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Looking at Purchasing a SportFisher

Discussion in 'General Sportfish Discussion' started by sean950054, Dec 22, 2010.

  1. sean950054

    sean950054 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    Messages:
    10
    Location:
    Marco Island
    Good afternoon,
    First of all, I am fairly new to the spotfishing/yachting world and this forum has been a tremendous source of knowledge for me so far. Other then being on a big ship when I was at a Annapolis, all of my boats I have owned were Nautiques and ski boats.

    I am moving down to Marco Island over the next few months with my family and will be needing something much more substantial. I like the nice center consoles, however there is no real cabin for my wife and two small girls to go in, relax and overnight in, the cruisers like Sea Rays are to singular purposed for me as far as not being able to really fish and dive from.

    I have looked at a few Sport Fishers and realize I want to stay under 44" or so. I found a beautiful Post 42 online with 2000 original hours on the engine and under $100,000. It looks like the owner has taken VERY good care of the boat, fully redone the interior and maintained it well.

    Are 2000 hours heavy use on those engines? What are some of the gremlins that I need to look for on this age of boat? I will definitely have the boat surveyed.

    Is a 1980 boat too old where all you are getting is a "perfumed pig?" I really like the lines of the Post's and unfortunately want to stay around or under $100,000? This budget may be unrealistic for me to even get into a Sportfisher, but I don't know.

    Also, what are some of the operating costs other then fuel associated with these? On average how much fuel are you consuming taking it out for an afternoon at cruising speed? I won't have any dockage fees since it will be at my house on the water.

    I appreciate any insight, suggestions or comments that some of you experts may have for me!! Thanks.
  2. Karl2

    Karl2 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2010
    Messages:
    23
    Location:
    East Coast
    I like the lines and looks of the older Post too. You don't mention what brand/model engines are in it. Most (all ?) 42's of that vintage were built with Detroit 6-71 in various configurations and hp (ranging from 310 to 480). If this is in fact the engines in the boat you need to do some homework on the motors. They are fairly simple and a lot of mechanics know how to work on them. They make a lot of noise, they are not clean and they are not fuel efficient. In the lower hp ratings they are reliable and long lived. In the higher hp ratings (450/480) they need TLC and at 2,000 hrs they may have had major work done already or they are due for it.

    1980 vintage and 2,000 hrs...The boat may have been re-powered. If so, post engine brand and model and I'm sure you will get good advise.

    Karl
  3. sean950054

    sean950054 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    Messages:
    10
    Location:
    Marco Island
    Engines

    This boat has twin Detroit Diesels running 450hp each per the description. The yacht broker said the owner recently replaced all of the hoses and some other maintenance related. I have written him to find out if they have had a rebuild done.He says the owner has all of the detailed maintenance records.

    Are there buyer brokers who would help me purchase a boat like this and have good surveyors?
  4. jhall767

    jhall767 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2010
    Messages:
    319
    Location:
    Middle River MD
    You can definitely "get into" a sportfish for $100,000. Maybe less. What is your budget for "Staying in"? That boat is probably $600,000 to $800,000 new. That is what your maintenance costs are going to be based on. At 30 years old everything is in some stage of wearing out and needing to be replaced. Long term you need to figure at least $20,000 a year in upkeep costs. I have an old sportfish in that size range so I've got some expensive experience.You might not spend that every year but when things break or need to be replaced they will come in multiples of $1,000. The engines may have another 2,000 hours in them - but the heat exchangers probably don't. In saltwater you get about 7 years. My were $4k each. Steering ram leaking fluid - no rebuild kits available (too old) $1K for a new one. At some point the boat will need to be repowered or the engines rebuilt. That will suck up any years of under budget operations right there.

    If you budget $20K average per year you should be able to keep the boat in top condition and enjoy using it. If that's too much consider a smaller boat. Don't fall into the trap of not fixing things because you "don't really need it."

    You should try to locate a buyers broker who can help you find the right boat and help you with the deal. There are a million different layouts and some may work better for your family than others. For example - Do you want / need a lower station? Galley up / Galley down? You absolutely need a hull surveyor and a separate engine surveyor.

    Good luck.
  5. RER

    RER Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2009
    Messages:
    1,532
    Location:
    Newport Beach CA
    If you are not comfortable with the listing broker, find a broker you are comfortable with to represent you.

    Hire a qualified Detroit Diesel mechanic to perform a pre-purchase mechanical inspection, including sea trial. It will be the best $700 you could spend. This is in addition to the vessel survey & haul-out.

    If you need local referrals, walk the docks and ask the people who maintain their boats in the best condition.
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2010
  6. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2010
    Messages:
    2,261
    Location:
    Beaufort, NC
    Sean

    You will be making a substantial jump from ski boats to a 42 SF. Why do you think you need such a large boat? How do you intend to use it? If its day fishing or day cruising you may be looking at the wrong type of boat Just some thoughts before you get in.

