Help Me, Please . . .

[joefran4]

I am new to this forum. Considering purchase of a used cruiser in the 30 foot range. I have some general knowledge of boats. I am looking for a boat 1995 or better 50000 dollar maximum. Boat will be based in palm coast florida for coastal cruising and trips to the carribean bimini bahamas etc. Will most likely live aboard as we travel. I have looked at several boats searay, cruiser yachts, tiaras, formulas etc. Would like a nice low maintenance boat with modern appearance. No engine repair knowledge so would need reliability and enogh speed to get out of the way of traffic quickly. 30 mph max is enough speed..If someone has suggestions please feel free to make suggestions...joefran4

[Amapola]

You won't find many many go-fast boats in this forum.

[edbulmer]

As Sea Ray would suit what you are looking for.

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by joefran4

I am new to this forum. Considering purchase of a used cruiser in the 30 foot range. I have some general knowledge of boats. I am looking for a boat 1995 or better 50000 dollar maximum. Boat will be based in palm coast florida for coastal cruising and trips to the carribean bimini bahamas etc. Will most likely live aboard as we travel. I have looked at several boats searay, cruiser yachts, tiaras, formulas etc. Would like a nice low maintenance boat with modern appearance. No engine repair knowledge so would need reliability and enogh speed to get out of the way of traffic quickly. 30 mph max is enough speed..If someone has suggestions please feel free to make suggestions...joefran4

Not sure "Low maintenance" and "Boat" belong in the same sentence...

Best of luck though, Lots of cheap trawlers in Florida but not fast like you are looking for. It would be rare to find a diesel boat in your price range with your speed requirements. Not really sure if a motor boat in the 30' range would enough range to do carribean... I'd want twin motors for sure, and even then things break and go wrong.

[stevensc]

more wakes on the way
Steve W

[Epiphany]

I have made a similar search. I have a personal bias against express cruisers and found that mid 1990s 31 Mainship Sedan Bridge and 32 Carver Aft cabin vessels fit the best. They won't cruise at 30k but they do around 20k with twin 350 gas engines and better fuel economy. They won't get trawler economy. Nothing will at those speeds. You can find some of the Mainships with diesels. I like the flybridge for the Keys and Bahamas. The Mainship has better access to the engines and generator through the cockpit and the Carver, and all aft cabins, have better accomodations with separate cabins. The Mainship seemed to have a better reputation. I am now considering investing a lot more money ($150-200K) in PDQ or Endeavor Cat trawlers but I was intrigued by the vessels above.

[bbleroy]

Brent @ Zdocs.com in Tampa has a deal 28' Formula for $5,000.

813-977-2676

[James S]

Welcome to the forum bbleroy and joefran4.
My only coment isnt so relevant due to the age of the boat, but I bought an 80s vintage 35ft Riva with twin petrol 350s...that thing was so incredibly expensive to run....its been a while now.... but it seems like it was about $16,000 to get from Monti Carlo to Aden Yemen, a distance of about 4500 nm.

[bbleroy]

Powerboats are meant to go fast and consume lots of gas.

Diesel is cheaper. the most economical power cruising boat is a single engine diesel powered boat.

Bruce

[bbleroy]

Originally Posted by bbleroy

Brent @ Zdocs.com in Tampa has a deal 28' Formula for $5,000.

813-977-2676

Sorry I misquoted the price.
$12,900
This is still a deal.
See ad in craigslist
28' Formula 28 PC

[Fueldiva]

1999 Bayliner 2859 Ciera Express Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

This is probably what you should be looking at for a starter boat. Just make sure you have some money to fix whatevers wrong with it and service the leg and engine. To maintain a boat like this will cost you about $3000 a year for maintainence - changing filters, air filters, oil etc. The worst thing you can do is ignore a boat for months on end so be prepared to use it or at least fire it once a month and check all the systems. You can spend time on it on the dock and it can be very pleasant - sort of like a cottage and that will give you the time to check out the systems on a regular basis.
If you can find a vessel without a leg that is better but for a starter boat something like this is good.
This is the only 'Bayliner' I would consider. Any bigger and the hull quality goes way down. Make sure you get a good survey from an independant surveyor - not one suggested by a broker and out of the area if possible so that the surveyor is not working for the broker the following week.
Good Luck and it is all worth it!

[EmrldDvr]

If you are still looking I looked at a boat in St. Louis about 45 days ago. 12mtr Trojan International. Very clean. High end boat. I wound up in a 450 searay. He thought 48k. I know 40k will buy it. Cheap enough.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, EmrldDvr.

[rlp077]

I own a 32' Carver aft cabin and for 2 people it is perfect.
Roomy interior plus repowered engines work well. Cost to maintain is extremely variable based on usage, maintenance, and tarvel needs.
Ownership requires constant cleaning and boat needs to keep running so
beware of committment or having others maintain. Boat will deteiorate
if not maintained quickly.

[S/V Antares]

You might concider a 28- 30 ft Center console with a small cuddy and newer 4 stroke outboards which is as near maintence free as you will get . Then get a cottage when crusing the bahamas. Many folks from FL do this and it works well. We have done this on the chesapeke cruising the bed & breakfast places when it is just too hot to take the sailboat.