Fairliner.....Anyone know about these?

[mmetzger1028]

Found a deal on a 1966 Fairliner 31ft Express with Flybridge. I went to look at it today and it obviously has not been cared for too well over the last year or so. However still looks like it could have a lot of life left in it if given the little bit of lov'in that it needs. Guy is asking $4000obo for it. Has a single 440 Chrysler with velvet drive. Said its been to Alaska twice(not sure if thats good or bad) Looks like its just served as a party boat for SeaFair the last couple years. Anyways, what are your thoughts on this boat? Any Achilles Heel type issues I should know about?

 

[JimS123]

48 years old, not cared for well, OBO......better have a big budget to get her seaworthy again...

 

[mmetzger1028]

I believe it was cared for very well, just might not have been in the last year or two.........

 

[crb478]

No pictures came through so no help there. Need more info and pictures. Is it just a mess, but seems to run ok? Are there mechanical problems? Does it run at all?

 

[mmetzger1028]

Bummer on the pics, here are the links

This is the CL ad for the boat
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/bar/4659763243.html

And I found this ad while trying to research 1966 airliners. Not sure how old this ad is....($12,500)
its the one on the bottom "First Klas"
http://fairlinerrendezvous.org/2.html

He said the boat runs great, never not started or left him stranded. When I went to look at it, it wasn't in as bad of shape as I was preparing for. I think its right on the edge of where someone could purchase it and easily clean her back up to great shape. Or she will just rot with another year or so of neglect..... The hull has a couple gouges in it that need to be fixed. And one larger ding on the back where hit broke through to the wood, but a fix I feel capable of, but not after a year or two of that wood soaking up some seattle winter rain......

 

[mmetzger1028]

I little about myself, I am very capable of fiberglass work, mechanical work, etc. So all work on the boat will be done by yours truly I am just looking for some onsite on things to be weary of ect.

 

[bonz_d]

I little about myself, I am very capable of fiberglass work, mechanical work, etc. So all work on the boat will be done by yours truly I am just looking for some onsite on things to be weary of ect.

Then the only thing holding you back is you. Guess you just need to decide if this is something that you are willing to invest in.

 

[southkogs]

That's a big boat ... if there's a lot of work in the "guts" of the thing, it'll be big dollars and time ... even if you're the one doing it. However, if you can afford it (time and money) there's probably a huge sense of satisfaction floatin' a tub like that with your fingerprints all over the place.

 

[mmetzger1028]

Yeah, I guess I need to get inside in order to see how the "guts" look. Anything in particular that I should be looking at or for?

 

[mmetzger1028]

Boat has a single Chrysler 440 with velvet drive

 

[lakegeorge]

The handling of a boat that size with a single screw will be a tough. Fairliner was a lower end boat when they were made I remember seeing a few around many years ago.