    Beau
  7. Ormond Bert54

    Ormond Bert54 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2009
    Messages:
    470
    Location:
    Ormond Beach, FL
    It's been mentioned already and I will re-emphasize ... with an older boat, consider that EVERY system that has not received documented maintenance within the last 5 years to bring it back to like new condition, may be in need of that. If the engines have "original hours" without an overhaul they are probably ready 25+ years is a long time. Toilet systems may need pumps replaced, all hoses and check valves replaced. Every through hull on the boat should be checked for proper operation. AC/Heating systems can be big bucks if they are tired and need to be replaced. Electronics if old can run a quick $30K to replace.

    In short, it's VERY easy to buy a $100K boat and spend $150k fixing it to like new condition.

    The least expensive route is to find a guy who has made done it all (engines, electronics, mechanical systems, finishes) and then BUY THAT BOAT!

    Here is an example ... http://www.**************/core/list...rency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=77623&url=



    Mike
  8. sean950054

    sean950054 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    Messages:
    10
    Location:
    Marco Island
    Boat

    Considering I am moving down to Marco and want to enjoy the Gulf, bottom and sport fishing, diving, going down to the Keys and Dry Tortugas. I would probably be fine with a nice 38 center console Intrepid or Contender, however my wife and 2 girls would not enjoy that. They want something much more comfortable with a cabin, tv's, a/c etc. that we could enjoy on overnight trips. However, I am not a fan of the Sun Dancers etc. since they really aren't the best for fishing, often are I/O's that I want to stay away from.

    I agree that it would be best to have a very detailed survey and inspection on a 20-30yo boat and/or find one like the one listed above which someone else has already completed most of the work on. I am somewhat surprised at the expense to upkeep one of these boats....is docking/marina costs built into the 10% costs? I would be keeping the boat on my own dock behind my home which seems to save about 6K per year based on $500 per month marina fees.

    Any ideas or direction are greatly appreciated........THANK YOU>
  9. Ormond Bert54

    Ormond Bert54 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2009
    Messages:
    470
    Location:
    Ormond Beach, FL
    I think it would have taken me a week of living onboard my boat to understand the number of things that did not work or seemed serviceable but realistically needed to be replaced. The surveyor did not pickup on so much of it. Which brings me back to the idea that ... if somebody is properly maintaining the boat then they have a detailed maintenance history. There was a KVH Trackvision 4 on my boat when I purchased it ... survey indicated "did not acquire signal when tested" ... ultimately, I found that the entire insides of the unit were missing!

    My seacocks tested ok ... 1/2 of them were totally rusted shut ... my toilets tested ok ... I have rebuilt the 3 macerators, replaced all of the hoses and check valves. The check valves were worn out ... I replaced all 6 check valves.

    The Cruisair tested ... did not cool properly ... weak air flow ... surface rust. I replaced two evaporators, rebuilt the air boxes that hold the two evaporators that were totally rotten, replaced one of the compressors, added filters that were not on any of the systems.

    The Windlass tested ... did not operate ... moderate surface rust. It took a day of work with heavy hammers to get that monster off the boat ... $6500 later it was rebuilt and re-installed.

    The difference with my boat is that it needed so much work, it would have been difficult to get an estimate for everything. My preferred way to make a purchase would be .. take my time with a long and careful survey ... spend lots of time on board making sure I knew how to work everything so I could determine whether it worked properly or not ... if not, get the estimate for repair and deduct from what I wanted to be paying.

    Here is another that doesn't need much ...
    http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/304067-1965-2005-34-hatteras-cnv-149-000-reduced.html
  10. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Mar 14, 2008
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    11,205
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Until I got to "2 girls" I would suggest something like a Tiara, but I'd say you need 2 stateroom and an open cockpit (for dad). Not sure the girls and mom would be into climbing a ladder so that may rule out SF. Something like a Huckins might suit you or, on the cheaper side, a Carver or Sedan Bridge SR.
  11. sean950054

    sean950054 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2010
    Messages:
    10
    Location:
    Marco Island
    THanks

    Thank you for the feedback and insight.....definitley appreciate it! Happy New Year to all.
  12. SaltyDog52

    SaltyDog52 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2010
    Messages:
    6
    Location:
    Miami
    My diesel mechanic recently became a two boat owner and is looking to sell one. I believe they are both 80's Hatteras and that one is a 38 and the other is a 43. He is always upgrading the boats and is very well respected in the marine industry. Let me know if you would be interested in talking with him.
  13. tumbleweed tim

    tumbleweed tim New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2009
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    San Diego
    You live one time as far as I know. I bought an old Ocean for 75K that had an interior done to the hilt like a real ship, looked good outside but not spectacular, ran fine, electronics ok, but nothing worth writing mom about.

    The time my wife and I have spent on MV Melinda Ann is priceless and we often wonder why we did not have a boat sooner. I love working on it and paying others to as well.

    We are looking at trawler type yachts now for the future. I like the Hatteras LRC 48, 58, 65 and many others. By the time we get done with Melinda Ann we will be much more knowledgeable about yachts and yachting and look forward to one day having a small house/condo and a big slow yacht. The Ocean tops out at 28.8 knots but I have come to realize there is much more to boating than speed. IMHO.

    Good luck with getting a boat and I hope it goes well for you.

    Tim