It finally happened...Survey Day! After looking at 5 Catalina 381's and one failed attempt on a purchase, I am in the home stretch of a long term relationship with a hole in the water to throw money at!
Really cool to see most of the process from start to finish. I'm looking at putting in an offer on a Chris Craft 350 Catalina, which is very similar to this boat. Thanks for posting!
Enjoyed the video. A great boat. The 454’s are great engines and give you sufficient power to push these heavy boats. Still lots of parts available presently. I have a Bayliner 2858 with a single 454 large lock. This engine is so powerful that if you had wings it would fly. However, Bayliners are lighter boats than your Chris Chris. One thing I think is important in boats is. Never buy a underpowered boat. You never know when you will need that extra power. Of course, the elephant in the room are your fuel costs. I keep my engine running around 3200 - 3400 RPM’s which seems to be the sweet spot. Although I have a mechanic, these engines are easy to work on.I’ve owned my Bayliner for several years so far no major repairs on engine. Just normal maintenance,oil changes, miner tuneups, cleaning heat exchangers and risers. Always watch your temperature gauges. These 454’s have great torque too. Don’t run them full throttle too long and check your oil every time you leave your dock!
Couldn't agree more Charles! I just did my impellers and put in new main water supply hoses today. These are great engines and easy to work on. Mine are raw water cooled, so no heat exchangers, but risers are next on my list.
The one thing at this point that I don't like is access to the rudders for maintenance. Everything else has been cosmetic changes...and at some point I'll add a generator. It handles great, the space is great, and she does stand out. Overall...I LOVE it.
@@WiscoBoater I would love to have one as nice as yours. My only "fear" is if a 454 ever needs to be replaced. I see headaches and $$$$$. But, the biggest 38 footer on the water 😁
@@whitecapmadness7181 They super easy to work on, and short blocks aren't too bad if a replacement is needed. I was a little worried about going from a single 350 to twin 454's, but I know these engines pretty well and they're easy.
Hi Chad! I'm currently looking at an 88, very similar to yours with Crusader 454s and very close in condition. What's your opinion on a fair price range? Also, about how much did you spend on your survey? If that's too personal, please let me know a range. TIA!! Nice boat!
Hi Dan, thanks! Prices on 381's are all over the place, so it's hard to say what a fair price is, but in my opinion, a good example should run between $40-50k if in exceptional condition. I paid $44k for mine, my survey was $1,140 ($30/foot), and I paid $375 for the haul out. Good luck with the '88!
@@WiscoBoater Thanks for the info & fast response! This was about what I was expecting. If things work out with this boat, I'll share a vid and we can start a 381 Navy... lol! Good luck to you as well!
@@WiscoBoater I'm at the beach in Delaware, waiting very patiently for the weather to be warm again... I already have a pontoon but told the wife I needed a big boat to get to NJ to get a decent lobster sandwich! :)
Chris-Craft built boats like tanks up through the late 80's, early 90's. Build quality is fantastic, likely some of the best from the era. There are a few places inside that they cheaped out on like the drawers (no roller sliders) and cabinet doors (I've replaced mine), but overall VERY GOOD build quality.
Great to see you’re past this stage in the transaction. So does this mean I have to start calling you “Skipper” and now I’m “Little Buddy”? 😆. When does the three hour cruise start? 😉
That's exactly what that means! LOL...we are getting close to closing this out...what a process!! First cruise will be more like a 7-8 hour cruise. LOL
Overall the Old Girl looks pretty good in the Slings years ago i sold a little Ski Boat thru my broker and the Purchaser who claimed he was a retired Navy Seal and a Officer took his father on a Sea Trial while my Broker drove the little 18 foot Bowrider into the Chesapeake Bay the Broker told me inHysterics the buyer sat there yelling orders like a drill Sargent yelling Full Speed Ahead Hard turn to Port Hard turn to Starboard like he was Commanding some large Ship ? who knows what the guy was about he somehow got my name and home phone number and tried. grilling me about the business practices of my Liscense Broker holding his Navy Credit Union Casheirs Check for a few days over the Weekend ? i’ve used that Broker for over 25 years and i do that because he crosses his Ts and dots the Eyes, while assuming the risks on my funds from Fraud so i backed my guy up 100% letting the buyer scream and yell over the phone i just calmly said to him i don’t know you and neither does the Broker you can be. a Fraud for all we know and he will release the vessel with all the documents when your funds clear ,it’s in the Contract you signed He got the boat we laughed over a couple of Beers this was only a 10K dollar boat on a trailer not the QueenMary although the funds cleared we beleive all the guys other claims were stories as a rule Navy Seals don’t brag about their jobs or Careers and they are actually very Calm yet in Control like Military Combat Pilots
