Boat Search 101

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Mark P said:
Mr. Baker, totally understand your view, but when I use the term "old or older" it does not mean anything bad or less - it means older boats may have (and this is where I need help) have different operating characteristics - some of which I suspect are good. I know old in terms of other things - I 1have 1920's house, and drove a 1966 Galaxie for 25 years - each has its great attributes, and shortcomings if you will. For example, I would run the Galaxie to moonshine festivals in North Ga, but would never run it up to Cleveland, Oh - too much risk. That's what the admiral and I are discussing. Is a boat with 15 years on it, more like an old house that can be rebuilt and become very reliable, or is it like an older car that no matter how much you rebuild it, you are always chasing something.
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If I may...

The words new, old and quality are terms of reality that can or can not be intermixed. Just because an item such as car, boat, house or otherwise may be new or old does not mean it is or is not of high quality. Then to add into the mix of rations the maintenance history for "old" items and you have a grand aray of "in good condition" or "in bad condition" possibilities.

Seeing as this is a forum for boats, I believe it is important to realize that any boat other than new needs to have been treated well by its PO... in order to still be good quality.

Regarding used boats: There were good builders, not so good builders and really bad builders. Soooo... know the builder's history before purchase; even if the boat seems to have been kept in good condition.

Regarding new boats: Not too different than old boats regarding the quality of construction in the boat's buildout.

Choose wisely! :thumb:
 
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36 or 40? single engine or two? Wedged against the wall or Queen walk around birth? Tiny frig verses larger fridge with freezer? $29K verses $71k.
 
Considering a Chris Craft Amerisport 320

Anyone here have experience with crusader inboards? Such as the ones in a 1987 Chris craft amerosport sedan 320? If so, how do they perform and longevity? Things to look for or things to consider when looking at the vessel over all. Thanks all.
 
boat search

If you are going to TrawlerFest in Baltimore - assuming they hold it! - do some careful checking of exhibitors before you go. We went two years ago to look at two specific boats, which were confirmed exhibitors, only to find that they hadn't shown up for one reason or another. If we had called those dealers before leaving home we would have known better, but that was a very disappointing event for us.
We wound up with a Legacy 28 because my wife was convinced that when we had friends and family along for the ride we should all be able to see and talk to each other, as opposed to separate pilothouse/cockpit, or deckhouse with only a single door aft. Turns out, as I am sure many others before us learned, a lot of the people who you think are going to join you never do, so you wind up with a very nice, well-performing boat with features you can't use, and a lack of things you realize you would have liked for just the two people who are generally the only ones on board.
Now we are looking for a trawler, but without being able to travel and physically see the boats we are in a holding mode.
We also found that the Newport and Annapolis shows had many times more boats in the water than Baltimore. Not all trawlers by a long stretch, but being able to step onto a lot of different boats helped us, at least, see that some things we thought were important really weren't, and vice-versa.
Good luck, though; we found looking to be a lot of fun, we traveled to a lot of interesting ports and met a lot of really kind, friendly people along the way.
 
Gunnylane said:
Anyone here have experience with crusader inboards? Such as the ones in a 1987 Chris craft amerosport sedan 320? If so, how do they perform and longevity? Things to look for or things to consider when looking at the vessel over all. Thanks all.
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Crusader was used widely by Chris Craft, Century, Correct Craft and others. Correct Craft now owns Pleasurecraft Engine Group which owns Crusader. Their marinization was always excellent from the ones I ran across and we had quite a few on the lake in various ski boats. However, 33 years old is old for any gas engine and I'd keep in mind the possibility of needing a rebuild or replacement. Now, the good news is much less expensive to replace than a diesel engine. Ultimately, you'd have to depend on the survey. Regardless, I'd also get a quote for a replacement, just to have that number in my mind and realize it's a potential.
 
angus99 said:
Excellent advice, Mr. RT. Easier said than done sometimes, but if you're not prepared to walk, you're setting yourself up to be a victim. My mantra during any large purchase is: Don't fall in love with a [insert house, car, boat or whatever]; it won't love you back.
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Almost word for word what we wrote in our book, How NOT to Buy a Cruising Boat. We made every mistake you could possibly make when we bought our sailboat and we're trying hard now to follow our own advice while we look for our trawler. We made an offer a few weeks ago on a boat that was way overpriced and when the offer was rejected we walked away. So far so good...
 
