Hi. First post. Which older Sunseeker? (Or other brand)

[PatEire]

Hi.
First post so I hope I'm in the right forum.
I'm just getting back into motor boating after many years away due to health issues.
Even though I'm not yet 100% healthy, I've decided that I can't wait forever.
I've actually been offered a job in Mallorca for the summer, even if that's now in doubt.
Anyway, while looking in the area, I came across 3 older boats that by coincidence are all Sunseeker.
I just wanted to get opinions here from users far more experienced than myself by now.
The 3 options are:

1992 Sunseeker Travado 40. Twin Caterpillar 375hp on shafts.

1991 Sunseeker Martinique 38. Twin Volvo 200hp on stern drives.

1994 Sunseeker San Remo 35. Twin Volvo 230hp on stern drives.

They all seem to be 2 cabin, even if one is a little pokey. Doesn't bother me really.
As I say, just wanted to get opinions on which might be easiest to live with and does any one stand out above the others, obviously if they're all in the same condition.
Would twin Caterpillars on shafts be preferable to twin Volvos on stern drives, at that age?

Also, has anyone here ever heard of a motor yacht brand from the UK called Flagship? Allegedly made a few 10.5 metre flybridge boats in the early 90s, but then switched at some point to vessels over 24 metres.
There's one for sale for smallish money, but has been out of the water for 3 years and owner says the 2 Volvo 230hp might need reconditioning.
That one is on shafts so maybe more reliable?

As I say im really not stuck on Sunseeker, but would be all ears to hear of other brands just as good, even without the big name.

Thank you anyway for your experienced views. The way things are now, this year maybe written off but I'm going to keep plugging away at this.

Regards

Pat

 

[Mr Googler]

If it’s that Martinique 38 on with sunseeker brokerage.....it’s pretty cheap and could be had cheaper I reckon. No engine room pictures though so needs checking out.

i am bias though

 

[Kawasaki]

Hi.
First post so I hope I'm in the right forum.
I'm just getting back into motor boating after many years away due to health issues.
Even though I'm not yet 100% healthy, I've decided that I can't wait forever.
I've actually been offered a job in Mallorca for the summer, even if that's now in doubt.
Anyway, while looking in the area, I came across 3 older boats that by coincidence are all Sunseeker.
I just wanted to get opinions here from users far more experienced than myself by now.
The 3 options are:

1992 Sunseeker Travado 40. Twin Caterpillar 375hp on shafts.

1991 Sunseeker Martinique 38. Twin Volvo 200hp on stern drives.

1994 Sunseeker San Remo 35. Twin Volvo 230hp on stern drives.

They all seem to be 2 cabin, even if one is a little pokey. Doesn't bother me really.
As I say, just wanted to get opinions on which might be easiest to live with and does any one stand out above the others, obviously if they're all in the same condition.
Would twin Caterpillars on shafts be preferable to twin Volvos on stern drives, at that age?

Also, has anyone here ever heard of a motor yacht brand from the UK called Flagship? Allegedly made a few 10.5 metre flybridge boats in the early 90s, but then switched at some point to vessels over 24 metres.
There's one for sale for smallish money, but has been out of the water for 3 years and owner says the 2 Volvo 230hp might need reconditioning.
That one is on shafts so maybe more reliable?

As I say im really not stuck on Sunseeker, but would be all ears to hear of other brands just as good, even without the big name.

Thank you anyway for your experienced views. The way things are now, this year maybe written off but I'm going to keep plugging away at this.

Regards

Pat

Hi and Welcome
I have never heard of Flagship but that doesn't mean there aren't any, even though I am a self confessed Mobo Anorak!
I have a Pal with a Sunseeker Portofino in Mallorca which He wants to sell
Might not be for You but as an example its a proper boat and 'alltogether'
Personally I would go for shafts on an older vessel
Well, I would go for shafts at any age but that's just Me
Others will have a different opinion
Do we take it you are going to Mallorca or are You there now?
In the light of the current and uncertain situation the choice you have maybe a bit limited?

 

[PatEire]

If it’s that Martinique 38 on with sunseeker brokerage.....it’s pretty cheap and could be had cheaper I reckon. No engine room pictures though so needs checking out.

i am bias though

View attachment 86427

Hi Farsco.
Many thanks sir.
Yes I think that's the one with Sunseeker Brokerage in Pollenca.
Looks nice if a bit faded, but what would a person expect in that sun right?
I'm guessing you're a fan of Martinique's yes? Looks great really. I'm guessing the Travado would be heavier and more fuel of course.
Appreciate your reply.

 

[PatEire]

Hi and Welcome
I have never heard of Flagship but that doesn't mean there aren't any, even though I am a self confessed Mobo Anorak!
I have a Pal with a Sunseeker Portofino in Mallorca which He wants to sell
Might not be for You but as an example its a proper boat and 'alltogether'
Personally I would go for shafts on an older vessel
Well, I would go for shafts at any age but that's just Me
Others will have a different opinion
Do we take it you are going to Mallorca or are You there now?
In the light of the current and uncertain situation the choice you have maybe a bit limited?

