Pending Crownline Purchase

gravy boat · 08-02-2007, 11:38 AM

Hi all,

We are considering a boat purchase. Specifically, a 1995 CR250 Crownline. The boat looks clean, in great shape and well cared for. Test drive on Saturday should confirm what is in working order.

Has anybody experience problems with this model or similar models, i.e., common mechanical or cosmetic issues. Also please share positive experiences. This is our first boat -- we have a few jet skis -- so we have been doing some research online. But I know so many people on this forum offer great advice on numerous subjects.

Thank you in advance!
Gravy

BroadHopper · 08-02-2007, 11:44 AM

I have experience with the Crownline 230. It is a rough riding boat on weekends when the lake is busy. From a scale of one to ten for quality, I would give it a six. The only issue I have with the boat is that the built in ice chest in the floor drains into the bilge. I was told by the dealer that it drains directly outside. The dealer looked into it and sure enough, the drain hose was missing.
I was told that the Crownline and Chris Craft 23 footers came from the same mold.

jrc · 08-02-2007, 01:34 PM

Crownlines have a great reputation. Did you check here:

http://www.teamcrownline.com/

or ask at BoatUS consumer Q and A

Dave R · 08-02-2007, 01:40 PM

Most of the issues with a quality builder like Crownline will be with the engine and drive. If you are not comfortable with things mechanical, pay an independent marine technician to test/inspect the engine and drive for issues.

If it's a Mercruiser, check for excessive steering slop in the drive. More than 1/2" of side to side slop indicates potentially expensive repairs ahead. If it's a Bravo 3, have the props pulled and look for corrosion on the bearing carrier directly in front of the front prop. Surface corrosion is no big deal, but huge chunks missing can be a problem. That's all I can think of for now... Good luck!

robmac · 08-02-2007, 01:43 PM

I had a 97 and enjoyed it very much.Great quality for the money and handled the big lake very well.You can check with Jim P at Channel who is the distributor of that line.

codeman671 · 08-02-2007, 03:07 PM

Make sure you have it surveyed unless you feel absolutely confident of its maintenance history. If it has no warranty I would want a complete mechanical inspection. It only takes a simple issue to cost thousands of dollars.

The Big Kahuna · 08-02-2007, 04:58 PM

I had my Crownline 266 Sport for 7 maintenance free years. They are a great boat. Wish I still had it some times.

ApS · 08-03-2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrc

Crownlines have a great reputation.

Yes, they do.

I'd make sure that any previously-installed exhaust diverter has been disabled. Lots of Crownlines had them, and NH regs don't permit them.

jceria · 08-03-2007, 06:23 AM

Just remember, that boat is 12 years old! What you expect from a car that's 12 years old? Hopefully it's short $$$$.

Hopefully it'll treat ya right, good luck with her!

wildwoodfam · 08-03-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jceria

Just remember, that boat is 12 years old! What you expect from a car that's 12 years old? Hopefully it's short $$$$.

Hopefully it'll treat ya right, good luck with her!

running around on lakes and ponds!

It's tough to compare - it's a 12 YEAR OLD BOAT that runs for MAYBE - 5 months a year!! Thats why you look at engine hours and not necessarily age. Sure they might look old (depending on how well the prvious owner cared for the boat!) - but they can still run like brand new if well cared for - ask my uncle on Lake Champlain who still powers around with his 1966 Laker!! It can still blow away his neighbors donzi.

