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Information on 1993 Palmer Johnson 76' Sport Fisher "Prime Time"

Discussion in 'Palmer Johnson Yacht' started by markubicz, May 15, 2020.

  1. markubicz

    markubicz New Member

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    I saw this yacht for sale a couple of years ago when it was listed for $550,000. Now it's $299,000. I live in Los Angeles and this beast is in Ft. Lauderdale. I'm awaiting a quote from shipper just to get an idea. Don't think bringing it over myself would be cheaper. Not sure how many times I would have to fill the 3200 gl. Tanks (guessing 3 times), plus Capt. Crew, food, wear and tear, Panama canal fees, and it could breakdown in some 3rd world country, plus it needs some work to get it ready for a voyage like that. It has MAN D2842LZE engines it with 370hrs SMOH and newer 32kw Norpro gensets with 270 hours. The yacht looks like it's in fantastic shape. They mentioned it needs, bottom paint, one tranny has an issue, 1k service needs to be performed, and tender needs battery ($50k?). I'm just wondering if anybody here has any knowledge about this particular yacht. Seems like it's a great deal, which throws red flags. They mentioned it's an estate sale. Maybe the family is just trying to dump it. Any info would be much appreciated.

    513663F5-25EE-40C6-A32D-8B1B89CD1D68.jpeg
    Last edited: May 15, 2020
  2. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You're correct that having it shipped will probably be easier and possibly cheaper to have it shipped than to bring it around on its own bottom. The price drop could be due to condition, the estate just trying to unload it or the estate seeing a market with a bottom about to fall out due to the virus and the economic situation. Could be any or all of the above. Really though the only way you're going to know is to have someone look it over. Almost all boats look great in the ads. You may find something far different when you have it inspected and most likely will when you have it surveyed. If you can't find someone personally familiar with this boat maybe you can find someone here local to her that you can hire to check her to see if she's worth you making the trip and hiring a surveyor.

    One thing I note is that the transmission and the bottom paint situations will certainly make a sea trial challenging. With the barnacle growth rate in So. Florida you may at the least need to have it hauled for a bottom cleaning just to get her on plane.
  3. markubicz

    markubicz New Member

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    Thank you for the reply, I just got a quote back from Sevenstar Yacht Transport, $62k. Ouch, and yes, definitely would have the yacht inspected by reputable marine surveyor before even going to look at it. I'm guessing either way, the repairs would be cheaper in Ft. Lauderdale than Los Angeles. Assuming the issues mentioned in ad are all that it needs, highly doubtful, I would still get the work done there before shipping or bringing it on it's own bottom. I'm not sure what max range could be on 3200gl tanks, guessing maybe 1600 miles at most economical cruise speed, but I could be way off. Broker isn't very helpful, which is definitely off putting, asked a bunch of questions in e-mail and his response was, "It's a great deal, it'll be gone in a few weeks, call me if you're interested." Not sure if he just can't be bothered to write a few lines of text or just rather speak on the phone. After a response like that, not really sure I want to even deal with somebody like that. As nice as the yacht is, I think you are right, the market will definitely be taking a turn for the worst. So maybe just sit tight a little longer, but I do like that Yacht. Not crazy about the power plants. I've read mixed reviews about dependability and very expensive repair bills, 370 hrs SMOH sounds great but the yacht hasn't been used much in the last couple of years, which is not a good thing. Depends on how she was cared for while sitting idle in the water. Waiting on a couple more quotes for shipping. Then put in a call to Mr. Helpful. Thanks for the reply.
  4. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    That response from the broker would definitely put me off, and if she's been sitting around in the waters of So. Florida you can expect problems underneath from barnacles like you've never seen to corroded intakes. Let me make a suggestion. Get a local rep to look over the boat from dockside first and a tour with the wonderful broker if he thinks it merits one to give you an idea if you should even invest in a trip east or a surveyor. Give him $100 to stop by and look one day, and another to tour it with the broker. If you end up buying it and having work done in Ft. Lauderdale you'll want a local rep to supervise the work anyway and this could be a good chance to make a connection. I'd recommend sending a PM to Norseman and see if he'd be interested. He's always cruising around the area, and he could just cruise by her dock one day and take a fast look. I'm sure he could also point you to local surveyors, yards, lawyers, etc.
  5. markubicz

