Opinions of Mikelsons and similar boats...

We are currently in escrow on a 2000 50' Mikelson SF with 1400 hrs on 450 diamond cummins. Northern lights 12KW w 1400 hrs. We have looked at these boats for some time and have commenced the purchase but feel it would be pertinent to ask others of their opinions of these boats. They are very popular it seems here in So California and have talked to Mikelson owners with posiive feedback however they own them. We have looked at 54 Bertrams with 1271s to 1292s with hours from low to high but have been cautioned about buying 2 cycle detroit boats due to potential disaster realized when we try to sell plus the cost to run and maintain them could prove to be out of our reach. We have also found a 1981 hatteras 50 with 8 92s ( unknown hours ) that has been upgraded from stem to stern with exception of engines/gen sets. Every screw and surface has been painted and modernized/replaced to as new condition with the exception of the 892s. Boat can be bought for $ 200K with tender/davit included ( also like new ). I ve been told to buy the newest boat we can afford and get the most modern of systems we can. What should one do that is just squeaking in to the 50 ft SF arena and works for a living but has a 5 year old daughter that loves sportfishers.......and big one at that and also loves to catch and eat fish like theres no tomorrow!

Ive had everything from blown gas K boat flatbottoms, to a 44 Trojan express boat ( Carver built ), to a 40 Silverton ACMY and have been around boating since I was 7 with my dads' Owens 25 but have never owned a diesel boat or a sportfisher. Older with detroits vs newer with 450 cummins. The accomodations of the Mikelson is incredible, it has a huge cockpit, is very efficient and cruises @ 17/18 with top of 21 @ 46GPH. Its made in Taiwan I know which to me is its negative but seems to built rather well with mostly US componentry ( other than its plumbing which again is a negative/non Trident USCG fuel lines need replacing but it is rather straightforward. Seems like I am convinced to go through with the purchase but I still think about spending 1/2 of the Mikelson ( $ 450K ) and get an older 54 bertram or 50 Hatteras with detroits @ $200 to $250K. There is a 85 Bertram in the Northeast that can be had in the low to mid $ 100s but it looked like I could spend a ton getting it to a level where I enjoy a boat to be. Everyone has an opinion and we are simply a bit overwhelmed with them as well as well as our own mixed ones. My daughter loves the Mikelson cause its big, beatifull, and has marlin etched into the salon glass door along with bait tanks with windows/lights and underwater lights. 96 mile Furuno recent radar, Navnet II GPS/plotter as well as a standalone Furuno Sonar. Stidd chairs, immaculate condition, but made in Taiwan............You can sense my frustration. If money wasnt an option, we certainly would have an easier decision but it is. I,ve had partners on two boats and it worked both times so I plan on advertising for one again once we finish buying a boat. Not for everyone I know but it truly worked for us and made boating that much more desirable. Thanks for the time and any other opinions/comments Cap!

Buying older Hatteras 50,Bertram 54 vs newer Mikelson 50

Help! I read my post and it seemed legitimate. I will say it might have come across that I am an avid boater which I am not. I,ve had a fair number of boats but none of them were in the league of what we have always dreamed about owning and are currently pursuing. We have been looking at boats for some years now and have a generally good impression of quite a few and also know there are no perfect boats. Every boat seems to have pros and cons. I am very particular on what to buy as it certainly needs to be safe and able to handle our So Cal seas well. My 5 year old " fishergirl " daughter dictates that! Weve looked at late 70 through mid 90 Hats, Vikings and Bertrams. Most had 2 cycle Detroits due to our price range. We certainly are not wealthy so cost of ownership is a huge issue.We also want to be able to sell the boat when we move to NZ ( within the next 3 to 5 years ) without giving it to the Boy Scouts ( unless of course we win the lottery and can afford to do just that!) We also have looked at Mikelsons and recently entered into a purchase on a 2000 50 with Cummins 450s. Just finally received the survey and it does depict a lot of recommended items. i know its a boat but I am getting mixed feelings I might be better off return to looking at older Hatteras, or Bertrams. I,m not a big fan of cored HULLS ( I believe the major builders all are doing it now ) and certainly am not a huge fan of overseas boats but we felt the Mikelson was a legitimate option for use/ownership here in Southern California. Most of the issues pertain to plumbing fittings that are weeping due to poor welds, window leaks ( from lack of periodic resealing and maintenance of tracks )that have caused some minimal damage to interior veneers, and hose leaks from asian fuel lines originally installed. I think Mikelson has definitely addressed most of these issues over the years and the plumbing can be upgraded with Trident USCG lines/ brass fittings and dual SS clamps. Should I overlook these issues if the seller/Mikelson are willing to resolve these discrepancies or should I pass and pursue older American built boats. Mikelson has always had a great following here in So California and have always appeared to be an upstanding builder with good stability/character. They do seem to stand behind their product ( I will know more very soon when they let me know what they can do to help with the issues ). They have gone to frameless windows and better hoses I,m sure. They are not raceboats ( 17 to 21kts ) but they also are fairly fuel efficient hence the cost of use should be reasonable.

