looking at this boat

summer storm · Post by **summer storm** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 7:50 pm

Well, I am thinking about buying this boat. Am I selling the Trojan, no. Do I need this boat, no. Do I want it, I think so. I went and looked at it on Thursday and its clean, pretty close to the photos (I love it when they post 3 year old photos to sell a boat) and ready to go. But, at 16,900 I said thanks, but no to the broker. He asked what I thought and it was worth and I told him. Two days later I'm back onboard with my wife and got the blessing. My next move is a writen contract but I was wondering if anyone (paul) knows about the 6.2 EFI merc engine. It looks clean and starts before the key goes all the way over (really quick) and sounds good.

I know its not a Trojan, and I promise I will not work on the Trojan book while onboard but to be honest, I really can't find a F-26 or F28 in nice enough shape to buy. I want to put the 32 down in the Keys and thought it would be nice to have this one in Lauderdale.

Any thoughts on the engine or boat

and yes, I will get a survey.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1982- ... -101878634

jimbo36 · Post by **jimbo36** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:50 pm

Not possitive but I think you are looking at a 251 catalina, not a 28' boat. The 280 decal is not original Chris Craft and I think someone is pushing a 25' boat as a28' I am very fimilier with all Chris Craft lines and in fact owned a 251 in the past. The 280 Catalina had twin engines. This boat has been repowered with the 6.2. Value? no higher than 5k. Check the hull number to varify the model.

jimbo36 · Post by **jimbo36** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:56 pm

On closer examination, if this is a 28' boat it would be the first I have seen with single power.

jordan · Post by **jordan** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:57 pm

I like the Ferro-cement hull!

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Sat Nov 10, 2012 9:06 pm

I hope this is readable... if not, PM me with your email address and I can send you a PDF

: ChrisCraftCatalina.jpg (50.89 KiB) Viewed 1936 times

Layout is not far off an old F30, or the old wooden Sea Skiff series (my father had a 28'). The F30 will give you twins.

summer storm · Post by **summer storm** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 1:14 am

jimbo36 wrote:Not possitive but I think you are looking at a 251 catalina, not a 28' boat. The 280 decal is not original Chris Craft and I think someone is pushing a 25' boat as a28' I am very fimilier with all Chris Craft lines and in fact owned a 251 in the past. The 280 Catalina had twin engines. This boat has been repowered with the 6.2. Value? no higher than 5k. Check the hull number to varify the model.

From what I have learned I think the 280 is the single, 281 is the twin, and the 291 is the twin with a flybridge. Why do you think 5K? I'm higher than that but there are some 28's listed in the 5K range but they all look like projects? Either the cabin is trashed or the engine is listed as "needs work" which I translate into "repower" which I don't want to get into.

75 Tri Cabin · Post by **75 Tri Cabin** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 7:29 am

We have owned several of them the 251 and 280. We had a 280 with a 350 Mercruiser in it, single engine. Ran ok with the 350. The only problem is reselling it, when the time comes. People love the looks but there is not many buyers. Took us forever to sell them. At that price he is way off. There is to many of them on the market. We just had one here on the lake for sale. It was a 84 281 flybridge with 2 new efi Mercruiser Bluewater motors. He tried for 2 years at 15000 finally sold 2 weeks ago for 6000! It was just as clean as the one you are looking at. Myself I would not own another one. If you have to have it, I would not pay over 5500 for it. When we sold ours the market was great, in this market it's going to be real tough to sell. Just my opinon. There is way to many boats out there in the 16000 dollar range to pick from, that are newer and nicer from the stand point of styles and interiors.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:00 am

75 Tri Cabin wrote:Myself I would not own another one.

May I ask why ?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:19 am

The mercruser 6.2 is a interesting engine It is not the same 6.2 that GM uses in its trucks not even in the same family as the 6.0 and 6.2 ( and the 4.8 5.3 and 7.0 )

So what is it ? it is the good old 5.7 (350 CID) with a stroker kit . The GM 350 has a stroke of 3.48 " Merc uses a different crank and rods and increases the stroke to 3.75 " . All the bolt ons are the same as the 350 .This is cost saving move but it also can save money when you need parts . I have not heard of any issues . The stroker kit is make by a company with a good rep for Mercury . I can't recall the name .

I would have no issues own this engine other then . I don't like gassers

jimbo36 · Post by **jimbo36** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:41 am

75 Tri Cabin wrote:We have owned several of them the 251 and 280. We had a 280 with a 350 Mercruiser in it, single engine. Ran ok with the 350. The only problem is reselling it, when the time comes. People love the looks but there is not many buyers. Took us forever to sell them. At that price he is way off. There is to many of them on the market. We just had one here on the lake for sale. It was a 84 281 flybridge with 2 new efi Mercruiser Bluewater motors. He tried for 2 years at 15000 finally sold 2 weeks ago for 6000! It was just as clean as the one you are looking at. Myself I would not own another one. If you have to have it, I would not pay over 5500 for it. When we sold ours the market was great, in this market it's going to be real tough to sell. Just my opinon. There is way to many boats out there in the 16000 dollar range to pick from, that are newer and nicer from the stand point of styles and interiors.

We have many 251's and 281's in our area but a 280 I would say is very rare. They are a tough sell for sure but with a single inboard even harder. I found the 251 I owned (took on trade to sell another boat) was a hard boat to manouver in a breeze and tight quarters, which is a major reason why it would make it that much harder to sell IMHO. Several were built hear in Penetanguishene, Canada with I/O's which helped with control. I am still at 5K max.

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 9:56 am

I purchased and ran a 1986 293 for almost 10 years. I purchased it used back in 1986 with only 16 hours on it.
It was an express with a single inboard 5.0 Merc in it.
The boat had a keel and handled wonderful. I put almost 1400 hours on the boat in the time that I had it.
It was not fast at all, but would cruise comfy at 16-17mph (7 gph) with a top speed of 25mph.
I ran that boat all over Lake Erie in all kinds of water conditions and could not have been any more pleased.
Don't be afraid of a single inboard. It takes a little time but is not hard to figure out. I could do just about anything I wanted to do with it... within reason.
In the lack of wind, I could do anything I wanted to with it. With some wind you will learn to use the wind to your advantage.

1967 seavoyager · Post by **1967 seavoyager** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 10:41 am

Did you see the 26 at http://www.jsmarinejim.com ? I have some shots of it at http://www.photobucket.com/f26

summer storm · Post by **summer storm** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 11:41 am

Thanks Jerry for that review. Running a single engine boat doesn't bother me one bit, in fact I was looking for a single for the fuel economy and the lower maintenance costs. 99% of Lauderdale is no wake so the speed is not really a factor either.

As of this minute I am starting to question my offer. I thought these boats in good shape would be worth 9 to 12K, Now I'm not sure.

Seavoyager, thanks but I decided I will not buy a boat unless I can get on it and and see it run. NY is just a little to far away.

Prowlerfish, thanks for that info, I knew you were the guy to ask.

Captainmaniac, thanks that helps with the research. and I can read it fine

Jordan, you lost me on that one?

LandVF36 · Post by **LandVF36** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 1:34 pm

I had a 78 281 with twin GM 283s. Great boat. I stripped her all the way down and made her look like new inside and out. Here in the mid-west, there are too many of them. I only could get $11K for her in perfect condition.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Sun Nov 11, 2012 1:48 pm

Great Lakes pricing - listed from $8K to $25K on Yachtworld.

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... elected=-1