WWYD What would you do?

[mzzola]

Please share your advice / opinions...
We have to make a decision on whether to move forward on the purchase an R29. The boat has about 350 hours on a D4 260. However, we have discovered that that original owner had done very minimal maintenance in the last 10 years, and the boat yard cannot come up with any service records, except for an occasional filter change. The engine data download did not show any errors, except for a key FOB.
We did a Marine survey and a sea trail. The Depth Sounder didn't work, the drive shaft was warm and the bilge was full of black mold. The engine seemed to run okay for the 20 minutes of testing. The batteries are 10 years old and have never been replaced. The window or hatch leaks and water dripped through the bathroom lights. There were some concerns about some areas of delamination, also. The interior condition was acceptable, as the boat was stored indoors.
We have the opportunity to revise our purchase price or wait to spring to find another boat.
How much is a 10-year-old R29, with NO options or upgrades, and no air conditioning or generator worth in this condition?
We would we be better off at this point to ask for our deposit back?
Thank you for any guidance you can offer!
Mike and Mary Lovezzola
Massachusetts

 

[zekeandboone]

Exactly what year is the boat?

 

[venajeff]

Remember, the reason you are purchasing a boat in the first place is for enjoyment. It sounds to me like you are nervous about making this purchase, that is not a great way to start.
Some people enjoy the idea of fixing something up, but it does not sound like you are one of those people.
My recommendation would be to pass on this boat and wait until you find a boat that you are truly excited about. You could go down the path of reducing your offer and try to get the boat cheaper but I doubt you will end up enjoying the experience.
Something else to think about is that for every issue you can see, there are two you can't.

 

[mzzola]

Exactly what year is the boat?

It is a 2016.

 

[pbjellythyme]

Use J.D. Power for used boat values if you do decide to purchase, but offer the low end of the valuation to account for all of the problems you do see. I put in a 2015 Ranger Tug R-29S with no options/upgrades and it came up with the attached: https://www.jdpower.com/boats/2015/ranger-tugs/r-29-s/32064813/values.

If you can't open the link: $229,937 MSRP, Average retail Value: $146,950, Low Retail Value: $129,650

 

[scross]

First, get the deposit back and keep shopping. Way too many issues unless you are deliberately looking for a project boat. I looked at 6 different R-25 Classics over a 3 month period before purchase. There is no need to hurry, especially at this time of year.
Second, I would not rely on JD Powers for boat values. Ask a reputable broker. They should have access to all the closed sales data. Or, for a rough estimate, look at the asking prices on Yacht World for similar boats and think 95-80% of asking.

 

[ridesn]

For me no A/C would be a tough pill to swallow in MA.
I was a 39yo novice boat owner when I acquired a used 2015 Cutwater 26 w/ the D3. I remember the first couple seasons feeling a bit overwhelmed having to simultaneously learn how to: 1) operate the boat underway &docking 2) understand, operate, troubleshoot the various systems onboard 3) how to perform the preventative maintenance 4) grow my navigation skills... Piling on a flood of deferred maintenance issues as well might have broken me.

 

[AGLyme]

If you are asking - that means you already know you have to pass. You are merely venting.

It’s a huge disappointed in the Seller - not the poor boat -
Walk - Or offer a $30,000 price cut and bring it to a reputable mechanic to fix things over the winter.

Personally speaking, I have zero regard for owners who don’t keep up with deferred maintenance. Don’t reward them. Build in a fat reserve for the unknown or walk.

Did you send in oil and coolant samples to a lab ?

 

[sgeary]

If you have any potential future plans to do the Great Loop, I would want a boat with air conditioning. We just spent three hot months in Canada and New York and ourt air conditioning was the difference of whether my wife continued on the trip, or not.

 

[aadecaro]

Walk for sure! Like some other folks have said, the boat is about enjoyment. Don’t rush it. The money you spend trying to fix it, you could spend on a flight and a hotel to pick one up from farther away.

