturdiness, the wave-splitting shape of the bow, fairly easy entry from the swim platform (important for the dogs and for the mother-in-law when entering from a dinghy or a floating dock), the roominess of the salon and the galley up design, the air-conditioned pilothouse, internal access to the flybridge, spacious bridge deck with easy access to the dinghy, roomy master stateroom, and walk in access to the engine room. There are currently four 1988s on Yachtworld. Most seem to have on board laundry (another criteria), watermakers, and come with Cat 3208s.
We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has a 53 Defever pilothouse now or has had one in the past. Or who may have surveyed one in the past (boatpoker?).
Are there any issues common to this model, or the Defever's in general, that we need to pay particular attention to when looking at them?
What about the elbow room in the engine room? Can an average sized person get around to the outside of the Cat 3208s to work on them or does it take a robotic arm and a contortionist to service the impellers and starters?
Speaking of 3208s, are the impeller's easy enough to get to? Any common issues to watch out for when looking at them?
Any experiences would be helpful.
Thanks.
John
Our search for our next boat has kind of been across the board. But that's part of the process of narrowing down what we really want and need, right?
Most recently, we've started to settle on criteria that led us to the 53' Defever. (We also like the 49' Defever Raised Pilothouse) Some of the things we really like about it are the reputation for sturdiness, the wave-splitting shape of the bow, fairly easy entry from the swim platform (important for the dogs and for the mother-in-law when entering from a dinghy or a floating dock), the roominess of the salon and the galley up design, the air-conditioned pilothouse, internal access to the flybridge, spacious bridge deck with easy access to the dinghy, roomy master stateroom, and walk in access to the engine room. There are currently four 1988s on Yachtworld. Most seem to have on board laundry (another criteria), watermakers, and come with Cat 3208s.
We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has a 53 Defever pilothouse now or has had one in the past. Or who may have surveyed one in the past (boatpoker?).
Are there any issues common to this model, or the Defever's in general, that we need to pay particular attention to when looking at them?
What about the elbow room in the engine room? Can an average sized person get around to the outside of the Cat 3208s to work on them or does it take a robotic arm and a contortionist to service the impellers and starters?
Speaking of 3208s, are the impeller's easy enough to get to? Any common issues to watch out for when looking at them?
Any experiences would be helpful.
Thanks.
John
