1994 Crownline 250CR

[deeman7777]

Was interested in an advertised 1994 Crownline 250CR express cruiser with a 5.7. I did some digging here and found the gut-retching thread about the 25 BR guy who found rot in the flooring and stringers. Heard mention of this on some other Crownlines. How widespread is the water damaged flooring structures on Crownlines? How will the performance be with a 5.7 engine on this 25'?

Thanks!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 1994 Crownline 250CR

LOL ok, rotten stringers and deck of that era are not just Crownlines, they are every boat, it was the way these boats were made combined with the way they were cared for, any boat that age can have the very same damage if it hasn't been cared for properly so don't go there its a mistake.

As for power, I would say it will be ok, not great but ok, I would look for a big block though, Crownlines like any other quality boat are heavier, add age to the mix and the possibility of water in the floatation and its likely a bit overweight anyway.

Sorry if it sounds like I took this personally as its not what I intended, but do your research, you will find that Crownline has been rated a top 5 manufacturer in High end boats for QUALITY, not quantity, that should say all you need to know.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: 1994 Crownline 250CR

That model is an aft cabin no? They don't typically suffer as much as the aft deck is self bailing and all glass. Give it a good look, but if i remember that boat correctly the stringers aren't that much of a problem on the deck, but could be a problem below at the motor if it's had standing water in the bilge. Typically that deck drains before it ever gets to the bilge.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1994 Crownline 250CR

As for power, I would say it will be ok, not great but ok, I would look for a big block though, Crownlines like any other quality boat are heavier, add age to the mix and the possibility of water in the floatation and its likely a bit overweight anyway.

Deeman needs to try the boat before assuming a 5.7 won't do the job. My 24' Chris Craft express ran great and hit well over 40 mph with a full load. She weighed 5300 lbs dry and had a 22 deg. deadrise, which is a pretty deep v for that class of boat. On the other hand, it also had TBI (280 hp) and a Volvo duo-prop drive.

What the others said about construction is very true. Could be a great boat, or it could have structural issues. It needs to be checked out.

My .02

 

[nasdaqsam]

Re: 1994 Crownline 250CR

For what it is worth I picked up a used 1995 CR250 2 years ago before I read all the negative about the problems with the boat and being under powered with the 5.7. Don't believe half of what you read. The boat has plenty of power to haul 3 fully equiped dry suit divers with enough tanks to do a full days worth of diving, food and sundries for the day and we do not pack light. Our 6 steel tanks alone weigh a significant amount each) It is not going to be setting any records on the water and it is going to dig a little getting on plane but with that kind of a load not many would do much better. And thats with an aluminum prop, a SS would get me out of the water a little better but I have just been to busy to pick a few up and test them. The only work other than wear that I "had" to do was to replace one rear stringer but there is a ton of room to do it so not really that big a job and I had to replace the bellows. I could have gotten away with the ones it had but I have the boat on a mooring and didn't want to take a chance of them leaking. Just give it a good check or have a marine mechanic do it. You have to expect to have some work on any older boat.

The previous owners of this boat tended to unhook things they were not using and get rid of them instead of fixing or replacing so I had a bunch of stuff I had to replace to bring it back to its fully equiped original state but I bought very reasonable and I am still into for less than what they are selling for. Knowing everything I do about the boat today I would not hesitate to buy it all over again. It's a great boat.

Good Luck.

 

[deeman7777]

Re: 1994 Crownline 250CR

Thanks for the replies! This helps me out. I should have been clear in asking if there is potential design or construction flaw with the older CR's that made it easier for water to penetrate to the stringers and bilge area. I am fine from what I hear in regards to the 5.7. I am not looking for speed or top end performance, just want to be sure the 5.7 is adequate.

So before hiring a surveyor, what should I look for to indicate soft stringers other than standing water and pushing on the wood surfaces in the engine compartment?

 

[JoLin]

Re: 1994 Crownline 250CR

So before hiring a surveyor, what should I look for to indicate soft stringers other than standing water and pushing on the wood surfaces in the engine compartment?

That's why I hire a surveyor- I can't tell. Standard method is 'tap testing' the outside of the hull with a small hammer, all along the stringers and around the transom. If there's any infiltration, you should hear a dull 'thud' instead of a sharp 'rap'. A surveyor will follow up with a moisture meter, too. In all honesty, my ear doesn't seem good enough to tell the difference with a tap test, though my surveyor always could. I've used my guy 3 times, and walked away from one of the boats I really liked when he told me it was 'wet'

Soooo, I look at general condition, jump up and down all over the deck, quiz the owner about what's needed, and base my offer on those factors, PLUS whether or not he has receipts for any work he claims was done. Unless I can tell something is new... if you don't have a receipt for it, it didn't happen.

Last word of advice- Crownline makes nice looking boats, but the hottest chick in the room won't necessarily make the best wife. Be super critical. Fall in love with the thing AFTER you buy it, not before.