Advice on choosing the right SportFish Yacht 1980’s-1990’s

Hi,

Are you aware that you will need to have a method of changing the voltage and frequency when you get the boat to NZ if you want to plug it into the dock power?

Any AC electrical spares will also need to be brought in from the US.

Hi,

A transformer will change your voltage but will do nothing for the frequency.

Things that use the frequency to operate timers will be the first to expire the moment you plug them in.

You will not be the first person to get a boat in the US and find out this when you get it home to a 50 Hz country.

___________
Not even with an entire brewery to resolve.

The electrical differences are indeed a serious concern which doesn't stop with just converters and "few" other things. Can cost you some serious money.

Again I would advice to look around you own market.

I'm also sometimes checking prices in the US and see surprisingly low offers here and there.

But it is said many times here on this forum....if it looks too good to be true then....I let you fill in the rest...

When looking at older boats in that price range, try to find one that has a major overhaul of the main engines within the last few years, and then ask to see paperwork and parts list of what was done. The cost of the overhaul will increase the value of the boat but not as much as the cost of the overhaul itself.
Most US boats have halon fire suppression systems so check about whether the halon needs to be removed before it arrives at your destination. I have been told that some countries will not allow the halon to be brought in and then charge a large amount to dispose of it as hazardous waste.
One of the yacht shipping agencies has a bad reputation for poor service, you can contact me through yachtforums to find out which one, I should not post it here.

Willight, when you have some spare time, perhaps you would relay some of your war stories.

Hearing about other people pain suffering, equipment failure and outrageous costs sooths the pain of my own such experiences - Like the $8,000 service bill i got when i had by first boat (which cost $50,000) serviced 1 month after buying. That was my first welcome to boating.

Thats good advice .
On the other hand, do not be put off by too many "red tape complications".
The Halon can be a problem but fridges etc are accepted if you do the paperwork right.
Your biggest issue now is the NZ$.......Since those poor guys in Christchurch got hit by the earthquake, I see your $ has DIVED!

You can remove the Halon bottle from just about any sportfish in about 30 minutes or less.

The Halon is easy to remove, the issue is to know to remove it before it arrives at it's destination and becomes a problem.
But those are "red tape" concerns that can be dealt with after finding the boat that fits your needs.
Almost all of the sportfish boats in the 40 to 50 foot range are owner operated so the care and maintenance will vary with the skill and knowledge of the owner. A well maintained 20 year old mid priced boat is much better than a neglected high end boat. Viking, Hatteras, Bertram. I do not think it matters as as much as the care for these older boats. That may be heresy to some but I see hundreds of boats a year as a professional.