I'm evaluating this boat which has been sitting unused in the water for 2 years. The engines have been winterized the entire time (454 gas). Every boat I've owned comes out 1X a year for winter and is powerwashed and bottom painted. What if any problems could a boat have from sitting for 2 years like this? The interior looks good and they say the engines start and engage both forward and reverse but they haven't given it a sea trial. Also with 866 hours on the engines, when do they need to be rebuilt and what kinda cash does that run?
89 Mainship 41
- Thread starter Freedom
- Start date
I'm confused. How do you know the engines start and the transmissions engage if the engines have been winterized for two years? Need more information such as engine manufacturer, RWC or FWC, maintenance logs etc.
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yep, more info would be good, but in a non salt environment, purely looking at the hours on big blocks, I certainly would not be afraid... Many on here have over 2K hours on 7.4's, but again, sitting, not ran for two years, could mean seal issues, rust, riser issues from corrosion, not to mention seals in trannies, underwater corrosion issues, packing on the rudders and shafts, definately pickup pumps have a set, generator certainly will have some issues sitting, not run for that long of a time, etc...
I have the same question (how/when were the engines started if it's winterized). I'm thining it was winterized for 2 years when the seller got the boat and they then checked the engines. I'm not sure, but I need to learn more.
The engines are Crusaders, FWC. They say the genny turns over but they haven't started it. Also they say the engines need a 'tune up'.
I may go look at the boat this weekend. What can I do to see if its even worth sending a surveyor out? And what does a surveyor need to do a proper job? Ability to start the engines? Sea trial? See boat out of the water? The boat is in as-is condition knowing it'll need work. The canvas is completly disintegrated (not even there) so I am also curious what this could mean to the main controls. I have pictures of the boat if it helps...
I'm just looking to determine the risk here. The market for boats sucks right now. That can be good if the price is right and bad if the boat needs more work than meets the eye. I currently am upside down in my 2000 Bayliner 2655 so I have that to sell as well if I go through with this.
The engines are Crusaders, FWC. They say the genny turns over but they haven't started it. Also they say the engines need a 'tune up'.
I may go look at the boat this weekend. What can I do to see if its even worth sending a surveyor out? And what does a surveyor need to do a proper job? Ability to start the engines? Sea trial? See boat out of the water? The boat is in as-is condition knowing it'll need work. The canvas is completly disintegrated (not even there) so I am also curious what this could mean to the main controls. I have pictures of the boat if it helps...
I'm just looking to determine the risk here. The market for boats sucks right now. That can be good if the price is right and bad if the boat needs more work than meets the eye. I currently am upside down in my 2000 Bayliner 2655 so I have that to sell as well if I go through with this.
Is the a private sale, brokered or dealer? If it's a dealer, you could consider a trade. What I would do is get somebody knowledgeable to get a look at the boat and then see if they will start the engines and go for a test ride. If the mechanicals seem ok, then I'd get a hull and engine survey done with a real sea trial. They might balk at this without some money up front. If they do, consider the full survey now with conditions that the deal depends on how the surveys and sea trial come out. The hours on the boat are appropriate and certainly, FWC Crusaders are a good thing. You should expect to pay the costs for the haulout and possibly to re-winterize the engines and other systems that get de-winterized. Post some pictures for us.
The boat is from a company that said they got it from a dealership (perhaps it wasn't moving?) They say the owner traded it in 2 years ago and the boat sat ever since. I tried a trade but they weren't open to that. They say the boat is a fixer upper - so I'm not sure what they'd be open to me doing prior to the sale.
I have a call into them to ask some more questions.
Ok, here are some pics.
I have a call into them to ask some more questions.
Ok, here are some pics.
Freedom, This model was only produced for a couple of years due to the complexity of boarding this vessel. I recommend a complete pre-purchase survey to include haul-out and sea-trial. Also a complete set of fluid samples sent to a lab. Can you give us an idear of the asking price?
The price sounds about right for its condition. The vessels worth about $65K in good shape. Its a very hard vessel to get on and off of. This limits persons who can't go up and down ladders to get around. The vessel is built well. Just not a very good design. Have you been on it yet?
Not yet. I'm planning on going to see it Saturday. My concern is if it's 30K for the boat, what could the repairs run and if that out's it back close to the 65K, then why not just look for somthing already in working condition. I guess it will come down to how good of a deal is this thing? I have no idea how to estimate cost of repairs. I liked the idea of potentially being right side up in a boat loan though... haha. It sucks owing more than a boat is worth. Like I said I have a 2000 Bayline 2655 bravo 3. I'm not sure what to expect in a private sale or a trade in either. How bad is the market for boats with the looming 'recession'?
Also, Is there anything you can see from the pictures? Good or bad? Anything I should look at closer this weekend?
