Sea Nautique Questions

Welcome Doug. If you think logically if these boats were desirable they would still be being built. Mako 23's, Fish's and Shamrocks have all given way to -insert name here- outboard powered boats for some reason that I don't understand. Pilot house boats,no matter the brand are popular especially in your neck of the woods. If it's something that would work for you,worry about getting rid of it later. What are they asking for it, fresh or raw water cooled,how many hours and original engine? I have a Shamrock 20 in Florida,I get more comments on it than any other boat I own. It doesn't break any speed records but it does feel safe in big water and easy to work on. Good luck in what ever you choose.

That is one of the better looking Sea’s I’ve seen. Gary pretty much said all that I would say. Way back in the day inboards were more efficient than an outboard but now I’m afraid it isn’t that way. Inboards IMO are way more reliable as I’m sure you know and easier to work on. 18k seems pretty high and I don’t think there’s much market for it but maybe there is in PNW. Any Shamrocks in your area? Shamrocks sure seem to be a better boat.

If you were to look at a Shamrock you would need to find a 26 with a pilot house and those are hard to find,the few that are out there seem to be used hard in commercial use. FYI a 20 with a house you cannot stand up in unless you are short.
As to the Fish do you know if it is raw water cooled or fresh water? Got any pictures of the engine? Any idea how old the exhaust manifolds are and if the engine was flushed after use assuming it was used in the salt?
Not too much activity here with Fish's but there are a few,some names on this thread turn up once and awhile

In-as-much as this boat was someone's income at some point, and judging by the looks and descriptions, it's apparent it has been well cared for. The dog house is a super bonus, and obviously needed in your location. Sounds like you've surveyed it pretty darn good. Maybe check compressions, stringers at the engine mounting bolts, a good sea trial, then hit 'em with a number. Anything close to 12-14k or so and you won't get hurt even several years down the road....IMHO....

So still mulling this over, an d thanks thus far to all who chimed in.
Price negotiations continue. The seller sent me a NADA value sheet on the boat. First, I believe he thinks "Suggested Retail" is what the boat is currently valued at (not what it's "when new" MSRP is...) so that is a little bit of am issue. The "book" price is coming in well under the price that is being negotiated (about 30% under).
I always say that book values are just a guide, and that darn book never bought nothing, so it's just a starting point. Add to that the fact that you cannot find another SN compare it with and pricing is a problem. I guess it's worth what the next guy will pay, but when it comes time to insure it, think this will be an issue? I know it will be when the time comes to sell, but I just have to deal with that when the time comes....

1reddog48 wrote: So still mulling this over, an d thanks thus far to all who chimed in. Price negotiations continue. The seller sent me a NADA value sheet on the boat. First, I believe he thinks "Suggested Retail" is what the boat is currently valued at (not what it's "when new" MSRP is...) so that is a little bit of am issue. The "book" price is coming in well under the price that is being negotiated (about 30% under). I always say that book values are just a guide, and that darn book never bought nothing, so it's just a starting point. Add to that the fact that you cannot find another SN compare it with and pricing is a problem. I guess it's worth what the next guy will pay, but when it comes time to insure it, think this will be an issue? I know it will be when the time comes to sell, but I just have to deal with that when the time comes....

IMHO, these guides are absolutely meaningless when considering a boat that is nearly 40 years old. As you correctly state, this boat is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay for it. The boat will be disposable by the time you're finished with it. If it's a boat I wanted, and with only going with what you've posted, it might be worth 12 grand to me, maybe less after I surveyed it, as I might be able to get most of that back. And that is being optimistic...

Ultra

Hollywood and Ultra, my thoughts exactly. The book is meaningless, until time to sell comes up. As much as I like the boat, I equally dislike paying too much.
I'm probably going to pass. If any member wants the sellers info, PM me for details.
Kind of a bummer. cool boat. Although fuel consumption was a concern, Ethanol-free fuel here is over 4 bucks a gallon!

Hollywood wrote: I have no issues burning ethanol fuel in any boat.

Nether do I. I've run ethanol since it came out and have had zero problems. I feel many use "it must be the gas" as an excuse for not finding the real problem!

Orlando76 wrote: Funny thing is my ski buds burn e free in the boat we use. They swear ethanol messes it up. .

Todd,
Maybe you can recommend a good mechanic to them?

Before we moved to SJI, I owned/ran a gas station-shop for 16 years....
I only like corn in a glass with a little ice...
But that's just me. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Most of the issues I have seen (and see here on SJI, I'm working some at the local rental yard) are mostly related to the short shelf life of ethanol blended fuels, and or the incompatibility of ethanol to components that are insoluble in gasoline, or accumulation of water and ultimately phase separation.
Just as gas won't thin lacquer, but MEK will, ethanol can flat a$$ eat some plastics that gas won't hurt. We had a weed eater in the shop last week that the primer bulb had turned to goo from ethanol.
Ethanol is refined as a sub-grade fuel (lower octane than it is ultimately sold as) and then with the addition of ethanol, the octane level is raised. We all know how fast alcohol will vapor off (or leave a glass with ice!). Once the ethanol is gone, you are left with the sub-grade that most engines just don't care for. While the ethanol in the fuel is helpful for keeping water in suspension so it can be burned, the water is terrible about oxidizing in aluminum carb bodies and leaving a chalky residue, and ultimately clogging fuel passages. Once enough water accumulates, phase separation occurs and the water drops out of suspension and falls to the bottom of the tank., no mystery what happens then... And adding more alcohol, like Heat and most other additives to get rid of the water actually aggravates the problem. Diluting the whole tank with more gas, or draining it is the only solution.
Ethanol blended fuels are more prone to creating vapor lock issues for those in hotter climates still running carbs as well. It was a real pain at higher elevations in air cooled engines and such.
Just my observations and by no means gospel. Personally, I think it's the devil. If you buy E-10, then 10% (or so) of what you are paying for basically basically will burn and go thru the tailpipe, but creates less BTU's than gas, hence less fuel economy. Sure, it might have less hydrocarbons than an equal amount of gas when burned, but you have to burn more of it to get the same result.
If you have been running it with no issues, then no problem, but that is not true for everyone. We carried ethanol free premium, and I could all but guarantee that if a customer ran it, their fuel economy would increase by 10% minimum. Yeah it cost more, but IMO, it was worth it. All just FWIW...

"You will love being able to raise the engine to free the crab trap bouy. It is also very helpful to beach when the docks are full at the state parks during the summer. Beach, drop off crew, anchor, paddleboard in, go for hike."

I'm confused....

outerbanked wrote: .......I think you could find a Grady White 19.5 somewhere on the east coast, drive it out, and sell it for more than you bought it. If you are truly expecting to sell in a year or two, buy something the amazons can find easily on the internet.

Funny you mention that. I was going to let that one go....in-as-much as we've been using a GW 223 Seafarer off Chatham for the last 10 years. Wouldn't think of using anything else up there....

Just an update. The boat is haunting me. Resale be damned, I'm going for a second look and sea trial on Tuesday. Stay tuned....

if you use it alot, then it pays its own way. Then resale is just a byproduct.