Regal or grew?

[CharlesRiver]

Ok, so I have a question for you all. I'm in the market for a bowrider, in the 18-19 foot range, and I've decided that I want to purchase one of the following boats... My preference is the regal, but ....

2004 grew 184, 3.0 merc. It has 20 hours on it, owned by a mechanic, and it's in the shape you would expect for a boat with 20 hours. Couple little tiny marks on the prop, but great otherwise. Asking price is 12,000.

2004 regal 180, 4.3 Volvo. It has 100 hours, and has a few good chips in the gel coat. The concern here is it has some kind of a water leak around the engine, and into the oil. Now, seller says he will pay for all repairs, whatever it costs to fix it right. Asking price 15,000, but agreed on 13,500.

Now, I think the grew would be a great boat, and that I would be happy with it, but I think the regal is such a great boat! I think I would love the 4.3, but I'm concerned with the repair... I should add, this will be my first boat, other than my Charles river 158 old town canoe.

Thoughts??? Thanks!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Regal or grew?

IMO, the Regal is worth pursuing only if YOUR mechanic checks it out and makes the repairs. A water leak into the oil isn't a minor thing- you might be looking at a new engine. Don't know where you live, but prices on both seem high unless they come with real good trailers.

My .02

 

[rallyart]

Re: Regal or grew?

The Regal is the better boat, however there is real concern about a water leak into the oil. JoLin is exactly right.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Regal or grew?

As you said this being your first boat I'll bet it won't be your last so though the Regal may be a "nicer boat", why go through the expense and trouble to try and figure out if it's something minor or something major that may become a severe cost you 'hope' the seller will pay for or then says he wants other opinions?

You admit you like the Grew and say it's in great shape so get any hull or mechanical surveys done if you think it needs it, get the cash, pay the guy, you're now a BOATER and go boating.

Mark

 

[CharlesRiver]

Re: Regal or grew?

Thanks for the replies, it seems everyone thinks the same way I do. I was just looking for some confirmation!
They are both parked on galvanized e z loader trailers, in good shape. The regales trailer requires a new fender on one side, but not a big deal.
I know the pricing may seem
High, but I'm in canada, and the pricing market here just isn't flush with used boats like in most of the US or in Ontario canada

 

[jkust]

Re: Regal or grew?

Am I missing something here...how does water 'leak' into the oil from the outside? How can an asking price even be agreed to when the extent of the repairs he will pay for hasn't been calculated?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Regal or grew?

I also seem to be missing something. Unless you need a V6, it sounds like a 20 hour Grew is the clear choice.

Regal may be a heavier hull (not sure), but Grews are decent and a boat of this size usually just pounds around inland lakes. There is no modern runabout that can't ply inland waters like that. Geez, I cross lake Simcoe in a Bayliner . People that think they need a Limestone or Cobalt tank for tubing the kids around are being a bit silly.

Mercruiser parts are easier to find and cheaper than VP stuff.

Grew is unheard of in the USA, so any forums on the internet are likely to favor Regal which is an excellent boat and better known.

 

[CharlesRiver]

Re: Regal or grew?

To answer our question on how we agreed on a price before repairs... We had gone back and forth on price, and I had someone go over the boat. Price was agreed on, and I was heading to look at it for a final inspection, and buddy decided to haul it to a shop to have it serviced. Turns out he forgot to rewinterize the boat after running it up, and froze/split something. He claims he will pay for all repairs.

But yes, I'm leaning hard towards the grew.

 

[jkust]

Re: Regal or grew?

The 'something' that froze/split is the engine itself. That requires a replacement engine. That is a common new boat owner situation here in MN. The water doesn't get drained, then expands and cracks the metal. It is the absolute worst case/most expensive scenario. If he indeed will replace the engine, then you will be the beneficiary.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Regal or grew?

.....It is the absolute worst case/most expensive scenario. If he indeed will replace the engine, then you will be the beneficiary.

Not sure the norm in other parts of the county but here's how replacement stuff like that is many times done here in SoCal especially working with a broker in a transaction; done this way for my Sea Ray purchase.

The price of the repair is estimated then that cost is deducted from the agreed upon purchase price and then up to the buyer to have the work done and if the actual cost comes in less, he makes out, if it comes in higher--it's his loss as he owns the boat now.

In my case there was 1 bad exhaust valve found on the mechanical inspection and the parts and labor for a full valve job on both heads was estimated at $1500. Seller agreed to that amount and I received that amount back when funds were disbursed (remember a broker-broker deal). Head work was done and all cylinders then showing 180psi on a compression test--all thanks to the seller which of course new intake/exhaust/riser gaskets were installed also so I could start the clock over on those maintenance items as well.

But in your case if indeed it is a brand new engine, will the seller really deduct the $3-5k or so for for a replacement engine parts and labor? Maybe. If you are expecting him to first replace the engine I highly doubt he would do that.

Mark