Need Professional Opinions, Please . . .

[Vyndance]

50K will buy a lot of boat. I don't see 2 people old enough to have been married 25 years living on that boat long enough to do the loop. The lectra san needs salt water to work. Even with a salt tank they are illegal in the Hudson and the Great Lakes.

[boatman61]

Aint it funny.... if it was a 28ft campervan.... no sweat
But a boat impossible

[GeoPowers]

Originally Posted by O.C.Diver

Not sure what you could actually buy the boat for, but here is a comparison of what $50K can buy you.

1976 Marine Trader Sedan Fly Bridge-Europa Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

I looked long and hard at this one. Looks to be in good shape. Lot of boat for the money.

Ted

I think one pays for that Delvin name. For the record, I don't see the great deal with the Delvin boat for 52k. My wife and I like dreaming and looking at boat porn as much as anyone, and we decided when we are old and fragile and can't sail anymore we will get a boat like the one O.C. Diver showed for doing the Great Loop. 32-34 ft, fiberglass, single prop but with a bow thruster (twin screw instead of thruster would be even better IMO), shallow draft, decent tankage, etc. I also like the Marine Trader over the Delvin because it looks to be easier/safer to walk around topsides. If you are serious about doing the great loop, you know there are over a hundred locks you have to go through. Having one with easy to maneuver topsides will help in tying up, tossing lines, etc. Finally, you'd have to plan for weather more with the Delvin. It seems pretty light for a wood boat (6,500 lb?).

Frank

Frank

[dacust]

You can look back through my posts and see that I usually discourage people from buying a wood boat.

But this one was made in 87. Based on age and weight, it is possible that it is a quality epoxy over plywood boat that could actually last. Judging by its appearance, it may well have been maintained properly. It also looks well equipped, which could save you on outfitting costs. Remember, it's really easy to spend $10-$20k getting a boat ready for a long trip. Even one that, at first glance, has every thing you need.

BUT, you should definitely have a survey done. By a surveyor that specializes in wood boats. Wood boats can easily have hidden damage that gives it a negative value (I sold my 36' wood boat for $1 and felt like I cheated the poor guy.)

As far as I'm concerned, that would be a great boat for the loop. You'll get bounced around some in some areas, but for the most part it should be comfortable. BUT, note some of the valid objections some of the previous posts point.

If their figures are correct, then you'd have about a 225 mile usable range if you keep it to 7 kts. (50 gallons x 7kmpg less 1/3 for safety) That should be workable.

The price seems quite high to me. The $25k figure someone threw out above sounds closer to me. But a surveyor can tell you better. If all the systems are good and the equipment is up to date (especially electronics), then it may be worth more than I think.

Just remember: there are three important things:

1. survey
2. Survey
3. SURVEY

Last note: In all things, but especially on the web, opinions are seldom worth what you pay for them. And even less when evaluating a boat from an ad.

-dan

[kenny chaos]

What a bunch of dream crushers. lol
The owner paid 65k for it two years ago. I offered 40k but he's holding for 49k. Claims the last owner is trying to sell his replacement boat and buy it back.
Those Marine Traders are a lot of boat for the money but we're looking for something
in the 24'-30' range. The wife was happy with a little 22' I was looking at but she deserves a little more. Any ideas on something in the 24'-30' range?
Maybe I should mention that we spend a lot of time camping in our 1968 10' Shasta Compact trailer.
Thanks for all the feedback.
Kenny-

[Mike Vogdes]

These are nice... sorta along the line of the Devlin.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...g_id=1644&url=

[Bash]

I like the boat--especially for the intended use as a looper--but I'm not crazy about the idea of putting a wood boat on a trailer and hauling it from Washington State to wherever you're proposing to start the loop. You may have a leak-free boat at the start of the transport, but probably won't at the termination. Regardless, you'll have to factor in the cost of transport in the overall budget. At that point, you can probably get a better deal if you buy a boat at your point of origin.

