There are parts for 3s and 3As around, and it would be wise to pick up a few spares.
MM runs them but his boat is light and he doesn't punish it.
Couldn't you swap the 3s for a konrad fairly easily? they'd handle 850hp.

Konrad aren't compatible with the 3 gimble. X is wrong too. I don't imagine the Konrad to have any better lifespan than a 3, regardless of what they're rated at. 750 is about it with 3's and that's at 100-hour rebuild intervals. 850 is pushing it.

It all depends on how you run it. If you're easy on the sticks and keep the props in the water, Alphas would last a while. Guys do break sixes.

Agree Chris. Our boat, fortunately, had just been redone less than two years when we purchased it. We plan to do the up keep (refreshing trannies and heads this winter---change drive oil every 20 hours) so that we can stay (hopefully) ahead of the game.

We had a friend who just blew some 3 drives and upgrading to #6's....we'll be buying the pieces/parts for when we need them.

And we met Scott a few years back at the Miami boat show. He spent well over an hour with us plus time off and on since then on the phone. We wouldn't hesitate to purchase anything from him either.

And your comment regarding how hard one runs their boat.....correct....check the threads. Many of the Apache owners with big power and drives don't beat the heck out of their boats. Our reason why we don't......when/if she does break, it's not going to be pretty. That doesn't mean we're still not running well. Our Stinger only did 71. We've seen 84MPH and know she still has more.

So you saw one apache at Shogrens and it had a couple of cracks and all the sudden they are crapaches? If I was buying an apache for that price with new motors, I would expect some cosmetic defaults. However, I would not blow off a boat just because of cosmetics. You should have a surveyor check the cracks to see if they are just cosmetic, if they are then get somebody out there that can do an estimate to make it like new and reasess the cost of the boat. I've seen 1999 and newer boats that have had cracks , rot floor, etc. IMO it has a lot to do with how well the owner took care of it. It is a 1990 and most any boat that is made for rough water and is that old will have some cosmetic cracks in it, but they are a very cheap fix relative to the total cost of the boat.

Maybe try not to be so negative about it. It needs some cosmetic updating, which is the easy part. Just think - For $119K you get a sweet 41 apache with brand new motors. Leaving you plenty of money to fix the cosmetics, and maybe upgrade the interior. So for under $150K you can get a 41 apache with new motors, custom interior, and no cracks. Isn't that exactly what you are looking for. I'm willing to bet that Shogren can help you out with all the cosmetics and maybe even add it to the purchase price so you can finance all the cosmetic repairs.

Texamo

OK, I'm sure you must be skimming this thread, cause you missed a couple of important things. First of all, Shogren's boat was only ONE of the Apaches I checked out, and it was probably the best one I saw. Secondly, as I stated, I don't like to bash other peoples rides. I have no history with Shogren, although they were plenty nice to me. I was simply asked a specific question in regards to the cracks on that boat, and that's what I answered. I didn't get into any other good or bad parts about the boat. I simply implied, it was not for me.

Lastly, I understand the concept of repairing a boat. My Fountain had a laundry list of issues when I bought it, and over the past 17 years, I fixed them all. More importantly, I do NOT want to go through another restoration. I would prefer to wait for the right Apache to find me. Until then, I look real good in my canoe.

It's not "bashing" if the comments are factual. Just don't say it if you aren't sure. A smart buyer is going to find the flaws anyway- either through a personal inspection or via a 3rd party surveyor. Not speaking up is kind of contrary to what we're all here for. We've torn some boats to shreds and we've spoken up about the good deals and the prices that are pure fantasy. We also talk up the nice one's and the good deals. Nothing wrong with any of that. If the boat's a rat, not saying so won't make it any better. Not always does everybody agree but just about everybody pounces quick and hard on BS and misinformation.

In short, say what you saw, say what you know. Keep it straight annd honest and everyone here will stand up for you.

Hell, a friend got a brand new Fountain with cracks on the gelcoat DELIVERED.
Ok so it was delivered to the other side of the globe..but still left some unanswered questions...

I just have to reply...you got almost a brand new Fountain 17yrs ago and it took that many years to get them fixed ??
Hmmm guess that answers my question above...:D

you talk about repair.....try maintainance.....keeps the repairs to a minimum.......you did say CANOE.........m.m.......

But.........you've seemed to of coined the term crap'aches....... Why?

I'm currently in the process of closing on a 28 apache and it comes across as very offensive. I'm sure if I posted something to the same tune about fountains the thread would probobly get deleted.

Hey Mark....how do I get one of those for my 41 ? :D

I feel the same about my 36'.

As far as my Avatar is concerned that is the only small picture I had of my Resin Bucket but she definately has a nice classic headress!! You guys are lucky to have the "Chief" if I wouldn't have gotten mine last fall I would have been all over that baby. But I woudn't have gotten to put 80 hours on mine this summer so I suppose it all works itself out.

As far as the thread is concerned I think Kageman is your ticket, other wise just keep on watching and one will pop up eventually it just takes longer because they didn't make that many of them.