IMO - can't compare a boat and a automobile.

jceria · 08-03-2007, 08:52 AM

A boat takes 40% of it's HP to maintain a cruising speed. A car uses about 10% of it's HP.
Yes, I realize hours and miles are different. I have a friend with a 2002 Larson w/ only 50 hours on it, the boat looks used, although 50 hours is barely broken in.
I just would be careful about buying something/anything 12 years old. EVERY boat I've owned has had some kind of problem, mostly the brand new ones even.

gravy boat · 08-03-2007, 12:13 PM

Thank you so much to all who've responded. Very helpful!!!!
I will let you know what we do.
Should be a great weekend -- enjoy!
Gravy

08-02-2007, 11:38 AM	#1
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 589 Thanks: 596 Thanked 199 Times in 100 Posts	Pending Crownline Purchase Hi all, We are considering a boat purchase. Specifically, a 1995 CR250 Crownline. The boat looks clean, in great shape and well cared for. Test drive on Saturday should confirm what is in working order. Has anybody experience problems with this model or similar models, i.e., common mechanical or cosmetic issues. Also please share positive experiences. This is our first boat -- we have a few jet skis -- so we have been doing some research online. But I know so many people on this forum offer great advice on numerous subjects. Thank you in advance! Gravy

08-02-2007, 11:44 AM	#2
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,570 Thanks: 3,204 Thanked 1,101 Times in 793 Posts	Crownline I have experience with the Crownline 230. It is a rough riding boat on weekends when the lake is busy. From a scale of one to ten for quality, I would give it a six. The only issue I have with the boat is that the built in ice chest in the floor drains into the bilge. I was told by the dealer that it drains directly outside. The dealer looked into it and sure enough, the drain hose was missing. I was told that the Crownline and Chris Craft 23 footers came from the same mold. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

08-02-2007, 04:58 PM	#7
The Big Kahuna Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Gilford Posts: 148 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Good Boat I had my Crownline 266 Sport for 7 maintenance free years. They are a great boat. Wish I still had it some times.

08-03-2007, 06:23 AM	#9
jceria Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It's 12 years old Just remember, that boat is 12 years old! What you expect from a car that's 12 years old? Hopefully it's short $$$$. Hopefully it'll treat ya right, good luck with her! __________________ On the Concord River

08-03-2007, 08:52 AM	#11
jceria Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	but..... A boat takes 40% of it's HP to maintain a cruising speed. A car uses about 10% of it's HP. Yes, I realize hours and miles are different. I have a friend with a 2002 Larson w/ only 50 hours on it, the boat looks used, although 50 hours is barely broken in. I just would be careful about buying something/anything 12 years old. EVERY boat I've owned has had some kind of problem, mostly the brand new ones even. __________________ On the Concord River Last edited by jceria; 08-03-2007 at 12:24 PM.

08-02-2007, 01:34 PM	#3
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Crownlines have a great reputation. Did you check here: http://www.teamcrownline.com/ or ask at BoatUS consumer Q and A

08-02-2007, 01:40 PM	#4
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,984 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	Most of the issues with a quality builder like Crownline will be with the engine and drive. If you are not comfortable with things mechanical, pay an independent marine technician to test/inspect the engine and drive for issues. If it's a Mercruiser, check for excessive steering slop in the drive. More than 1/2" of side to side slop indicates potentially expensive repairs ahead. If it's a Bravo 3, have the props pulled and look for corrosion on the bearing carrier directly in front of the front prop. Surface corrosion is no big deal, but huge chunks missing can be a problem. That's all I can think of for now... Good luck!

08-02-2007, 01:43 PM	#5
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 951 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	I had a 97 and enjoyed it very much.Great quality for the money and handled the big lake very well.You can check with Jim P at Channel who is the distributor of that line.

08-02-2007, 03:07 PM	#6
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,481 Thanks: 221 Thanked 810 Times in 486 Posts	Make sure you have it surveyed unless you feel absolutely confident of its maintenance history. If it has no warranty I would want a complete mechanical inspection. It only takes a simple issue to cost thousands of dollars.

08-03-2007, 12:13 PM	#12
gravy boat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Gilford year round, West Alton summers Posts: 589 Thanks: 596 Thanked 199 Times in 100 Posts	Pending Crownline Purchase -- thank you! Thank you so much to all who've responded. Very helpful!!!! I will let you know what we do. Should be a great weekend -- enjoy! Gravy