Should I buy 2009 R25 Merc or 2014 Volvo Penta?

[Bearkeeper]

Hello,
I am trying to choose between 2 R25 boats.

The 2009 Classic 25R has an engine issue with compression and a new turbo is being put in to correct the issue. The broker is saying all will be fixed but not sure when turbo arriving.

The 2014 25R has a new engine as old one dies. New engine is a Volvo penta with 50 hours...no Generator or Radar on this one, but has trailer.

WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET?

 

[Bruce Moore]

Bumping post delayed in moderation queue.

 

[NorthernFocus]

You didn't mention difference in price. But if that's not an issue and if you can live without the generator I'd certainly go for the new engine. Even if the other engine does in fact run fine with the new turbo it will still be a 12 year old engine vs a new one. Radar is not a difficult install and trailer isn't hard to get.

 

[Bearkeeper]

2014 is 99k and 2009 is 94k

 

[Red Raven]

Much newer boat and brand new engine? Not even a fair comparison. The Volvo is a great engine. That’s a great deal if the rest of the boat has been well maintained. You can always add the Radar and a Generator.

Curt

 

[scross]

There are other differences between the Classic and SC models to consider. The SC has a longer cockpit area which was at the expense of the cabin area. V-berth area is the same I believe.
RT changed the SC in several ways. All SCs have a bigger fuel tank - 80 vs 75 for the Classic. Not sure when this change happened, but definitely by 2016, RT put in a larger fresh water tank - 40 vs 30 for the Classic and older SCs. You should check the 2014 to see if it impacts the 2014 if that’s important to you.
In the galley, the Classic had a nice Wallace kerosene cooktop. The SC has an electric/alcohol which is great on shore power but the alcohol fuel sucks! Many SC owners use a butane camping cooktop instead when off shore power.
Don’t understand why the SC doesn’t have radar. It was a standard part of the navigation package. If you have the Garmin navigation Chartplotter, the boat should have had radar. If prior owner removed just the radar dome, replacing it should be easy/easier than a completely new install.
Good luck!

 

[S. Todd]

In 2014 and 2015 the Radar was optional on the R25SC. We ordered a R25 without radar because at the time it was a $5000 bill we did not want to spend or think would be that useful. Once in fog on Lake Superior it would have been very helpful.
Assuming the condition of both boats is the same I would opt for the newer boat with the Volvo. We liked that cockpit and engine access better (less engine noise in cabin). We found the alcohol/electric stove more than adequate (we had a similar stove years ago in a Sea Ray) in all but very cold weather when it took a long time to cook because it is not a very hot fire. In the summer weather it was fine.

 

[knotflying]

I would go with the newer boat. If you have the solar panel I would say no generator is a bonus. Ask anyone for a comparison of engine hours and generator hours and for the most part there is very little use of the generator. Had an R-27 without the generator for 10 years and never missed it. Radar will be easy enough to install if you decide you want it.

 

[Flats]

hought I would share a little info. I believe that the suggestion to go with the newer SC is a good one. If the 2014 you are looking at is on Long Island you should know that it has been for sale for 2 + years with 50 hours on the engine. Diesel engines like to be run, and having a boat sitting is not necessarily good, things dry out etc.

We purchased a 2016 last summer from Winter Island Yacht Yard in Salem. If you have not contacted them, they are very , very good and reasonable

Last piece. We had our boat surveyed an sea trialed as part of the purchase agreement. The survey uncovered small issues that the seller remedied. I recommend a survey, the money is short and the process is very helpful.

Good Luck, whatever you do. We are very pleased with our boat. We keep her in Allerton Harbor in Hull. If I can be of any help, give me a call.

Bob Flaherty
Scituate, MA
6173476179