Next boat/engine?

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ike70

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I managed to sell my boat last weekend (Ripster's old, by the way) and I'm now starting to look for the next one. No hurry, it's enough if I get it for the next season.

We're thinking of going to a small flybridge, the likes of MF 925, Antares 9.80, maybe even Prestige 32 if I find the courage to stretch my budget. We'd like to have shaft drive, 18+ knots cruise, two cabins, good fuel economy and low maintenance costs. This really should be a boat for at least the next 10 years, so I'd like to keep the lifecycle costs as low as possible. Anything else that we should be looking at except the ones I mentioned?

Then there's the engine. The MF 925 for example is available as least with the following single-engined options:
- KAMD 300
- Yanmar 6BY 260 hp
- Nanni 320 hp
- D4

The Bene is available at least with Nanni 200s and D4s.

Take the context of the MF 925 as example: are some of these engines easier to live with than others, are some better avoided? Which is the best choice in terms of reliability, fuel efficiency and maintenance?

Any views are greatly appreciated!
 
I'm in the same situation and pretty much looking for the same type of boat. Maybe a tad larger as we want a 2nd cabin with good access. Some can be inhabited by acrobats only :rolleyes:

While looking you'll find a number of boats that needs to be evaluated as a possible alternatives - larger, older and differently equipped. Tempting..

Regarding the TCO you may go for single engine instead of twin. If you stick to the semidisplacement segment, diesel and shaft drive, you'll exclude a bunch from the search.

Both Jeanneau and Beneteu are competitively priced from new so with usual depreciation you will see not-to-old boats on offer. Bear in mind, that the depreciation rate will not change after you buy, so do expect your investment to follow the tendency.

If you broaden your search to the 'big names' you'll have to accept more age to keep the budget. This brings older engines, older equipment and, ofcourse, boats with more seasons behind them.

To me the overall condition means more than age but from the number I have viewed, the experience is that "old & immaculate" is hard to find. Some claim that their boats are in oustanding condition but as we all have different personal preferences, I've not agreed to any (within my budget) yet.

Please report on your progress :)

Edit: Both Volvo, Yanmar and Nanni are great (Yanmar and Nanni share Toyota base engine). I'd be happy with any but all else equal I'd personally pick a Volvo D4.
 
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Metaphorically speaking, I'm in the same boat but possibly seeking something a tiny bit bigger like Spi D. A single engine is one obvious answer to the fuel efficiency question although I think most 925's and 980's are singles anyway.

If you can pick your way through their hype and sales speak it may pay to get speaking to Jeanneau and Benne dealers to see how those boats sold new (what proportion had which engine(s)) and what issues arise at servicing and resale. A quick trawl through these pages will reveal who has what troubles with which engines. Is it my imagination or do they mostly seem to be outdrive issues?

Hope you get some sensible answers ike70.

BTW, whats TCO?
 
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Sterndrives are out of the question for my next boat. Simply will not contribute to the expensive, neverending story of maintenance aka the manufacturers pension plan.

Shafts work for Maersk and certainly will for me as well :D

I believe none of the engines in question are made badly. Maintenance is the core issue when looking at used boat and the more years, the more chance of insufficient care, I think. When buying a used boat you accept the choises made by the first owner, so compromises must be accepted.

Where I live Volvo is by far most common and service points are plenty. If need be I can reach a major Swedish dealer within one our by car.
 
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I have a MF 925 fly bridge with a single VP 260HP D4, fingers crossed not had a problem so far with engine. Bottom clean with 3 adults and full water and fuel tank full 180 mile around trip we cruised at 18knts and averaged 2.5mpg.
A good low cost entry fly bridge boat, you get what you pay. We have changed the interior saloon upholstery to make it a bit more comfortable. I was talking to a guy from Plymouth recently who said he has done 1800 hours doing fishing over in the channel Isles and was caught in a F8 which he said took it on the nose.
David
 
ike70 said:
I managed to sell my boat last weekend (Ripster's old, by the way) and I'm now starting to look for the next one. No hurry, it's enough if I get it for the next season.

We're thinking of going to a small flybridge, the likes of MF 925, Antares 9.80, maybe even Prestige 32 if I find the courage to stretch my budget. We'd like to have shaft drive, 18+ knots cruise, two cabins, good fuel economy and low maintenance costs. This really should be a boat for at least the next 10 years, so I'd like to keep the lifecycle costs as low as possible. Anything else that we should be looking at except the ones I mentioned?

Then there's the engine. The MF 925 for example is available as least with the following single-engined options:
- KAMD 300
- Yanmar 6BY 260 hp
- Nanni 320 hp
- D4

The Bene is available at least with Nanni 200s and D4s.

Take the context of the MF 925 as example: are some of these engines easier to live with than others, are some better avoided? Which is the best choice in terms of reliability, fuel efficiency and maintenance?

Any views are greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

KAD 300 No knowledge no comment
Yanmar 6BY, even if it has been subject to the BY2 upgrade campaign stay away, problems with the BMW base motor and the marinising package have cost Yanmar $$$. This will eventually filter back into the market.
Nanni 320, The nice old Toyota base motor is now out of production, Nanni do not have a particularly stellar reputation for supporting out of production engines being merely a mariniser.
Volvo D4.....It is the only kid on the block
 
Can't answer anything about most of your engine options but I understand that KAMD300 can be prone to problems if not maintained regularly. Worth doing a search on here (actually Google seems to be a better way to find old posts on here as the search tool is not very good).
 
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