[clifford sloan]

Finding an unbiased surveyor is as easy as consulting Boat U S or ASA. The price seems high for what is being offered. Same money buys more comfort (bigger). Having to depend on a weather window really means if a quick storm or the need to run for cover comes up, your in the soup. I'm "Charlie Tuna" (the checken of the sea) when it comes to maxing out my requirements for safety as well as comfort.
All the best,
Clif

[vjm]

How about a Prairie 29/ Atlantic 30 trawler? Same boat, just sold under two different names. The Atlantic usually has twins, the Prairie is usually a single. there is one Atlantic on Yacht World right now, but a lot of them don't seem to make it there, so you will have a good time searching.

Solid fiberglass hull, Hargrave design, very reasonably priced, comfortable for two, and, at a 3-3.5 ft draft, totally capable of doing the Loop (usual caveats apply).

I am a big fan, and a yearning future owner.

[foggysail]

Originally Posted by kenny chaos

What a bunch of dream crushers. lol
The owner paid 65k for it two years ago. I offered 40k but he's holding for 49k. Claims the last owner is trying to sell his replacement boat and buy it back.
Those Marine Traders are a lot of boat for the money but we're looking for something
in the 24'-30' range. The wife was happy with a little 22' I was looking at but she deserves a little more. Any ideas on something in the 24'-30' range?
Maybe I should mention that we spend a lot of time camping in our 1968 10' Shasta Compact trailer.
Thanks for all the feedback.
Kenny-

Well Kenny, you asked for advice.........professional advice but ours was free. So chin up, a professional surveyor would charge real bucks and you would not be much better off than you are now with our free advice.

It is YOUR money, and money TALKS!!!

The last time mine spoke to me, it shouted GOODBYE!

Foggy

[O.C.Diver]

Originally Posted by kenny chaos

What a bunch of dream crushers. lol
The owner paid 65k for it two years ago. I offered 40k but he's holding for 49k. Claims the last owner is trying to sell his replacement boat and buy it back.
Those Marine Traders are a lot of boat for the money but we're looking for something
in the 24'-30' range. The wife was happy with a little 22' I was looking at but she deserves a little more. Any ideas on something in the 24'-30' range?
Maybe I should mention that we spend a lot of time camping in our 1968 10' Shasta Compact trailer.
Thanks for all the feedback.
Kenny-

Kenny, don't know what your cruising experience or camping life style might be, but here are a couple of things to consider. As the boat gets smaller so do things like water tanks and refrigeration.

I'm not about to tell anyone what they need in this regard. However, my wife told me what she needed. In her words,"a real shower every night and the ability to make real meals". She was in the army; learned to bathe with 2/3s of a helmet of water, and has eaten to many MREs.

As the boat gets smaller, how much you can carry of food and water changes. Unlike in the travel trailer, zipping out to the store or taking a shower at the camp ground bath house, isn't always an option on a boat. My point is to look at each boat in terms of how long you can comfortably go with out reprovisioning and filling the water tanks. Also, if you have to buy more frequently, a discount store may not always be an option. Nothing wrong with camping (ruffing it) for a couple of weeks, might not be so much fun for a year.

Ted

[simonmd]

Er, i'm sorry, HOWW MUCH??!!!!

Nice enough looking little boat but we have had people on here asking which 40ft trawler yacht to buy for under $50K, not some tiny little 26ft with only one cabin !!!!! and notice I said which as there were a few to choose from...

Very overpriced and they havent even put any pics of the inside on the ad' either, click 'next' if I were you....

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by simonmd

Er, i'm sorry, HOWW MUCH??!!!!

Nice enough looking little boat but we have had people on here asking which 40ft trawler yacht to buy for under $50K, not some tiny little 26ft with only one cabin !!!!! and notice I said which as there were a few to choose from...

Very overpriced and they havent even put any pics of the inside on the ad' either, click 'next' if I were you....

Interior shots are further down past the details.... nice layout
Also remember this is a handbuilt boat not a mass production line moulded plastic fantastic...

[simonmd]

DOH, so they are!

Now i've seen them, looks very sparten and cramped to me. You can get A LOT more space and comfort in a larger boat and probably for less money too.

Any reason you've set yourself on such a small boat? Fine for the ICW i'm sure but once you get out into the sea it won't be very comfortable.

[kenny chaos]

Here's some more shots;
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