Need Advise, Opinions and Info
 

Very seriously looking at this boat (link below) which was just surveyed in May of this year by Campbell Marine Surveyors for the fellow who owns it now.
Came out above average to excellent across the board. Very good shape indeed. The fellow selling it is a Sheriff down in Fla. and a nice fellow. Financial difficulties are requiring him and his partner in the boat to sell it.

Need opinions from my V Bros on it other than what my research has told me.

But what I mostly need is to have someone in Jacksonville Fla. area that knows someone who can check out the engines for me. That is the only thing I want to check further, surveyor ran boat and engines and they did great but that does not tell me what the compression is etc.

So any of you fellows who can lead me to the right guy down there it would be much appreciated.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sa...ell-trade.html

yo willy, that sh!t is one bad a$$. must be nice to be rich.

Not rich by a long shot my friend. But Boat U.S stood up for my total loss on the Senor Bert and I have negotiated the price for this Pursuit down to what I got paid on the Bertram.
I got to lay out a few bucks and would have to make a road trip, be forced to pick up a couple of seedy characters like Reverend Ozzie and maybe a couple others and do some fishing out of the Fla. area but rich, no, I wish.

Dream boat is all I can say!

Personally I would look for another 28 BERTRAM over that one. It's a good al laround boat, but it will not do what the BERTRAM could by a LONG shot. The 2470 is the older 2350 with the built in euro transom. The hours on the engines seems a little low to me, and that would actually worry me if it is origanal hours(28.4 hours a year isn't very much useage to me). If everything checks out it is worth what he's asking, just not my cup of tea. Personally I think you will be seriously disapointed in the ride of it after having ridden in the 28 BERTRAM.

Appreciate the input Ferm. But decided to go with a CC. Turns out no one to hang at the boat for over nighters like I thought I would have. So I decided to go with an offshore capable CC, preferably with twins.
Everything I can find on this hull and engines say top flight and incredible construction and performance.
And I will be able to get off shore for tuna etc. up here but mostly have a really good ride for the 90 % of the fishing I do through a rough chop we deal with in my inshore fishing.
Everything I have found concerning the engines says excellent.
Everything I can find on the ride and construction of this hull says excellent.
So the combo says good to go for me.
No it is not a Bertram 28, but from what I can find it is a really great CC for the 98% I do do.

And as far as hours go I agree.
But the original owner was an older Gent who used the boat as a cruiser in the Indian River (fresh water) and the second owner was another older fellow friend who used it in the same area, for the same thing. The boat has been on an rack storage thing its whole life.
I am kinda happy for that.
The survey shows that it is in excellent shape.
2007 trailer that is like new.
I dunno, seems pretty good to me for what I want.

It is a good all around hull. It doesn't have alot of dead rise to it, so it won't be a speed demon in the rough, but it will drift pretty good. The engines are good, just make sure to take them to somebody who knows and understands teh OX66 engines. They are good engines, but the VST's need regular service, and the O2 sensors in it also need regular maintence to avoid engine trouble. With the low hours, I would be more concerned about injector issues as low useage normally tends to lead to stuck injectors or carboned rings which takes out alot of low hour engines. Make sure to THOROUGHLY decarbon it with those low hours as I would be willing to bet it has some hard carbon buildup in the ring lands just waiting to stick a ring. PURSUIT does make a good hull, and this one is EASILY trailerable to so you can get it out and away from the storm next time. In all honesty though, it will be pretty close to your HYDRA-SPORTS you got rid of as this is only a 23 foot hull that actually rides in the water, and an 8 1/2 foot beam VS the HYDRASPORTS 8' 2" beam that you had.

Have you considered a DUSKY 233 or 256? For your fishing area, I think it would suit you better with the large carolina bow flare, moderate deadrise, sharp bow entry, and just a hard core fishing design. nothing agaisnt the PURSUIT as I know it is a quality built vessel, but I fall into the category that feels they are overpriced.

What I need is a good mechanic who can check out those engines for me in the Jacksonville Fla. area Check out the lower unit and compression etc.

I think awthacker is in that area? Have you tried asking on THT? It's a 3 hour drive for me, orelse I owuld go and do it for you(unless you want to ask him to come down to Tampa with it).

Call the marina. The number is on the side of the building and ask about an engine survey. They may know somebody. Excellent boat. Personally, I wouldn't hang anything but a Yamaha on my boats. The majority of the commercial guys can't be wrong. Boat is built in Ft. Pierce. Great reputation.

willy we have a condo in FERNANDINA BEACH witch is just 30 min from jacksonville.here are a few names and #s in FERNANDINA they may be able to help or suggest someone. REDMOND BOATS AND YACHTS LLC 1420 N 14TH ST fernandina 904-277-8511 also AMELIAISLAND YACHT BASIN 251 CREEKSIDE DR FERNANDINA 904-277-4615 ALSO OCEAN OUTBOARD MARINE 1619 N 14TH ST FERNANDINA 904-321-1422 HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU. GOOD LUCK AND LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP!!

