From: cynthia@mardi.East.Sun.COM (Cynthia Grundler (Sun NY Metro))
Newsgroups: rec.boats
Subject: Financing, Volvo Diesels, Duoprops, & Steigercraft
Date: 23 Jul 92 21:44:02 GMT
Reply-To: cynthia@mardi.East.Sun.COM
Distribution: na
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: mardi.east.sun.com


With the sale of boat #3, which I will be delivering to her new owner
this weekend, my thoughts immediately go to, ...The NEXT Boat!! Browsing
this group occasionaly, I have come to see that it is primarily sail,
but I am hoping there may be among you a few people who might possibly 
be able to offer any wisdom on the above subject. I cruise in New England
waters, from Conn. on up, and do some fishing from time to time. I have 
been considering the purchase of a 25 ft. Steigercraft Chesapeake with 
a Volvo Penta Diesel and Duoprop sterndrive, and have been researching
into the subject carefully. After owning (1) a 30 year old wood runabout,
(2) a 20 year old runabout and (3) a ten year old cuddy-cabin, I am ready
to go new. I have gotten good use out of each boat, and sold it in better
condition than first purchased. Now I would like to buy something that 
will suit my needs, is built solidly without any unnecesary frills. This
has narrowed me down the Steigercraft, a boat used primarily for comercial
use, such as police and fire boats, as well as lobster and clam boats.
The hull is solid, not cored fiberglass, 17 layers in fact. The stringer
system is also solid fiberglass, not wood, and therefore not prone to rot.
There is a cuddy cabin, with an enclosed stand-up wheelhouse with 6'8"
headroom and a large cockpit. Beam is 9'3". With the diesel and 118 gal. 
fuel tank, the boat can run 33 hours non-stop, roughly 600 miles at 3.5 
gal/hour at a reasonable speed, range which will be welcome for my cruising
habits. They are not high-speed rockets, and after growing up aboard a 
displacement cruiser and sailing as well, I am in no particular hurry.
These boats come with a full ten year warranty against any defect,regard-
less of whether the boat may be used 50+ hours a week, year round, even
breaking ice. Volvo offers a 5 year warranty.The boats, however, do not come
with carpeting or any other frills, which is just as well with me. So, the
question is, does anyone have any experience with these boats, and what is
your feelings on their quality, handling, ect. Likewise for the Volvo Penta
engine and sterndrive, and any advice regarding the purchase of a new boat
in general. This company invites you to tour the factory, which I intend to,
to see construction. I grew up aboard a 40 foot 1953 Wheeler, I have rebuilt
seized outboards, resealed lower units, replaced timing chains, fuel pumps
and so on. I know from buying used boats, I've poked and searched for
dry-rot, listened for valves and shot bearings. Buying new is something I
know nothing about, and I am a bit nervous. Also, boat financing, what can 
any of you tell me? There's alot I need to find out before I do anything, and
any information anyone can offer on any of the abovequestions, as well as
any other information you think may be helpfull would be immensely
appreciated. Please feel free to post or reply by e-mail, and thanks in
advance.

Cynthia

cynthia@sunrise.East.Sun.COM 
Newsgroups: rec.boats