Converting (back) to power

[Opu]

My introduction to boating was on a powerboat 40-odd years ago. I thought sailing sounded like fun, so I soon bought the first of several sailboats. I recently realized that most of my time lately has been spent under power with no sails up, so I decided it was time to get back to my roots.

That said, I'm looking for advice on an '85 34-foot Express Cruiser I'll be inspecting in a week or so. Info on weaknesses, gotchas, dry rot in stringers or transom, corrosion-prone tanks, or whatever would be welcome. Engines are low-hour Merc 7.4s; any concerns there?

Thanks in advance for your help!
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Dick
Oceanside

 

[bahamabreisus]

Biggest issue I am aware of is top decks being wet, due to leaking windshields. Check manifolds and risers, engines are pretty much bullet proof.

 

[mistercomputerman]

My introduction to boating was on a powerboat 40-odd years ago. I thought sailing sounded like fun, so I soon bought the first of several sailboats. I recently realized that most of my time lately has been spent under power with no sails up, so I decided it was time to get back to my roots.

Welcome back from the dark side.

 

[HUMPH]

That is a great model boat and was the most popular model during that era. Look at this thread http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/24518-The-big-old-80-s-340-owners-thread?highlight=340+thread to find a lot about the older 340. Welcome aboard and good luck!

 

[northern]

If you bought the sail boats to save fuel you will be sitting at the dock all the time with a cruiser. Get ready to spend 1 gallon a mile. If you want comfort a cruise is the way to go. The 7.4s we have are very good we now have 2400 hours on them. Power is the same as it was at 600 hours. They use 1/2 quart in 100 hours. Have not done a compression test in a while. Need to replace the plugs this year so will do compression test.

 

[hawgwash]

I can’t speak for the express cruiser but…
In 2000 I picked up a 1985 34’ Sedan Bridge in Lake Worth and shipped it west. It sold on the hard in Seattle before I had the bridge back on. I sent for two more; left one in Seattle and brought the other home to put on the market in Vancouver. Seattle one sold in less than a month. The following spring I ordered up 2 more and again sold one quickly in Seattle. Took me another year and a half to move the two in Vancouver.

So through 3 seasons I owned 5 of them. Only thing I did to any of them, was add freshwater cooling.

3 of the 5 are still owned by the people I sold to and I still see them from time to time. One rebuilt the engines and two had interiors redone. One was written off due to pilot error on a travel-lift. Otherwise, nothing done, no issues. A/C and ice-makers still work after all those hot days and cold drinks. Only ever had 2 complaints; gas gauge cries out in pain at WOT and one owner kept finding dead cock a roaches the size of a small cat.

I’d buy another, no question, even now. Best in its class for the vintage.
If it checks out well, I’d say you can’t go wrong.

Oh yeah, the fifth one? The one I haven’t seen? Ended up in the Turks & Caicos.

 

[Opu]

Thanks to all for the welcome, info and advice. Now, would anyone like to buy a 27-foot sailboat with a notable near-shore racing record? 10 MPG, great starter boat for your kids.... :grin:
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Dick
Oceanside, CA

 

[Gofirstclass]

Welcome aboard, and my only piece of advice is to get a good surveyor and do a very thorough examination of the boat to look for problems. That's the only way I know of to be very sure about what you're buying.