Boat longevity

[nightvision]

Hi all,
Just curious to know if any one out there have bought a boat new and kept it over 15 years and what hours you have on it. I ask because we bought our 2005 Searay 180 Sport and so far we average about 16 hours a year. This boat is more than enought boat for us and we are taking good care of it. It's well maintained (by me) and lives in the garage. Sixteen hours a year seems a little low but we get 8-10 trips a year we have lots of fun. I figure, if we keep it in good shape it will be in the 300 to 500 hour range in 15 years. Have any of you keep your boats for this long?

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Boat longevity

I would consider that low hours and assuming you take care of her and perform the proper maintenance, it will pay off in repair costs and resale.

My boat is 13 yrs old and engine is 5. I have 450 hrs on the engine.

 

[Waffle]

Re: Boat longevity

Anything mechanical properly maintained could last longer than you. Depends on how much you want to spend to have an old boat in working order 60 years down the line.

Mine is a 1970, it isn't pretty but it functions.

 

[JB]

Re: Boat longevity

I bought my Boston Whaler Sakonnet 16 in 1966 for $3100 with a '66 Johnny 100 on her.

Used her about 200 hours a year, fresh and salt.

In 1979 I replaced the engine with a Johnny 70 and put a new Easy Loader trailer under her. Refinished the mahogany twice.

In 1983 I sold her for $6500 and bought a Boston Whaler Outrage 18.

That '66 Sakonnet is still worth $6K to $8K.

 

[QC]

Re: Boat longevity

I bought my first boat in '84. 17 footer low profile runabout, 140 OMC. Sold it to my BIL in '96, he still runs it every season and the head has never been off. A carb once, bunch of tilt motors and propellers, one new interior and a lot of elbow grease and she is fine. Same trailer.

 

[ParallaxBill]

Re: Boat longevity

My boat is 35 years old and is in great shape, engine/outdrive, hull and interior, although my carpet and upholstery is due for a removal/modernization. (getting rid of the carpet altogether)

But, I know the history of my boat since I bought it from the original owners son last summer and up to a year before I purchased it, it had been kept garaged but used regularly. Original floors interior, etc.

Boats will last almost indefinitely if properly maintained, stored and not abused.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Boat longevity

boat, motor both 28 years old. Been mine only 4 years but I know all of the prior owners. The boat looks rough but only cause I'm so focused on functionality at the expense of cosmetics - just hate it when boat repairs interfere with my fishing. Motor runs as good now as it did brand new.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boat longevity

My boat will be 10 next month and has a little over 2000 hours on it. The boat is basically in great shape but SW is hard on things so it's constant struggle to keep up wth everything. Hopefully get 2 more years out of the motor before it needs replaced.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Boat longevity

looks like if a boat is takein care of proper. they last a pretty darn long time........

 

[Boatist]

Re: Boat longevity

I have two boats and have had since new.
40 years old
1967 14 foot Klamath Aluminum, used dads 9.5 Hp Johnson until I got a new 1975 Johnson 15 Hp. Boat has some leaky rivets so on foggy days will take on a little water. Sunny days drys up as fast as it leaks in. No hour meter but used at least 11 months a year and at least every other weekend. Used for fishing, frogging, Duck Hunting, Going to the beach. Motor still starts the second pull. Has had the water pump changed only one time and the lower end new seal one time. runs perfect.

27 years old.
Second boat 1980 21 foot Crestliner with an OMC 140HP Stringer 400 drive. Used this boat every other weekend since new. 12 months a year when new but now only about 8 months a year. Has never leaked one drop of water. Changed water pump twice, changed Exhaust manifold and riser one time. resealed the lower unit one time. Has shop reseal the upper unit twice two weeks apart since they did not get leak stoped on the first try. Replaced the bearing and seals for the tilt clutch one time. Change oil twice a year and grease everything one time a year. Had the short water pump/ drive shaft go bad one time and had replaced. Boat used in Fresh and Saltwater with seas up to 8 feet every 8 seconds. Shady side of the boat looks brand new still have people think it new. Sunny side of the boat the dark blue paint is a little faded and when wax get a lot of blue on the rag. Some of the cleats and the bow rail if you look close you will see some small pitting fron salt water.

 

[JCMINIS]

Re: Boat longevity

I bought a 1987 boat a few weeks ago,owner bought it new in 87,original everything,even carpet.Has 310 hrs on the gauge.Take good care of it and your grand kids can take it out and talk about pappies old boat...

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Boat longevity

Mine's an '87 Starcraft Medalist, 19'. Bought it in '91. Same boat Gary sold on ebay except it's a 3.0. New manifold/riser, floor/stringer rebuild, starter, alt. rebuild, gimbal bearings, reseal of l./u. Tune up every year. The hull is in great shape. Considering the prices of new boats, I'm keeping it. It's all about proper maintenance. Period.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Boat longevity

This is an extreme example, but I always like to remember it.

In 1896, a boat called the "Frank Rockefeller" was launched in Superior, WI. She was powered by a triple expansion steam engine. She carried bulk cargo on the Great Lakes. Regular maintenance was carried out each year by her owners.

In 1927, she was renamed "South Park" and began carrying cars as cargo on the lakes. Once again, she was maintained well, and was pushed hard to make money the entire shipping season.

In 1942 She was converted to a tanker, with the name "Meteor". She carried fuel around the lakes until 1969. Even though old, she was maintained until she ran aground, and her owners chose to get a newer ship rather than repair the minor damage.

In 1971 She was bought as a museum ship and docked in Superior.

Currently, she is still seaworthy, and her triple expansion steam engine still turns over.... she's been sitting and rusting due to a lack of money for maintenance.

She has probably had more damage in the last 37 years due to lack of regular maintenance than all the years before.

She's also the last of her kind, "whalebacks", a unique type of ship that originated on the great lakes.

How a ship is maintained is actually more important than how she was built in the first place, but a good build with quality materials will forgive mistakes in maintenance or acts of god

Erik

 

[crabby_bob]

Re: Boat longevity

I have a 16 year old bass tracker V14. I haven't kept track of how many hours I put on it but a conservative estimate would be about 1,080 hours. I had to replace the floor twice and re-carpet it once. The first floor rotted quickly because I didn't take very good care of the boat. It was outside in the sun and rain year round and ofter filled with rain water. After replacing the floor a second time and redoing the carpeting I started taking better care of. I figure it will probably outlast me.