Looking at a 1971 Chris craft roamer 58

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unlimited1320

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21628
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Hey guys! Selling my carver 3207 and I looked at a 1971 58' roamer today. It's rough outside and needs work all around. Boat sat for 9 years and current owner started working on it when he bought it last year. Motors are cats and were winterized and do run. Hull needs to be painted, topside needs to be painted, teak decks need to be refinished, there's a leak in the front room and bathroom. It's a huge project but it's in the water and floats lol. I am very mechanically inclined and can do everything myself. What should I look for? Am I getting in over my head? It has no bow thruster. How difficult is this thing to handle? It's usually just me and my girlfriend. I noticed no 2 of these things were the same? I see different cabin layouts, some have different port windows etc. This one has the enclosed bridge and a top flybridge as well. Any info you guys can give me is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
Handling should not be a big deal if you know twins.
Is this a fiberglass boat?
Leaks can be a big problem if they resulted in hidden deck or other rot. It’s what you can’t see that is the problem.
Present owner is giving up, what does that tell you?
 
The Roamer is the aluminum hull, right? I can’t imagine the amount of work/cost if the hull is in rough shape. A 60 foot fiberglass boat is what, 60k to fair & paint. I have no real idea what aluminum would cost, but can’t imagine it would be cheaper?
 
Yes its aluminum. The hull is solid but just needs paint. Probably blast and paint. I have no problem doing everything myself. The owner got it cheap from the marina. He already has a 45 footer. Its too much for him but I dont have a problem putting the work into it. I cant imagine it would cost me much for materials. Inside is ok but needs some updating. The real issue is just the painting and the teak decking. If everything mechanically checks out ok its mostly cosmetic. Just alot bigger than my 32 and bigger than I was looking to go. But I am considering it. Anyone know anything about these?
 
Don't know this boat, but given the "pedigree" IMO, the first $1000 I would invest would be with a professional diagnostician. ( aka: getting a hull survey and an engine survey ).

I know how good my skills are, and I am sure you are confident of yours, but it is always a good plan to have s second set of ( trained ) eyes looking for "down-checks". A surveyor will look for "expensive traps" first.

So, that is how I would approach it.

As for handling, that is slightly more boat than my single-handling comfort level. but in fair weather, doable.

When in good health my limit is in the 45 to 50 ft range., though right now it is in the "inflatable tube down the river" stage... :D
 
Yes, absolutely get it surveyed and find someone well experienced in this type of aluminum yacht. Also, I'd look hard and long at the condition of an almost 50 year old teak deck. There's a good chance that it needs way more than a simple refinishing. It could end up costing really big bucks to repair, possibly even replace.
 
the Aluminum scares me, on a hull that size especially!

I had to repaint my aluminum bravo 3 outdrive - it was all pitted from under water growth and galvanic corrosion. It was a real pain in the ass, and I probably spent over 200 on materials, hours of prep getting the surface ready. And this was for about if I had to guess, 12 sq ft or so of aluminum - which I could easily spray in my driveway on a nice day. If you diy the paint job, I assume you are going to roll the paint on, and not spray it? Hard to believe that will look very good.

Myself, I will never own a boat that isn’t fiberglass. But usually the discussion is glass or wood - never really considered aluminum. There aren’t many aluminum boats, but there are still a few of the Roamers in the water, so who knows? Suggest you look around for a Chris craft forum, or somewhere else you can find some expertise on aluminum hulls.
 
Sounds like a project for young man, with plenty of spare time. I’d get it surveyed, especially the hull.
 
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH

then BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET,

THEN

SURVEY, SURVEY, SURVEY

THEN - reconsider EVERYTHING including the worst case scenario.

RWS
 
https://1969chriscraftroamer46.wordpress.com/ Here you go. This is an in depth blog about a guy doing this very thing, but on a 46. The 46 will be many times much less work than a 58. Tons of info and it will give you an idea of the time/cost to complete a project like this. I think he began this project in 2007, so 12 years ago. A good survey can not be stressed enough.
 
As others have said, have the hull surveyed by someone that knows aluminum hulls.

I have had aluminum hulled house boats for the last 20 years. Aluminum is great in the right situation. Neglected for 9 years? - not a good situation.
 
I know aluminum, I don't know aluminum hulls but here is the deal on painting them.

http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=97217

You cannot simply slap some paint on aluminum. You have to etch, the Alodine, then prime, then paint. Yeah you can put a bunch of self etching primer, and you will get the results based on the effort. It is not rocket science, shoot they paint 747's every day. Be prepared however to buy Alumnaprep and Alodine by the barrel. It will not be a one man job.
 
quote:
Originally posted by unlimited1320

Yes its aluminum. The hull is solid but just needs paint. Probably blast and paint. I have no problem doing everything myself. The owner got it cheap from the marina. He already has a 45 footer. Its too much for him but I dont have a problem putting the work into it. I cant imagine it would cost me much for materials. Inside is ok but needs some updating. The real issue is just the painting and the teak decking. If everything mechanically checks out ok its mostly cosmetic. Just alot bigger than my 32 and bigger than I was looking to go. But I am considering it. Anyone know anything about these?

Click to expand...


How much in your mind is "cost me too much for materials" in dollars? The hauling and blocking and cost of yard space will be significant for as long as it will take one man to paint the outside of that vessel.

George
 
Think I may pass on this one. Going to keep looking. Thanks for the advice fellas. That's why I asked!
 
The 3207 is a decent boat. Why not get a bigger version of what you have now. I used to have a 3807 and it is a very roomy boat.
 
If you continue looking at older boats as a means to acquire more space, make sure you look into insurance. It is getting more difficult to find insurance for old Hatteras's.
 
Thanks for all the input. I decided to pass on that and found a really nice 40' silverton aft.
 
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