Opinions needed

[Chris Nowell]

http://skeena.craigslist.ca/boa/4916401192.html

This is what I'm lookin' at for a boat to keep at the coast and to do some boaterhoming and island hopping with. Need to know if anyone knows anyone who has one and if so, how seaworthy are they? Hope to be doing inside passage, Broughtons, and Desolation Sound in it. Don't want to use our 240 out there and can't really afford anything fancier like Sea Sport or C-Dory. Has to be a hard top with Alaska bulkhead. Wishin' Sea Ray made such a device in a trailerable size. Opinions and advice are welcome, so is bashing if needed. Have at 'er. Have posted this on another forum but nobody had any first hand experience.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I think that might be just about the perfect boat.....except for the 4.3L engine. I could be wrong but I think you may find it underpowered. I couldn't find the dry weight of that model but a similar design Campion 622iSD weighs in at 4300 lbs. Here's a link to that Campion...
http://www.campionboats.com/boat/622isd/#

Campion builds a decent boat and they're built in Canada so you might not have to pay any import taxes or anything. The price on that one seems on the high side. Here's the NADA book on the boat without any options...


Suggested
,,,,,,,.......,,,,,,List Price Low Retail Average Retail
Base Price,,, $21,669 $9,270 $10,600

I could be wrong on it being underpowered, but I'd sure want to run it in an area where you're going to be fighting against some current to see how it handles.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Thanks. Yea, they're built right here in Kelowna but they're not like Sea Ray when it comes to sharing info and archives. I've had a call in to them for info for over a week now and they don't seem interested in talking. The 4.3 was good enough in our Monaro, which weighed in at 3700 lbs. It wasn't a bullet on the water but it did get fantastic fuel economy and was able to run for shelter when needed. This hull is only 20 1/2 feet so my main concern is getting caught in nasty weather. I know it's a bit small, just hoping they hold together and are reasonably buoyant. We've been out there in much smaller craft but that was back in the days when we were invulnerable.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Campion is "OK". I've only ever seen one or two of them, but they're fine for a price-point boat. Nothing fancy, a little thin feeling, etc, but overall not too bad. But I agree, that price is way too high. The V6 will get you going OK (I've never ridden in one, just going off "comps") - the MPI V6 has some spunk to it. Especially for cruising around, that's actually a pretty good option for a small boat. I'm sure you could even pull a tuber or skier.

Another thought? And this basically comes from what I did recently. We were looking for a boat to keep up at our place in Maine (coastal) and eliminate trailering back and forth to PA. Overall use is similar to what you're wanting to do - island hopping, cruising, some playing and occasional sleeping. We also wanted a hardtop with enclosures (although didn't "need" hard enclosures). Basically, we were looking for a "walk around" style boat. We settled on a Grady White Offshore model. 24-feet. Also wanted an outboard. With the design of this boat, it actually has more hull in the water than my 260DA. Amazing ride - very comfortable. Plenty big enough for two to sleep in the cabin (a small kid, too). The cockpit is HUGE - I could pitch a good size tent out there.

You probably won't find a 2005 Grady for that same price, but with the build quality of these boats, don't be afraid to go older. I ended up with an '82 with a '00 Yamaha 250HP saltwater series. It even had the "extended" hardtop I was looking for. Again, just an idea. But Grady is a TOP notch company (privately owned, too).

This is it sitting in the water up in Maine, before putting striping back on.

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[Chris Nowell]

Thanx Dennis. That boat LOOKS like it will handle stuff. I've actually considered the Grady's but there aren't any of them around here either. As far as prices go; up here that 30K in Canuck bucks seems to be fairly reasonable. New they're 100K, replacement as per the insurance company is 33K, because it doesn't have radar, fridge, shore power, and there's no service records, I think I'll only go as high as 26K. Gotta remember too, our buck is about 20% shy of yours now. Then again, this boat was made with Canuck bucks. There are two similar units on the net right now for 35 and 39, fully equipped though. The price for up here does seem to be fairly close to reasonable. We had this brand in our family many years ago and they always seemed to be well built but just okay as far as finishing goes. The late 70's one that Dad had, cabin porthole was just plexiglass bonded to the inside of the hull. I remember imagining taking a big wave over the side and having that plexiglass pop out and the cabin fill with water. My memories of the early models are the reason I'm questioning their current models. I think the hulls have always been pretty sound, and they do have boats all over the planet, much like Sea Ray.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Oh, right, Canada. I glossed over that part. You're right - every year we sell quite a few of our used to boats to Canadians. They're always so happy with our pricing!

 

[Gofirstclass]

Chris, I know that you're probably already thinking along these lines, but make sure you have surveys done on the hull, engine and outdrive. That boat looks like it would handle just about anything you'd find as far as weather and waves along the coastal waters. They're reasonably well sheltered unless you venture into the Straits of Juan de Fuca. I have seen it kick up pretty good in the San Juans, but again that boat looks like it would handle it better than your Admiral would.

Keep us posted if you go to take a look at it.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Chris, I know that you're probably already thinking along these lines, but make sure you have surveys done on the hull, engine and outdrive. That boat looks like it would handle just about anything you'd find as far as weather and waves along the coastal waters. They're reasonably well sheltered unless you venture into the Straits of Juan de Fuca. I have seen it kick up pretty good in the San Juans, but again that boat looks like it would handle it better than your Admiral would.

Keep us posted if you go to take a look at it.