Hi Kawasaki
Thank you much.
Yes I'm just looking right now.
Thought I'd be in Alcudia by next month, but who knows. Wait and see.
Yes I can't find any info on a UK brand Flagship. There is a Flagship brand now based in Athens building large vessels, but no idea if the same company.
I'll consider any decent vessel now. I'm not tied to Sunseeker but no issue with them either.
I'm from Swansea, living in Ireland now and was heading for Mallorca next month. Had a job lined up in North of the island, but now it's a waiting game.
I appreciate your time. Thank you.

 

[Kawasaki]

From Swansea?
Never Mind!?
Seems a wait might be thrust on you
Either getting abroad
Or getting a boat abroad!
Under more normal circumstances I guess a purchase in Mallorca would make sense
Making sense of anything at the moment is fraut
At least you have time to think about it and become more confused!
You could make some 'essential' journeys on the Emerald Isle and poke about some vessels
From the info provided it seems a 'Sports Boat' is the quest
Like that 'FARSCO' geezer buggers about with on the 'other' Island
Oh well, each to his own?
My Pals boat over there maybe too small
Its on the hard and is 'turn key'
As it happens He has a customer ready but the poblem is , He (the potential buyer) is in Sweden!
Who knows but the way things look to be panning out, if you make it to Mallorca I reckon that will be the Place to purchase
Its time to wipe the Cystal ball clean I reckon!

 

[matt8442]

Hi Pat,
Ive got a 1992 Sunseeker San Remo 35 with Twin Kad 42's and love the boat. I find the engines very easy to work on, Service them myself and have had no issues so far with them. The boat is big enough to be comfortable on whilst small enough to get around some of the shallower areas of Poole Harbour. Overall very happy with the boat and thumbs up from me for the SR35.

 

[PatEire]

From Swansea?
Never Mind!?
Seems a wait might be thrust on you
Either getting abroad
Or getting a boat abroad!
Under more normal circumstances I guess a purchase in Mallorca would make sense
Making sense of anything at the moment is fraut
At least you have time to think about it and become more confused!
You could make some 'essential' journeys on the Emerald Isle and poke about some vessels
From the info provided it seems a 'Sports Boat' is the quest
Like that 'FARSCO' geezer buggers about with on the 'other' Island
Oh well, each to his own?
My Pals boat over there maybe too small
Its on the hard and is 'turn key'
As it happens He has a customer ready but the poblem is , He (the potential buyer) is in Sweden!
Who knows but the way things look to be panning out, if you make it to Mallorca I reckon that will be the Place to purchase
Its time to wipe the Cystal ball clean I reckon!

Lol Kawasaki
Yes Swansea born and bred. I just noticed that you're Anglesey. I remember in school we were taught that North Wales were the true Welsh, and the rest of us were just the great unwashed sir
Yes it looks like we'll all be waiting a while to go anywhere but I'm sure it'll be over eventually.
Its only lately that I've switched to sports cruisers. I think for the size I'm looking at maybe they're more suited to the Med climate.
Regarding the Flagship brand, I'll try and attach a few pics to this post if I can do. 366 is the model and maybe you'll be able to recognise from the Hull or design. The current owner is saying that it'll cost between €8000 and €16000 to recondition the 2 Volvo's, but they won't know until the engines have been removed. Also they stripped the Hull before Christmas last to fix some osmosis, then repainted.
Your friend's Portofino, do you know what size and how much it sold for? Just to give me an idea?
Thank you for all the info really. Much appreciated.

 

[PatEire]

Hi Pat,
Ive got a 1992 Sunseeker San Remo 35 with Twin Kad 42's and love the boat. I find the engines very easy to work on, Service them myself and have had no issues so far with them. The boat is big enough to be comfortable on whilst small enough to get around some of the shallower areas of Poole Harbour. Overall very happy with the boat and thumbs up from me for the SR35.

Hi Matt
Many thanks for your reply. Great info and appreciate it. Yes I do like the SR35 I've seen. Its more expensive than the others but it is newer plus its had a big refit lately. New respray etc. I just thought it looked a bit small with no rear sunpad for the Med. Maybe rear sunpad not so important in Pool Harbour sir ?
Great to know the KAD42's are good enough. Hows the fuel use cruising and flat out?
Thanks again.

 

[markc]

The Flagship looks like a Colvic Sunquest moulding or similar at first glance

 

[Kawasaki]

Hi Pat
From the pictures and others may or may not confirm this
She looks like a 'Colvic' hull
The Firm were big at the time and other 'makers' and individuals bought the Hulls etc and 'Branded' them. Some just were fitted out as 'Home Build'
As I just wrote a proper expert or two will be along in due course to confirm or deny my observations!
My Mates boat is obviously still for sale because of the current situation. I,m going nowhere today, except for Milk!!! 'I'll be Back'

 

[Kawasaki]

The Flagship looks like a Colvic Sunquest moulding or similar at first glance

Bloody H! I just looked at thought the same, hence my reply just!

 

[PatEire]

The Flagship looks like a Colvic Sunquest moulding or similar at first glance

Thanks Mark.
Would they be considered to be a good hull generally speaking?

