Opinions Please - "new" boat.

[TwoBallScrewBall]

I have the opportunity to pick up a 1988 Regal 21 Cuddy Cabin with a Merc 3.7L (470). <br /><br />It is my father in-law's boat. It has been used very sparingly lately, twice last year and not yet at all this year due to personal problems and simply no time. Before then probably from 2-10 times a year, trailered. It was kept at a slip for a few years when new, but not anymore. <br /><br />The engine siezed 2 years ago and had been completely rebuilt. Runs great now, probably about 40 hours on the rebuild. Has the 4-barrell carb on it. <br /><br />The boat is in pretty good shape. Hull is clean, etc. I haven't really looked it over closely yet, but from the quick observations I've had it looks to be in good shape. <br /><br />I am going to take it out on the water to run it and see how it feels, how it runs, etc. He wants $3500 for it, blue book is near $6000, he's cutting me a break as the son in law. <br /><br />Comes with a tandedm axle roller trailer. <br /><br />How is the Regal brand? Anything I should look out for specifically?

 

[wellcraft1]

Re: Opinions Please - "new" boat.

A friend of mine has a 1990 20' cuddy w/ a 4.3l. It is a very good boat. Just make sure the hull is in good shape. Also check to make sure the floor is not rotten. The price is right!!!

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Opinions Please - "new" boat.

I have a regal , excellent boat very well built. My understanding is that it is a premiere brand and they build good quality boats. After sales has been good for me. They now come with lifetime hull warranty. $2500 cheaper than book if its worth book and you like it, its one of those bargains that only other people get

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Opinions Please - "new" boat.

Let me add to this...<br /><br />Looked at it today. First time I really looked at it other then seeing it sitting in the yard. <br /><br />He ripped out the interior from the cabin back and installed 2 captains chairs. That's it. No other interior, he installed the chairs and lost interest in the projeect. Will at least need side (gunwale) padding, looks horrible now. I can build the cushions from scratch, did it on my bayliner. <br /><br />Missing the port side cockpit glass.<br /><br />Plexiglass cover to cabin entry is cracked up and split in 2. <br /><br />Other than that, it looks the boat will otherwise clean up nicely, though it's dirty now. Hop[ped around in it, floor seems really solid. The engine is what's really keeping me interested, since it's newly rebuilt. Has closed cooling, power steering... Otherwise I probably would have let it go already.... <br /><br />I'm tossing this around and am back and forth on it, I'm going to need a few night's sleep on it I think. On one side I have my 1988 Bayliner, it's in slightly better interior shape and I just put a new long block and manifolds on it, still under warranty till Sept. I'll have to sell it after all the work I put into it for the simple fact I have no room for 2 boats, barely room for one....<br /><br />On the other hand is the Regal, better fishing boat, fiberglass floor (no carpet, I hate the carpet on my current boat), 2 feet longer, but needs a little work on top of the purchase price to get it to my liking...<br /><br />Decisions..............

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Opinions Please - "new" boat.

What can you get for yours? Have you gone to try it? Maybe you'll love it...maybe you'll leave it!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Opinions Please - "new" boat.

I don't know. I'm going to shine it up, take some pictures, and put it in the paper and on Ebay I think. See wht I can get for it. I'm hoping to see about $4000 for it, considering it has a brand new engine and is in good shape with the exception of a few vinyl cracks I don't think that's unrealistic. I want to take another good look at the regal first, really make a list of the things I would want to do to it after I bought it and see what kind of project I'm looking at. I'm worried that I won't be able to easily find the side glass or the cabin hatch I need since it's a 16 year old boat. <br /><br />The more I think about it the more I want the Regal for the simple fact that the gunwales are higher, there is much more deck space for fishing, the floor is fiberglass non-skid, the bow sits higher in the water, it's just a more seaworthy boat for what I'll be doing with it. I could drop it in the water as is and use it, but I'm the type that will fix something up if I can. With a little work it will be a really nice fishing boat, the bayliner I have will always just be a ski-cruise boat that I'm fishing from.<br /><br />Going to get it ready for a test drive on the water this weekend or next to see what I think of it on the water.