 

[bob daily]

Maybe I’m looking at this from a different point of view, 10 year old batteries need to be replaced, occasional filters would indicate that the oil was changed, not sure what is recommended for that model, but 350 hrs I wouldn’t think not many, usually recommended at every 100 hrs for the diesels I run.
Windows leaking is a common problem and a quick review of this site will show the problem is not isolated to the older boats,
Same with water leaking in the head light fixture.
I would assume since the boat was stored out of the water the packing would dry out and maybe need to be replaced.
The transducer leaking fluid is common and the fix is easy.
I would look at price and discount for replacement and repair and make a new offer.
Pocket the money you saved and enjoy!
Would be a great winter project.
Just my thoughts. Bob

 

[Levitation]

If you have to ask your gut is telling you to "beware" like walking down a black alley in the middle of the night. Run away like Satan is after you.

Now, I will not have a boat with no AC. Beyond that - this is a nice project boat at a third off, of whatever they are asking.
A $1000 battery set ( LFP batteries for the four house bats is an excellent upgrade to that)
A bleach down of the entire hull/bilge using a garden sprayer followed by a rinse - then a spray down with Pine-sol followed by a rinse
Replace engine hoses and belts and impeller
Drain the oil, change the filter, put in straight 40 weight and run the engine for 30 minutes. Drain and replace/fill with a full synthetic and a fresh filter.
Cut both the original and the 30 minute oil filter open and inspect for metal
Replace the transmission oil
Repack the prop shaft - Realign the engine (engine mounts are sure to be sagging by now)
Replace the CO alarm
Spray all switches and breakers with contact cleaner and verify they all work
Verify the refrigerator works Verify the stove works Verify the shower works Verify the head works
Inspect / modify / replace the shower drain (lots of info)
Improve the vent on the holding tank (lots of info here in that)
Replace the discharge hose on the head
Deal with the leaks (lots of info here on that)
Repair replace the wipers
New curtains - new cushions - new mattress
Buff out the hull and a ceramic polish.
Polish the anchor - Inspect/replace the chain and the line
verify the heater works
Verify the fresh water pump and water heater work, replace the faucet filters
Verify the wash down pump works
Verify the fuel level works
Replace ALL lights with fresh LED's (2016 was a millennia ago)

That is off the top of my head - likely I missed a few

Doc

 

[Levitation]

If you have to ask your gut is telling you to "beware" like walking down a black alley in the middle of the night. Run away like Satan is after you.

Now, I will not have a boat with no AC. Beyond that - this is a nice project boat at a third off, of whatever they are asking.
A $1000 battery set ( LFP batteries for the four house bats is an excellent upgrade to that)
A bleach down of the entire hull/bilge using a garden sprayer followed by a rinse - then a spray down with Pine-sol followed by a rinse
Replace engine hoses and belts and impeller
Drain the oil, change the filter, put in straight 40 weight and run the engine for 30 minutes. Drain and replace/fill with a full synthetic and a fresh filter.
Cut both the original and the 30 minute oil filter open and inspect for metal
Replace the transmission oil
Repack the prop shaft - Realign the engine (engine mounts are sure to be sagging by now)
Replace the CO alarm
Spray all switches and breakers with contact cleaner and verify they all work
Verify the refrigerator works Verify the stove works Verify the shower works Verify the head works
Improve the vent on the holding tank (lots of info here in that)
Deal with the leaks (lots of info here on that)
Repair replace the wipers
New curtains - new cushions - new mattress
Buff out the hull and a ceramic polish.
Polish the anchor - Inspect/replace the chain and the line
verify the heater works
Verify the fresh water pump and water heater work, replace the faucet filters
Verify the wash down pump works
Verify the fuel level works
Replace ALL lights with fresh LED's (2016 was a millennia ago)

That is off the top of my head - likely I missed a few

Doc

If you have to ask your gut is telling you to "beware" like walking down a black alley in the middle of the night. Run away like Satan is after you.

