running costs

[johnstop]

I have a chance to buy a Sunbird 19.5ft with a 4.3l cobra engine.it is approx 1989/90.
Any ideas on costs of running this per hour.How much fuel etc.?
any advice would be greatfully recieved this will be my first boat.


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[Blue_Blazes]

Very good luck John, in your search for your first boat. A small word of caution from one who's been stung. If it seems too cheap to be true, it probably is. Walk away, look elsewhere, come back with a more realistic offer, based on advice from owners of similar craft. Petrol is an expensive way to power a boat, hence petrol powered boats sell for less. Therefore boat that's cheap to buy can cost dear in the not so long run. Marine petrol engine of 14 years old = buggered. Marine diesel 14 years old = nicely run in. Very generally speaking and IMHO, of course.

Bill.

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[ArthurWood]

Probably 9 imp g/hr at 3200 rpm/30+mph at a rough guess and based on 19ft w/3.7l Mercruiser which does about 7g/hr.

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[BrendanS]

Always a difficult one

My 21'er with a 4.3 Mercruiser does about 5.5 to 6 GPH, at 3000rpm at 26knts. Easier to understand for me is that is does just over 1 litre per mile (statute not nautical) at a similar speed

A really good place to compare similar sized hulls and engine is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boattest.com>http://www.boattest.com</A> where you can choose boats of similar size, then browse them for similar sized engines. If you select the 'test results' tab, you can see a perfomance graph, and a table of results. Won't give the info for your boat, but will give a good spread of similar hulls and engines, and the different results you can expect.

That's theoretical though, as different sea conditions mean you get often far worse perfomance. Don't forget to factor in maintenance and winterising, and spares.

There's lot of other running costs, that go well beyond buying and running the boat. All the kit you need.. there's been many lists on here you can search for.

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[gjgm]

couple of points Id certainly agree with... if you look at the prices of a new engine you soon realise the hull itself is not worth much, and 14 year old engine is unlikely to give you any repair or maintenance free boating. Maybe someone knows what another engine costs fitted £8-10k perhaps? Might make you think whether theres any value in this boat. Also, be realistic about running costs being more than fuel, servicing etc, safety equipment etc is a not inconsiderable outlay, and its the one thing you cannot afford to save on. Nothing will spoil your boating more than a large unanticipated bill, and with the age of this one I think a few other postings worry you may be heading for a few of them. The few truths I have learned is that the second best day boating is selling your boat. Theres alot to be said for not buying anything you dont think you could sell. But beyond all the gloom, I hope you get out on the water soon and have many happy and safe hours!!

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[oldgit]

Hi John.just a quick comment to the effect that the running costs can pale into insignificance if your are buying someones elses problems.You may well already be fully aware of the pitfalls of boat purchase,in which case I apologise in advance for the following.The age of the boat is not so important as is the care and cash the previous have thrown/forums/images/icons/laugh.gifat it.If the boat has been well looked after and the owner is able to wave a ginormus stack of bills to demonstrate it has been serviced etc you may consider offering somewhere near the asking price.If not than offer only that which will leave you a decent sum to sort out future problems.
Some owners are a little optimistic with their asking prices.
One other thing check that engine over.A vital point to watch are the exhaust risers corroding up from the inside.
Found a stranded boater marooned next to my boat last month.The boat a 23 ft Sealine had been purchased only that day from a local marina and was on its new owners maiden voyage round to the Thames......Fizzzz..........Steam......overheated.........



<hr width=100% size=1>My little Princess/forums/images/icons/laugh.gifthe 33 of course.Shame its not just a bit bigger.

 

[Alistairr]

This boat wouldn't by anychance be lying in Loch Lomond?

Would it?



<hr width=100% size=1>"INDIANA Has Been Born"
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

 

[Romanbaths]

definately ouch!!! don't do it, get a diesel.

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[Alistairr]

What the heck are youy on about man!!!!

He is only looking at a 19footer sportsboat, He will not find a sportsboat more than say 8 years old with a diesel in it, unless it has been re-engined. and at that the performance wouldn't be that great.

John, I bought my first boat last year a fletcher 18 sportcruiser with a 115hp mercury outboard, The old two strokes are heavy on fuel, i think i was getting about 9gph, i used the boat every weekend and was happy with the fuel bill.
I have just changed to a new Rinker 232 last month which is almost 25' long, And NO I DIDN'T PUT A DIESEL IN IT, i got a Mercruiser 5.0l V8 MPI.PETROL... I just visited the pump on monday for the first time since getting it and worked out i am getting 4.5 GPH, which i think is fantastic.


cheers....



<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hamptonandmcmurray.co.uk>Hampton and McMurray</A>

 

[duncan]

spot on Alistair - the diesel thing is a complete red herring (sry!).
as stated, but potentially hidden in the rough and tumble above, is that there are a number of costs associated with owning and running a boat.
At this point I should also point out that there are occasionally some really fantastic days associated with it as well but ...
Firstly - initial cost (1) take boat for a good thrashing around the area you intend boating if possible - do not buy it unless you can give it a good 'road test ' somewhere - that means 30 minutes with the engine working well (15mph +). However all that will show you is that it works ok now - it may indicate it is looked after and used but it may not. A new (effectively) engine and outdrive shouldn't cost more than 5k for a boat like that.
Insurance will be circa £250pa and you will need it for most places to launch the boat/keep it.
Trailer - if buying with a trailer tow it 100 miles on test! (same principle as above). It will weigh around 1300kg all up I suspect, so most reasonably powered vehicles should be able to tow it. If you are keeping it somewhere to be used factor this in to your costs.
Fuel - at the end of the day the more fuel you use the more fun you will be having - and pleasure is hard to put a price on. A weekend with the boat will probably set you back £75 if you have a smile on your face that lasts 'till Wednesday. £20 will only get you untill coffee Monday. BrendanS probably spent £220 last weekend, and will stop grinning in about 2 weeks - but will have had 50 pints bought for him to hear the story before the end of July.........
Diesel boat owners get the same grin about what others are spending....and then pay for the drinks anyway so it all evens out /forums/images/icons/smile.gif You could buy a 21ft boat powered by a diesel but you would not get much change out of |£22k 'cos theres nothing on the sh market. The boat you are looking at should be closer to £2,200.
I hope this helps
duncan

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[Dave_Snelson]

Hey Alistairr - you may have solved a problem for me. I am looking at buying a Binliner 2655 with MC 5.0L V8. I am nervous about fuel costs - do you really get 4.5gph???? Thats better than my Suzi 100 2-smoke!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[BrendanS]

Dave,

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boattest.com/test-results.asp?ID=409&lg_username=&from_gi=Yes>look here</A> for accurate fuel consumption figures for Alistair's set up.

They haven't done a similar test for the Bayliner you're interested in, but it's probably enough to give you a base line

<hr width=100% size=1>Err, let me know if Depsol enters the forum, I'll go and hide

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Thanks Brendan - thats brill.

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