Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

[Ron Everson]

I'm considering the purchase of a 1987 Cruisers, Inc. 24' cabin cruiser with 350 c.i. v-8 and Volvo/Penta outdrive. The price is very reasonable. I'm not familiar with this manufacturer and was wondering if anyone had opinions as to their overall quality and longevity. The boat appears to be in very good shape with a fairly new motor (3-4 years old). It has a head w/toilet/shower, stove, refrig., v-berth, and aft bed. Just looking at the seating topside, it appears to very spartan, so I'm thinking this may be a bottom of the line boat. Any info on Cruisers, Inc. would be appreciated.

 

[magster65]

Re: Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

This isn't much help but since you had no responses... there has been a few for sale around here and I've looked at them. They are of a medium'ish' quality boat with neat layouts. Their resale isn't spectacular but they're not expensive. I looked at a 25' sunbridge that cruised at 20mph @ 3200 rpm with a 350 merc. So that'd tell me they're not super heavy since they have a fairly deep 'V'. I like them and I'm sure they're as good as some of the brand name boats you see around.

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

Thanks for your info. The owner says this one goes 35 or so (that sucking noise would be the gas tank draining). It has 2 props in line, so I'm assuming this is the Volvo Penta with counter-rotational props. Like I said, the topside seating is nothing fancy, but the cabin seems alright. The present owner claims to have never used the water systems or bathroom, so he doesn't know their condition. He just used it for access to and from his houseboat across the lake. He's also a used car dealer, so I'm skeptical (if their lips are moving, they're lying). The price ($8,900.00) is a bargain, so if it runs as well as he says, it would be a good boat for the money. I need to get it out of his garage and into the water to see for sure.

 

[magster65]

Re: Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

Sounds great! If I could give you one bit of advice... get a professional survey done. It will tell you everything about the boat and I mean everything. Even things the owner doesn't know. It is a cost but look at it this way, if the survey comes back bad, you saved yourself a bunch of headaches or at least you'll know what you're getting into. If the survey comes back good, it's a document you can take to the insurance company to get the best deal on a policy and it's a good piece of mind if you take your wife and kids out. I wouldn't buy a boat without one. Happy shopping!

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

Every article that I've read over the years about buying a boat has made the point about getting the boat surveyed. However, where I live, which is the high desert of the Four Corners, it's hard to find someone qualified to work on a boat motor, let alone finding someone that knows what a marine surveyor is. I would probably have to pay someone from the west coast to come in here and do the survey, so that's out. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to live closer to civilization again. I've found that if you see a boat that you like at a reasonable price, you'd better jump on it quick or it will be gone. I do a pretty thorough look-over, having first hand experience in fixing the old boat bargains that I have bought. This one is in better condition than any other boat that I have bought. Out here the locals don't understand the concept of having someone else evaluate the boat and water test it before purchasing. They want to sell it quick and are often offended and not cooperative if you stall the process too much. There always seems to be a sucker out there that will buy a boat unseen that they can sell it to.

 

[John MacLean]

Re: Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

My wife and I own a Cruisers Inc. 266 Vee Sport. We purchased it last season after having a pretty extensive marine survey done on it. It is powered by a 454 Mercruiser. We are more than satisfied with its performance, its stability and its roominess.

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

Thanks for your input.<br /> <br /> Ron

 

[magster65]

Re: Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

I hear ya' <br />Civilization isn't what it's cracked up to be so you're not missing anything. I agree with you, in your circumstance a survey worth thousands isn't the way to go. Spend as nuch time as you can playing around with everything before you get it. You'll be happy

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: Any Opinions on Cruisers, Inc.

Here's how it ended. My wife and I took a very thorough look at the boat and decided to pass on it. More that we decided not to spend the money right now rather than it wasn't a good buy. It was a fairly clean, solid boat, but maintenance had been minimal over the last 4 years or so. Paint was oxidizing pretty good-no cover-sat out in the sun all summer. Motor oil was mighty black. Outdrive tilt switch had been replaced by a jury-rigged rocker switch kind of hanging in the air. Most parts of canvas top were there, but top bows were not complete. Owner had no idea about water/waste systems-claimed he never used them. Was able to determine that the boat had a porta-potty and not a marine toilet, but had a shower and sink that drained into a waste holding tank. Go figure. I didn't want a porta-potty, so that kind of soured me on it. Owner had no idea of the size of the fuel tank-made me wonder. Black oil/gas stains on the transom under the swim platform, like the boat exhaust has something in it that shouldn't be there. A sign that it could need some engine work, but the owner thinks not. No anchor or chain. In all, it was a good boat for the money. Any short-comings could be dealt with for not a whole lot of money, but the lack of a toilet made it less attractive for me. There will always be another boat out there waiting.