I wouldn't go that far about the only motor being a Yamaha, but you aren't the only one who thinks that way. But I digress, these motors have a VST and injectors just like a Merc EFI motor or any other EFI motor. The parts are even interchangeable on some models. The boat looks nice and the motors do too. I wish I could run up there for a looksee for you Willy. With the holidays I am booked until Dec. 26,27,28. If you could wait, I would gladly make the trip to check out the motors. Pending a good outcome on compression, I would run Ring free and decarbonize like Ferm suggested. With such low hours I would at least consider pulling the injectors and having them cleaned/tested. It doesn't cost much to do it yourself and they are fairly easy to work on. The VST is easy to service also. To me, clean injectors and a good service job on those motors would last you a couple thousand hours. If there is a downside they aren't the latest 2-stroke offerings so they are going to use a bit more fuel.
The boat is a winner. I had a 22' Pursuit Cuddy with 12 degrees of deadrise and it was a good offshore boat. The cost of less deadrise was a bit more pounding but it more than made up for it with stability at anchor and on a drift. Tracks better than a Whaler too. The layout is good, construction is good. Euro transom is a little bit of a detractor because it eats up boat space but they used that space on this model. No green water over the transom is the bonus that comes with the Euro rear.. Nice find. :beer: If I can assist at all, please call.

Looks good willy, Wish you lots of luck!!

Willy, I haven't been able to locate a mechanic in that area with a known reputation, i'm still looking though

This one is just a few dollars more.

http://wilmington.craigslist.org/boa/3460324778.html

Or same price and in your neighborhood.

http://wilmington.craigslist.org/boa/3408444848.html

That first one is double the price.

The second one is actually one I found two weeks ago and have been talking to Spare about. Love it.

That is a lot of gas though, I doubt that beast gets 1 mpg.
Would be tough with the Obamination in office.

Few dollars more, double the price....tomato tomato....

Those old school 250 Yammies really like to drink fuel....but that is a really nice boat.

Willy? You were so happy when you got Senor Bert. Do you really want to go back to a center console after being in that league? Will you be happy in a cc? Just sayin' ...

(And I still say Bert should have been fixed. She was a yarl boat fer sure....arrrrh).

I agree the 28 should have been fixed, but chances are teh insurance company didn't want to be responsible if it wasn't fixed to par and would rather total it out and sell it for salvage instead as there is less liability that way.

That call of a CC from the Bert is one I am struggling with now. Most (95%) of my time on the water is decent weather fishing, in Raritan Bay with some runs outside. All pretty much within a 20 mile radius.
I am also usually alone or with one or two friends or family. The problems I have with the Bert is that for solo fishing it is tricky. I did manage to get it out alone once but on my return docking was very tricky with the current and tight quarters we have at our marinas here.
But the ride, oh the ride was amazing.
That is why I am having such a hard time deciding.
I have found a very nice Bert for sale and a very nice CC. Actually two very nice CC's, that Regulator is one.

In regard to fixing Senor Bert that was out of the question. Had a large breach in the hull bottom, had a main bulkhead come untabbed from it and the extent of the running gear damage along with the tremendous road rash and gouging of the hull and cost to re-do it made it cost prohibitive.
According to the surveyor that looked at when he went beyond what the insured value was within five minutes of looking and knowing there would be much more in the end he determined that it was a total loss.
Apparently the Senor took out two over thirty five cruisers severely damaging their hulls, knocked another big boat off its steel cradle and then took out the steel cradle. That is what finally got to the Bert in the end putting a large IBeam into the hull bottom.

Well, if you're going to keep her in a marina, and you like being indoors during bad weather, why not go for a pilot house design? Something like a Parker or a C-Hawk. There's a lot to be said for that style, and since I fish the same waters as you I know that they could handle the rip in False Hook Channel without any problems. A 23-25 should do it nicely, and then call me so you won't have to be alone when you go out. lol :beer:

I like the Beast. It gets my vote.

Willy have you looked at a Carolina Classic?
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/3409055848.html

Not necessarily saying this is the one - says it was submerged in 2007 the completely overhauled......but I've always liked the looks of em. They seem to be a nice little sportfisher. I've heard good stuff about em.

