Ok POST experts, lets hear some thoughts

The 42' and 46' Posts have one hell of a scary ride in a following sea. I wouldn't even consider them personally. I'd try to go to a Cabo if you can.

An 80's Post and a Cabo sportfish are in totally opposite price ranges.

Cabo's have no issues in following seas, the rudders on them are plenty big enough actually in all conditions. Heck the 40' express you can do a 360 at 30 knots in less than 3 boat lengths. You get exactly what you pay for. Used Cabo's are getting down in price as they get older such as the 45' Express. There's one for sale for $175k and the boat is a 1998. Several others can be had for the low $200s. They also don't "ROT" ANYWHERE!!!!!

They're a much better sea boat than an old 42/46 Post as well as all of the other 80's hull designs. Then again I've run sportfish from most all of the builders and many different sizes from each builder. I run around 150 different yachts a year. So if anyone can compare how each SF ride, I can.

That being said, perhaps you should take a look at the "pissant rudders" on Post 42 and 46's. Both of those boats are a downright handful in a following sea and after you've ridden down sea on the hull side, and feel like you're not coming back till it all of a sudden flops back over, responds to rudder, and makes a 45-60 degree turn, come back and talk to me. There's even a thread here about the "updated larger rudders" for them. The 50' Post on the other hand is a totally different animal, it's a pretty good sea boat, stable on the troll, and only a touch on the wet side and a very good buy for the money. I call a spade a spade. The Viking 45's were a pretty good boat. The old 41's and 48's I'd take over a post 42/46.

He hasn't even mentioned how he's going to be using the boat - perhaps his needs and wants list does not begin and end with a single line about following sea performance.

I'm a few months in to ownership of a 76 42 and I have zero regrets. She's 40 years old and I'm sure there's some rot in places I can't see. Im doing what I can to re bed and seal up everything I can - at which point I'm going to put it all out of my mind and just enjoy the boat - that's what she's made for.

For what it's worth I've had her in some decent seas so far including the run from Maryland to Long Island. I thought she handled just fine and nothing close to scary although I was only running her around 15 kts - I'm not sure if that is a factor.

I am not a captain of 150 different yachts a year although I have owned a Bertram and Viking in the past - so maybe my opinion carries little weight. But to me, your post started with "I have always LOVED the POSTs". That should answer the question as to what you should do.

The boat that you are looking at looks like it is in really great shape. I think you have to seriously consider your boating style and application. I too have run and delivered a number of boats in this class. None of them run the same in all sea conditions. The Post is a stylish, all around family, convertible. I looked long and hard for my application and chose Post over Hatt, Bertram, Davis, Rybo and Viking. Mine runs better in a following sea than earlier models and I have been in 10-12' seas in the Stream and it's not pleasurable in any boat in this class. She always got me home, but it is never my choice to be in that type of sea. If you intend to stay out of port for long trips, the Post will be one of the most comfortable boat out there. Great ammenities, anchoring stability and plenty of room in the cockpit and interior.
I could go on and on about boats but your personal application is what will define the boat you need and Post met mine. Dive, fish, cruise, live and explore.

"Would love to get some input from those that have personal experience with these beauties, share the good and the bad, "

You are the ass. Your initial posting asked for anyone that wanted to share the good and the bad about a 42' Post. I did in a non condescending manner. I simply posted that they're a scary ride in a following sea and I'd recommend a Cabo. You mentioned it's not in your price range. SO, if you read my next posting I posted several boats that ARE in your price range that are a much better sea boat, 41/45/48 Vikings, 45 Hatteras and why, also in a non condescending manner. I've run most all of these older Sportfish, I cut my teeth on them. I'm posting facts, not opinionated garbage or whatever you want to call it.

So if you're having a bad day or don't like the truth that you're hearing, don't ask the question or deal with it like an adult and save your personal attacks and nonsense for somewhere else.

Notice how there are tons of Post owners on this forum and not a single one contradicted what I said about their sea keeping behavior? The boat does look very clean and well cared for in the photo's. If you don't plan on doing serious fishing in serious seas, then go for it. I'd check the entire boat really well for any rot with a moisture meter.

