Help, Considering an offer on a Birchwood..talk me out of it!

Nautorius

Nautorius

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Well,

Just been offered a good deal on a 1999 Birchwood 330 Challenger (flybridge). Got twin AD41's and is a very clean boat. Looks like it was made in their financially sound years (build seems good) has right engines and is priced at what I would consider a birchwood is worth (£15k under a Similar Sealine F33).

Please talk me out of it! It fits the bill nicely even if it is a flybridge..

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Make your judgement on the boat as you see it. I had a Birchwood Viceroy 33 Flybrige for 8 years (probably the grandaddy to the model you are considering). Took us to Holland, French coast, up the Seine to Paris and never missed a beat. Super in heavy weather- I loved that boat and only sold it as result of an offer I just couldn't turn down. If you feel its right for you, go for it. Good luck.
 
Why? You know more about boats then most people on here. FWIW I wouldn't go near and F33, so perhaps in the wrong place to comment on the suitability of a Birchwood 330.

Look at it, sea trial it and pay the money it is worth to you. I think you need to accept one thing though - when you buy a boat, it will cost you money. If you buy the right boat, and keep it a number of years then your loss will be less, but it will still cost you money.
 
We had a Birchwood (1996/7 model) TS34. It was brilliant. did all sorts of crossings in it Jersey, Guernesy, France, West Country etc etc and throughly enjoyed it. We kept it for 3 years and as I recall it did not give us a moments trouble. It had Mercruiser engines, if I remember correctly.

We got back what we paid for it when we moved on

I did struggle to get down the ladder at times in a heavy sea but that was cured by my husband passing a bucket up to the flybridge in case of emergency /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

In fact, when I am trundling along at 9 Knots in our Trader I often hark back to our Birchwood days of 20+ knots

May
 
Well I had for a very short time, took it inpart ex a TS 34 flybridge, same engines b thruster etc, lots of accomodation for the money, it lacked style and that rugged feel that my last boat of similar size, a corniche 31 did maybe cos it was a shaft drive and im not a fan of legs.

If anyone remember a post I put on a few weeks ago I was very interested in a 1996 princess 34 that was on legs, it ticked all the right boxes for me but was beaten to it, it was in port solent so someone might know it and say I missed a good one? it was only 75k asking price so well worth it.
 
The High Freeboard from the rear cockpit down to the pontoon put me off one in the past. Had to be an athlete to get on and off it.
 
I've never quite understood why Birchwood's command such low values, and whilst them going out of business obviously hasn't helped, I've not heard any horror stories about them. If the styling works for you (probably a big if for many!) and it ticks all the other boxes, I say go for it and rejoice in the saving.
 
ah.. you know your offer will be 20pct below the market, so I think you are safe /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Jez,

That is the problem. Although it ticks all the boxes I still feel it is a compromise! I am afraid I will be trying to Punt it in 12 months and regret it!

It is a solid, and reliable boat. It has good accomodation but weak sea keeping as the hull is not the best in class...similar to an F33 which I do not like. My Problem is it is at the lower end of style and is a Birchwood!

No doubt a great boat but I need to keep it 3/5 years to make it worthwhile and I do not see it happening!

Thanks for all the comments, exactly what I expected.

Decisions, decisions......!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Ok,

So far he has come down 15.7% and he is still keen to do a deal. 15% was the starting place for me to look at it, he seemed very open to it! The actual offer will be in the region of 20-25% off...maybe that will stop the deal!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ok,

So far he has come down 15.7% and he is still keen to do a deal. 15% was the starting place for me to look at it, he seemed very open to it! The actual offer will be in the region of 20-25% off...maybe that will stop the deal!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well for what its worth...........
I must say I think its a mighty fine looking boat,and if its the one at York it seems to be great price.
Go for it.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
It fits the bill nicely

[/ QUOTE ]

and then

[ QUOTE ]
Although it ticks all the boxes I still feel it is a compromise

[/ QUOTE ]

and then

[ QUOTE ]
but weak sea keeping as the hull is not the best in class...similar to an F33 which I do not like

[/ QUOTE ]

Doesn't tick all the right boxes, then, does it? Can't see the point of negotiating a deal on something you don't really want. No point buying just 'cos price is good.

Have I talked you out of it, or are you still talking yourself out of it?
 
Very old hull design, they looked old even in the nineties with the knuckle in the hull. The boat either look old or wrong no matter how much cheaper than a sealine it will still have a very limited after sales market. Someone said it is the Rover 75 of the seas whcih I think is being kind, more like a rover S2600, all imhooc.
 
Hmm, yes if it is the one at York it looks very good except for the pink carpets, which would have to be immediately removed and burnt. A heck of a lot of boat for the money, and the AD41s are solid simple lumps. Outdrives look in ood nick too.

Not doing too well at talking you out of it am I. It says Part Ex welcome.... have you asked them to price your Aquador?
 
NO PX planned,

I am after a cash offer! Yes that is the one and it is a compromise like all boats. The hull is the real issue at the moment, we want her to cruise and do not want a rubbish sea hull!

I have a price in mind...lets wait and see!

Cheers for all the comments good and bad,

thanks

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Paul,

Either the hull is rubbish or it isn't. The price you buy it for wont change that (in fact nothing will). If in your opinion the hull is rubbish, then don't buy it at any price because you will never get the use out of it and it will be more costly than buying a boat you really want at a sensible price.
 
I know the previous owner of the one i took in part ex, I tell you know the hull shape and outdrive combination dont make for a good sea boat, its got good accomodation at a price, the price is the sea keeping!
 
Ignore the badge police

The hull was probably not that much worse than others around at the time and unless you make a habit of picking only the crappiest sea conditions to go boating in whats the problem.
I have never been a fan of Sealines but if a nice clean one came along at the right price............
Ignore the badge,is it a nice boat at the right money.
Apart from on this forum the other 99% of the boating world probably consider the Birchwood to be no worse or better than anything else.
If you want it buy it.
It s the outdrives I would have reservations about,but if it comes with a nice wad of servicing invoices.
 
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