Now, I will not have a boat with no AC. Beyond that - this is a nice project boat at a third off, of whatever they are asking.
A $1000 battery set ( LFP batteries for the four house bats is an excellent upgrade to that)
A bleach down of the entire hull/bilge using a garden sprayer followed by a rinse - then a spray down with Pine-sol followed by a rinse
Replace engine hoses and belts and impeller
Drain the oil, change the filter, put in straight 40 weight and run the engine for 30 minutes. Drain and replace/fill with a full synthetic and a fresh filter.
Cut both the original and the 30 minute oil filter open and inspect for metal
Replace the transmission oil
Repack the prop shaft - Realign the engine (engine mounts are sure to be sagging by now)
Replace the CO alarm
Spray all switches and breakers with contact cleaner and verify they all work
Verify the refrigerator works Verify the stove works Verify the shower works Verify the head works
Inspect / modify / replace the shower drain (lots of info)
Improve the vent on the holding tank (lots of info here in that)
Replace the discharge hose on the head
Deal with the leaks (lots of info here on that)
Repair replace the wipers
New curtains - new cushions - new mattress
Buff out the hull and a ceramic polish.
Polish the anchor - Inspect/replace the chain and the line
verify the heater works
Verify the fresh water pump and water heater work, replace the faucet filters
Verify the wash down pump works
Verify the fuel level works
Replace ALL lights with fresh LED's (2016 was a millennia ago)

That is off the top of my head - likely I missed a few

Doc

And my aging brain just woke up and said, "What about the fuel filter, grasshopper"
Sheeze, getting old is tough. That should have been thought One.

 

[GZigmont]

Contact Will Milby on this forum or one of the FB groups. His R-29 is for sale and is immaculate. PM me for more information.

 

[mzzola]

If you have to ask your gut is telling you to "beware" like walking down a black alley in the middle of the night. Run away like Satan is after you.

Now, I will not have a boat with no AC. Beyond that - this is a nice project boat at a third off, of whatever they are asking.
A $1000 battery set ( LFP batteries for the four house bats is an excellent upgrade to that)
A bleach down of the entire hull/bilge using a garden sprayer followed by a rinse - then a spray down with Pine-sol followed by a rinse
Replace engine hoses and belts and impeller
Drain the oil, change the filter, put in straight 40 weight and run the engine for 30 minutes. Drain and replace/fill with a full synthetic and a fresh filter.
Cut both the original and the 30 minute oil filter open and inspect for metal
Replace the transmission oil
Repack the prop shaft - Realign the engine (engine mounts are sure to be sagging by now)
Replace the CO alarm
Spray all switches and breakers with contact cleaner and verify they all work
Verify the refrigerator works Verify the stove works Verify the shower works Verify the head works
Inspect / modify / replace the shower drain (lots of info)
Improve the vent on the holding tank (lots of info here in that)
Replace the discharge hose on the head
Deal with the leaks (lots of info here on that)
Repair replace the wipers
New curtains - new cushions - new mattress
Buff out the hull and a ceramic polish.
Polish the anchor - Inspect/replace the chain and the line
verify the heater works
Verify the fresh water pump and water heater work, replace the faucet filters
Verify the wash down pump works
Verify the fuel level works
Replace ALL lights with fresh LED's (2016 was a millennia ago)

That is off the top of my head - likely I missed a few

Doc

Thanks Doc! We did buy the 2016 RT 29S and paid $170K. Your list of suggestions is fantastic! The boat will be stored indoors, and we will go through it and fix things this winter and spring. The oil test and the engine data download were all good. Our last boat was purchased sight unseen in Hilton Head and was a 2007 Century 240WA that only had 50 hours and was 10 years old. We had a marine survey done and had it hauled up to Cape Cod Bay. There were a few bugs we had to work out but it was a reliable boat that enjoyed for more than 10 years and everything worked perfectly when we sold it this year.