One of the problems of the search is that many new boat dealers dont answer to queries about their products. I had started a seperate thread on this specific point. Most respondents admitted its true, but surprisingly many made excuses for that bad business practice.
 
What make and model is this? Twin 375hp Cummins, 45 feet, probably made in China. Island Gypsy?
 

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390 mainship trawler 2000 and up

Have sold the sail boat and starting to look for a 390 mainship Preferably not in salt water 2000 or newer
 
sailaway50 said:
Have sold the sail boat and starting to look for a 390 mainship Preferably not in salt water 2000 or newer
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They're out there. You would be surprised what might turn up be advertising in various media your desire to purchase. Some folks just don't know they are actually willing to sell until prompted.
 
What dosen't seem overpriced now? We did almost buy a new 67 Vicem motor yacht that was at a huge discount from the new price. That seemed to be a deal and the joinerwork was stunning. I have since found that some people do not like cold molded boats. I wonder when the party will end? Seems like 2007 redux.
 
Adopo said:
What dosen't seem overpriced now? We did almost buy a new 67 Vicem motor yacht that was at a huge discount from the new price. That seemed to be a deal and the joinerwork was stunning. I have since found that some people do not like cold molded boats. I wonder when the party will end? Seems like 2007 redux.
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You didn’t buy it because some people don’t like cold molded boats? Or some other reason? I’m curious why some people don’t like cold molded construction.
 
The "party will end" when we least expect it. My guess is it may occur when someone panics on crypto coins and starts selling their coins.....crypto is an asset the kind people that can afford expensive boats like to buy....once they lose their coins, their boats will be on the market rather quickly. Until then, us little guys will have to get used to paying 80% of the cost of a new boat for a boat that is more than 15 years old.
 
Vahevala said:
Looking for a live aboard long distance cruiser. The discussion is are stabilizers essential? We have been told by a few brokers that we definitely want stabilizers. But could a 52’ full displacement hull boat with 60,000 displacement handle beam seas without stabilizers? Looking at the Seahorse 52 in California and would cruise her down to the Sea of Cortez and maybe through the Panama into the Caribbean, or even up north to PNW/Alaska. Would you go with an unstabilized boat for this type of cruising? We are coming from a 37’ trawler that definitely rolled in beam seas! Thanks in advance.
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The question is could YOU hand beam seas without stabilizers. I personally agree with the brokers that if that is indeed your plans, then stabilizers are pretty much a must.
 
Baker said:
The question is could YOU hand beam seas without stabilizers. I personally agree with the brokers that if that is indeed your plans, then stabilizers are pretty much a must.
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I would never own a boat without stabilizers for cruising long distances. Amazing how many who find themselves with stabilizers say they'll never go back. One thing so often overlooked is the virtual elimination of sea sickness in normal cruising. Sure makes it a lot more comfortable when friends join you and you know it's unlikely.
 
Boat search 101

I would like to buy a GB Classic 42 and have found one. The right price, condition, engines, and layout; However, my wife is not for it and wants to buy a condo near our grand kids. I have tried to include her but she refuses. I can not afford to do both.
Fooy I say but she will not budge. I'm going to work with her and perhaps she will come around. Any and all comments welcomed.
 
STG said:
I would like to buy a GB Classic 42 and have found one. The right price, condition, engines, and layout; However, my wife is not for it and wants to buy a condo near our grand kids. I have tried to include her but she refuses. I can not afford to do both.
Fooy I say but she will not budge. I'm going to work with her and perhaps she will come around. Any and all comments welcomed.
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Happy wife, happy life.
 
Low ball the condo. When offer not accepted get the boat! If low ball offer is accepted then refinance the house and get the boat!!

Happy wife and happy YOU too = Happy Lives! Ya only live once... in some way - get the boat!
 
Art said:
Low ball the condo. When offer not accepted get the boat! If low ball offer is accepted then refinance the house and get the boat!!

Happy wife and happy YOU too = Happy Lives! Ya only live once... in some way - get the boat!
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But if the wife is going to be p**ssed-off and/or resentful every time she (or just you go) out in the boat, where's the fun in that?

Best situation is a compromise. Perhaps an smaller condo AND a smaller boat?
 
ssobol said:
But if the wife is going to be p**ssed-off and/or resentful every time she (or just you go) out in the boat, where's the fun in that?

