In Market for 34-36 Sedan / Convertible

[kenspencer]

We are closing in on buying our 1st cruiser. I have many years of owning/running small boats and some experience running up to 41' cruisers.

I really like the looks of the 34 + SR Sedan Bridges in the mid to late 80s range.

Does anyone have any thoughts on buying one of these instead of a Mainship or Silverton in the same age / size bracket?

We are looking at this boat as a 3 year boat, planning to go to probably 42-46 then.

 

[douglee25]

Calling cruise director Ron?

Doug

 

[rondds]

Ken
We looked at mid-late 80s Silverton 34s and 37s - a whole bunch - before a salesman directed our attention to our current boat. We were very discouraged with the Silverton 34s especially. They did NOT hold up well at all. All looked like beaters, and we saw probably 6 or 7 of em. The 37 is a much better boat but it's real big and real slow and a pig on gas. The 34s are lightweight and most do not have gennys or swim platforms. As one salesman explained to me, they were mass-produced for a certain price-point customer and as such they aren't the greatest in creature comforts or build quality. If you're going to get a Silverton, skip the 34 and go to the 37.

As for this boat, it showed so much better than any Silverton I had been on. We looked at the 88 and the 89. The two are identical in mechanicals and exteriors, but we liked the layout of the 89 interior much more - second stateroom and galley up. They were only built these two model years. There's quite a few out there if you search around on yachtworld you'll get a sense of the prices.

I'm not knocking Silverton/Mainships - I actually like the new Silvertons (34c, 36c) a lot, but back in the day there is really no comparison.

 

[JOHN BECHTOLD]

Did you find a boat?

 

[Redhook98]

I like my '83, a lot.... I looked at Trojans, Silvertons and even a few Carvers. I grouped the Trojans and Silvertons into the same category I put the same year of Bayliners into. They were massed produced and not high on bells and whistles. The Carvers were nice, but more of a nitch boat. They took some getting used to and had starnge lines...

The 340 I picked up was a little more spendy then most, but it had also been restored about 7-8 years ago and was in near perfect condition (except for being neglected for the past few years by the PO and left outside). They seem so much more modern then there siblings from Trojan, Carver and Silverton as well.

 

[douglee25]

I'm not sure how you lumped Trojan into the same category as Bayliner. The Trojan boats were ahead of their time. They were complete battle ships. Very nice boats.

Doug

 

[Redhook98]

I'm not sure how you lumped Trojan into the same category as Bayliner. The Trojan boats were ahead of their time. They were complete battle ships. Very nice boats.

Doug

I call it as I see it. There are 4 down at my marina. They have their positives, but I would not touch one. Thin hulls, not many options when new, rough finish, poor fitment, shall I go on? I am specifically talking about the mid-70's thru 1990 F-32's and F-36's. The "Meter" boats look pretty good though.

 

[Skeetobite]

I'm having serious thoughts about selling mine and moving to the next project. She would never go for what I have in her. She's near perfect now and I don't even know where to start pricing her. After we enjoy her this Summer we'll probably move up.

 

[rondds]

Skeetobite! How could you!!??:smt089