Buying a Sealine S28

[Momac]

Not in quite the same league as Martyn,

I wouldn't say that.

 

[Bigplumbs]

It is not like I am obsessive about engine bay cleaning.

Really…………….

 

[Greg2]

I don't see why not. Seems like part of good boat management to me.
It is not like I am obsessive about engine bay cleaning. Once clean it isn't particularly hard work to keep it that way. Little and often is the way.

I agree but I suspect that being a freshwater boat is helpful

 

[Greg2]

Big 'if', not everyone either wants or has the ability to confidently maintain or service marine diesel engines and outdrives.

Either way, twin engines double the cost of everything. Outdrive trim rams go, you know darn well the rams on the other leg are going to be next. Injectors need doing? You've doubled your costs. Double the service costs even if you do it yourself, both need oil changing, both need bellows changing, both need anodes.

And there's no doubt that everything else being equal, an older engine/drive is more likely to throw up issues than a newer one, so not only have you doubled your costs, you've increased your chances of incurring those doubling of costs.

That's not to suggest that twin engines are bad at all, and neither are older boats.

Ultimately they are all a compromise, my point is just that, when looking at a secondhand boat, going for the older boat with two engines over a newer single engine boat is not a 'no brainer' because you're increasing your costs considerably.

For those on a budget (most of us!), it's not automatically a good move.

But I agree with you, each to their own, it will make sense for some people, just as going for a newer single will make more sense for others.

I take your point entirely and having recently bought a twin engined outdrive Sealine of a certain age I understand the potential costs. But that said I wouldn’t swap it for a newer Jeanneau with a more modern single engine but of course others might

 

[Dino]

Thanks for the great input folks. The boat is in really good condition and looks to have been well minded. The engine hours are low but that’s mainly related to the boat being used as a dayboat.
My friend is going to proceed with the survey and see what happens.
Thanks.