Also, Is there anything you can see from the pictures? Good or bad? Anything I should look at closer this weekend?
It's a Mainship 41' Grand Salon. I have seen one's in good condition go for $85,000 to $100,000. Obviously this one needs work but it could be a nice ship. Just don't go in blind, get a survey. This model was built from 1989 to 1991 and is known for it's large salon. I own a Mainship and really like them. Regards Bill
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- Sep 16, 2003
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odd looking critter... 
it's got side decks so you can walk around. At least on this one you can get off from the side unlike others. take a look at some of the carvers, there is 396 down the dock from me, you can not get on the dock unless you go down the swim platform, or you do acrobatics and climb over the railings.
30k is cheap but you can quickly rack up 20 or 30k in repairs... engines look pretty clean although the engine mounts look real rusty. Now on second look, it looks to me that someone covered up the engines with spray paint, look at the overspray on the hoses and the model label. Does crusader usually paint the carb bodies or have the carb been replaced ? the paint stops halfway some of the fittings and levers.
usually, before getting a survey, i'd want to get a sea trial done to see if it's even worth surveying. now the problem is that due to the low price, if the engines dont' even start and dont' run well enough to leave the slip the seller will not be willing to do anything...
worst case scenario... a pair of long blocks ? 10k ? some canvas work, 5k? new engine controls and cables, 1k? a new genny, 6k?
might not be a bad deal if the hulls checks out especially if you can do some of the work yourself. Now if you have to pay $90/hr yard rate to replace control cables, clean and wax the boat, then it will add up and indeed you may as well get a "good" one.
before spending money on the survey, look at it closely. check for leaks around the windows, make sure those odd shaped windows aren't cracked... they must be $$$$. Poke around, make sure there are no cracks, rot or delamination around the stringers and bulkhead.
also, check how hard it is to get the engines and genny off this boat, will they fit thru the aft door? probably but make sure.
is there a ladder to get to the FB from the saloon or do you have to go out the sides and around ? and what's at the stern ? why no windows on each side of the stairs ?
odd design, but hey... if the Mariner sells... why not this !
it's got side decks so you can walk around. At least on this one you can get off from the side unlike others. take a look at some of the carvers, there is 396 down the dock from me, you can not get on the dock unless you go down the swim platform, or you do acrobatics and climb over the railings.30k is cheap but you can quickly rack up 20 or 30k in repairs... engines look pretty clean although the engine mounts look real rusty. Now on second look, it looks to me that someone covered up the engines with spray paint, look at the overspray on the hoses and the model label. Does crusader usually paint the carb bodies or have the carb been replaced ? the paint stops halfway some of the fittings and levers.
usually, before getting a survey, i'd want to get a sea trial done to see if it's even worth surveying. now the problem is that due to the low price, if the engines dont' even start and dont' run well enough to leave the slip the seller will not be willing to do anything...
worst case scenario... a pair of long blocks ? 10k ? some canvas work, 5k? new engine controls and cables, 1k? a new genny, 6k?
might not be a bad deal if the hulls checks out especially if you can do some of the work yourself. Now if you have to pay $90/hr yard rate to replace control cables, clean and wax the boat, then it will add up and indeed you may as well get a "good" one.
before spending money on the survey, look at it closely. check for leaks around the windows, make sure those odd shaped windows aren't cracked... they must be $$$$. Poke around, make sure there are no cracks, rot or delamination around the stringers and bulkhead.
also, check how hard it is to get the engines and genny off this boat, will they fit thru the aft door? probably but make sure.
is there a ladder to get to the FB from the saloon or do you have to go out the sides and around ? and what's at the stern ? why no windows on each side of the stairs ?
odd design, but hey... if the Mariner sells... why not this !
yeah, I saw that overspray too Pascal. Somebody sprayed the elbows etc. The carbs don't get painted at the factory. If the hull is sound, this could be a good buy if you like it's style. Even with new engines and a genset, you'd still be under book value.
Butch Davis
Member
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Wow, that's one ugly sucker. Still, for 30K if you're pretty handy you can leave it in a slip for a year while you shape it up. Then, use it for as long as you can stand it and turn it over for a little profit when the "down turn" is over.
Freedom, PascalG makes alot of good points. I have seen a couple of these in my time. They look alot better in pictures then in real life. Youll see what i mean about the design when you look at it. Major repairs on this vessel would be very complex to say the least. I agree with a sea-trial to start, so you have an idear on what is working or not. Other then that a complete pre-purchase survey before the deal is done.
Picture yourself at the helm while underway and asking the wife to go below to get you a beer,,,,errh, soda. It looks as if it might be a chore...maybe even dangerous to go down the aft stairs, walk around and into the cabin.