Best situation is a compromise. Perhaps an smaller condo AND a smaller boat?
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In my great relationship of 25 + yrs. Happy Both of Us = Happy Life!

Ol' BS of Happy Wife [alone] = Happy Life... did not work out in previous relationships. And, I walked... She did too from hers.

"Equal Rights" and the word "Happiness" works in both directions as far as my wife and I are concerned. There are of course compromises made in each direction. Face it: Full-on, live-together life with that special other is a neverendingly adjustable contract that must [centrally should] keep both sides HAPPY!!
 
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STG said:
I would like to buy a GB Classic 42 and have found one. The right price, condition, engines, and layout; However, my wife is not for it and wants to buy a condo near our grand kids. I have tried to include her but she refuses. I can not afford to do both.
Fooy I say but she will not budge. I'm going to work with her and perhaps she will come around. Any and all comments welcomed.
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Buy the condo, enjoy the grandkids and have a great time. Perhaps a smaller boat near the condo will be in your future.
 
Diagnose whether your partner is immovable or open to change. Also what her issue is, is it anxiety or fear about boating in general, or the thought of doing something she perceives as so unconventional? Is it anxiety over the financial aspect? If so, then you have your work cut out for you to address her fears, keeping in mind that logic and facts are not always applicable when dealing with anxiety over something.

My wife and I have boated together on and off since we have been married. We charter for a week in Puget every year or two or three. We owned a decent-sized express cruiser when we lived on Lake Superior, and smaller craft before that. She also lived in coastal Alaska for a long time both before and after we met and boated in skiffs and smaller work vessels as part of work. She's an avid sea kayaker. Even so, it has been a solid two year journey to get us to where "we" are actually emotionally ready to move forward with a purchase of a sizable boat for part-time full-timing (doesn't sound right but that's our plan :socool: ). Not being too patient of a person myself, it has been...an experience. But we finally got there. It hasn't been by my nagging her. It's been by addressing her concerns.
 
Well, STG, your post said "all comments welcome", so here goes. We have the exact opposite problem you have - wife looking forward to going trawlering, but we can't find a boat that is reasonably priced for the condition and options we want. I suspect by the language in your post that you started boating looking without including her. I started our trawler hunt by asking her what she wanted in the boat and her list is as follows: queen center bed, air conditioning so cold the windows frost, vented washer/dryer, one of those "huge USCG inflatable lift rafts that carry 4 people plus the dog", standup shower, separate toilet, gas stove, coffee maker, & wine chiller. Try asking her for a "wish" list of what she wants. After 36 years of marriage, I've found that my "boat" list doesn't matter, if she gets her list, she will give me all the boat I can handle, and more. Give it a shot, can't hurt.
 
Where is the GB you are looking at.
 
Ok I've read through the boat search 101 here now, and I know some if not most of you have already seen me say "ok this is what I want" a couple of times. I WAS gung ho on twin screws, but honestly, I want to live/hang out on the boat, most of the time. Take it out to the Pamlico sound as often as possible, hopefully every weekend. I'd like to fish off of it, but don't have to have a sport fishing type deck. For the local fishing I can drag along my john boat and use it for the fishing, while the floating house is my mother ship. I would like to, honestly probably twice per summer, because fair weekends offshore seem to be that rare lately, and it's a good haul to get to the inlet from Washington NC, go offshore and be able to carry my diving friends. Even with an aft cabin, if there's a swim platform, worst case scenario is that I let them do like navy seals and dive off the dinghy and reboard on the swim platform. I want to live on the boat. That's first and foremost. I don't want it to be like camping. A real bed would be great, which means aft cabin probably. Full sized shower. Single diesel engine (i'm a diesel mechanic). don't need twin screws, if it's got generator, AC, etc..and it breaks down offshore, it would be on a beautiful weekend anyway, and I can just live on my floating house til i get towed or til i fixed the engine myself. I'm still learning as fast as i can go about power boats, I went through all this type research when buying a sailboat years ago, but budget was tiny back then, and got a project. I want basically turn key as far as living on it. I have budget cushion for dinghy davit, etc..
I need advice on boats to look for, because there are so many, and so easy to find conflicting info on if they are good or if they are a death trap. PLEASE HELP!
 
