My girl was splashed in 1980. I just completed a major refit bridge extension. Last year I swapped out two Westerbekes for new NL's. I have upgraded her continuously through my ownership. I had her surveyed and insured at survey value many years ago. I resurvey every few years for my own benefit as well as security in terms of supporting the insurance policy. They haven't ever requested a survey on renewals. This year I sent them one and effectively doubled the value to cover the investments madras well as the cost of trying to replace her. They asked a few questions for clarity, and I supplied answers and photos. They increased my policy per request. They have evidence that I take care of the investment and therefore their risk.
I wanted a vessel that was as good as being brand new, but I certainly didn't want pay even half of that price. I didn't. I shopped to find the best starting point I could both afford as well as to use "quickly" (within a year) while I continued to invest going forward. With the recent inflation spike I'd imagine (and Ron can back me up here) that my new boat would be perhaps four or five times what I have invested. This will now last me for the next twenty or thirty years...or until perhaps I get an itch to step up even larger. I also realize that this budget for acquisition and then cost of operating and upgrading is not perhaps a common budget, but it accomplished exactly what I set out to own and enjoy...as did, I'm sure, yours.
I found a beautiful 42’ Egg Harbor Motor Yacht Flybridge kept in OH with a hailing port of Treasure Island, FL. She was simply stunning from bow to stern and everything in between! If I recall she was an 1982 but she was gas! Every winter they put her in heated storage. She still has the original Egg Harbor gauges and throttles. The forward birth is V with its own bath and the rear birth is a queen with woodwork to die for. If a survey came out sparkling on this Egg I would highly consider it. I would think she would be an excellent loop boat with another couple. That has been an all time dream. I don’t think I’ve seen a cleaner vessel. But as my wife says what are they really hiding. I love the saying: BEING SOLD AS IS WHERE IS! Boy that leaves a lot to the imagination. I caught that saying on a 1995 42’ Egg Convertible. He’s selling it dirt cheap but I for one don’t want to put Humpty Dumpty back together again! She won’t even start! Then I located a 1995 42’ Golden Egg Galley Up with 2 staterooms and full bath. Very nice fishing machine! The woodwork is something else in these boats. I miss the Leek’s touch but this guy does hire some good craftsmen. Being from NJ I love the Jersey boats. I’ve always loved and favored the Leek Machines. Don and Jack certainly knew how to put some magic together. Egg Harbor being the Cadillac and Pacemaker being the Chevy, and then comes the Ocean smack in the middle! I’ve looked for Oceans that are “reasonably” priced. But that’s a joke. It seems as though people believe the Oceans are hot commodity. Maybe hot but not worth the prices they are asking. Not when I could pick up the same Pacemaker, Egg Harbor, Post, or Viking at a lower more reasonable price.
My very limited knowledge of boats in comparison to others on this forum is as follows : If you are mechanically inclined then diesels will not be a problem for you. With peace and love I say, any boat over 40 should be diesel powered or you will pour money into fuel and run slowly. A gas loop boat better have large fuel tanks. Good luck in your search.
Liking to do it and actually doing it aren’t the same but I do understand what you’re saying. If we did the loop I would expect to take a full year. No rush just enjoy. Going up the Hudson to Lake Champlain is a beautiful experience. What’s the rush? As long as we are heading south before the winter months in MN I would be happy! In 1976 weeks went to Montreal. Rush Rush Rush from Atlantic City to Montreal we made it in 3.5 days. Constantly running and just stopping for fuel and locks the further north we went. I would like to go slower and enjoy the sights. Again that’s if we did it. I would love to but many factors play into our plans… Going back and forth to FL is more realistic. As is going from FL to the Bahamas. Those trips I’ve done before I met my wife on my family boat. That was a no brainer. In a motor yacht things will be a bit different but going 36’ to 42’ is no biggie and about the same amount of gas. Again for us no rush were not going there to visit anyone. Our family boat was gas. The Egg I’m looking at is gas. My career as an aircraft mechanic all were gas engines. I haven’t seen a diesel or battery powered airplane yet (passenger jet.) Time will tell as to what will happen. I need to go in and get a DAP scan. Possibly of Parkinson’s. If so I still want to move out of a house. I don’t want the responsibility anymore. My dream has always been to live on a boat. Even with Parkinson’s this one dream on my Bucket List that I want to come True! My father said to me once before he died… only 3 of my siblings could afford a boat because he set them up. And the rest of us… well learn how to make that sort of money. I thought that was rather selfish but I’ll never forget it. My Bucket List is VERY SHORT! I don’t ask or want much! I don’t want to short change myself. If I have Parkinson’s then life has already short changed me enough. I’ll see what God has for me. The Bible says God never gives us more than we can handle… We’ll see!
I liked your response but aren’t diesels more expensive to maintain when it comes to turbo needing to be cleaned or replaced? And other checks? I currently remember all the stuff the survey mentioned… The surveyor mentioned so many different hours and checks and oil changes and filters I just went nuts. Those babies are enough to drive a person nuts! I know the Detroit Diesel has been around forever. I also know from having to clean up after it… they love to make a mess! Trying to keep things tidy and clean with a Detroit diesel around is tough. Cats are much easier to keep clean. Every boat we have seen has Detroit. Every boat $300 thousand+ have either Mann or Cat. Sorry but I can’t put that into my Santa Wish list or my Bucket List. Now if I barter with someone now that would be cool. I buy parts and barter time for time! In this economy that doesn’t fly anymore.