Input on HTL 28?

[Pointy_End]

And the search for my first boat continues...

Other than one page on sailboatdata.com I can't find much info on the the HTL 28.

I found one for sale locally here

Any thoughts?
Is 4000hrs a lot for a Volvo Penta diesel?

[Faster]

Big, roomy, generic unremarkable interior layout. This one looks good in the pictures, not many were made.

The Volvo's a little scary.. lots of hours and generally pricey parts but if it runs well..... The instant water heater will need checking out and the cabin heater's pretty much a throw-away.

This one looks like it's been a liveaboard? (Freezer) Plenty of boat for the buck esp if it's negotiable.

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by Faster

The Volvo's a little scary.. lots of hours and generally pricey parts

Boy, that's the truth. Long ago I started hearing about how expensive Volvo diesel parts were. 15 odd years ago I spoke to the Volvo distributor at the local boat show about it - I asked the price of 0.30 over pistons for a rebuild on a small 4 cylinder Volvo.

Back then they were $500 EACH - 2 grand, just for the pistons!

I don't think even Ferrari charges that much. The last time I built a Chevy performance engine they cost me well under $300 for EIGHT.

It's no wonder Volvo lost the market to Yanmar et. al. Do Volvos even get installed on any new boats? Personally, I wouldn't even consider a boat with a Volvo unless it was priced essentially without the engine.

[Pointy_End]

Originally Posted by Faster

.... The instant water heater will need checking out and the cabin heater's pretty much a throw-away...

Is the water heater the thing attached to the bulkhead above the head?

Why is the cabin heater a throw away? I have seen lots of these around, are they no good?

Originally Posted by SloopJonB

...Back then they were $500 EACH - 2 grand, just for the pistons!...

I was sufficiently scared when I did a search and found that a starter was $900; now I'm really scared...

[mitiempo]

I would be leery of the Volvo as well. 4000 hours isn't bad if well maintained but a disaster if not. By the way it is wrongly listed as a 2 stroke - it is a 2 cylinder 4 stroke. Volvo parts are very expensive but they are good engines. By the way a Bosch starter will work and they are a lot less than the Volvo starter.

An engine survey by a good marine mechanic (Volvo ideally) would be a good idea. As would a condition survey of your own.

I don't think the cabin heater is a throwaway - fine for occasional weekend use, but I admit it is not the best type of propane heater. The Dickinson's like this
DickinsonMarine.com - Propane Fireplaces are better as they use outside air for combustion and the firebox is sealed from the cabin. The one in the listing has an open flame.

Yes the water heater is mounted to the bulkhead above the head. If vented properly they aren't bad but insurance companies hate them.

The pictures are small but the boat does look well maintained. The bottom looks good as does the saildrive leg.

The normal things to check are the chainplates (for leaks) and soft decks.
The listing states "reduced" but at this time of year I would try a lower price.

It says the boat is in Victoria Harbour - wonder where, I get to most of the marinas but haven't seen it.

[Pointy_End]

Oh ok, I did not realize there was such a difference with heaters.

I did a little detective work, since I didn't see it in the Inner Harbour either. Based on the backgrounds in the pictures I was able to find it tucked in what I believe is called "Victoria Marina", behind Value Village.

[mitiempo]

Convenient location for shopping.