1985 11 meter express

Rnd · Post by **Rnd** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 4:51 pm

Hello folks, nice and informative site you have here. I'm looking at a 1985 11 meter express that I may want to buy. I have found a good deal of info on the F-series and 10 meter and 10.8 but very little on the 11 meter express. What pros and cons can you offer. It looks to be in nice condition. It has 454s for power Appx 800 hours. I know fuel burn and speed will not be great, thats not an issue. Of course I would have it surveyed before buying it. Any info you may provide will be appreciated. Thank You, Happy Holidays

Rnd · Post by **Rnd** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:52 pm

24 views and no replies

Does anybody own one of these? Any opinions, likes, dislikes? Does the 11 meter have fiberglass stringers like the 10 meter express or wood like the mid cabin?

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:07 pm

My son and I have a 1988 11 meter express that has 450 hp diesels. We love it. It is a great boat. I think it would help if you could put pictures of the boat on this site. I do not know anything about the 1985 series. Any information you can put on this site about the boat would help.
If you have any particular questions that you would like answered, I would ask them. Seeing how this is the holidays it might take some time for people to respond. Oh our boat is the international version. It is for sale but we have not pushed it.

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:41 pm

reelfishin, if you sell your boat what are you going to buy?

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 10:41 pm

Seeing how my son will be buying the nest boat , I will not venture as to what brand it will be. He likes Trojans and will be looking for something with two staterooms. OH, he has other things he wants and will have for sure but the main reason he wants to move up in size is the two staterooms. He might just keep what we have. You have to remember we have totally rebuilt the engines on this boat and it is a fairly easy boat to service and work on. It definately is easy to maneuver. When fishing the Pilings at the CBBT High rise it really pays to have that capability.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 8:38 am

I have a friend with a 1985 11 Meter International.

I have spent the night on her several times. Her beamy 14' hull allow for more versatility in the cabin than the 10 meter.

She's big enough to do many different things and small enough in the express layout to easily single handle.

While she is only 4' longer than the 10 meter, her weight, mass, interior volume make her seem to be a much largr vessel.

The 11 meter does have a balsa cored bottom, which in itself is not a problem, but must be carefully surveyed.

As I recall, she does have a liner system.

This particular 11 meter has 454 engines. Her owner is planning to install rebuilt 671 Detroits in her sometime soon. (a tight fit)

While the 10 meter has substantially more usable space than any other 33' and both the 10 & 11 sleep six, the 11 meter offers much more usable space and versatility.

The lazarette is large enough to accomodate a roll up inflatable dinghy and outboard.

The island galley and sub zero are a really nice combination for entertaining.

THis vessel rides solid and dry like a 44' boat!

Imagine what you'd have with a pair of modern, common rail Cummins or Yanmar 370 hp diesels and a diesel gen set.

Talk about sweet...

RWS

Rnd · Post by **Rnd** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:33 pm

Reelfishin, Thanks for the reply. Your '88 11 meter looks sweet all white no stripes. Is that new paint work or did the 1988 model year not have the striping? I think the stripes date the boats of the 1980's not just Trojans but all 80's vintage. If your thinking of selling her have thought about price? She is probably out of my price range but I have to ask..

RWS. Great info. thats the kind of input I was looking for. I will note the lack of solid Glass in hull. Do you know about the stringers? Glass or wood like the 10 meters? Does your friend find the 454s to be a BIG drawback or just an inconvience? Diesels would be nice for sure but really hike up the value. I'm looking for a steal.

Thanks, Randy

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 7:44 pm

I willl not talk against gas engines but for us we love our diesels. I guess you can get opinions on either side. I would definately say the gas engines would not take up the space the diesels do but they are heavier and make for a better ride. Ours was painted white when we bought her. She does need some touch up but that wil come this spring. Right now it is hard on a boats because it is winter also we fish now so we don't have time to dilly dally around. Hope to go out Tues and Friday.
As for the price of our boat you would have to talk to my son. That is his project to do. I do think it will be a good deal. PM or email me.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Mon Dec 29, 2008 4:27 am

Randy,

Once you get to 15,000-18,000 lbs for a planing vessel diesels begin to make better sense.

Many 11 meters were fitted with 454's with adequate results. Few 10 meters left the factory with the 8.2 GM based Johnson & Towers engines.

There are more choices today for smaller, lighter and more efficient diesel engines than in the 1980's.

When I first got my 10 meter I too contemplated removing the striped aft section and doing her all in white. During her refit I had the opportunity, however I chose to repaint the transom and all stripes back to original, retaining the classic lines. Believe it or not, it actually grows on you and now I wouldn't have it any other way. I even considered getting rid of the color scheme and going to a nice soft yellow however that really didn't go well with the grey tint of the hull.

The boat has a unique character and look to her. Why be like all the other white boats out there?

Some of the mid 80's 11 meters had an almond tinted hull.

RWS