Buying a non FW boat

Graham R · **Posted:** Thu Nov 21, 2013 6:25 pm

Well, almost 12 months ago I was considering a 378 with diesels/ IPS drives. I got very nervous about the potential costs of something going wrong and my inexpeience with maintainin such a beast and it's mechanical parts.

Now, there is a 2005 Fairline Targa 34 with KAD 300 diesels/ outdrives I can afford. My wife says it's fine ( as long as I don't wan't a F type Jaguar as well).

Will I be expelled fro m the FW forum if I buy it ?

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Thu Nov 21, 2013 7:05 pm

Of course not Graham.

Even ric is still here. :lol:

ric · **Posted:** Thu Nov 21, 2013 7:06 pm

I haven't owned a FW in nearly 2 years. It is my goal to get back into one though, especially since I finally have a tow vehicle to get a Vista.

TX H210SS · **Joined:** Thu May 27, 2010 9:10 am **Posts:** 1488

Post pics when you get them...hope it works out for ya

230 Mike · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2013 1:26 am

You're one of the originals here Graham, and one of the most helpful people on the forum. That won't change. :mrgreen:

strick · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:29 am

I was all over the 318's and 338's in my search, also was very serious about Chaparrals. Decided to go with a Merdian 341 at the end of the day. I plan to stick around on here because there is plenty to learn, and occasionally my 30 years of experience may be worth something to another member. Good luck with your new boat and smooth seas to you!

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:58 am

Living where you do, it's not surprising you are going to another brand. The 34 is a very nice boat. A bit surprised you are staying with a sterndrive powered boat of that size, rather than easier maintenance straight inboards. But, I guess your years of experience with sterndrives and apprehension of the unknown with shaft drives, led you in that direction.

Enjoy !

LouC · **Posted:** Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:46 pm

Well sterndrives vs IPS, I can see how some would prefer sterndrives because maintenance wise once you have had them you know their issues and IPS has a lot of high priced tech in it that does give some performance advantages but price wise the parts are out of sight. As long as they are regular Volvo I/Os and NOT that discontinued Ocean Series that turned out to be a bad product for Volvo which they dumped, leaving owners with boats that they could not sell unless they were re-powered.

If you boat in an area with shallow waters and the anti fouling paints for aluminum work well, then the sterndrives can be OK but more work. The IPS is not what you'd want in any area with shallow areas. Straight shaft inboards will still always be the better set up maintenance wise. There are some down on the south shore of LI that do prefer sterndrives because they deal with narrow and shallow channels all the time. The water depths there are much less than the north shore.
Its a beautiful boat, if you get it enjoy and then you can enlighten us about diesel maintenance...which I'm sure you will learn to the same high level as stern drive maintenance....

www.iFourWinns.com

Buying a non FW boat

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