bobc
Senior Member
With "Note by Note" finally in the water and cruising PNW waters, I thought it was high time I stopped lurking and introduce myself.
I'm another sailor moving to the dark side (anyone want to buy a Cape Dory 27?).* After a long search for the right boat,* I finally settled on a Defever 34.* I'm told there were only 24 made.* According the to surveyor, mine is hull number 9.*
I'm not new to power boating, I used to have a 34' 1951 Stephens, so I knew to expect unexpected expenses.* Well, this boat has been full of surprises.* In the end, and to make a long story very short,* I'd put less than 20 hours on the 5000 hour Lehman before being faced with the decision to rebuild or repower.** I chose to repower with a new John Deere turbo 4.* I've now spent more repairing and upgrading than I did on the initial purchase in December.* I did have both hull and mechanical surveys done before I purchased the boat, but so goes boating. * Still, I've ended up with a boat that is pretty much new in terms of propulsion having replaced everything except the tanks (which had already been done), for not much more than the cost of a Grand Banks 32 with an old engine.*
The Grand Banks 32 was high on my list.* The DF34 is very similar in layout, and is probably more seaworthy -- strong hull, softer chines, and much drier with more flare and reserve bouancy in the bow.* The only compromise is on the interier finish, which is good, but not quite as nice as the GB's.** By chance there was a fiberlass GB32 in the yard next to me, so I've attached a picture where you can see the differences in hull design.
Last weekend I made the first trip through the San Juans with the new engine.* It's fantastic.** It's much quieter, and smoother than the old Lehman 120.* I wasn't going to go with the turbo, but was talked into it.* The good news is, I can't hear it whine.
Well, that's probably enough for now.* If anyone happens to be going to Sucia,* I'll be in Shallow Bay Saturday night.
I'm another sailor moving to the dark side (anyone want to buy a Cape Dory 27?).* After a long search for the right boat,* I finally settled on a Defever 34.* I'm told there were only 24 made.* According the to surveyor, mine is hull number 9.*
I'm not new to power boating, I used to have a 34' 1951 Stephens, so I knew to expect unexpected expenses.* Well, this boat has been full of surprises.* In the end, and to make a long story very short,* I'd put less than 20 hours on the 5000 hour Lehman before being faced with the decision to rebuild or repower.** I chose to repower with a new John Deere turbo 4.* I've now spent more repairing and upgrading than I did on the initial purchase in December.* I did have both hull and mechanical surveys done before I purchased the boat, but so goes boating. * Still, I've ended up with a boat that is pretty much new in terms of propulsion having replaced everything except the tanks (which had already been done), for not much more than the cost of a Grand Banks 32 with an old engine.*
The Grand Banks 32 was high on my list.* The DF34 is very similar in layout, and is probably more seaworthy -- strong hull, softer chines, and much drier with more flare and reserve bouancy in the bow.* The only compromise is on the interier finish, which is good, but not quite as nice as the GB's.** By chance there was a fiberlass GB32 in the yard next to me, so I've attached a picture where you can see the differences in hull design.
Last weekend I made the first trip through the San Juans with the new engine.* It's fantastic.** It's much quieter, and smoother than the old Lehman 120.* I wasn't going to go with the turbo, but was talked into it.* The good news is, I can't hear it whine.
Well, that's probably enough for now.* If anyone happens to be going to Sucia,* I'll be in Shallow Bay Saturday night.
