I spotted this classic Burger - "Long Gone" at the docks of the Ft. Meyers City Marina, located along the Caloosahatchee River in southwest Florida. This was a very well kept old Burger, showing attention to the many details that would be required for a vessel this age. My best guess on the year this Burger was built is around the mid to late 60's.
Actually, she is a 1962 and listed for sale for 299,000. You can tell that she is an early 60's model from the lower forward windows. Later models were sealed and had a sunpad in this location.
Apparently she has been sold, as the listing has disappeared. Currently she is lying at Huckins Yachts (home of the Fairform Flyer) in Jacksonville, FL.
For sale again, this time sitting in Annapolis, MD at 299,000.00 Boat now needs lots of work, rotted decks, paint, etc...
Here is the update on Long Gone. Sold 15 months ago and moved to DC. The boat is now on the Chesapeake for sale. Asking $289 something in the 225-250 bracket will buy it. If you follow the Burger market you are aware that this amount does not buy you a "star". Long Gone had her teak decks replaced with glassed plywood. Nice job but A section starboard side fwd about 12 feet long is split on the outer edge and no doubt deteriorated under the glass. The paint from the rub rail up is seedy. The lower deck paneling has amateur varnish. Good news is a beautiful aft deck arrangement Generator was replaced rewired 75% 800 hrs SMOH on mains Electronics and appliances updated Very nice boat for the price but be prepared to spend $50K before you paint. Another "sleeper" buy on a 64 is Victoria. Always a fabulous boat until a west coast owner let her go. Rumour is something with a $2XXK will buy it and paint and commissioning are the only big draw backs as far as I know. Koopnautic stabilizers
Hi, hat4349- Is someone forcing you to look at or even god forbid purchase this yacht or any of it's sisterships? Take what ever calming measures you need. No one wants you to blow a gasket or bend a valve, deprive your family of a bread winner in order and to post twice in a short period given your exemplary and faultless record so far (6 posts in 3 and a bit years) Surely an inspiration to any budding member with such an en lightening response such as your last (j/k)
Value of a Burger Ouch - that comment was a little tough. Unfortunately Burgers are very expensive to maintain. Thus the low actual sale prices for a premium vessel. Lately, some owners have purchased one and then been quite dismayed when they find out what the maintenance costs are - these are not fiberglass boats. Their upkeep expenses are more in line with a wooden yacht. Thus, some of those available now are needing serious attention. What has happened is that those with the money have moved onto larger yachts, and now only those with a penchant for the old girls or those looking for a bargain are buying these. The ones looking for a bargain, end up not maintaining them, further driving down the price. On the other hand, I just looked at a 75' steel Burger that should have economically been scrapped. Instead, the owner poured money into her, and after a three year refit she is absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, he will never get his money back out of her. However, his love of the old girl saved her for at leawst another 10-15 years depending on the care she gets.
OUCH and Double OUCH, I apologize K1W1 I honestly did not mean to offend anyone with the post. I know I don’t post often, I tend to lurk in the shadows and just read but decided to start posting more, my wife tells me I am to abrupt when I talk or write and once again she is proven correct. I love these old classic yachts and won’t buy anything else, I am not a fan of the Europe lines. I love a classic flush deck motor yacht. I simply didn’t understand of someone didn’t take care of a yacht why they would think another person would be interested in it except to restore it do to love of that type of boat. I can understand someone doing that type of thing and agree with them doing it, I read the advertisement in Yachtworld incorrectly and thought they where trying to represent this yacht as only needing some TLC. If one goes into the sale knowing they need to do restoration that is one thing to go into a sale and then invest money in a survey to find out major defects that have been covered up is another. I misread and apologize for that, it is also obvious from talking to a guy on the dock who know the broker they aren’t doing that. I apologize to you and him for the confusion. Hat
Waterman480 has it exactly correct. The commitment involved in owning a classic Burger is pretty much like that of owning a wooden yacht. Its not for everyone. I attended a sea trial last winter on the aforementioned Victoria. She is certainly a lovely old yacht. The prospective purchaser did not close on the boat for various reasons, mainly that his yacht broker provided some education as to what was ahead in the way of costs. This reality sets in sometimes sooner, sometimes later. Worst case is that the boat goes back on the market 18 months later once the learning curve steepens. For the renaisance guy, these boats are a magnificent value. Problem is, most of us renaisance guys are balancing on walkers in old age homes. Its a shame that pedigree doesn't mean anything anymore.
I understand the cost with wooden boats is the upkeep of the wood and exposure to the elements causes deterioration. I thought aluminum hull didn’t have that problem, that aluminum was a very stable material to use for building.’ What type of costs are you talking about?
Here is a sample of what happens to paint jobs on aluminum boats. This is a Burger that I was looking at. It was painted just two years ago, and now has numerous blisters like this. You also have other corrosion and maintenance issues. Think of it like a car. When it was new - you paid $10,000. Now that it is old, it is worth only $1000. However the expenses are now greater than when it was new - and correspond to a $10,000 car, not a $1,000 cart. Now to our case - a $3 million yacht - now old and tired. So she is only worth $300,000 - but the expenses are now higher. Hull plate replacement, stern tubes, fairing and painting, etc. The old rule of thumb was 10% of cost for maintenance. Well, that varies widely, and I think a little high. For your $3,000,000 (now $300K) yacht - that is $300K per year to keep it in Bristol fashion. Or on the cheap - maybe $50k per year to keep it nice, but not Bristol.
I should have mentioned - $50K assumes that she is in prime condition to start. If things are rough - then plan on spending much, much more to get her back.
I have seen several Chris Craft Roamers and they don't seem to have this problem, is that because of the fairing done before they are painted and the Burgers aren't? I don't know only asking what kind of process is followed to paint a Burger.
Update on Long Gone. The boat was hauled and the bottom surveyed 1/16/2008. Long Gone is not Long Gone. Audiogauge was very healthy. Two strut weld cracks were causing a fuel tank issue which was repaired. The shafts and cutless bearings were inspected. Sound and serviceable. Attack the house/cabin cosmetic work, replace some soft goods, get the diesel odor out, replace aft stateroom carpet, repair stbd side deck softness and you willl have a $1M look for $270ish.
Looks like she is being sold. My previous post didn't make it here but thanks for the replies. Good luck to the new owner.
Yes your last post came to my email but did not show up here or as a private message. Anyway we had 3 people who submitted contracts over a two week period and I think we chose the right match for the boat. These boats are a tad exotic so if paint bubbles or aluminum issues are not your thing... Hatteras has some great vintage product in the marketplace
'Good' OLD Burger... 1960 +/- to 1970 WHY... Are there POSTS that are nearly 2 YEARS OLD!!!! I am looking for a 'Good' OLD Burger... 1960 +/- to 1970 +/- Today... December 21,2010. Do not have $$$$+$$, just would like an 'Old' classic Burger in 'OKAY' condition!!