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Looking for a 70ft+ project boat with aft engine room

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Man, Sep 24, 2026 at 9:04 PM.

  1. Man, Sep 24, 2026 at 9:04 PM
    #1
    Man

    Man New Member

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    I am in need of a rather particular project boat. 70ft minimum up to 100ft. 80ft is ideal. I don't care about the power plant. It can be outdated, like Detroit 16V92 or have worn or broken motors. Mid Atlantic or Great Lakes are the best locations but if it has power, then anywhere on the East Coast of the US or the Great Lakes will work. If it must be towed, then close to Baltimore or southern Lake Michigan (Chicago) would be best. The hull must be in good shape. I will consider all common hull materials. I know SanLorenzo uses aft engine rooms. I do need the engine room at the very back of the boat as I will be opening the cockpit to remove whatever engines are in it and I cannot do that through a midship salon. Older 80s-90s boats are ideal as long as the hull is sound. Any help is appreciated.
  2. chesapeake46, Sep 26, 2026 at 11:28 AM
    #2
    chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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  3. Capt Ralph, Sep 26, 2026 at 12:48 PM
    #3
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    If only I was 10,,
    15,,,
    20 years younger, I would jump on this.
  4. YachtForums, Sep 26, 2026 at 3:14 PM
    #4
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I believe Neon Rainbow belonged to country singer Alan Jackson. It was based in Jupiter, Florida for quite some time.

    Edit: after clicking thru the pics, I question if this is the same Burger? It's been a few years since I last saw it but I'm pretty sure it was in better shape. This boat looks like a challenge!
  5. mapism, Sep 26, 2026 at 3:28 PM
    #5
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Did you actually check out the photos, CR?
    IMHO, it would rather take blind optimism than youth, to jump on that thing!
  6. Capt Ralph, Sep 26, 2026 at 3:38 PM
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    23 years ago there were shrubs growing out of the cushions on our Bert when we purchased her,
    up the Miami River at the original Bertram plant, also covered with a pile of JP exhaust dust. Rite under the east end of MIA runways.
    Twin V12 Detroit's, We made it all the way back to Jax on 14 of those cylinders.

    Thru my years, I have seen worse come back to life. Had a hand in some of them.
    Na, those pics are great. She needs lots of time and lots of money if the plates are really in bad shape.
    I have neither time or money left.
  7. Man, Sep 26, 2026 at 4:12 PM
    #7
    Man

    Man New Member

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    Thank you. Yes, I saw that one in my search. My main concern is what looks like a LOT of damage to the aluminum hull. It looks like the boat was repeatedly pounded against something so that the aluminum plate has been banged into the ribs and stringers.
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2026 at 4:18 PM
  8. Capt Ralph, Sep 26, 2026 at 4:19 PM
    #8
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I think you were correct originally.

    Hull # 475 has popped up a couple of times in my searches.
    I am unable to find any data on that number.

    Amazing how many web listings are just showing a single 30 year old picture and no price or location.
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2026 at 4:33 PM
  9. Capt Ralph, Sep 26, 2026 at 4:31 PM
    #9
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That for/stb hull was beat up. However, the missing fairing was beat off also. Making the bashes look like grave damages and are not.
    Overall, the hull was not compromised here. Testament to a great alloy build.
    If any frames were damaged on the inside, they should not be to hard to repair.
    The interior pictures, one pic with a fax machine, looks like the inside hull from this damage.
    I would mostly plan on cleaning and re-fairing here.

    It is the bottom in salt water, no zincs and water tanks that would be my focus.
    If the 3412s did not get wet, they will start back up.
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2026 at 4:38 PM
  10. Capt Ralph, Sep 26, 2026 at 4:43 PM
    #10
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    If I had the money, there is enough hardware and scrap to make money with.
    That is probably how $150K was figured.
  11. Capt Ralph, Sep 26, 2026 at 7:18 PM
    #11
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Hang on, Wife Josie is finding more stuff on Alan's boat.
    Some confusion arises during/after Alan's son-in-law's accident and death at the dock.
    Lots of confusion on this and the boat in question (Neon Rainbow).

    I'll ask Josie to keep checking this out after dinner.
    Yes it is 1915 local, an early dinner.
  12. boatpoor, Sep 26, 2026 at 8:03 PM
    #12
    boatpoor

    boatpoor Senior Member

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    I may have to go see this one in person. Pictures probably don't do it justice.
    Capt Ralph likes this.
  13. Capt Ralph, Sep 26, 2026 at 9:44 PM
    #13
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Keep us up please.
    Josie's girlfriend called. Still on da phone.
    Still,
    Still,,
    Still,,,
    Josie is great at web searches. Maybe tomorrow she will get into some good web searches.