Looking to buy a Sportfish/Convertable

Yeah....what about me??? Thats OK as I am still reading the posts and advice. I feel for the owner of the 1271 Bert and know how boats can be a financial nightmare and a seemingly empty hole to pour money into. No, I didnt just fall off the turnip truck but obviously there are members out there with decades more experience owning boats than I. Regarding my making a mistake going to contract without seeing the boat, it is only because I live in So Cal and flying out 2500 miles to see a boat that has an asking price of $189K makes me find out ahead of time if the seller WILL sell that boat for my budget in the event I elect to go forward after the initial physical inspection. I have looked at many East coast boats over the last few years and try to look at quite a few potential boats while there. I had gone to contract on one boat in almost every instance knowing if it stood tall and passed all inspections once out there, I could have bought the boat for a number that was acceptable. I passed on every boat to date due to physical inspections or the results of surveys after acceptable physical inspections so I fully understand the process and the importance of in depth unbiased based surveys by persons not recommended by the seller or his agent. I plan to do just that this time also. Bob Seeger is the broker on ALKON which is the 1980 55 in Sarasota. I feel he is representing the boat with integrity, did not require me to actually put the offer down in writting before going to the seller, and is not requiring a check in hand prior to seeing the boat even though we have an accepted offer and signed contract subject to PI, ST, and surveys.......It is the only 55 I have looked on line at that seems to fit what I am looking for. As the owner ( the only owner of this boat bought originally from Hansen Marine in Dec, 1981 ) will be there and has every document available regarding everything he has ever done to the boat to date, it simply is a boat I would like to at least look at seriously. Yes, I would like a REAL GUY to look at it too....perhaps in advance. There is no question that would be OK with the seller or Bob Seeger. Anyone you guys know I could hire to do that? It is a very very good idea and one I would like to carry out soon. If I need to extend the contract period, I know it will not be a problem. Regarding the statement that I am already at a disadvantage, I disagree as I know the reality of just how critical I am regarding actually BUYING a boat. Yes, I am genuinely interested in this boat but........I have a long way to go before saying " I DO "!............. Regarding other boats, there are mid ninety 54 hatteras also but they have 1292s which is an engine series I have been cautioned away from many times. I almost bought a 95 Hat 54 with 3412 Cs 3 years ago that surveyed very well but our finances fell apart at the end. That boat was in the mid 5s then and we have since elected to spend much less so things do happen for reasons some times. I have talked to owners of older 1271 boats and have been told that they were a joy to own and were reasonably affordable. I know the cost to rebuild and know "rebuilts" or " low original" hour motors can grenade the first time out too. I know many items on these 32 VDC motors are expensive but I also know MTU or MAN engines command lots of Euro based dollars for parts too! I realize maintaining 370, 450, QSMs or ? Cummins motors would be much more manageable to own and buying a smaller boat with these is definitely something I would consider. I also know a 55 ft boat has more systems and bigger more expensive systems than mid 40ft boats. Thats why a Riviera 43 ( or smaller Viking, Bertram, Hat, ) are boats I am also considering and without a doubt would be more manageable to own and keep there. Its just that many are in the mid 2s or 3s and I would want to own 50 % of them. To me, that would be the prefect scenario especially if the owner is meticulous like I am and has ethics. I know, I know.......I,m dreaming but we all know there are still ethically sound and honestly good people out there still that own boats and simply do not use them enough in this tough economy to justify owning them.....at least 100 %. Many have not even considered co owning a boat as the concept to many seems not feasible. I have been involved in 3 partnerships so far on boats and have owned 100 % on some also. The partnerships worked fine. So much so that I actually proposed putting together partnerships on boats many years ago when it was unheard of and was not acceptable by most. Brokers told me it would never work!! Well, I,m happy to say they were wrong as indicated by actual businesses in place ( Galati, Sunseeker, etc ) that have created substancial pertnerships. The secret is having either two partners that both understand the costs and responsibilities of owning boats and dont mind handling personally all aspects of ownership, or having an uniterested 3rd party involved to handle it professionally. Something breaks, 50 % each. Maintenance, slip, insurance, etc, 50 %.......Hiring a 3rd uninterested entity to clean, refuel, handle everything relating to physically keeping the boat in order is an option that sometimes works if both owners opt for not doing it themselves. Anyway, getting a bit off "post " but the point is, I would really like to find " that guy " that we could co own a nice newer boat with in Florida and the Bahamas.

If you know of someone, let me know. In the meantime though, I do plan on going through with at least giving the 1980 55 in Sarasota a look with someone down there that can really look at it with me...perhaps in advance.

Thanks again for the advise from all concerned. I am listening!

The broker explained the year the owner completely rebuilt both engines at about 1000 hrs since. Not sure of the hours on the boat at the time though. All receipt are with the boat with full documentation. I feel you can see now at least why it is worth a serious look. There is one here in So Cal ( 1987 ) with 400 hrs smoh at $ 399K ask. Yes, its worth more as it is 6 years newer and it is here. Not sure what it is truly worth but it does seem the 81 is fair at $ 150K

If you are referring to " The Shark ", I did call about it and I may go see it while in Fla. Just not sure about a 48 into a 52 nor am I sure about Mans. If it is a different boat you are referring to, let me know. I am simply flying in this week to really look hard at Alkon in Sarasota. I would really like to look at some smaller potentials as well as I realize to maintain a 55 will not be very inexpensive.

Oh I do remember Bubba. I was unable to buy it but it did sell shortly there after. I never actually saw the boat but it appeared to be very nice. The Shark was available too at the time but the interior of Bubba was beautiful.

Oh well, things happen for reasons I suppose as we are now looking at boats for significantly less now.

Well, I have now seen the boat and when Bob Seeger stated it was unlike anything he had ever seen in his career, I believe him. Every hatch, door, panel, etc opens up to expose incredible evidence of meticulous maintenance and up grading. After looking at every aspect of the boat, the only areas needing attention are the headliner which show some evidence of old leaks from the bridge deck above. The electronics are a bit dated but work fine, and there is some old staining on the inside of the salon door teak that has been beautifully varnished over. I am going to meet with the owners tomorrow and plan on going over everything they have done over the last 30 years to the boat. After really looking at her in depth, I am interested in her as I too have never seen anything like her. What looking at her in depth did do though is caution me on what I am getting into. The size of everything is huge and OWNING this boat will not be cheap. I also need to get quoted on insurance too as I am concerned what that will cost me on a 55 in Florida when I have never owned a boat over 44 ft and not in Florida. I had one broker that is selling a 38 Pursuit w tower tell me he thinks I need to allow around $50K to $75K annually to simply own the 55 regardless of shape. If this is true, I feel we need to pass and find a 43 to 45 ft newer SF. If its more like $ 3,000 a month. it might be more acceptable but is concerning me a bit.