Dock Queen any good?

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by AndyEss

Well, you definitely will want to change all those dry rotted tires.

I’m with The Pilot - might be a great buy.

Make that three.

[robert sailor]

Dock Queens are a roll of the dice. So much depends on where they have been sitting unused for years at a time. If they are in dry areas I might take a chance myself. If they are in high humidity sunny and saltwater, I'd probably pass. The engines might look new outside but you can be sure that some of these boats will be full of internal engine corrosion and if it's a Cat then of course its double. If the boat has lots of gear, water maker, genset, then that's a negative but its probably more common for a dock queen to be lightly equipped which is probably a good thing. The sails will be like new as long as they have been kept bagged so that's a plus. Rigging would have very few cycles so if its clean that would be a plus. In my mind there are lots of boats that are very well equipped that have been beautifully kept and maintained, it's really not terribly uncommon to see a well sailed 20 year old boat that still looks like it's a few years old. If you can find one of those, its usually a better buy.

[Scaramanga F25]

On one of my past boats, used seasonally, engine hours were less than 25 a year.
20 minutes out of the Y.C. either a day sail or an overnite + cruise, then 20 minutes back into my slip. Boat was used twice a week on average.

[robert sailor]

Originally Posted by Scaramanga F25

On one of my past boats, used seasonally, engine hours were less than 25 a year.
20 minutes out of the Y.C. either a day sail or an overnite + cruise, then 20 minutes back into my slip. Boat was used twice a week on average.

Your engine barely had time to get up to temperature but at least it was operated on a regular basis which is tons better than being a dock queen and just sitting for months/years on end.

[KP44]

Originally Posted by bclaypole

Rarely driven, always polished but the majority of the time just sits there.

I plan to have it surveyed if I'm pleased with the pre-survey inspection

If the boat is actually "always polished", that indicates that maintenance is ongoing and the boat was kept in ship-shape condition.
Boats use a different standard of products than automobiles. If a car has a flat tire, you can walk or call a tow truck. Not so with a boat. Boats must be able to stand up to any weather and to extreme conditions. My boat can handle much rougher conditions than I can. Even hose clamps are higher-grade stainless and hoses are usually double-clamped.

Use your own observations even if they do not agree with survey results. I hired "the best surveyor" in Seattle, recommended by a couple yacht brokers and by John Neal. The surveyor didn't get anything right. Trust yourself.

[bcboomer]

Originally Posted by KP44

Use your own observations even if they do not agree with survey results. I hired "the best surveyor" in Seattle, recommended by a couple yacht brokers and by John Neal. The surveyor didn't get anything right. Trust yourself.

I think I used the same one!

[Rhwins]

Ontario means fresh water use, not salt water; so that is a definite "plus". Not mentioned in previous answers is to check the through hull valves. Getting a surveyor is a good idea if the boat will cost over $20,000 even though surveyors don't guarantee anything. Will owner allow a shake down cruise?

[Scaramanga F25]

If water froze therefore expanded you will need to check rudder for delamination.

[Mr B]

As above already mentioned,,
Check all your thru hulls and make sure they actually work while out of the water,
Replace all hoses, They are old and will probably crack,
Diesels can sit for years and still work perfectly,
Farming equiptment used once a year or two,

But you will be up for a hull clean and possibly an anti foul,
Dock Queen as per Piccy, Things like to grow on hulls sitting still,