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New Roamer Owner

Discussion in 'Chris Craft Roamer Yacht' started by bolsado, Dec 23, 2008.

  1. bolsado

    bolsado Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2008
    Messages:
    139
    Location:
    Sacramento
    I recently purchased a nice Chris Craft Al Roamer Riviera. Vessel has been re-powered with twin 350 Chris Craft (250 hp each) and has been kept in fresh water its entire life in the Kenosha area.

    Boat Registration/Identification:
    Hull#: RXP37150BR
    Eng SN Port: 705264
    Eng SN Stbd: 703785
    Gen SN: 268922

    I have been watching this website for a few months and have finally registered. For now its on the hard in Kenosha. Plans are to spend some time on Lakes Mich and Minnetonka this summer to get aquanted with it then transport it out to the Sacramento area and on a slow scale update her.

    Once out here plans are to summer on the large lakes (Tahoe, Shasta, Powell, Mead etc...) and winter in the Sacramento Delta or various ports along the pacific coast (San Diego to Seattle). To meet those plans I have been shopping trailers and any member in the know of a used 18K lb or greater tri axle would be great

    I also just saw one totally rebuilt (Roamer that is) and for sale on Lake Minnetonka named "Maritime". I assume that person has spent some time at this website. I would like to get in contact if possible.
  2. bolsado

    bolsado Member

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    Location:
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    Photo of 65 AL Rivera

    From the sale ad. Soon to be named "AlumanaciĆ³n"

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  3. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Welcome to Yacht Forums.

    I was reading you first post and was intrigued by your request for a trailer- do you want a trailer that weighs 18,000 lbs or one that can carry that much?

    In either case you are going to tow this boat on it's trailer behind a truck aren't you?
  4. Shangri-La

    Shangri-La Senior Member

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    Location:
    Pensaukee, WI
    That's one big boat to try to trailer around. You're gonna need a big truck. There's a lot of cruising ground around the Sacramento River though. As a kid back in the 60s, that's where I learned my seamanship as a Sea Scout. The Sacramento River, Delta area, SF Bay, up and down the ship channel all on an old 45' navy surplus Hacker Picket Boat, and learned to sail on Lake Folsom.:)
    [​IMG]
  5. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Not only that, but I expect you'll be removing the flybridge, bimini, radar and maybe more every time you change locals. BTW, what's the beam on that boat? You may even be dealing with "wide load" regulations. Best bet keep this in your home port and get a small, trailerable boat for traveling to the lakes or rent one there.
  6. bolsado

    bolsado Member

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    Location:
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    Response to trailer "AlumanaciĆ³n"

    Thanks for the comments guys.

    There is some thought put into it with the following background. Yes she is big but not too big and there are lots of big bodies of water around with a days drive from here in Sacramento. This is an adventure and the thing I have is time over money vs newer/more expensive yacht owners which probably have a money over time situation and visiting other ports is part of that adventure.

    Its not like one would move this boat every weekend but twice a year no big deal (those in the midwest take their boats out for the winter anyway). Out here we get year round use. Slips/moorage seem to be the same most every where as well ($300-600 month) depending of facilities or location (ie Tahoe is very pricey).

    Wide load permits are no problem you all see them every day, it just takes some planning (it varies a little state to state and road type but basically no big deal just put the wife in the pilot car if needed until my boys 9-11 are old enough to drive).

    The genesis of the idea was I always wanted to spend time on Lake Powell in a big boat which is where the Roamer comes in. Out here there are plenty of wooden Chris Crafts and the like but very few metal boats as they are mostly in the midwest. Thus the quality/maint of an AL metal boat (you all know those) with charm of the vintage wood interior.

    Shipping cost to get it to Sacramento qouted between $11-14K, new trailer (triple axle 18-24,000 lb capacity 37-42 foot boat length cost $6-14K (depends on al/galv or steeel and misc eatures), used (hard to find surfing the internet but seem to be parked in the weeds at every major marina I have seen) I would pay $3-6K for one (plus ill pay a finders fee for one a days drive for so from Kenosha to anyone who can find me a good used one). Thus math makes trailer much better option even if only used once and resold at a loss but once you have it other destinations are quite possible.

    Trucks are the easy part you just have to pick what you want for the price you want to pay (of course a short rental or lease is an even less expensive option). Some say you could do it with a 1 ton (F350 for example) but unless its a short distance its not worth the risk. If one were buy new basically a F450/550 rated at 19-22K towing would do the trick and before the economy really tanked lately they were not much differently priced new ($35-45K) than the 1 ton but hold resale better ($15-25K)and have a longer useful life in the 200-400,000 mile range and you get tax incentives to purchase to boot.

