S37 from the Med - Update

[RDL]

Just thought I would keep all of you who kindly supported me with your advise up to date on this on. Well, unfortunately (or fortunately), the S37 from the Med will be staying in the Med with its current owner. I have walked away from this one. All it has cost me are the survey fees etc. I know some of you said that it might be a good opportunity to get a price reduction, but it wasn’t for me.

I must admit, I did question the surveyors charges when he quoted me, but he certainly came up trumps on this one. He potentially has saved me a lot of agro and money, so I would certainly recommend him for future surveys in that part of the world.

Once you have started down a certain path, sometimes it is difficult to stand back and to be objective, even when you are faced with a ‘not so perfect’ survey report, as in this case. Luckily, I did mange to be objective and walk away. My thanks to Chris B4 on this one. He posted to one my of threads a very honest and frank account of his buying experience. Which was even faced with a ‘not so perfect’ survey, continued with the purchase and had a boat load of trouble. I’ve actually seen ‘B4’ and it looks a beaut now.

I learned a tremendous amount over the past month or so going through this purchase, and many thanks to all that have responded to my queries. I will take what I have learned and carry this forward into the next potential purchase.

And, as it happens, I had a very interesting call today…………………..Will keep you posted.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Renegade_Master]

Sad but the right thing to do. Dont suppose it was the suveyor I mentioned?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[RDL]

Yup, thats the one Clive, he done a superb job.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[c_j]

Dont be down hearted, now you can look at Princess V40's in the UK.

What put you off the S37?

<hr width=100% size=1>CJ
cjs@stone.uk.com


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stone.uk.com>http://www.stone.uk.com</A>

 

[RDL]

I have looked at the Princess V40's, yes they are a very nice boat, but probably just outside of my budget. Don't forget I've got three kids to squeeze into the aft cabin. You cannot beat the size of the S37 aft cabin without going much larger because its actually got a single and a double. The internals of the V40 is finished to a higher standard than the sealine, but you do get a lot for your money with the S37, especially with KAd 44s.
Med S37 - High moisture content in hull. Poor impact repair on starboard side. Gel coat craking 3 metres long on port side with associated internal fractures. Poorly non factory fitted bowthruster.
It was shame, because apart from these strucual problems it was a well maintained and under used boat. By the way, took your advise and had a computer plugged into the engines also.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[c_j]

I have four kids who regularly came boating and it was a bit like camping in the V40 but with an infil we had no problem with three in the aft cabin. We were in exactly the same position as you. I had even negotiated a new S37 to within 1k of a deal, and then I saw the V40. Sealines reputation is improving I believe and I think the S37 was OK, but cost of ownership will be less IMHO with the Princess if you buy it right.

"Med S37 - High moisture content in hull.............. Gel coat craking 3 metres long on port side with associated internal fractures".

Are these damage problems or are they the reason Princess and Failine boats have a better second hand value?



<hr width=100% size=1>CJ
cjs@stone.uk.com


<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.stone.uk.com>http://www.stone.uk.com</A>

 

[jfm]

that surveyor

RDL/Clive, please can you give the name and contact details for the surveyor you liked?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[RDL]

Re: that surveyor

jfm,

Jayson Sibley - Based in Mallorca.

Tel. 0034 661 204 755
www.jaysonsibley.com

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[jfm]

Re: that surveyor

Thanks RDL. Good luck with next phase of s37 purchase.

 

[Renegade_Master]

Re: jfm

jfm just been talking to Jayson arranging for him to come over and do the 5 year MCA coding on my Sealine He tells me he is also now doing a service for the FM200 fire equipment (halon being fazed out in December) so will be getting him to look at both boats for then

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[jfm]

Re: MCA coding

Clive, thanks. I didn't realise yours was MCA coded.

Can you give me some tips on how difficult it is to MCA code say a stock Squadron 58. I have read the 70 odd page MCA rule book, but it is impossible to comply with everthing. I am told that the surveyor has reasonable discretion. I mean, if you have all the right safety gear and proceedures, they dont enforce every rule to the letter.

The difficult rule would include 1m high railings all round, foredeck hatch hinge is to rear, portholes below weather deck are opening type, etc

The reason I might want MCA compliance is to charter (including charter from boat-owning company to self) and be able to buy tax-free deisel in France and recover VAT paid on original purchase of boat.

How often are the reinspections?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Renegade_Master]

Re: MCA coding

Yes jfm both our boats have to be MCA coded for Sea School and charter
Its quite a long protracted list but your right, the surveyor has reasonable discretion.

best bet is to email Jayson (mention my name) and ask for a list you will need for the squaddie. The main big time inspection is every 5 years and the annual inspection I believe you can do yourself (check with Jayson) and sign a declaration that it is still in compliance.

Good luck with it Clive

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.suncoastmarine.co.uk>Sun Coast Sea School & Charter</A>

 

[BIGCOL]

sORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE GRIEF RE YOUR ATTENDED PURCHASE OF THE S37 FROM THE MED. I BOUGHT A V40 FROM THE MED 3 MONTHS AGO GOT IT A LOT CHEAPER THAN THE UK HAD IT SURVEYED BY WARD& MCKENSIE AND CAME BACK WITH THE ENGINES REQUIREING LOTS OF WORK THE SELLER GOT A QUOTE OF £5750 TO PUT IT TO RIGHTS.
I GOT THE BOAT REDUCED BY THE SAME AMOUNT PAYING £2500 FOR LORRY TRANSPORT FROM PALMA. BACK IN THIS COUNTRY 3 DAYS LATER GOT ALL THE WORK DONE FOR £650 DOING ALOT OF IT MYSELF.

WHAT IM TRYING TO SAY IS STICK WITH IT,THE MED IS A HELL OF A LOT CHEAPER.PERSONALLY AS ANOTHER REPLY YOU RECEIVED GO FOR A V40 FANTASTIC BOAT SEA KEEPING IS BETTER THAN MY PREVIOUS BOAT TARGA 38

KEEP WITH IT

BIG COL

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[HowardB]

Sorry not to have seen this until today. I have had to delay moving my S37 to the Med for now until I have a mooring- possibly mid November. The man (prat) has not yet got back to me about the contact who would do a good deal for road hauling my boat south (and yours north)

I understand entirely why you pulled out. My S37 had a thin hull, dentable with the thumb of the surveyor!! This was about 2 thirds of the way back, below water line. Luckily the previous owner had never gone further than Hamble to cowes and back, and always in flat calm, so no cracks etc formed. On the strength of the survey, we got Sealine to repair and strengthen the hull, and extend the warranty. The previous owner had no idea of course- you don't survey a brand new boat.

The problem seems to lie in how the hulls are made- hand laid sheets of glassfibre in the costlier Fairlines and Princesses etc. A man cuts sheets to size and they know just haw many layers are there and how thick that is. The faster and possibly cheaper way of doing this is by 'spray chopped' glassfibre and resin mix where the bloke sprays into the mould. Excellent if done right, but hard to be sure just how thick the hull is at any given point. Sealine have all sorts of ultrasound kit to check, but it seems that up to a couple of years ago, the odd one got through with problems- praps the bloke goes for lunch, and forgets just how much he's done, and where! An option is to lay the spray chop down in different coloured layers. More costly though. Many USA boats seem to be spray chopped too.

I'm delighted with my S37, and even more delighted with the survey I had!

Good luck in your quest.
Howard

<hr width=100% size=1>