Looking at a 1985 St.Tropez that needs some engine work in one engine, the other has been rebuilt. Any thoughts on this make and whether it's been a good model. Currently have a 23 footer and not sure if this will too much boat. Any idea on what type of trailer and vehicle needed to pull? Thanks.
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St.Tropez
- Thread starter kpoly
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2000
- RO Number
- 3238
- Messages
- 4,831
At 22 years old, who made it becomes much less of an issue than how has it been used/maintained. I do not know this boat however.
"not sure if this will (be) too much boat."
Me neither. How big is it?
"not sure if this will (be) too much boat."
Me neither. How big is it?
Unless Wellcraft labeled other models as St. Tropez, you’re talking about a 32 foot express. I wouldn’t want to tow it with ANY vehicle. A guy down our dock tows his 30’ SR, but only down side streets – and that’s with a diesel dualie.
St. Tropez’s have largely survived their notoriety for bad stringers. Most of the owners I’ve spoken to take a lot of pride in their boats, and the average condition of the Tropez’s I’ve seen back that up. The stringer issue might be ancient history. Still, make sure you have the integrity of the stinger system thoroughly checked out. Don’t be scared if you see evidence of repair – just make sure it’s BEEN repaired, and properly. (I can’t tell you for sure if the 85’s suffered the stringer problems, but if I had to guess, I’d say they did.)
There are a lot of these boats still out there, so I’m sure someone can give more detail on the ’85.
Wellcraft put multiple colors on these boats, which some say dates them, but I think they have classic, well-proportioned good looks. They also have a clever, simple layout and the interiors age better almost any other production boat, at least in my opinion. You’ll notice clean, hard surfaces below with minimal 1980’s ugliness.
St. Tropez’s have largely survived their notoriety for bad stringers. Most of the owners I’ve spoken to take a lot of pride in their boats, and the average condition of the Tropez’s I’ve seen back that up. The stringer issue might be ancient history. Still, make sure you have the integrity of the stinger system thoroughly checked out. Don’t be scared if you see evidence of repair – just make sure it’s BEEN repaired, and properly. (I can’t tell you for sure if the 85’s suffered the stringer problems, but if I had to guess, I’d say they did.)
There are a lot of these boats still out there, so I’m sure someone can give more detail on the ’85.
Wellcraft put multiple colors on these boats, which some say dates them, but I think they have classic, well-proportioned good looks. They also have a clever, simple layout and the interiors age better almost any other production boat, at least in my opinion. You’ll notice clean, hard surfaces below with minimal 1980’s ugliness.
The 32' Wellcraft St. Tropez was enormously popular when it was first introduced in 1985, the same year in which you are expressing an interest. However, it is strictly middle-of-the-road quality and by this time could (read probably) have issues that will go along with the engine work that you mentioned. There'll be lots of DIY projects that will go with this boat.
Not sure what you mean by the trailer and vehicle part of your question, but with an almost 12' beam, and weighing in at 10,000 plus lbs, she is not trailerable per se, unless you are referring to the launch in the spring and haul-out in the fall, and even then she isn't street legal.
Buy WALSHIE'S 28' Sunrunner. He's only the 2nd owner and the 1st owner is also a member here as well. Good tracking and pedigree.
http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=89446
Not sure what you mean by the trailer and vehicle part of your question, but with an almost 12' beam, and weighing in at 10,000 plus lbs, she is not trailerable per se, unless you are referring to the launch in the spring and haul-out in the fall, and even then she isn't street legal.
Buy WALSHIE'S 28' Sunrunner. He's only the 2nd owner and the 1st owner is also a member here as well. Good tracking and pedigree.
http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=89446
quote:
Originally posted by MIke F
As I recall, the Wellcraft St. Tropez was known for both blister problems as well as stringer problems. Do a search on these vessels for the above problems.
A couple of years I was looking at two or three St Tropez. Never did hear of any blister problems. However, the stringer problem is one thing to be sure a surveyor checks.
I felt that it was a very nice boat. Good layout and function for its size.;
G
My previuos boat was a 1987 Wellcraft St Tropez. Never had stringer or blister problems but I have heard of such. DIY projects were kind of fun because the foundation and layout of the boat was very easy. When I mean easy I say that running wires totally through out the boat was unobstructed by deck hardware. Panels were all easily removed to have rear access, standard hardware was used so you did not need to go back to Wellcraft for custom hinges, latches etc...
I just bought an 88 St. Tropez last summer. I did all the research and found that they had stringer problems. When I had the survey done I made sure they checked the stringers. What I found with all the St. Tropez's I looked at is the stringers were all redone. I guess Wellcraft had a recall on them and did the repairs. Everyone I looked at said they had the stringers redone including the one I bought. If you do get it you will love it. It is a tank on water. The cabin layout is awsome.
I've owned an 87 St Tropez for 7 years and it is a good boat for my use, fishing and cruising. It has a lot of space for it's size. As has been said the major issue with these boats is the stringer problem. I had the stringers replaced in mine. I have not had a problem with blisters. One other word of caution: I would only buy this boat with the large engines. It comes with two engines sizes, and my feeling is the small engines are just not hefty enough for this boat. I have the large block engines and have plenty of power for acceleration and for cruising at abour 2600 to 2800 RPM.