Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

[lenny2113]

1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31 foot <br />Borg Warner v drives ,<br />mercruiser magnum/vortec engines(350's) 300hp, fresh water cooled. <br /><br />Is this a good boat? <br /><br />Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

I have 1990 wellcraft 196 eclipse it has been a excellent boat I put about 50-75 hrs a season on it has an average Folks I encounter cannot believe the age of my boat Gel-coat shines like new seats are orginal with no signs of fade or cracking,but then this boat is stored dry and covered. For the 31 your looking at the motor's are newer than the boat if they are vortec's I would get a survey done at the very least since it is still 18 years old I have had my boat since almost new.

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Northern Eclipse,<br />First of all, thanks for your reply.<br /><br />The boat is repowered in June 2003 and has 25 hours since repowered. <br />I am more concerned construction wise is wellcraft a good builder. My guess is - it's on the same line with Formula which I know is good. Wellcraft is still in business now and that is a good sign. <br /><br />Would you still do a survey on the newly repowered boat ?

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

In my opinion They good boats and i'm just saying so because I own one, My father bought his new in 1988 he still has it also, the only bug he has is that the gel-coat is red and seems to fade quick no matter what you do, but structure wise both Wellcrafts in my family have held up well, and they are mostly used on Georgian Bay and lake Ontario, Plus the ride is excellent, I sold a Baja when a I bought my Wellcraft I feel that Wellcraft is on the upside of Quality, but like all boat builder's they have had a couple of rough models like the Excel line, Anyway get a Survey if your serious about this boat, because a boat that age will depend mostly on the care and attention given more so now that its Brand name quality , but thats not to say that quality does not equal longivity Like how many 18 yr old bayliners do you see compared to how many 1000's were sold in 1985 alone???

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Wellcraft made some good stuff in the eightys.. A few friends of mine run (or have run) Wellcrafts, mostly 23' walkarounds with OB power... If anything, their overbuilt, which is a good thing...<br /><br />Still, have it looked at before you buy... A survey's good and might go a step further and have a mechanic look at the engines and trans's just to be on the safe side... Few bucks spent now might save ya a bunch of cash down the road..<br /><br />Don't expect it to be a speed demon... She'll probably cruise right around 18-20 knots (20-23mph) running the engines around 3000 rpm.... 1 mile per gallon fuel economy, so be ready to buy a gas station.....

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

snapperbait, <br />What do you think about this setup? <br />"Borg Warner v drives ,mercruiser magnum/vortec engines(350's) 300hp"<br /><br />Is it more expensive to maintain then regular 350 Mercruiser? (I'm not familiar with the diference between regular and "magnum/vortec"). <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Lenny

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Guys, <br />This is what she looks like.<br /><br /> Picture

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Ahhhhhh... None of them stinking outdrives... <br /><br />It's a good set up... Only real maintinance difficulties are changing the packing in the stuffing boxes, being that the stuffing boxes are located under the engine on a V drive set up, that makes it a little tuff... You need to service the stuffing boxes (change out the packing) on a yearly basis... A good time to do this is when you haul it out to bottom paint...<br /><br />The difference between the old merc and the new merc magnum vortec engines is a slightly different cylinder head design.. No issues..

 

[seadogg2]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

I had a 1985 Wellcraft 230 Aftcabin that looked like a smaller version of your boat. It had a 260 HP Mercrusier setup and was a great boat. Really hated to sell it but we built a new house and priorities took place. But I really miss it. I put over 900 hours of fishing/boat riding on it with almost no trouble.<br />They are great boats and I would buy another if I could find the right one.<br />Seadogg<br /><br />

 

[DJ]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Agree completely with the survey.<br /><br />In general, Wellcraft has an excellent reputation.<br /><br />As others have said. The inboard/v-drive is about as durable as you can get. It will be thirsty though. Be gentle on the throttles at and the mileage should be liveable.