Touché , Everyone does not fish 60 - 100 NM Off -Shore , or run boats up and down the East Coast. The question if I recall was about Post Yachts, not Cabo or Vikings.

re-read his initial post. "I'm in the market for a 40's sportfish and have been looking at vikings, hatteras and bertrams and love Post but have been reluctant to include them due to ROT" then he went on to say "Would love to get some input from those that have personal experience with these beauties, share the good and the bad, where I should focus my attention during my next viewing and the survey."

So that is precisely what I did.

NO 1980's sportfish is a great sea boat compared to one built 2000 or newer. Hull design has come a long long way since the 80's. You asked for the good and the bad. I gave it to you. I'm a professional, I've run lots and lots of boats, I do A LOT of nautical miles a year, over 10,000NM's a year each and every year and can compare each model and make because I've run most of them. If you don't want the good and the bad, then DON'T ASK FOR IT on a forum. Why ask for advice and then personally attack someone giving it????? Good luck on your Post, hope it surveys well. Adios

1980, 46 foot with 410 hp 6 71s. Mostly used on the C-Bay and some on the D-Bay. Very little ocean use. Never experienced the Suicide Slide effect. I also do not have a 600 lb tender on my bow which I think contributes to the scarey factor.
In a following,quartering sea it can get busy at the helm. Tabs up and maybe speed up or slow down to find the correct attitude.

I came from pacemakers and Trojans to a Post so it was a step up in a big way from 36 to 46, gassers to diesels.
After going through boats like women go through shoes we stuck with this one for 20 + years. We don't fish.

At the time, never even heard of Cabo or Henrique. Only Vikings, Hatts, Oceans, Chris Crafts. I was sheltered as a child I suppose.

Pros -
- I think they are well built for what they are.
- as Pascoe points out they use good quality parts but not tons of them.
- My 671s are economical to run but no speed demon by today's standards.
- Traditional interior wood, some folks like some say " dated". Same with the exterior profile. We like Traditional so no issue.
- Engine are not electronic and I can do much of the maintenance and repairs myself. Mostly maintenance and few repairs.
- reliable engine and easy to access primary parts as the engines are mirrored in the bilge.
- I am a 6' , 250 lb guy that can get to the outboard side of both engines AND turn around ( this requires much grunting )
- good size for a couple to run, handle, afford, . Slips are not a problem because she's not too wide nor does she draw alot of water.


CONS
- everything has a lifespan and I have had to replace a lot of stuff over the years on this as boat including turbos, refrigerators, domestic water pumps, 'Lectra-Sans , that said upgrades and projects don't bother me as long as I can control when.
- there is the potential for bad coring around all the wood trim on the house. Also around the stanchions.
- Pay attention to to cleat that the bridge is fastened to, particularly where that cleat is screwed into the house.
- If it has wind shields, look real close at them too.
- Inspect the rope locker where the pulpit attaches, some guys have had water issues there, I have not.
- the side house window tracks ( if you have them ) were set on mahogany lumber, I removed mine years ago and saturated all of that with WestSystem. They showed no signs of rot at that time.
- wood work: if you hate varnish ( old whatever coating you choose ) you will not be happy. Easier maintenance in the North, much more maintenance in the South , I'm told.
- No factory support but alot of Post owners here that would help if they can.
-They can be wet if it's blowing but if you slow down some its not bad.
-Hard to run alone if no cockpit controls
- I have seen a few in yards having the catwalks redone because f delamination. Not so much rot but separation issues.

That's all I can think of for the moment........

Overall, as a non-fisherman, cruising all over the bay, on pleasure boats all my life, I love this boat.

More importanty, my Wife really loves it too.

I just came back from Bonaire 3 weeks ago, with a 6ft following sea, and yes, she wants to throw her stern sideways, but it all depends on your speed. If you maintain the right speed, it's not scary at all, and you get used to it. I used my brand new autopilot on both ways all the time, and we had a pretty comfortable ride, but I need to mention, we are used to these sea conditions and never have a flat sea at all!!

I have a 1981 46ft Post