'75 Burns 34', potential buy

[Robbabob]

Short notice, but hoping to get some input on a 34' 1975 Burns House Boat I/O with a 318.

While we will be negotiating a marine survey, is there anything good, bad or what-not about these boats to look for? Been enjoying our 22' CC for a few years, but want to spend more nights on the water and it's a bit too cramped to enjoy.

Thanks in advance... even if we get there before input, it will still be valuable to follow up with the owner.

Thank you!

 

[JoLin]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Know nothing about the boats, but is that a Chrysler I/O hooked up to a Chrysler 318? I'd be very concerned about finding parts for both the drive and engine.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

is that a Chrysler I/O hooked up to a Chrysler 318?

Excellent point... We'll now be asking about the hours and maintenance AND make of the outdrive. Feeling concerned with it more than the engine (blindly perhaps).

Thank you!

 

[1Zorro1]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

I'd be looking for a survey record. Would want the hull sounded. Is it a 39 yr old core hull? Don't like Chrysler stuff. My honest opinion be very careful or be prepared to sink a ton of work and bucks into it.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Thank you, also!

 

[jestor68]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Do you mean Burns Craft house boat?

 

[Robbabob]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Do you mean Burns Craft house boat?

Yup. Looked at it and it's nothing close to our desires. What they described as $5K in refurbishment means it needs much more work than we're wanting to put in with it.

Thank you all, I"ll be doing a lot more research and probably purchase in the fall.

 

[JoLin]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Excellent point... We'll now be asking about the hours and maintenance AND make of the outdrive. Feeling concerned with it more than the engine (blindly perhaps).

Thank you!

To the best of my knowledge, nobody but Chrysler Marine ever used Chrysler engines. I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but IMO those questions, even if answered honestly, won't do you much good. There's no way in heck that I would ever consider buying a drive package from a manufacturer that's been out of the marine business for almost as long as the age of that boat.

Do you want to use the boat, or spend months at a time haunting ebay for used (you can't buy them new) parts?

My .02

 

[JoLin]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Sorry- hadn't read your last post before I wrote mine. Do yourself a favor. Stay away from I/O's from Chrysler and OMC. If you see a Yamaha or BMW I/O, run away. Mercruiser or Volvo-Penta tied to a GM block are your best bet if you don't want an ongoing hassle with parts and service.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

To the best of my knowledge, nobody but Chrysler Marine ever used Chrysler engines. I'm sorry to rain on your parade, but IMO those questions, even if answered honestly, won't do you much good. There's no way in heck that I would ever consider buying a drive package from a manufacturer that's been out of the marine business for almost as long as the age of that boat.

Do you want to use the boat, or spend months at a time haunting ebay for used (you can't buy them new) parts?

My .02

Crusader used Chryslers back in the 70s and possibly into the 80s. However probably not a lot of houseboats running true inboards.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Again, thanks for all the input. We are going to align ourselves for a fall purchase. Get it late but before winterizing to maybe get a better deal, then sell our Chris Craft next spring.

Totally agree with and understand all the input given. We'll be searching the classifieds here, too. We may buy sooner from a trusted iBoats member. eace:

 

[JoLin]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Crusader used Chryslers back in the 70s and possibly into the 80s. However probably not a lot of houseboats running true inboards.

I meant to say that nobody but Chrysler Marine used Chrysler motors in an I/O configuration. Plenty of boat manufacturers used them for their inboard models, and as you noted, Crusader used some Chryslers, too. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: '75 Burns 34', potential buy

Crusader used Chryslers back in the 70s and possibly into the 80s. However probably not a lot of houseboats running true inboards.

You're right about the Crusaders using Chrysler engines in houseboats--mainly 318 engines. And most were true inboard engines.

The I/O's used in houseboats were often single engines, and they were easier to handle in docking than a single straight inboard motor.

BurnsCraft came out of my town, and the company was owned by a Church of Christ minister. They eventually went out of business (like most other houseboat makers), but he did later make some larger cruisers. My father was on one on Kentucky Lake one snowy night when a 454 Chevy engine blew. They had to disassemble the engine piece by piece and take it out--under a queen size bed in the rear cabin.