The San Juans is one of our faves and we do hope to be spending much time there once this work thing is done. As kids we'd do the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Georgia Strait in little run abouts but we were always cautious of the weather. By the looks of the hull on this one I'd say it looks equal or better than anything in the same size range from the 60's and 70's. I guess I just needed some positive affirmations. I've got the survey already and it looks really good, but there weren't any mechanical inspections done. I'm inclined to wait 'till I get there to evaluate the drive train myself, and if something ain't quite right I can make my offer accordingly and bring it back to my own shop to fix it. The survey did note a chipped prop so I'm thinking they probably have a few hours of vibration on the poor old lower unit. Don't know whether or not those Alpha legs have to be removed to be greased every couple of years either, like the Bravos do. Again, no service records in my books means "no service" :wow:. The mechanical part of it doesn't really worry me though, it's just gotta be sea worthy. I know our 220OV was approximately the same length of hull and there's no way in the world I would have taken that boat out in the Straits. It does look like this one has a bit more bulk to it, and a heck of a lot more freeboard. Thanx to you all for taking the time to relay your thoughts. A bunch o' heads is better 'n just mine,,,,, especially because I've already pretty much convinced myself that I gotta have this. Ya'll know how it is. Talk some sense inta me if ya think it's needed. Cheers:thumbsup:

 

[Monroe Boater]

That Campion reminds me of the hardtop Bayliners. Are any of those available in your area to check out?

 

[Chris Nowell]

That Campion reminds me of the hardtop Bayliners. Are any of those available in your area to check out?

Oh yea. We did look at a few but I seem to have this phobia,,,,,,,,,,:huh: It's like a mental block or something rooted very deep in my sub conscience. At least that's what I'm allowing myself to believe. I have honestly tried,,,,, but I just can't convince myself that I'd be happy with one.

 

[Lazy Daze]

When I'm looking a new (to me) boat, one of the things I consider is ease of maintenance. Do you do your own maintenance? How's the engine access? From something as simple as spark plugs, to greasing the coupler to manifold removal. I see what might be an access plate on the starboard side floor... If there's no stringer in the way. Is bow access just through a forward deck hatch? Not the end of the world, though. But just some thoughts. I guess all I'm saying is think it through real well as if you're actually using the boat. Make sure you're going to like the cushion density, the "solidness" of the hull, good/logical storage, and basically the overall 'user-friendliness' of the vessel.

 

[Chris Nowell]

When I'm looking a new (to me) boat, one of the things I consider is ease of maintenance. Do you do your own maintenance? How's the engine access? From something as simple as spark plugs, to greasing the coupler to manifold removal. I see what might be an access plate on the starboard side floor... If there's no stringer in the way. Is bow access just through a forward deck hatch? Not the end of the world, though. But just some thoughts. I guess all I'm saying is think it through real well as if you're actually using the boat. Make sure you're going to like the cushion density, the "solidness" of the hull, good/logical storage, and basically the overall 'user-friendliness' of the vessel.

Thanx again Dennis. I'm far to old to be getting into some of the positions that are required to change spark plugs, power steering hoses, starters, merc alternators and the likes on certain boats. I don't mind having to stretch my arm a few extra inches to back off the odd drain cock but I do draw the line at hanging upside down to install sparkplugs by feel and with a mirror. I'm hoping there's enough of the cylinder heads ABOVE the floor line to facilitate changing plugs if there aren't any acceess plates. These "doghouse" type designs with the 8' or larger beams and the square transoms usually have just enough room. I'll bring it to your shop for the stuff that I can't reach. I'll tell 'em, "Dennis is the only guy I want workin' on my boat". Just found another one, 5 years newer and more well equipped, and closer to home. Now I want them both; http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2010/Campion-Explorer-622i-Sedan-2818359/Richmond/Canada

Nice eh? This is a dreadful disease:smt021

 

[Lazy Daze]

Ah, but see now that I know you're only going to bring it to our shop if it's something that's a bear to reach... I'll just pawn it off on someone lower on the totem pole!:grin:

 

[AMFM3]

Chris...you know that the Rupert boat has probably been batted around pretty good. I have a station up there and I've never seen the water calm and the harbour is pretty choppy too. If you're going this route, I'd stick with the Richmond boat.

My experience with Campion has always been less than great. We have had a couple as station boats and they've both steered weird. It was almost like they were "out of alignment". The second one listed to starboard. Watch out for that and make sure you water test it.

Mark

 

[Chris Nowell]

Great to hear from you Mark, thanx. The boat in Richmond IS newer, less hours, well equipped, all records etc, but it's been moored in the river and the ocean for the 4 years that it's been in service. The Rupert one is a trailer queen and is actually from Victoria, they moved up there and are selling it because it's too small. Both surveys are really good. I see there are a few being used as guide boats out of Campbell River too. Was it the Explorers you guys used or one of the other models. (I only remember the "Lizard" and the "Kiss" boats from a while back). We'll probably pop down to Van over the next couple of weeks to water test that one. I'll make sure the batteries are charged in the camera this time.

 

[AMFM3]

Hey Chris....both were bow rider / ski boats. We only had them for the season and that's it. Just watch for what I pointed out. I hope it goes well for you.

Hope to see you at the club one of these days!

Mark

 

[Jetgod]

I am in Poets cove reading this today as I have a coffee. Place is deserted. Those are nice size boats for around the San Juans. That first Campion looks great. If it was in Vic originally and does check out as Bristol like the survey says ,that's a contender. If you want a perfect, needs nothing 2000 310SA you can buy mine. I want a bigger one.