Corvette 32

[phockit]

So, we've done the default American sports cruiser entry in to boating (Maxum 2500 SCR), which has been great but we've been thinking for a while that we want something a little bigger with a roof and heating. We're also not that bothered about bouncing around at 30kts and would be quite happy to get a better view of the world as it goes by. SWMBO delivering an 8lb 13oz addition to the crew a couple of weeks back has re-inforced the need for more space aboard /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Ever since we stepped on board a new Corvette 320 at SIBS the other year, we both thought it looked ideal for our needs. Sadly the £250k price new is very un-ideal /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif However, a few hours on the web shows late 80's/early 90's Corvette 32's going for a more achievable £60-80k.....

I'd be interested in any experiences people have of the 32's. I have heard that the build quality on the older boats wasn't as good as the current ones, but is that any better or worse than a modern Bayliner/Maxum/etc ??

Are there any other boats I should be looking at ?? Basic requirements are:

- Shaft drive diesel, single or twin
- inside helm, flybridge would be a bonus but not that important
- comfortable cruising around 10-15kts
- a double and at least one single berth that can be left made up and still leave a decent lounge
- good sea-keeping so we are less constrained by the weather, if we so choose
- less than £80k in good mechanical and cosmetic order

Thoughts ??

Paul

 

[photodog]

Sounds like a Mid-late 90's Nimbus would be about right, probably something like a 310 coupe.....

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

What about a Princess 360? For a liuttle more you could probably even px your Maxum by the look of another recent post /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[hlb]

Yep, I'd look at a fly bridge planing boat, it tends to get clostraphobic, if you cant be outside in the sunshine!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif We've been experimenting with going slow, it's fine when close to land with some thing to see and hardly uses any juice at all. But you can still stop that horrible rolly stuff by opening it up a bit. I mean, about 18 knots, not 30.

 

[kimhollamby]

Early Corvette 32s can be quite interesting -- I had a look at a few myself a couple of years back.

The very first ones had a strange layout with the engines aft on vee drives...probably not many of them, if any, around (that should tease an owner out of the woodwork ). The more conventional ones with engines in the centre and a full aft cabin are the majority built.

From memory a lot of the 'early' late 1980s/early 1990s boats were built by now defunct Corvette Cruisers Ltd based in Nottingham (no relation to current builder Corvette Marine in Norfolk) -- quality was okayish but got patchy when the firm got financially tight. Areas to look out for include poor teak decks, top-down leaks from decks and windows and wobbly p-brackets. A lot of what might be issues should be pretty self-apparent if you are checking the boat out of the water and also some of what they got wrong might well have been corrected by now during the boat's lifetime.

The Corvette itself is an amazing tardis and in this age of fuel price uncertainty its ability to cruise at any speed the engines will let it is no bad thing. So certainly worth a look in my view.

 

[longjohnsilver]

If I recall correctly rusting/leaking fuel tanks and leaky windows also caused major problems with many of the earlier boats, although many of them will now have been sorted by previous owners.

I saw one at the caravan and boat show at the NEC probably 15 odd years ago, they were so sloppy that the engine dials did not even match and when i pointed it out they were not in the slightest bit interested. It does have an interesting hull design which by all reportd works extremely well.

 

[penpal]

My wife and I looked at Corvettes this winter. The later models known as 320 are built by the latest builders which are better quality than the previous Corvette 32. Although the Corvette 320 is newer and hence more expensive, I think you will find them a better build. Some of the Corvette 32 were under powered and the spec was more for the river than the sea. There is plenty of info out there if you get on the web. Speak or email Fairline in Guernsey, he always has a few of them both in Guernsey and over here. Cannot remember the chaps name but he certainly was on the ball.

 

[jcmmarine]

Years ago we fancied a Corvette 32 having read the reviews, then spent time aboard one belonging to an aquaintance. To put it frankly we were dissappointed in size, space and build quality.
Personnaly I would suggest you look at the Princess 35/36/37/38 range. much better space and value for money.

 

[asteven221]

[ QUOTE ]
Yep, I'd look at a fly bridge planing boat, it tends to get clostraphobic,

[/ QUOTE ]

err the Corvette has a flybridge! It is also capable of 24 plus knots or 7 knots depending on engines. If you like the trawler yacht style I don't think there is anything on the market better than a 32 foot Corvette. I know several people with them and they have had them for years and intend to keep them for many years.

 

[blueglass]

[ QUOTE ]
We've been experimenting with going slow, it's fine when close to land with some thing to see

[/ QUOTE ]

if nothing to see, we take turns on watch and them what's off watch put their feet up, slap on some factor 15 pour a cold drink and read a good book. bit like lounging round the pool only much better. 'course you need to be in the med.

 

[chrisbarrett]

Bought a 2001 corvette last year although it was my first boat I knew what I wanted for several years, spent a long time choosing the right one, did almost by a 1991 boat that was berthed nearby in Penarth but after paying for a survey I realised I was likely to be spending more time on upkeep than out having fun. The comments regarding the earlier versions particularly the late 80s built by corvette cruisers are correct the teak decks the fuel tanks are just some of the weaknesses that are costly to replace, I know this goes for all boats of that age but given the size of the decks on a Corvette its very costly and should be factored when looking to buy.We ended up shelving the purchase for 2 years until we could afford a newer version. As for our corvette shes a fantastic boat that despite being 6 years old looks great and almost new.
I have tested the boat in some serious weather in the Bristol Channel including bringing her back from Weymouth to Cardiff a journey of about 20 hours with 1 fuel stop in Newlyn. Rounding lands end and heading up the nasty side of the cornish coast, this was a great way to learn about your new boat. In summary I dont think theres a better 32ft boat that will suit a younger family, the decks and rails give the kids far more safety than a Nimbus or Princess. Well reccomended!

 

[jfm]

[ QUOTE ]
Speak or email Fairline in Guernsey, he always has a few of them both in Guernsey and over here. Cannot remember the chaps name but he certainly was on the ball.

[/ QUOTE ]

Fairline Jersey? I didn't think there was a Fairline dealer in Guernsey. Chap is Mark Neal or Paul Webb. They are always on the Fairline stand at SIBS and LIBS

 

[chrisbarrett]

The guy in guernsey is Mike Brennan

 

[phockit]

Thanks one and all for your views/advice. I think the summary would be to make sure we are comfortable with the space/layout and approach with care (get a good survey, make sure the known problems have been dealt with, etc).

We are also considering similar age Princess 330's and 35's (amongst other things) but the Corvette strikes me as a good compromise of space vs LOA - I don't want to blow the annual budget on just berthing the boat !!

Does anyone have any experience of the AMC Elite 31 ?? Appears to be similar to the Nimbus 31 (also on our list) but I've never really heard any comments on build, sea-keeping, etc.

One other option we are considering is going full displacement but this lands us in to the territory of Dutch steel of which I know nowt - any recommendations of what makes/models we should look at ?? Caveat is that we want this for coastal and channel crossings, rather than inland cruising.

Thanks again !!

Paul