Re-Engined boats?

[thames cruiser]

Hi there all you very experienced boaters...(!)...

I'm looking to buy a new family sports cruiser, upgrading from a small (not big enough for my ever expanding family) day boat, to a bigger and altogether more capable coastal cruiser. I've looked at many different boats, Including Sealines, Fairlines and others in around 36-39 ft LOA. I can't afford the nice ones and I don't like the the ones I can afford!

Now, however, I have come across a Sealine S37 that has been re-engined. Whatever it had before have been replaced by new Volvo D4s (220HP units). The hull looks in outstanding condition for a boat of this age and everything else looks like a reasonable value deal is there to be had. But I am nervous about the prospect of buying a boat that has been re-engined.

Any comments on why I should, why I shouldn't, or simply what to look out for, would be most welcome?....

 

[markc]

Hi

I can't see anything wrong getting a boat that has new engines - it's normally a positive. The only negative would be if it needed new engines as a result of sinking, then it's not the engines but the rest of the boat that you need to worry about

Mark

 

[apollo]

Depends who re-engined it?
Was it done by the owner or proper engineers?
Are there invoices for the work?
At least Volvos are what you would expect to see under the floorboards on a Sealine.

 

[joejo]

I have a re engined Sealine which was converted from V8 petrol to 200hp Volvo diesel. It was done professionally commissioned by a previous owner. I have all receipts and also had engine separately surveyed at time of purchase, which I would recommend you do as well.
It did not put me off at all. I would not have purchased a petrol version of the boat in question.

 

[Chris_d]

Shouldn't be unduly worried its normaly a plus point, my own boat has been re-engined from petrol to diesel and it was one of the main reasons I bought over any other boats. You need to check why though its most unusual on something as young as an F37 unless its a really early one also I don't think F37's have ever had less than 2x KAD44's(260hp) so 2 x D4 220hp may will be a little underpowered.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

It may well be a bargain waiting to be had. I have had a boat re-engined. You don't make a return on the process. The fact that they are D4s suggests they may have new engines not recons.

 

[Chris_d]

Make sure its not the F37 that sunk last year down Falmouth way though.

see here: http://blog.ribsforsale.com/delivery-of-200000-sealine-37-powerboat-ends-on-the-rocks/

 

[thames cruiser]

Thanks

Thanks for all the replies and comments guys.
Actually, my head has now been turned for an S38. All good

 

[oldgit]

It is not unusual to see in brokers details that a boat has had replacement engines at very low hours indeed .Lack of use can result in damage which makes the engines uneconomic to repair.
All other things being equal it could be a good buy.