[C320-list] Engine Miles

[David Nolte]

Good advice Rick.

BTW, just to be clear, bairdrjb at aol.com, it's engine hours that the  
"odometer" counts, not miles. In fact, if you assume an average  
cruising speed of about 6 miles per hour, those 500 hours would  
translate to about 3000 miles, or a trans-Atlantic motoring!

My boat (1993) had 527 hours on it when I bought it 5 years ago. The  
original owner had put 27 hours on the boat in 5 years. My friend,  
whom I bought it from, added 500 in 5 years. We have added 50 per  
year. Looking forward to hundreds (thousands?) more.

David Nolte
Beach House #4


On Aug 25, 2009, at 8:37 PM, Rick Evans wrote:

> My initial feedback is that story sounds fishy but 500hours on a  
> yanmar isn't anything.
>
> 2nd doesn't matter what the owner or the yard says do your on  
> inspection walk around the boat. What do you see?
>
> Do things look ship shape?
> Are the lines worn?
> The winches do they click nicely and turn in both gears or not?
> What's the bilge look like? Is it dirty nasty and filled with water  
> or look like its clean?
> How does the running rigging look? Any newly replaced or is it old  
> and tired?
> The sails? Look well cared for or stained and ripped?
> How does the engine compartment look? Clean? Like its taken care of?  
> Or filthy?
>
> After all that is done and you have an initial take and feeling on  
> the boat. Ignore whatever the owner and yard/broker tell you and  
> hire your own surveyor read the report and make your decision.
>
> Make sure you do a short haul out of the water and the surveyor  
> checks everything.
>
> Good luck
> Rick 724
> Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bairdrjb at aol.com
>
> Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:29:24
> To: <C320-list at catalina320.com>
> Subject: [C320-list] Engine Miles
>
>
> I am on the market to buy a 320 and have my eyes on a 2001 for sale by
> owner.  She has well over 500 miles on the clock.  The owner assures  
> me
> that the actual mileage is less and explains that after the boat was
> serviced at the marina, the ignition key was left in the "on"  
> position,
> although the engine was not running, and the engine hours kept
> accruing.  Is this a feasible explanation?  The seller appears to be
> honest and sincere.  Any feedback would be helpful.  Thanks!