    Now due to the economy and expeditor system used class 6/7/8 (25-50K lb capacity expeditor trucks used are a pretty good deal ($12-25K).
    See attached picture for sale @ $16K with TV, fridge, inverter, double bunks. Add a heavy duty hitch and put all the flybridge, water toys, jet skis, small ski boat and/or a car/truck for get around at your new destination in the box (typically 22-24 ft long) and you got the ultimate toy hauler setup.

    Anyway its a plan but not perfect and of course not executed so feel free to chime in its a lot of fun planning and talking about it.

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  7. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    You have answered my question fully.

    It did have me wondering as back in 1983 I built a boat trailer for a guy to use to pull his catamaran glass bottom boat out if a hurricane was coming.

    The base of the trailer was a couple of old trucks on 16" wheels so as you can imagine it was a good size thing. It wasn't until construction was well underway that he announced he was going to use his Subaru Car to tow it.

    He was not impressed when I suggested putting the hitch on the roof, he was searching for a suitable vehicle when I had to leave ( I was doing a delivery at the time) so have no idea if it ever actually worked.

    You read like you have done a lot of planning and research. I wish you luck for your endeavors and hope to read about your adventures along the way.
  8. Shangri-La

    Shangri-La Senior Member

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    Location:
    Pensaukee, WI
    I thought about moving my Roamer from Two Rivers, WI to Tampa, FL last year. A guy with a 1 ton gave me a quote and was upset when I told him that his truck was too small. I did get a quote from someone with a big truck (360 Boat Transport www.360boattransport.com) for $3600. I though about Lake Powell too and even the Texas Gulf Coast since I spend the winters down in this area. Just somewhere where we can get more use of it instead of the 4 to 5 months a year there in Wisconsin. But for now we'll just keep it on Lake Michigan for a couple more years after we finish rebuilding it and live on it during the cool summer months. If I ever do move it I'll hire someone to do it for me. For me it'll be much cheaper in the long run.
  9. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    :eek: :D :D
    Bolsodo, you're doing your due diligence and it sounds like you know the amount of work and complications involved. Plus you're prepared if it turns out to be more hassle than it's worth. Sounds like you're heading for a good adventure.
    It sounds like you're heading into the Rockies. Not my neighborhood, but I'd make sure the truck had more than enough power to get up those hills with that weight, and good enough brakes for the downhill. Also have it tuned for thin air if you'll be climbing.
    Good luck, and Merry Christmas.
    Just saw you updated post. Yeah, the peace of mind is priceless.
  10. woodlund94

    woodlund94 New Member

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    Location:
    Lake Minnetonka, MN
    HI

    I saw your post. You said that you are looking at boating on Lake Minnetonka. I'm on Minnetonka myself and if you would like I can direct you to the right boat launches and I can get you a slip if you want.

    I tow my own roamer, a 1936 36' Riviera with a hard top(Sweet Martha). No fly bridge. I tow mine twice a year in and out of the water and store it about a 3 hour drive away. I prefer a short truck with as much power as I can get and air brakes. Look at mobile home toters. They usually come with a 6 way hydraulic hitch.

    If you want more details about the lake, email me at dlindberg at mchsi dot com.

    (I'm not the one that had the boat for sale that you mentioned in your post.)

    Dave
  11. bolsado

    bolsado Member

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    Location:
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    Trailering Roamers

    Well all I am back from a brief holiday break hope you all had a good xmas. Thanks for the additional comments.

    Shangri-La - I love to here more stories about cruising the delta in the war surplus boat. What a small world, I am a Project Manager on Folsam Dam in a dam safety upgrade project and would like to hear about your days there too. Its a great lake but too small for a 37 footer most of the year. To see what we are doing please visit the web site I had created for updates.

    http://www.usbr.gov/mp/jfp/index.html

    We should hook up as I take the Roamer from Kenosha to Minnetonka this spring and you can see if the plan worked out as envisioned. I assume we will take it slow an get to the Dells the first day (let the kids go nuts there) and then push on to the MSP area.

    Also once I am outfitted Id be glad to haul other Roamers like Shangri-La around at less than competetive rates (basically expenses and a little pocket change to offset my capital costs and sink more money into my Roamer rebuild)

    woodlund94 - Likewise it would be great to hook up this spring. I have cousins in the area 1 in Eden Prairie, 1 in Wayzata walking dist to the Lake, 1 in the the Crystal Bay area and one right on the lake in the Tonka Bay area. Ill email in the near future.

    K1W1 - Sounds like you made better off not dealing with the subaru guy. I hope I am not coming off as that crackers though.
  12. bolsado

    bolsado Member

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    Location:
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    Got the trailer

    Making progress as pick up day looms. Bought this 4 axle 20,000 lb trailer a few months back.

    I am homing in on a truck. Prices have improved much since the search began.

    Looking to be on the water Lake Mich in early June

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  13. Charlie D

    Charlie D New Member

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    Location:
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    reply to Sacramento bound Roamer

    Looks like a great boat you have. If you are going to trailer it a considerable distance be very careful, would hate to lose a irreplaceable Roamer due to a highway mishap. I have a 33' steel Roamer, with a trailer, but it is just a "yard" trailer. I had the trailer custom made at a local metal fabricating shop, works out well and is suitable for other boats too. To be legal towing your boat, you will need a Class A drivers license, maybe a Class B may suffice. I think something like a F450 may be too small and underpowered, there are some big hills enroute. You mentioned Lake Minnetonka, until a few months ago, I lived within a few blocks of Tonka. There are a number of Roamers there, including a 58', getting it there was quite a trick. Incidently, my boat spent its first 2 or three years on Tonka, then moved to Lake Superior which is truly Roamer territory. In Sacramento, I hope for the benefit of the boat you stay in fresh water, salt water raises havoc with metal boats. Yes, a number of Roamers are in salt, but I'm sure they are suffering due to it. Keep in touch.
  14. bolsado

    bolsado Member

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    Update - Making Progress

    Well the plan is comming together almost to a tee all be it a little slower than expected and of course $$$$$$.

    Took my boys on a two week trip as soon as school was out and traveled by car to kenosha with stops in Denver, The Dells, Lake Geneva, Kenosha and MSP.

    Trailer was delived from Atlanta on our morning arrival in Kenosha, marina put boat in the water and got my first lessons on operating a twin screw from Dave Scott who has been a great seller. See his website http://www.resolutecharters.com

    Spent a few days in a guest slip at Southport and some easy trips at the mouth of the marina "getting the feel" of those twin 350's. Dave must have been a great teacher no crashing into docks or the "expensive" boats all around me.

    Pulled her out and tried for a lucky fit to the trailer but that would have been to much if she fit so took a few measurements and went off to procure a towing vehicle in Stanley WI. Then a few days in MSP on Minnetonka with relatives be fore flying back to Sacramento.

    Looks like I must have missed Kenny from Shangrila by a day or two and now that I know were Oconto is I try and connect.

    I am headed back down first week in Aug to get her mated to the trailer and will post some more info then.
  15. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    You got into this and you've never even run a twin screw boat? You do have a bit of Huck Finn in you. Have a good summer.
  16. bolsado

    bolsado Member

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    Trip 2 Photos

    Yes,

    I may be past Huck Finn. Never even owned a boat before.

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  17. bolsado

    bolsado Member

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    More photos

    Forgot to mention,

    Tornado first night on the boat. Fly bridge made it through and no leaks.

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  18. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Hopefully this is not your first time driving a large rig with trailer on land too. Please be very, very carefully. Boating is fun. Relax and enjoy, but understand that when things go bad on a boat it happens incredibly fast and incredibly bad. Running a boat is easy, but to do it well takes experience. I took a fellow out on his new 40 today. He took it out on his own a few weeks ago, went where he saw other boats going and promptly knocked the blades off his props (rock) which explains why he wanted a captain this time.
  19. hat4349

    hat4349 Senior Member

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    I have owned three boats and on each new type I got an experienced captain to go out with me until I was familiar with that type of boat and the unique handling characteristics of the boat. I also got the PO to go with when ever they were available. Learned a long time ago like all human beings I am very fallible.
  20. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    By the time most people get their 1st sizable boat these days they've run umpteen cars and probably a business or two and a few houses. Why should they need a "lesson" to drive a boat? They forget that before they drove alone on the road someone taught them and before they started their business they probably worked under someone in the field or went through a bunch of schooling.
    For the past 5 years, as well as working as an independent captain, I managed and captained up to 3 boats. One fellow, despite being my best student, wouldn't leave the dock without me. I had an easy job. He figured that, if I kept him out of trouble once, it was worth it. It almost never failed that at some point I'd earn my keep, and not a day went by that he didn't learn something new.
    Avail yourself of the experience in your marina. Keep your ears open. Don't be embarrassed to ask questions, and having a local captain go through your boat and show you the area is not a bad idea.