Drummer79 said:
Ok I've read through the boat search 101 here now, and I know some if not most of you have already seen me say "ok this is what I want" a couple of times. I WAS gung ho on twin screws, but honestly, I want to live/hang out on the boat, most of the time. Take it out to the Pamlico sound as often as possible, hopefully every weekend. I'd like to fish off of it, but don't have to have a sport fishing type deck. For the local fishing I can drag along my john boat and use it for the fishing, while the floating house is my mother ship. I would like to, honestly probably twice per summer, because fair weekends offshore seem to be that rare lately, and it's a good haul to get to the inlet from Washington NC, go offshore and be able to carry my diving friends. Even with an aft cabin, if there's a swim platform, worst case scenario is that I let them do like navy seals and dive off the dinghy and reboard on the swim platform. I want to live on the boat. That's first and foremost. I don't want it to be like camping. A real bed would be great, which means aft cabin probably. Full sized shower. Single diesel engine (i'm a diesel mechanic). don't need twin screws, if it's got generator, AC, etc..and it breaks down offshore, it would be on a beautiful weekend anyway, and I can just live on my floating house til i get towed or til i fixed the engine myself. I'm still learning as fast as i can go about power boats, I went through all this type research when buying a sailboat years ago, but budget was tiny back then, and got a project. I want basically turn key as far as living on it. I have budget cushion for dinghy davit, etc..
I need advice on boats to look for, because there are so many, and so easy to find conflicting info on if they are good or if they are a death trap. PLEASE HELP!
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It sounds to me like you are describing a convertible/sportfisher. Some come with higher-horsepower single diesels instead of (much) more common twins, and have comfortable enough digs belowdecks with decent-sized one or two staterooms and real showers, though the salon will be smaller than a similarly sized trawler yacht ostensibly because of a more spacious aft deck/cockpit for fishing and diving galore.

I would imagine that so long as you don't go too small, it would be a comfortable enough liveaboard, though even in the mid-Atlantic some winter days would be pretty darn chilly with only reverse-cycle heat in your AC system, though plugged in at a marina you could supplement with one or two space heaters or even get a diesel furnace installed ($$),

Here's one example of what I'm talking about though this one has twins I believe: https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1988-hatteras-sportfish-7934116/
 
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One of the big problems!s for those searching for boats is that of the many threads in various formus is that of sales agents not bothering to answer queries. Some say theyre too spoilt, complacent, lazy, etc. The best responders Ive seen were from Seaton Yachts, and Meta Chantier. Others didnt bother at all. They cant use the lame excuse of frilolous windowshoppers. If the seller has to have all the info for serious buys, they could just send it to anybody who asks. Yet many wont do that.
 
JWellington said:
One of the big problems!s for those searching for boats is that of the many threads in various formus is that of sales agents not bothering to answer queries. Some say theyre too spoilt, complacent, lazy, etc. The best responders Ive seen were from Seaton Yachts, and Meta Chantier. Others didnt bother at all. They cant use the lame excuse of frilolous windowshoppers. If the seller has to have all the info for serious buys, they could just send it to anybody who asks. Yet many wont do that.
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I was told by the owner of one of the brokerage houses that I respect, that Yachtworld often does not pass on referrals when people use the contact info on an ad. I can attest from personal experience that several of the brokers who I finally chased down by other means never received the YW referrals. With our current boat, when I posted that we had it under contract, I received messages from five (yep, FIVE) people who told me they had been interested in the boat, but the broker never responded to their YW inquiries! He never responded to my YW either, 3 messages over as many weeks. I finally tracked down his phone number, called, got voice mail, left a message, and he called me back within two hours. It worked out well for us:D, as we got the boat, but sucked for the seller, the broker, and other interested parties. I truly believe that he never received my inquiries through YW. One person who had contacted the broker did exactly what I did, after using the YW link several times. Broker responded right back to him when he left a message, but he didn't end up purchasing because family wasn't quite ready to make the commitment. (you know who you are!)
 
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Slowgoesit.......thanks and yes....seems like really bad business models a lot of them have. You would think theydr know they are losing business because of it. Thats what complascency is. In contrast I was amazed at the Seaton rep. He even went into great detail on the pros and cons of a wet vs. dry exhaust systems! So the Seaton 60 is on the shortlist for us, wheras several others are blown off since they cant be bothered trying to sell their boats. One of the main offenders is Moen Marin in Norway.
 
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