Thoughts? Should we consider early 80 54 Bertrams w 1271s or 1292s if hours are reasonable? Perhaps early 80 Hatteras 50s w 892s as they are in the very low $200ks / high $100ks. Some brokers say they will not recommend 2 cycle detroit boats any longer as they are nothing more than big anchors ( thats unless of course they are trying to sell one ).

I did see the 54 but it sold some time ago. Bad Company is for sale but Ive been told its been run very hard its entire life. I,m going to look into Elaine or Abracadabra in S Fla if we end up passing on the Mikelson. Theres also a 81 50 Hat thats been completely cosmetically/electronically upgraded including everything other than the 892s and gensets. Its name is El Zorro and we are trying to find the owner . If we could get it in the high $ 100s, I feel it might work. Also inquired about a 50 in the New England area on the forum with a yellow hull, upgraded throughout w 892s, etc but havent heard back to see if it sold. If not, we will keep looking for a Bertram 54 or ? In the event we close on the 2000 Mikelson 50, I guess we will just have to hope all goes well and we can sell her in a few years and then get a latter 54 w Cats for our next boat!

Looking for that right Hatteras, Bertram or Viking

Have recently posted regarding Mikelsons and am confident we are going to pass on one we are in contract with due to my wife. She feels she would rather have a used Mercedes than a much newer Chevrolet. I cant argue with this logic as quality is something we simply cant sacrifice. I look at cost of ownership rather than purchase price when it comes to a boat. As we are seriously hoping to relocate to NZ within the next 3 years, I want to be able to sell whatever we buy today without buying what she refers to as an interim boat. Spending $ 450 K on a used Taiwan boat is not settling well with us right now after receiving the survey report. It was not terrible but does bring to the surface issues pertaining to overseas boats. Not a real fan either of foam cored hulls. She asked me if we could spend a little bit more , would I still buy the Mikelson and I said no. I really want a non 2 cycle detroit 54 bertram with a teak interior or possibly a 54 Hatteras again with a non ash or bleached oak interior with cats. The right Viking would work too however I have been cautioned about earlier Vikings. Some people think the market will be a bit better at the end of this season which might enable us to get into a Cat powered teak or cherry 54. We have $ 200K as a down and might have private financing too for the balance ( short term @ 24 months max ). Not going to apply for retail loan right now so seller or private financing is the only option. We have looked at a few early 80s through late 80s 2 cycle detroit Hatteras 50s and bertram 54s that could be bought for high $100s to mid $ 200s but are concerned with that cost of ownership thing and ability to sell when we are able to relocate to NZ. Some feel the market for these engines is nearing a end due to concerns regarding cost and availability of marinizing parts ( internal parts are believed to be a non issue for quite some time albeit the quality seems to be less than original parts ). Will these boats truly get to a point where they are worth a certain amount forever so long as they are well kept or are they a dying breed soon to be donation items. Never have heard a bad thing about 54 Bertrams which is probably our number 1 choice of older boats. Heard the 50 Berts are almost as good especially if you get 8 cyl mans. What do you experts think. If you know of a boat you would recommend to your son and daughter in law ( whom means a lot to you by the way) to buy, let me know. As we are in Southern California and most of the boats we have considered are on the east coast, we realize we may have to buy it out there and eventually bring it out here on its own bottom. For the right deal, we are willing. Recommendations?????

GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ! Can yoy tell I,m a newbie???