While I'm at it......here is an Albemarle in NC.
http://wilmington.craigslist.org/bod/3388914512.html

:oh::drool::drool::drool: I LIKE IT! I agree that a 23 PARKER pilothouse would be a good boat for up in ya'lls area as you guys can get some cold weather up there to fish in. A 23 PARKER would be just about ideal with a single 225 YAMAHA 4 stroke for most anything you would encounter up there, and still be easy enough to handle by yourself. And when you want to take 3 or 4 with you, you still have the room.

Carolina Classic 25


http://greensboro.craigslist.org/boa/3473165884.html

If your looking for a center console, I would consider this one as it is a good bit closer to you and one heck of a boat.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sa...-18-000-a.html

Sorry to jump in late... I'm in Jacksonville. That marina in the picture is where we launch for offshore trips. Let me know what I can do. I have no knowldge of boat engines and don't have a regular mechanic, but I can certainly ask around. If you are ready to make a serious inquiry on the Pursuit, let me know and I'll start making phone calls.

My father-in-law may be willing to check it out, and if he doesn't have time he probably knows someone to recommend. He used to own the very same Bertram you had and I had showed him the pictures of it when you first brought it home.

Aaron

Aarron thanks for the offer, I may take you up on it. Not sure yet.

Guys I love those boats but I don't know anything about those boats with I/O's in them and jack shafts. Aren't they supposed to be problematic?
And I have always heard those Volvo outdrives are extremely expensive for parts and repair, no?

VOLVOS do cost more to repair, but on the plus side they don't fail often if maintained with basic anode and fluid changes. Jackshafts aren't to bad, just watch for rust as most use a steel driveshaft, and keep the u-joints greased. A jackshaft gives you the benefit of a wide open cockpit for fishing, but an outdrive for economy and shallow running(not to mention a single duo prop setup will still manuvere decent at the dock).

Yea I'm not so worried about maintenance I am worried about the storied water ingestion problems those systems are known for, also the vibration issues with jack shafts.
Also I have not heard anyone say anything good about I'O's outdrives on this or any site.
I know they are often very efficient power wise but that is all awash to me as they are also the only system I know that will sink your vessel at sea if a rubber bellows splits. There is a fellow that had to run his 25 footer into the sand to keep it from going completely under, it was a new boat, literally on its first full fishing trip and the bellows had some type of fault in it. It split. the two bilge pumps could not keep up with the ingress of the water and she just made it, got beached by the coast guard barracks. That was something to hear on the radio.

I love I/O's they pay my bills thru the winter time. Seriously, years ago, an I/O was more dependable and user friendly than an outboard. Thats all changed in teh last few years. In fresh water, its up to your personal preference, but in salt, I wouldn't have an I/O. It would be inboard diesel or outboard only.

I am with you on the I/O Willy...they may be fine, but they kind of scare me.

My father in laws 25' Regal almost sunk one time because of a bellows issue. Of course it also floated with no issue for 12 years before that.

Here's a Dusky CC http://wilmington.craigslist.org/boa/3421775857.html

And a Bertram 28 w/ diesels http://wilmington.craigslist.org/bod/3475677709.html

Willy I hadnt been on much so didnt see this thread will now. I also havent read through the whole thread so i dont know if you are still looking at the Pursuit or not. However, I have been on a few Pursuits a 20 Cuddy, 24 Cuddy with twins and a 21 or 22CC cant remember. They are VERY popular around here and are good solid boats. The people I know that have owned them are all the type to only own nice things and not fool around with junk.

Worst I was in was the 24 with a strong head wind in 4-6'rs and she handled it like a dream. They are heavy so much like my 18 handle water like they are a little bigger than they are.

Now that there's a friend. :-)

Willy, I read what you said about docking solo, and it hit home. Being able to set off on a run and come home all on my own, day or night, with no assistance required is one of the things that keeps my in my V.

This is a great thread. I'm looking forward to the happy ending.

Reading SH's post gave me a light bulb moment...

Willy, I apologize for filling this thread full links to other boats...you were asking for opinions on the Pursuit.

Years back when I was shopping for a big boat, Pursuit was up there in quality with the best I looked at...if I recall correctly, even the bildge is gel coated.

I would have bought one but they cost so much more than even a Grady White back then that I just couldn't swing it.

You can't go wrong with that 24 CC Pursuit, clean and well kept, and when you wear out those Yammies, you can throw on a couple 150 4 strokes.

Bilges are gel coat.


I was wondering with all the other boats posts if you really hated Pursuits and what was I missing. LOL :nut:

I love my 23 parker. If engines meet your approval, I don't think you can go wrong with the Pursuit.

I know I/O's are problematic up north, and often forget how much more trouble they are for you guys up there. They tend to not do well in boats left in the water, and your colder winters tend to do a number on those rubber bellows. Nothing against the PURSUIT either. Wonder if you could get fishbones back from it's new owner?