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

DJohns, <br />About taking it easy with the throttles: <br />That is what I have noticed from testing out Formula that I unfortunately did not buy. It had twin 350's. If you push it hard it takes a lot of gas. You go nice and easy it will not burn as much. <br /><br />Seadogg,<br />This is not my boat as of yet. I am looking into buying it. <br />I do'n have the latest pictures of mine, but this is the one when I finished painting it this Spring. <br /><br /> My Galaxy

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

snapperbait,<br />How much is it going to be to change the packing in the stuffing box?<br />Just want to get the idea of anual maintenence costs. <br /><br />Thank you,<br />Lenny

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Lenny.. Access to the stuffing boxes is the issue.... I'm only guessing cause I have'nt seen the boat and assuming it has the old standard stuffing boxes and not dripless seals or some other type of shaft seal (P.S.S.).. Roughly two hours labor but maybe more, plus materials cost at about $7.00 per side for flax packing.... There are some types of packing that last longer than the old flax packing... Flax with Teflon (what I use), and there's a clay type thats supposed to be real good and it lasts longer (so says the mfg)...<br /><br />Rudders need to have the packing changed out as well, but the rudders can go much longer between changes... Every other year, maybe longer..

 

[Solittle]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

My 1987 23' CC is overbuilt and the best riding boat of its type that I have been on.

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Guys, I need some help here. <br />Today I saw this boat I asked about. Took her out for a ride. She seems rock solid in the heavy chop where my 18' Galaxy would have big problems.<br />I mean it is a totaly different boat.<br />ONE PROBLEM: The owner claimed it to be 1985 and the boat is really 1980.<br />Does any of you know if there is any stractural flows in 1980 vs. 1985 or newer?<br /><br />Thank you so much for your help. <br />Lenny

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

It is - 1980 WELLCRAFT SUN CRUISER 310/FC

 

[arks]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Yeah- I thought it looked older than '85. I have an '85 Wellcraft 23 Nova XL. I've owned it since '86. As others have said, a good stout boat, but they did manufacture them with wood, so you really need to have the hull surveyed. Keep in mind there are 2 types of surveys- hull and mechanical. You'll pay more if you want both.

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

arks,<br />I am more concerned with stractural flows. I wend all over the boat today checking every corner for signs of rusted fiberglass. I knocked on every piece of wood with a screw driver checking it for rot. Yes this boat need some things replaced here and their. For example wood side panels on both port and starboard need to be replaced.<br /><br />There are no signs of leak in the cabin. The material on the top and sides walls of cabin is clean and dry. No smell of mildew which would be precent if the water gets in. <br />Outside gelcoat is nice still has a shine to it. But there is a dark blue stripe of gelcoat it is dull.<br /><br />Mechanicly:<br />Twin 350's nice shape. New risers, manifold looks clean too. <br />I like the fact that it's an inboard with fresh water cooling. <br />I have no clue what this means but the owner have mentioned it's a VELVET DRIVE. <br /><br />Any Idea on the fair value for this kind of boat?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

Well how ever much he was asking for the boat as an 85 will be an easy way to get the price down.There should be a pretty good difference in price from a 1980 to an 85.Do you think it was an honest mistake on his part or is he trying to be cleaver?????If this was a ploy to get people to view the boat ,I would not trust another thing that he has told you.People make honest mistakes,but LIARS LIE!!!!!!charlie

 

[lenny2113]

Re: Opinions NEEDED Please (1985 wellcraft suncruiser 31' )

charlie,<br />I agree with you 100%. I was very interested and left deposit on the boat assuming it's a 1985 boat. I asked to look at the title and got registration instead. Immidiately alert I looked at the year and was shocked. When I asked the seller "how could this happen"? His responce was: "I have 2 other boats and both are 1985, so It is a big mistake on my part and I do understand if you're concerned with it".<br />He gave me back the deposit and I told him I am still interested (boat is in the nice condition needs work but not too much). I just wanted to do a little research as to any major differences between 80 and 85 other then 5 years apart <br /><br />On Sunday of last weekend I was supposed to meet the guy to pick up the boat. He did not answer my calls, did not call me back after I left message either.<br />I got in touch with him yesterday and he told me he has a buyer for larger amount and will wait until the person looks at the boat. I was .<br />Now he asked his wife to contact me because as she says "he feels uncomfortable". <br />Not a man, but a p***y in my book. (please excuse me).<br />Now I will either have it for less then 13.5K which was my original offer or just forget the whole think.<br /><br />Where do I find these guys <br />It is the second deal going wrong for me.<br />First was a 1976 Formula. The guy didn't want to take deposit and I promised money in full on the next day before 8pm. I was there at 7pm and the boat was sold to another person who came there 1/2 hour earlier. <br /><br />Thank you all for your support.<br />Lenny