Looking to purchase A-27

[11kolive]

Hello,

My wife and I are downsizing from our Grand Banks 36 to an A-27. We are more than willing to travel to get the right boat and wonder if anyone might have some info or know about this boat listed on Yachtworld in Ludington, MI. I have left a voice mail and email with the listing broker but have not received any returns yet, probably because it is the weekend. So I thought I would ask the forum about this boat. I am not sure which Yanmar it has in it either. http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1988/Al ... 56TlFdHarU

The other listing that looks interesting is this one http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1987/Al ... 56UuldHarU. But I am wondering about engine part availability with this vessel.

Any feedback would be appreciated. The first one does not have a trailer, but that is something easily taken care of.

Thanks,

Keith Olive

[Beta Don]

That first one looks like a great boat for the money, IMO. The Yanmar is a non-turbo 4 cylinder, probably the 75 HP model, though the listing claims it's 77. An excellent choice for the boat. It's one of the most unmolested 27's I think I've seen - Easily worth the $$$ I think, but I would offer $20K and see what happens - It's getting near the end of the boating season up there

The second one isn't bad either. It has the bow thruster (probably a $1500 add on) and a trailer, though the trailer doesn't look all that heavy duty to me. I agree the first one would be easier to find engine parts for - Nearly every port you come into has a shop nearby that sells Yanmar parts

This one might be wlrth looking into as well - viewtopic.php?f=28&t=9400

Don

[11kolive]

Beta Don,

Thank you for your input! The engine differences are one of my concerns. I have no experience with either engine as my last boats have had Perkins, Isuzu and my latest has Lehmans. There is another boat that is local that I am looking at as well and would enjoy your feedback on this one. It has a "Alaskan Bulkhead" modification that is common for the PNW where we boat and has a 4 cylinder Lehman. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/5696796909.html

I will also contact the person in the link you provided to get more info on that vessel.

Keith

[Beta Don]

IMO, the Yanmar powered one is a better buy at $22.5K - Keep in mind that this 'Lehman powered' one isn't the engine you're used to. Most Lehmans are wither 4 or 6 cylinder British tractor engines, marinized by Lehman and they sold many thousands of those and most parts for them are readily available. This Lehman is a Peugeot block and there weren't that many of them marinized by Lehman. The marine specific parts of this engine are very hard to find - If you had a breakdown far from home, you might be 2 or 3 weeks sourcing parts to get going again, whereas Yanmar parts are available nearly everywhere. I pulled a 1100 hour Lehman out and replaced it with a $10K rebuilt Yanmar just so I wouldn't have to deal with that problem

The Lehman/Peugeot is also a noisy engine (straight cut cam gears) and it's right beneath your feet in the cockpit - It can be hard to hold a conversation over the noise while underway. If you eventually decide on a Lehman powered 27, be sure to sea trial it so you get a feel for what living with it day to day might be like

Again, just my opinion, but the best of the 27's might be the later model 157 hp Isuzu powered ones - After you look into the various power plant options, try to take a ride on one of those to compare the differences

Don

[11kolive]

Don,

Thanks for the heads up on the Lehman. We are hoping to view one this weekend and listen to it as well. I have another boat inquiry sent out that has a 160 up Yanmar in it. Have to wait and see if it is still available too.

I REALLY appreciate all f your responses and time answering my questions! My Dad use to live in the Navy retirement home in Biloxi until Katrina arrived.

Keith

[Beta Don]

My Dad use to live in the Navy retirement home in Biloxi until Katrina arrived.

Katrina relocated lots of us! 35 feet of water came through the neighborhood where we used to live. The Armed Forces Retirement Home (it's not just Navy) is still here. They had to move everyone out after the storm and rebuild it completely, but it's back open now, better than ever

I was raised in Washington state, just east of Seattle (Bellevue) and still have relatives living in Seattle and Issaquah. After training, my first assignment in the USAF was at McChord AFB

Don

[11kolive]

Small world Don! We live in the Yakima area and moor our GB on Vashon Island.

[rnummi]

Just out of curiosity... have you sold you GB36 yet?

[11kolive]

Rnummi,

We have not sold our GB yet, we are finishing up the bright work and getting her ready to list.

Keith