Opinions please - shopping for an ocean boat.

DrunkenSailor · Mar 29, 2020

Saw this one today too

GIANT PRICE DROP! ! DONZI 38ZSF Performance Fishiong - boats - by...

Check out this 2004 Donzi 38 ZSF ! WAS 129,000.00 GIANT PRICE DROP NOW!!!! 99,000.00 Repowered...

losangeles.craigslist.org

Maw · Mar 29, 2020

Just because the boat will cruise at 25 knots doesn't mean you have to. Our bigger ocean boat is a 48' sportfisher with two Detroits. We typically operate it like a trawler - leave a bit earlier and cruise at 8 knots, don't beat up our passengers or the live bait. Sips fuel on a trip out to San Clemente Island or Saint Nick, around 8-10 miles per gallon. I don't have to be constantly looking around for other boats or hazards in the water, I relax and enjoy the trip even on an overnight run. I do run hard an hour or so out of every eight just to heat up the cylinders and clean things out, this is usually on the way in after a few days of offshore fun. If weather turns foul I'll run and hide, likewise if it's getting sloppy and the ride is uncomfortable. You'd be surprised the distance you can cover at modest speeds and 800 gallons of fuel.

DWC · Mar 29, 2020

DrunkenSailor said:
Saw this one today too

GIANT PRICE DROP! ! DONZI 38ZSF Performance Fishiong - boats - by...

Check out this 2004 Donzi 38 ZSF ! WAS 129,000.00 GIANT PRICE DROP NOW!!!! 99,000.00 Repowered...

losangeles.craigslist.org

Wonder how that runs with the triple 300’s.

golakers · Apr 10, 2020

Late

HotRod82 said:
So my wife has been bugging me for years for an ocean boat (we live in San Diego) and I've been dragging my feet a bit, simply due to being busy with other things. We started looking at something trailerable, me obviously gravitating toward a 35' ish Cigarette or similar......but no, she wants a big cruiser for a more social experience with more room for more people. This conversation has logically turned into the realization that we need a bigger boat that stays in the water. I told her I refuse to own a big trawler that would take forever to get to Catalina or Newport, so we have been looking at Express Cruisers. I've never owned a slow boat before and the thought of cruising at 18 knots while guzzling more than 20 GPH worth of fuel makes my eye twitch. Anyone have any experience with express cruiser style boats? Are the stern drives better than the big v-drives?
All opinions and personal experiences welcome.

FYI. We bought 1/4 share in a LLC 38 Sea Ray Sundancer. We get it 1 week a month and split days on holidays. We swap days w other partners all the time. It stays in the water at Newport Dunes. This is our 1st ocean cruiser. We sleep on it etc. It’s not perfect, but it’s works for us. Kids love it. It’s a 30 min drive from our house to ND. A lot closer then the river. But it’s not the river.

. Good luck w decision.

HubbaHubbaLife · Apr 10, 2020

golakers said:
Late

FYI. We bought 1/4 share in a LLC 38 Sea Ray Sundancer. We get it 1 week a month and split days on holidays. We swap days w other partners all the time. It stays in the water at Newport Dunes. This is our 1st ocean cruiser. We sleep on it etc. It’s not perfect, but it’s works for us. Kids love it. It’s a 30 min drive from our house to ND. A lot closer then the river. But it’s not the river. . Good luck w decision.

That's the smart money right there Go Lakers.... I keep my little speed boat at Dunes dry docked and only use it maybe twice a month, and I always think about the fact that I'm paying for it 24/7 whether I use it or not, ha.

stoker · Apr 10, 2020

Maw said:
Just because the boat will cruise at 25 knots doesn't mean you have to. Our bigger ocean boat is a 48' sportfisher with two Detroits. We typically operate it like a trawler - leave a bit earlier and cruise at 8 knots, don't beat up our passengers or the live bait. Sips fuel on a trip out to San Clemente Island or Saint Nick, around 8-10 miles per gallon. I don't have to be constantly looking around for other boats or hazards in the water, I relax and enjoy the trip even on an overnight run. I do run hard an hour or so out of every eight just to heat up the cylinders and clean things out, this is usually on the way in after a few days of offshore fun. If weather turns foul I'll run and hide, likewise if it's getting sloppy and the ride is uncomfortable. You'd be surprised the distance you can cover at modest speeds and 800 gallons of fuel.

I don’t think 8-10 miles per gallon is anywhere close to being correct. Two Detroit’s burning less than a half gallon ea per hour? Maybe you meant 8-10 gallons per hour at trawler speed.

Lars_The_Swedish_Viking · Jun 20, 2020

Bumping this great thread. Might wanna consider looking for a boat again? Lots of folks that had decided to sell their boat before this summer season is now freaking out since certain market segments of boats are not moving. Cash buys of older high quality boats seem to offer opportunities. Found these two super high quality boats that might fit your needs.
1. If this re-powered diesel Bertram Moppie has always been in the Great Lakes and the owners are truly motivated, well if it could be had in the mid $50k it would be very cool, pending a flying color survey of course. That would leave some cash to ship her and customize/(make her your own) for luxurious entertainment cruising. Rough afternoon in the channel, no problem.

Bertram 30 Moppie boats for sale | YachtWorld

Find Bertram 30 Moppie for sale on YachtWorld Europe's largest marketplace for boats & yachts. We connect over 10 million boat buyers and sellers each year!

www.yachtworld.com

2. The Sunseeker 31 Hawk loves a rough ocean and is as high quality as anything Europe has delived. Gas yes, but the Volvo DPX set up is bullet proof if properly maintained, and if Nigel Mansell actually personally owned this and spent his money on the last resto upgrades, I bet it was basically an open checkbook project. Lots of comfort options on this beauty. I'd hit them at mid $40k if the boat needs nothing. She looks 'Bristol' in the photos.

https://www.seacoastyachts.com/listings/31-sunseeker-1994-hawk-31-boats-for-sale-2/