thinking of buying a yacht

External Since: Dec 14, 2004 Posts: 8

Hey all,

I am thinking of doing what everyone is warned not to do, buying a
yacht that needs a lot of work. To make it worse, I've never owned
anything bigger than an old ski boat and am totally ignorant when it
comes to yacht engines and otherwise. This one is a 1988 34' Bayliner
Avanti with 2 gas engines.

I am receiving an incredible price for it, half of the fair market
value on the hull survey. Here are the troubling parts of the surveys:

- Exhaust hoses burned and collapsed from lack of cooling water.

- Severe corrosion on engine oil cooler and leaking on both PORT and
STBD engines.

- PORT: Outboard manifold has been replaced with center rise unit. Not
plumbed correctly for proper water flow. Mounts for fuel filter
different and secured only by tie straps.

- STBD: Inboard manifold has been replaced with center rise unit and is
very rusty from water leaking from hose connection to riser. Not
plumbed correctly for proper water circulation.

- New alternator installed on engines have mismatched pulley-belt
combination and are slippling.

- Battery terminals unprotected by covers. Engine room has bad rust
and corrosion on motor mounts, brackets, clamps, and metal straps.
Carbs appear dirty and gummed up from lack of use and old gas.

My questions are:

- I assume all of those items need to be fixed, what is the ballpark
cost of that?

- In general, how much would maintenance cost on such a boat per year
as more would break? I know it's impossible to know, but should I plan
on spending $1000 per yer? $2000 per year? $5000?

- How much should I plan on spending for insurance and registration per
year?

Thank you so much if you can provide useful information. Feel free to
try to talk me out of the purchase if you want Smile

External Since: Jul 06, 2003 Posts: 168

1984 wasn't a good year for Bayliners. Not TERRIBLE, but not good.

You will find some poor plywood in the construction. You can expect
floor trouble, and the supports. Then there's the transom and pieces in
the engine area, and the deck. All is suspect at this age.

Add to that two engines (rebuilt chevy with marinizing are pretty
cheap), some wiring, plumbing (plastic pipes).

20 year old GAS tanks. . .

You're taking on a lot.
Jim

sfcarioca wrote:
> Hey all,
>
> I am thinking of doing what everyone is warned not to do, buying a
> yacht that needs a lot of work. To make it worse, I've never owned
> anything bigger than an old ski boat and am totally ignorant when it
> comes to yacht engines and otherwise. This one is a 1988 34' Bayliner
> Avanti with 2 gas engines.
>
> I am receiving an incredible price for it, half of the fair market
> value on the hull survey. Here are the troubling parts of the surveys:
>
> - Exhaust hoses burned and collapsed from lack of cooling water.
>
> - Severe corrosion on engine oil cooler and leaking on both PORT and
> STBD engines.
>
> - PORT: Outboard manifold has been replaced with center rise unit. Not
> plumbed correctly for proper water flow. Mounts for fuel filter
> different and secured only by tie straps.
>
> - STBD: Inboard manifold has been replaced with center rise unit and is
> very rusty from water leaking from hose connection to riser. Not
> plumbed correctly for proper water circulation.
>
> - New alternator installed on engines have mismatched pulley-belt
> combination and are slippling.
>
> - Battery terminals unprotected by covers. Engine room has bad rust
> and corrosion on motor mounts, brackets, clamps, and metal straps.
> Carbs appear dirty and gummed up from lack of use and old gas.
>
> My questions are:
>
> - I assume all of those items need to be fixed, what is the ballpark
> cost of that?
>
> - In general, how much would maintenance cost on such a boat per year
> as more would break? I know it's impossible to know, but should I plan
> on spending $1000 per yer? $2000 per year? $5000?
>
> - How much should I plan on spending for insurance and registration per
> year?
>
> Thank you so much if you can provide useful information. Feel free to
> try to talk me out of the purchase if you want Smile

>