I Understand you completely.
Looking at the nice and big pics had me going for a while but the padded everywhere plain white cabin got me thinking it had to be a mental doctor..or a patient who have had the boat :p

If the guy is Apache shopping, he probably doesn't regard them universally as $hitty boats. I've called mine way worse. In fact, every one I've ever owned started out as a POS. 8 or 10 years ago, the majority of them were 100% original annd most were really showing their age. You could pick from a long list of fixer-uppers. These days, most have been redone. Of those, the majority have been done fairly nicely.

If you want me to try... "Fountains blow."

My husband must of hit a nerve. He bought that almost new fountain when he was 17. It was repaired though out the years. When matt and i got married 10 years ago we sent the boat back to fountain and had a dated interior changed to white. So when he says been there done that. we have. Now two kids later i want a better boat with a better ride. Not to much to ask for. Our current boat is great but not good for two kids.

There's plenty of room on the 41 for two kids....:D

That's one of the beauties of the 41. If you want to stuff it full of bolsters & big motors, there's plenty of room. If you wanted to put A/C and a genset in the boat, there's plenty of room for that too.. Lots of room underneath too. The best part about having an Apache with small kids is that they won't get bounced around (or tossed out) if you get some unexpected waves- or a big wake sneaks up on you. I got bounced all over in the Topgun. That all went away with my first 41. I also picked up a third more comfortable boating days. With a 4 month season on the Great Lakes, that means alot.

(at least that's what I told my wife :) )

ocean beach fire island........we saw it there...

what bank fianances a 20 year old boat..........

Same kinds that finance 20 year old airplanes

I'm gonna finance the 20 year old house to buy the 20 year old boat. What part of "home improvement" do you think an Apache falls under??

INSANITY.........take a cold shower and read your post....read the i love this G/D boat thread and notice the dates...

No bouncing the kiddos around in an Apache. My kid spends 80% of his time sleeping while the motors are running somehow it puts him right to sleep. Mom sits next to him in case anything unforseen is encountered. The other 20% of the time he helps dad drive.

As far as financing is concerned it goes back to the old rule that banks lend money to people that don't need money. As long as you have money in the bank (20-50% of purchase price) and show income, they are happy to work with you.

Yeah- his Apache changed his life! Both ways.

I remember how happy he was to have scored such a deal- and how far the seller dropped the price. Did the motors pop on the first day out or the second? What was it you said- don't love anything that can't love you back? Amen.

I'm a pay-as-you-go sort of guy. Not the fastest, not the best. But if my junk sinks to the bottom, I'm gonna' be OK. Every time I see a new $600K boat, I'm wondering about how thick the payment book is.

Yeah, I dig being OK if my ride heads for the underworld...as long as I'm not on it. Actually, when I bought my Fountain, it was halfway there. Motors were under, and the red boat had faded to a beautiful shade of pink. Did I mention it was only 18 months old? The best part was when the porta-potty rolled into the cabin while we were bailing it. Yes....it was full!! BUT I GOT A HELL OF A DEAL!!!

dont worry about it sinking to the bottom......the air pocket in the nose seems to keep em floating........600k for a speedboat....nice.......nice not to have.......m.m...

I thought beeks were just for chickens??

i would guess it to be a trs boat with a pair of merc. gen 4 bbc..........this #3 or#6 drive stuff is a differant deal.......big inch bowtie or dart block stuff is costly.....to fuel and maintain....just giving you the facts.....a payment and a maintainance program is real costly....know what you are in for.........m.m......

maui, would you consider a newer 36?

Yeah, lose a fuel pump- one piece of dirt- lean out a blower motor and Chernobyl, here we come.

As long as you go into it with your eyes open... (as well as your checkbook)

That increase in cabin headroom could be nice for the kiddies.

lost an 800sc. 240 hours due to a speck of dirt....the other one showed little wear.......PLUG #7 MELTED...........m.m.....

Those #7 cylinders on a BBC are just trouble. Next one I build I will leave that piston and rod out:D

This thread gets better every day! :D:p

those merc 800s were incredible.....ran em like i rented em...no kidding.....had a warentee .....1 ignition coil thats it....plus they sat in storage for like 8 years in a building in wisconsin....3 of em...cia..

Stormrider - Thanks for the offer, but I'm really after a 41.

hi will.....not my bussiness but.....leave the alon 45 enjoy it.take the re-fit money and buy a sea ray or similar vessel.....wish you the best and a safe trip south.......mark..

El indio - good call on my current set up. Thanks for the warning too on the heavier equipment. I'm sure I can just read the owner's manual to solve all my issues, right?.. Ha..Ha
Sadly, I generally learn the hard way. Of course the whole concept of finding extreme joy in piloting a 12,000 pound chunk of fiberglass with 1600 horsepower through water would tend to make the average person think I have mental issues.

weigh before you buy............the weights are all over the place.............

....that's why I love mine ! :D