Considering a 1986 F-32 convertible

[wowzer52]

I found seven F-32's in California on http://www.yachtworld.com and six F-32's in California on http://www.boats.com and if you find what you like don't be afraid to offer 60% of the asking price as a starting point. I learned that from a retired broker. You may get one at a great bargin by negotiating, just like buying a house. I don't know where you're at but on the west coast you can have them trucked on a lowboy without taking the flybridge off. I did mine. I bought mine in Tacoma, Wa. for $20,000 and found another F-32 for a friend of mine in Portland, Or. for $12,500 with new motors. They are out there but You have to look in small marinas, lots of phone calls and leg work but thats part of the fun. Brokers don't usually have great deals but they will negotiate. Even if you make a rediculously low offer the brokers have to submit it to the owners. good luck and fun in finding your boat. Keep us posted.

[Sacriverfolks]

Wowzer,
Thanks so much for the info. I have been running some searches, but I may be either limiting the search too much or not looking in the right places. I am no computer wizard (that is my fiancee the web designers' job , so I often labor through searches. I appreciate the links and I will run them down. Honestly the deal that you found your buddy in Portland would work fine for us - we would just sail it down the coast for a maiden run. The 60% figure that you said is Exactly the range I was thinking of offering in - $15k - $17k depending on whether he drops price again over the next month as a starting point. I'll keep this updated as the situation changes. thanks again to all that have offered advice, we very much appreciate it and feel very good about the fact that there is a strong core of loyal supporters for what is really seeming to be a pretty unique boat brand.

[Sacriverfolks]

Got a call from the broker sales guy this afternoon. "Just wondering where you're at with that boat thing". I told him that I have been doing my homework and that it will take me at least 10K to get the boat into the condition that I have to have it in to be usable for my family. His response was that of course the fellow is aware of the things that are lacking and that he knows that he will have to take that into consideration. I let him know that he'll be hearing from me in a couple of weeks unless it somehow magically sells before then.

[bmeeks]

I had an F32 and like an idiot, I sold it. But I will have another. No other 32 footer offers the storage, headroom, and legroom as an F32.

You seem a little new to these boats so let me be clear. Improperly designed or installed generators kill. You can install CO2 detectors, but I would only chance that after I had a PROPERLY designed and installed gen.

Also, on the fridge - keep in mind that you will be getting a mini fridge - not the full size. $1300 seems a little high.

F32s are known for several problems, but then they are 20-30 years old.

Check the gas tanks for leaks. They may have to be replaced. Time consuming and costly.
Check the decks for creaky areas (delamination). This is very common and easily fixed as long as rot is not prevalent. West Marine has a kit for this.

Most importantly, check the stringers. Older Trojans that are not kept under cover are prone to rot in the bilge. Repair is time consuming and costly.

If you don't find major problems, buy, buy, buy the boat. I doubt you will regret it.

[Sacriverfolks]

Thanks, I very much appreciate any input at all as I am new to larger (yacht-type) boats as an owner. I am 6'3", so the minute I boarded I knew that it was the kind of boat for me. Plenty of room everywhere - I would even feel comfortable living aboard it if necessary. I intend to be very careful about the whole generator thing - I don't want any accidents, especially with my family aboard. I intend to be a shadow when the surveyor checks her out, and if things don't look to me as if they are being checked thoroughly enough, I will ask why not. It helps a lot to have access to this forum to know which questions to ask.

Thanks again fellows!

[kallen]

Here is what we did to address the fridge problem. Buy a good inverter with a built in battery charger(min. 40 amp charger but more would be better )buy a 110V bar fridge.more room than the never cold, and did not have to enlarge the existing fridge space (home depot w/extended warranty). put in 4 to 8 trojan 6volt batteries. then add 2- 85 watt solar panels. The honda genny would be nice as back up on cloudy days.Here in ontario canada at our park islands they have many islands that are genny free. This was my soluition. We also have a 6.5 Onan on board but it is rare that I have to run it. at $1.49.9 per litre running the genny will cost me about $ 5.00 per hour.

[kallen]

Here is what we did to address the fridge problem. Buy a good inverter with a built in battery charger(min. 40 amp charger but more would be better )buy a 110V bar fridge.more room than the never cold, and did not have to enlarge the existing fridge space (home depot w/extended warranty). put in 4 to 8 trojan 6volt batteries. then add 2- 85 watt solar panels. The honda genny would be nice as back up on cloudy days.Here in ontario canada at our park islands they have many islands that are genny free. This was my soluition. We also have a 6.5 Onan on board but it is rare that I have to run it. at $1.49.9 per litre running the genny will cost me about $ 5.00 per hour.

[kallen]

Here is what we did to address the fridge problem. Buy a good inverter with a built in battery charger(min. 40 amp charger but more would be better )buy a 110V bar fridge.more room than the never cold, and did not have to enlarge the existing fridge space (home depot w/extended warranty). put in 4 to 8 trojan 6volt batteries. then add 2- 85 watt solar panels. The honda genny would be nice as back up on cloudy days.Here in ontario canada at our park islands they have many islands that are genny free. This was my soluition. We also have a 6.5 Onan on board but it is rare that I have to run it. at $1.49.9 per litre running the genny will cost me about $ 5.00 per hour.

[kallen]

Here is what we did to address the fridge problem. Buy a good inverter with a built in battery charger(min. 40 amp charger but more would be better )buy a 110V bar fridge.more room than the never cold, and did not have to enlarge the existing fridge space (home depot w/extended warranty). put in 4 to 8 trojan 6volt batteries. then add 2- 85 watt solar panels. The honda genny would be nice as back up on cloudy days.Here in ontario canada at our park islands they have many islands that are genny free. This was my soluition. We also have a 6.5 Onan on board but it is rare that I have to run it. at $1.49.9 per litre running the genny will cost me about $ 5.00 per hour.

[kallen]

Here is what we did to address the fridge problem. Buy a good inverter with a built in battery charger(min. 40 amp charger but more would be better )buy a 110V bar fridge.more room than the never cold, and did not have to enlarge the existing fridge space (home depot w/extended warranty). put in 4 to 8 trojan 6volt batteries. then add 2- 85 watt solar panels. The honda genny would be nice as back up on cloudy days.Here in ontario canada at our park islands they have many islands that are genny free. This was my soluition. We also have a 6.5 Onan on board but it is rare that I have to run it. at $1.49.9 per litre running the genny will cost me about $ 5.00 per hour.

[Sacriverfolks]

Not sure what caused the multi-posts, but thanks, those are some excellent ideas.
So the dealer calls today and apparently the guy is talking about moving the boat elsewhere (?????) and is getting desperate to do something. I left him a message and I'll see where things stand when he calls back tomorrow.

[wowzer52]

If that door closes, another one will open.

[randyp]

What the heck is wrong with the forum? I've tried to post a new topic but can't get it to post. It keeps on sending me an error message about not being able to post a "new word" and the error message says something about the word list crashing?

[randyp]

What the heck is wrong with the forum? I've tried to post a new topic but can't get it to post. It keeps on sending me an error message about not being able to post a "new word" and the error message says something about the word list crashing?

[randyp]

What the heck is wrong with the forum? I've tried to post a new topic but can't get it to post. It keeps on sending me an error message about not being able to post a "new word" and the error message says something about the word list crashing?