Why do you guys bother with these old tugboats?

well heres my classic Pachanga 22 powerd by 454 BBC and I love it.
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I love the old Pachangas. My dream was a 27' with twin 300hp small blocks. That's a boat that did/does it for me. Absolutely timeless styling.
 
I guess i'm just an old tug boater , in fact i'm on my way to get that old tug boat and go tug boating right now, what a nice day to be in the Ozarks. SEA YA
 
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It's simple.....The 80's models were and still is the best boat ever built. Thick hull and stable design and very clean lines. The larger express models are some of my favorites. I think the best looking and for the size was the 87-89 270 Sundancer. That was my dream boat forever but luck so has it (or dumb luck) I had my current boat fall in my lap. You just can't beat the look of a good condition 80's era Sea Ray. Even to this day they are still a boat that IMO still looks good to this day.
 
For me, it is the classic styling, teak trim, stainless steel "destroyer" steering wheel, etc. I don't care for the styling of the newer boats - the "shark" type look that is all curvy with no teak trim and fiberglass everywhere.

I can put up with some ocassional maintenance - it is FAR less than a book of loan payment coupons for the next 10 years....
 
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well in the case my Pachanga I dont' think it ever lost it's looks. to me it could sit in a row of boats from the 2000's and few would be the wiser that it was from the 80's. only the graphics and dash give it away I think.
as far as my 270, it's honestly just a beast of a boat for it's size, everytime I get on a newer 27 my wife and I just stand cramped in the cabin asking "where the heck did all the room go?" to get a simliar cabin layout (seperate dinette from the V-birth) and a similiar beam you have to buy a 310 these days! but If I'm being truely honest It's not that I love 80's boats, it's just the most room I found for my money. I pay cash for toys and well.....I don't have alot of cash sitting around :lol:

truth be told on my 270 I'd love a curved windsheild and intergrated swim platform and could do without all the teak on the exterior, or I guess I just need an 89 280:grin:. Pachanga I wouldn't change a thing :wink:
 
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I agree! Even though all of my wood trim is a lot of maitenance, I think it makes the boat look much better. If new boats even have wood its usually Veneer these days. That's not going to hold up to 30 years of new england ocean boating like mine did...
 
Is that true that the older models had thicker hulls or a myth?
 
Really depends on when the boat was made when the manufactures were still new to the fiberglass hull and if its a cored hull or not i have heard that Sea Ray has always had thivker hulls then other manufactures but unless i cut mine i dont care to find out lol
 
The older boats have character. The current models all look the same. There is hardly a difference from one manufacturer to the next. The lines are almost all the same and the layouts are all the same. With an older boat you aren't forced into the same layout with fiberglass molded seats and floor plans. I have a huge open deck that I can do with whatever I want. My boat is almost 10 ft wide and I have close to 16ft of open level cockpit. Try to find that in a new boat. You'll never do it. The older boats were designed to be more versatile. Everytime I look at a new boat I think to replace my boat in today's money would be over 100 grand. That will never happen. I'm currently in the market for an older 20 ft or so center console. I love the look of the older Mako's. They just don't make 'em like they used to. I would rather make an older boat mine than buy something brand new for a lot of $$$$$$$.
 
Bandit said:
Is that true that the older models had thicker hulls or a myth?
Click to expand...

well I know that's not the case in my Pachanga. boat is fast for a reason, it's very lightwieght for it's size, and if I open the small cabinettes in the cabin I can see sunlight coming through the hull.
 
I have an 85' SRV and I'm told that the glass was still thicker in those years due to being pre Brunswick and the lineage of the origonal SRV from the 60's but I really have no way of knowing any of this for sure..
 
I agree. I place more importance on useable space than interior space, which is more important in newer boats. I really only sleep down there, it's not where I hang out, so I don't need a huge cabin.
 
Well with my "Hole in the Water" It has been a labor of love and hate. I met a Sea Ray employee at the Miami Boat show a few years back who worked on the mid 1980 300s. He did say they had thick hulls and were virtually ice breakers, although he would recommend it. He stated they were heavy and not that fuel efficient when compared to today’s boats, but in his opinion they were the best boats Sea Ray ever made.

I have found a few draw backs but all in all my boat is stable in rough seas, easy to work on and is reliable.
 
I have loved all things old aka. classic all my life
no challenge in having something new ,,,that all look alike...they lack character
for me it all boils down to having too much time and too much money I guess........not
:lol:
 
Yeah, these curvey lines are just horrid looking...
 

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HUMPH said:
Yeah, these curvey lines are just horrid looking...
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I love my old boat, but you sir have one GORGEOUS boat!!!!!!


Shaun
Sent from my iPhone
 
HUMPH said:
Yeah, these curvey lines are just horrid looking...
Click to expand...

Don't get me wrong, beautiful boat. Just not one that I would buy. For something in that size range I'd probably get a Tiara express if I wanted to go newer. However arguing one's taste in boats is akin to arguing one's taste in women, you just like what you like and probably can't be convinced otherwise haha.
 
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