1996 President 43 / Actually a 1988

[Dnnsmrgn]

Hello to all, I passed on this boat a month or so back .The original title thread was posted as 1996 President 43, after getting documentation it was a 1988. I had photos in that thread.
New development, after 3 months owner has taken it off the market. He has called me and said make an offer. I told him $2500 was all I would give . He said he would take it and pay for Coast Guard Documentation fee to transfer ownership.
It has been sitting on the hard for 3 years,The engines are Ford Lehmans T275 with 1200 hrs on them.The engines have not been run for possiby 6 yrs or longer ,just dont know. The aft teak deak is shot and leaking into aft cabin,only the wall at aft on port and starboard have to replaced. Plus tear up teak deck which maybe a can of worms who knows. The front bow cabin has had a water leak into it and the sole floor would have to be replaced which maybe migrate as far to the stern as to the port side forward shower stall/wall.
I have built many gas engines 350,454,502. But not diesel so big learning curve. I have read about run away diesels so I would not slap a battery in it and try to start it. I would first try to arm bar turn it to see if it is free.
Then I have watched on YOUTUBE University LOL to remove valve covers and insure that the long rod that controls the injectors is not froze in wide open position. (That was on a 671)
I am looking for any knowledge from this group that would not mind to take the time to give me a list on how to proceed before i would try to start and run it.
Yes, I have an made plans to have it surveyed from my last trip down there to insure the BONES are solid.

 

[Comodave]

Congrats on your new boat. I had a 41DC President. First thing I would do is call Brian at American Diesel and ask him how to proceed on the engines. He is the guru on these engines and has the parts you will need. 804-435-3107.

As to the teak decks I would get rid of them and glass them over. Then paint with Kiwigrip. It will cover up minor defects easily and is water based so easy cleanup. It wears like iron. Good luck.

 

[Mac2]

You are having it surveyed. This means you have not purchased it yet, correct? What are you willing/expect to spend to bring it to average condition? This forum will give you realistic numbers, so you know what you are getting into?

 

[Dnnsmrgn]

Comodave, thanks for the phone number I will definetly call Brian. Yes, I will most definetly get rid of teak and glass over it. All the boats we look at I try to stay away from teak decking. We are also looking at a Trojan 44 and there are no teak decks.

 

[Dnnsmrgn]

You are having it surveyed. This means you have not purchased it yet, correct? What are you willing/expect to spend to bring it to average condition? This forum will give you realistic numbers, so you know what you are getting into?

Mac2 , I figure roughly 20 - 30k fortunately I am retired and my labor is free LOL

 

[Mac2]

Still not answered-did you buy it?

 

[Dnnsmrgn]

Comdave ; Mac2, Talked Brian at American Diesel . Too many parts cannot be had becaue it is 275 turbo. Mainly intercooler. So bottom line is even at $2500 I am going to have to pass again. I cant fix it if I cant get parts. LOL

 

[Mac2]

I’m thinking that boat has major core material damage as well. Good luck in your search.

 

[3rdOrderEffect]

just viewing the pictures, I don’t think you could pay me $2500 to take that boat. I think you dodged a bullet.

 

[slowgoesit]

Often times, the free boat is the most expensive boat!

 

[Comodave]

The SP225 intercooler can be easily bypassed. Not so with the SP275. I bypassed the aftercoolers on our last boat, with 225s, and it took less than an hour to do both engines.

 

[sealandsky]

Hello to all, I passed on this boat a month or so back .The original title thread was posted as 1996 President 43, after getting documentation it was a 1988. I had photos in that thread.
New development, after 3 months owner has taken it off the market. He has called me and said make an offer. I told him $2500 was all I would give . He said he would take it and pay for Coast Guard Documentation fee to transfer ownership.
It has been sitting on the hard for 3 years,The engines are Ford Lehmans T275 with 1200 hrs on them.The engines have not been run for possiby 6 yrs or longer ,just dont know. The aft teak deak is shot and leaking into aft cabin,only the wall at aft on port and starboard have to replaced. Plus tear up teak deck which maybe a can of worms who knows. The front bow cabin has had a water leak into it and the sole floor would have to be replaced which maybe migrate as far to the stern as to the port side forward shower stall/wall.
I have built many gas engines 350,454,502. But not diesel so big learning curve. I have read about run away diesels so I would not slap a battery in it and try to start it. I would first try to arm bar turn it to see if it is free.
Then I have watched on YOUTUBE University LOL to remove valve covers and insure that the long rod that controls the injectors is not froze in wide open position. (That was on a 671)
I am looking for any knowledge from this group that would not mind to take the time to give me a list on how to proceed before i would try to start and run it.
Yes, I have an made plans to have it surveyed from my last trip down there to insure the BONES are solid.

You will invest $100K plus to get this boat where you want it to be. that's not a bad thing, but please expect the bill.

 

[Dnnsmrgn]

You will invest $100K plus to get this boat where you want it to be. that's not a bad thing, but please expect the bill.

Not buying boat , bout a 42 foot Bertram

 

[friz]

I recently ran across an '86 43' President here in north central Florida. First issue was it turned out to be offered by Pop Yachts. After I got past Mister Congeniality, Wayne, I had maybe an hour 3 way conversation with the owner and another broker. The owner has had it for maybe 2 years. Said he found it on the hard in Jacksonville. Engines (Lehmans) ran fine on the 60 mile trip south. Has never tried to start the genset or ACs. Said not his life style. There is a large solar array on the fore deck. Interior needs a total redo. He appeared to be an honest, forthright gentleman but at the offering price of $38K just too much work for me to take on.

 

[TBill36]

I'm curious about what the scrap value would be. I would think the mechanical components are worth more than $2500 but have no idea what it costs to get rid of the rest of the boat. Pulverize it with heavy construction equipment and take it to the dump or maybe an artificial reef. Anyone been down that path.

 

[slowgoesit]

Most old fiberglass boats are broken up and taken to land fills. Not sure here in Florida, but to have a company do that to a 35' fiberglass boat in Washington State, with the company keeping what salvage they could recover, cost in the neighborhood of $6k to $8k two years ago. Not really a lot of salvage value there unless the engines are running, or rebuildable.

 

[Docktopus]

Our local Marina quotes $150/foot to scrap a boat.