    markubicz New Member

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    Thanks for the recommendation, get a couple more quotes, talk to broker and then reach out to Norseman if it gets to that point.
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    That's a rather typical response to a random email sent to a selling broker. They get so many of those, the vast majority of which are not serious.
  7. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Good luck.
  8. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Some, mainly in times where there's more buyers than inventory. Others understand that you only get one chance to make a first impression.
  9. markubicz

    markubicz New Member

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    Well it all boils down to a person's character and work ethic. If somebody inquiring about a 76' yacht via e-mail is considered random, I would tend to disagree. I owned a high end car dealership specializing in German sports cars, a business where tire kickers are abundant. Yet I treated every person as a potential customer. At the end of the day, the people who seemed the most unlikely to be serious, ended up making a purchase. After all, that is the line of work you are in. I'm sure the amount of "tire kickers" is far less in the Yacht Selling business. Blowing people off based on assumptions is not a proper approach in my opinion. It's all good, not the reason for the post, just found it odd that a yacht broker wouldn't answer a few questions via e-mail or pick up the phone (as I asked him to), to follow a potential lead. I love the yacht, but I think there will be plenty more popping up in the near future with Brokers that are more accommodating. Sounds like I'm already talking myself out of buying this bad boy...lol.
  10. Danvilletim

    Danvilletim Senior Member

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    I think you need to be realistic on the condition of that boat. If it only needed $75k to be made right it would be selling for $700. At $300k you have to expect to put 300-400k into it. That won’t get the boat painted. That’s another $300k.

    I had interest in this boat a while back and an estate sale and legal dispute is why it was delisted. So it’s been sitting for a long time and maybe w no maintenance.
  11. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Sure, I can cruise by and take a look as well as shoot a few pictures, any idea where it is?
  12. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    According to the United Yacht brokerage ad, she's actually in Stuart.
    In fact, the photos were taken exactly here, though obviously I have no idea about whether she's still there or not.
  13. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Aha, eagle eyes :cool:
    I looked at the photos as well, she was at several different locations, some at a residential canal, some photos from a marina.
    Thx.
  14. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Yeah, the lockdown was a good opportunity to fine tune internet browsing skills... :(
    Even the worst days of boating will forever look brighter, in the future! :)
  15. markubicz

    markubicz New Member

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    Danvilletim, thanks for the input. So did you see the boat in person at the time? I'm definitely expecting to spend some money on the boat, Not sure if your numbers are quite right but yeah, some money will need to be spent on her. I'm just trying to figure out what the Yacht needs to make the trip to Los Angeles. Needs to get from Stuart (If that answers your question Norseman) to Palm Beach where the ship loads, then from Ensenada to Los Angeles. Once the boat is here, I'll get her dialed in. I spoke with broker, typical answers, basically not much help in giving me an idea of what she needs. So definitely gonna have to get it surveyed to get a better idea. Norseman, I'll let you know, supposedly someone is coming to look at it today. So see if she gets snapped up before I get a chance to get to her. Thanks for the offer.
  16. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Standing by..:cool:

    If she is still in Stuart, it is too far for me, 75 min drive on the freeway, but I am sure we have members in Stuart who can take a quick look, if not I have a buddy up there, longtime boater, who can sneak up with his Albin 28TE
    and shoot a few pics.
    As for getting it to the loading port in West Palm Beach, Capt. J is your man:
    He does that all the time, and I have helped him with a few of those loading Sport-Fish deliveries up there, piece of cake,
  17. markubicz

    markubicz New Member

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    Much appreciated, will keep you posted.
  18. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    If you get closer to do this deal, here is a surveyor I can highly recommend:
    https://www.marinesurveysbybrizendine.com/

    Darrell has done a dozen surveys for me over the last 21 years, I am impressed
    every time how thorough and honest he is.
  19. David Helsom

    David Helsom Member

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    Hate to say it but I think CaptJ is following me up the Tennessee River right now. Should be somewhere a little south of Bay Springs is my guess. We were in Stuart but headed to Racine WI now. Wish I could’ve helped because she looks like a beautiful boat. Good Luck with her!
  20. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    I would agree with Danvilletim as he has gone kept up his aluminum Striker to very high levels and has dealt with yards on both coasts.

    A neglected 70’ Aluminum boat will need budgets spent in $100k intervals, not $10k.