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This forum site seems to the most knowledgeable group in my area (from Simi Valley). I am in the market for a used Sportfisher. Some years ago I had a 30′ Carver with gassers, and then a 28′ Tollycraft with gassers also. Not going that route again. They were very unreliable, and I purchased with problems.
I am looking for advice how to proceed with purchasing this time. I would like to purchase a used Sportfisher for a great deal because it has crap engines and needs to be re-powered, and then I would like to spend the majority of my budget on the re-power. Sounds like a fun project, but the question is what do I want to, or should I spend on said project. I am using the boat for recreational purposes. I will moor at Ventura, and want to make trips to the islands without having to call vessel assist š . I would also like to do the occasional trip to Catalina.
I have found some options on craiglist for the actual boat. I looked at a 31 Silverman going for 23K. I don’t need to travel that fast, and want to obviously go Diesel. What direction would you steer me? Engine type, size, cost etc. If possible, I would like to consider all costs including storage fees while work is done etc. I hope this is not too general of a question. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
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Giles – The advice given by the previous responders is right on the money. I am just concluding a total repower project + of a Bertram 31 FBC. I am extremely pleased with the quality of work and project management by Seaboard Marine and highly recommend them if you are considering this route. It was a learning experience for me that I will not forget and one that I am glad to have experienced. It is interesting to read your post as I was in your same position approx 2 years ago. I was very excited about this project and in reflection I learned I was selling myself on the idea that costs of the project were best case scenario or better put, least cost alternative before the project started. However, once we got started I wanted nothing but the best (SB Marine can deliver) for my boat. I learned this cost more than what my wishful thinking was praying for. My suggestion is to establish your total project budget then work backwards to see if the budget is adequate and the timing is right. Buying a good boat that has been well maintained and serviced with the motors you want already in the boat is by far the fastest route to getting out on the water. You might pay a little more for that well maintained boat but there is a very good reason for that price difference. This website is an awesome resource and is filled with great articles that you can educate yourself about modern marine powered vessels. Use this info to help guide your purchase decision. I have read and re-read many of them and I seem to pick up more useful info every time. I was told by a reputable boat broker that if you are buying a used marine boat, you can expect to add on up to and more ( case dependent) a third of the final total purchase cost of the boat for repairs/upgrades once you take ownership that were not obvious or overlooked on the surveys. This number was hard for me to believe 2 + years ago but today it seems very in line with what you can expect to pay.
Niels
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Make sure you get very good surveys and read and re read about marine age. Did I mention marine age?
Good luck and keep us posted.
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Tony’s variable $estimate$ is right on.
A pr. of new Cummins ReCon QSB 380 engines with gears can be purchased for +- $75,000 delivered to your door. This would be your “fixed” cost on the project.
Now add up the variable “$cost$ to install. Big block gas engine change over to diesel is NOT “plug & play”.
Not counting labor, you’d need $$ to buy new components for the re=power/gas to diesel swap.
At a minimum:
1. New exhaust from the engine turbo out through the transom. Small block/big block gassers will have a 4″ exhaust in most any production hull. The new diesels will need 6″
2. Prop shafts
3. Struts
4. Props
5. Fuel tank fuels.
6. MoreI’ll conservatively add $10,000 to your fixed costs. Now you are at $85,000…No labor yet.
Work to be done:
Cut up the back deck for exhaust work.
Most likely cut up the salon floor (31 Silverton)…there’s a good chance the new diesels will not “fit” under the floor where the gassers are now.
New engine beds, new mounts.
More.
More.You’ll burn through $15,000 in labor even if you hire someone who’s done this before.
You’ll be @ $100K in the blink of an eye on a project like this. And if you sold the boat after doing all this expect to get back $.25-$.50 cents on the dollar maximum.
If you have your heart set on a 31 Silverton with gas power then buy it. Run the gassers til they croak.
Just my opinion having done a project or two like this.
Regards,
Bill D1 user thanked author for this post.
Have you seen what a new Diesel engine costs? Think about this, it’s not just the engines. Think about all the running gear. Shafts, props, struts to get you in the boat. Then you have transmissions. From there it’s mounting the engines. Fuel cell will need to be replaced as diesel has a return for unused fuel and is totally different then gas. Guages, wiring and all the electrical to go along with it.
It’s not cheap is all I am saying. If you can swing it, go for it. Check out the pics on sbmar. The re powers are awesome. In fact, I know one of the boats that is coming for sale. If I did not have my tiara, I would be all over this one as I know the repower is proper.
Good boats are out there, but then again they are not cheap either. Only benefit is the blood sweat and tears are already done.
I bought my boat that was already repowered. It was a d to d swap.
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Fully agree. I wanted to go that route and placed a call to Tony a few years back. He gave me the ins and outs. Very few people can get it done right. Tony obviously being top dog in my opinion.
Mike.
Ps my boat was repowered by the cummins rep with none of Tony’s input if I recall. All is well but there are a few short comings that will need to be addressed.
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Mike’s repy could be right on, but just to put that in a different perspective, don’t go into a 1st class repower project on a vessel like this without thinking spending $125-200K by the time the dust settles, and that is if the job is well managed by someone that will not go thru any learning curves on your wallet..The $75K variance is based on exactly what you are starting with vs. what you want to end up with.
Tony..
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spend the money and buy a boat with the motors you want. A repower is way more than you think. Just my opinion. Mike
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