 

[PatEire]

Hi Pat
From the pictures and others may or may not confirm this
She looks like a 'Colvic' hull
The Firm were big at the time and other 'makers' and individuals bought the Hulls etc and 'Branded' them. Some just were fitted out as 'Home Build'
As I just wrote a proper expert or two will be along in due course to confirm or deny my observations!
My Mates boat is obviously still for sale because of the current situation. I,m going nowhere today, except for Milk!!! 'I'll be Back'

lol stay safe out there and make sure you don't get mugged for your milk
I'll have a look at some Colvic info then.
Cheers

 

[markc]

Thanks Mark.
Would they be considered to be a good hull generally speaking?

There's nothing wrong with the hull mouldings, but it's the quality of the fit out that would be the biggest variable. If it's holding up well at this age, then no problem. The only other thing I would consider is that it can be hard to sell an unknown brand, so factor that in if you proceed. You need to prevent a large loss at the price you buy, rather than at the price you sell for later!

 

[CLB]

+3 or whatever we are up to now. I thought Colvic as soon as i saw the first pic.

If that boat was being sold in the UK, it would be better if it was Branded Colvic. At least people know what they are buying and will probably have heard of the brand.

 

[matt8442]

Hi Matt
Many thanks for your reply. Great info and appreciate it. Yes I do like the SR35 I've seen. Its more expensive than the others but it is newer plus its had a big refit lately. New respray etc. I just thought it looked a bit small with no rear sunpad for the Med. Maybe rear sunpad not so important in Pool Harbour sir ?
Great to know the KAD42's are good enough. Hows the fuel use cruising and flat out?
Thanks again.

Hi Pat, yes your right, sun pad area not great, but to be fair you do get sun pad on the bow, so if thats a compromise your willing to make then it ticks a box. Regards engines, I cruise at 20-25 knots and at that speed I'm getting about 10-12 Gph or 37 - 45 Litres per hour depending how you look at it. At WOT I get 18 Gph or 68 litres an hour but then im doing 33 Knots, which isnt bad for a boat of her age. The previous Owner had the Superchargers disconnected, they come online by pressing a button on the throttles, and I have the newer J series Duoprops, which all helps get on the plane with less revs.
Again any other questions please let me know.

 

[PatEire]

There's nothing wrong with the hull mouldings, but it's the quality of the fit out that would be the biggest variable. If it's holding up well at this age, then no problem. The only other thing I would consider is that it can be hard to sell an unknown brand, so factor that in if you proceed. You need to prevent a large loss at the price you buy, rather than at the price you sell for later!

Thanks Mark.
Its being sold very cheap, but with the unknown of how much of a recondition the 2 Volvo 42's need.
Definite survey needed, but not sure it can be driven yet as been out of water for 3 years.
Cheers for your help really.

 

[PatEire]

Hi Pat, yes your right, sun pad area not great, but to be fair you do get sun pad on the bow, so if thats a compromise your willing to make then it ticks a box. Regards engines, I cruise at 20-25 knots and at that speed I'm getting about 10-12 Gph or 37 - 45 Litres per hour depending how you look at it. At WOT I get 18 Gph or 68 litres an hour but then im doing 33 Knots, which isnt bad for a boat of her age. The previous Owner had the Superchargers disconnected, they come online by pressing a button on the throttles, and I have the newer J series Duoprops, which all helps get on the plane with less revs.
Again any other questions please let me know.

Brilliant thanks Matt
Thats not bad fuel use really at any speed.
I didn't realise you could disconnect the superchargers and operate them manually. Is there a benefit to that?
Would I be right in thinking that normally the superchargers come on First and then switch off when the turbo takes over?
Or does it sometimes go wrong?
The SR35 im looking at is clearly ex charter company in Ibiza , but looks great in the new colours from 3 years ago.
Seems great value too compared even to other sunseekers from the same company. Even a Tomahawk 37 is nearly double the price, and that has just 1 double bed at the bow.
Anyway, I'm glad you like yours, and hope you do always.
I meant Poole not Pool. Poxy phone lol.
Cheers.

 

[matt8442]

Hi Pat, the reason the Superchargers were disconnected was because of the J series props that were fitted. We didn’t need the extra power to get the boat onto the plane, plus I think 1200 to 2600 rpm the supercharger is on constantly on the Kad42. Above this rev range (I might be wrong on these figures but it’s there about) the Supercharger disconnects and the turbos take over. The reason for disconnecting is that I can have the boat at 1200 to 2400 rpm with no supercharger whine which some people on here have complained about in the past. However there is also an opinion of some people that in disconnecting the super chargers I’m at risk of gumming up the engines due to unburnt fuel as the Engines do not have any form of Electronic Fuel injection so cannot change the Air fuel mix. But I’m no expert in that field, all I can say is Boat had it fitted when brought, we have had her three years, regularly take her out and have had no issues as of yet. Again though, if I have full load of passengers, fuel, water and the boat is heavy then I can manually kick in the Superchargers to give her a little kick up the backside to get her onto the plane.