Valco BR 22

[AGENT 37]

Does anyone have anything good, bad or otherwise to say about an aluminum 22' Bayrunner Cuddy with a T-top? I just put a deposit on a pristine 1992 with a 1998 BF90 Honda. I've run a bunch of Valco boats before, but nothing bigger than an 18 foot center console. I'm going to take it up to Alaska with me this summer. It's not as heavy of a constructed boat as the 17' custom welded work boat that I've had for the last 8 years but I know that they are constructed well enough. I can't remember ever hearing of one sinking....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Valco BR 22

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[AGENT 37]

Re: Valco BR 22

Thanks. Good advice.

I've owned 14 boats over the last 10 years, 80% of them aluminum, so I know the things to check when looking to buy. I've maintained dozens of others and helped a handful of people pick out their new boats, and steered them away from the bad deals/bad boats. I don't even know how many other boats that were not mine that I had access to run.
I've run Valco boats in the past but not a Valco of this size. I was looking for some general experience feedback on this model of boat. People who've had them or who's friends have had them. How it might handle 4-5 foot wind chop compared to smaller Bayrunner models. Etc.
The guy who is selling the boat lives 100 miles from the ocean so the best I can do for a test run before I buy it is in a lake.... not exactly the conditions that I would want to really get a feel for how the boat handles. But I'll make sure that it doesn't leak. All of my shaking, pulling, kicking, knocking and look-seeing has found this boat to be solid and in sound condition. If somebody has input about Valco Bayrunner boats, I'd be interested to hear it. Likes, dislikes, overall opinion, etc. Thanks.

 

[AGENT 37]

Re: Valco BR 22

I like aluminum boats because you can bump-hunt hairy-hippies in kayaks without messing up your gel coat......