1990 Ocean 35 Open

[mattttt25]

I know this isn't the best forum to ask this question, but thought I'd still ask. I'm looking hard at a 1990 Ocean 35 Open (also called Sport Cruiser). Repowered in '04 with new Crusader 8.1L engines. Tough to gather information since Ocean only made this boat a few years and there are very few around the U.S.

If anyone has any thought, opinions, anything in general, even just about the brand Ocean, please feel free to share. Thanks-

Oh, here's the link to what I'm looking at...

http://www.islandyachtbrokers.com/used/35to40/35_1990_Ocean_Open_-_D'Cizions/

 

[bjcsc]

Re: 1990 Ocean 35 Open

Nice looking boat. Why the big difference in hours between the two engines (10x)?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1990 Ocean 35 Open

get a survey. peace of mind and a good bargaining tool. if the broker did one get your own. worth the money on that size boat.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1990 Ocean 35 Open

Would most definitely get a survey, no question on that.

Engine hours is a typo, they are both the same (on the low end).

 

[EricR]

Re: 1990 Ocean 35 Open

You'll get five more feet of Ocean for the same price as five feet less of a comptetive brand like a Viking or Bertram.

I am a marine diesel mechanic. I work on all kinds of sportfishing boats. Oceans will have "features" such as no bulkheads between the bilge compartments- whereas others (Viking in particular) will extend the bulkhead all the way down. I had a customer with a 53' Ocean all mad because a tiny fuel leak at one of his primaires dripped into the bilge. There was water in the bilge of a small amount. The boat sat somewhat bow down at the dock. The smell of fuel permeated the boat rather than being contained to the engine room. Now his wife won't sleep on the boat (may have done him a favor )

Other Ocean things? They go cheap on stuff like using automotive batteries instead of real 4D's and such. No dedicated battery switches. Poor access to machinery to maintain. And the finish below decks is a bit rough. The only 35 I ever worked on was a '87 or so convertible with 3208 Cats, that thing had stress cracks EVERYWHERE. A guy I know works on Detroit Diesels and he had a customer with a '38 convertible of late 80's vintage. It was powered by 6v53TI Detroits. A starter went out on one of the engines. TWENTY ONE HOURS of labor later to remove first the blower from the top then the outboard exhaust manifold to access the starter later, the job was done.

Bottom line? Look it over carefully, spend the bucks for a professional marine surveyor to go over it. Ask yourself how much you will use it. Look over access to the machinery. Remind yourself that if something is mounted in a poorly accessed location and you have to pay a mechanic $75 hr to work on it are you willing to face that reality?

Eric in Savannah

 

[mattttt25]

Re: 1990 Ocean 35 Open

Thanks for the info Eric. The access to engines and other items on this boat is pretty good. There is a central hatch that I went into that provides decent access for quick looks and some minor work. The rear sections of the topside lounges both hinge up and provide full unobstructed access to everything. I plan to check it out again this weekend with my FIL who has good experience with the big sportfish. If it still feels right, I may make an offer.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: 1990 Ocean 35 Open

If those are EFI engine get the serial numbers off the engines and check to see if the recall has been satisfied. They had a fuel system issues directly from GM manufacturing.