I hate to start a thread on Volvos, almost as much as starting an anchor thread, but it's my turn to cause trouble.
Cut to the chase: My question is if I should proceed, or just cancel?
I've tied up in contract a 1980 49ft Taiwan trawler with these twin Volvos. The boat overall is clean, but original, and has been boathouse kept for 20+ years by the current owners who lived aboard. Unfortunately it appears that it has only been lightly operated over the years, with 3500 engine hours (80 hrs per year). Hasn't been run much at all in the last year or two, sellers being in their 80's.
About 1+ years ago they were in contract to sell, and during sea trials the port turbo seized, which they have replaced. The inspections lead to the starboard head gasket needing to be replaced as well. The wife also told me mysteriously that during the oil analysis the "they found things in the oil" but would not expand on that, nor provide a copy of the report.
Today I've been speaking to mechanics about performing their inspections. One guy flat out told me to forget about the boat and find something else with other engines, Lehmans, Perkins, etc. This is driven by the price of parts which I've now researched and have found to be about triple in cost. His argument was also that at nearly-50 years old, anything which touches saltwater will be at risk of needing major service or replacement (oil cooler, gear oil cooler, HEX, raw water pump, etc.).
Although the engines are physically clean without signs of paint overspray, my gut is that the sellers have had normal maintenance conducted over the years (oil changes) but have not gone deeper as indicated.
Even if I proceed with mechanical inspections (about $1200), the mechanic will still not be opening up all the various coolers and such to know exactly what level of major-service I need to perform. This boat is intended to be a short-term ownership, roughly 3+ years.
Just looking for some feedback.
Cut to the chase: My question is if I should proceed, or just cancel?
I've tied up in contract a 1980 49ft Taiwan trawler with these twin Volvos. The boat overall is clean, but original, and has been boathouse kept for 20+ years by the current owners who lived aboard. Unfortunately it appears that it has only been lightly operated over the years, with 3500 engine hours (80 hrs per year). Hasn't been run much at all in the last year or two, sellers being in their 80's.
About 1+ years ago they were in contract to sell, and during sea trials the port turbo seized, which they have replaced. The inspections lead to the starboard head gasket needing to be replaced as well. The wife also told me mysteriously that during the oil analysis the "they found things in the oil" but would not expand on that, nor provide a copy of the report.
Today I've been speaking to mechanics about performing their inspections. One guy flat out told me to forget about the boat and find something else with other engines, Lehmans, Perkins, etc. This is driven by the price of parts which I've now researched and have found to be about triple in cost. His argument was also that at nearly-50 years old, anything which touches saltwater will be at risk of needing major service or replacement (oil cooler, gear oil cooler, HEX, raw water pump, etc.).
Although the engines are physically clean without signs of paint overspray, my gut is that the sellers have had normal maintenance conducted over the years (oil changes) but have not gone deeper as indicated.
Even if I proceed with mechanical inspections (about $1200), the mechanic will still not be opening up all the various coolers and such to know exactly what level of major-service I need to perform. This boat is intended to be a short-term ownership, roughly 3+ years.
Just looking for some feedback.
Last edited:
