Does anyone know anything about Delta Clipper houseboats in so far as quality and what to look for in the way of problem areas?

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Delta clipper was similar in quality to a Gibson but not as well built. They had hatch and deck rot problems. I have seen some with transum rot. Wiring left somthing to br disired.

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The pirate

Tony

Your scaring me. You own a sailboat that is substantial enough to live aboard. You look at a Delta Clipper which is ancient history and you fail to see the obvious differences in quality and construction. The Delta Clipper was, at best, a "price" boat in it's time.

House boats weren't and aren't built to sail boat standards. However some brands were better. In cruising boats of the past era Harbor Master, Blue Water, Burns Craft, and later Gibson's were better built. The aluminum KingsCraft, Marinette, Hilbourn, and Lazy Days are head and shoulders above all the rest because they don't rot. They are rebuildable forever. Pluckebaum is the Gold Standard for houseboats. Montecello is also hard to beat.

Read Jamie Talberts thread on his rehabbing of his KingsCraft. Took him a couple of months, mostly cosmetic.

A typical glass boat of that age would have had transom, stringer, roof, deck, and hatch, ROT. It would also have interior water damage, to contend with before getting to Jamies starting point.

You were also considering a 36 trawler. I can understand that as a sail boater a 36 trawler might look OK. However, for long term live aboard 50' is tons better.

If your planning on Mid America houseboat living (truly Gods Country) and are not interested in more than 10 MPH you should also consider "Lake Boat" style craft. (Twin Engine only) Hard to beat "Bang for the Buck" on these units.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Tony, I know a guy that might be interested in selling his 44ft Kingscraft. It needs a lot of remodeling work on the interior, but it did run when the pulled it a few years ago. I am not a mechanical person by far, just for my lack of knowledge in it, but I felt more than comfortable working on the Kingscraft. The thing that I know for sure is that my decks aren't rotting through and I wont have to reglass the thing in a few years. The most I will have to do, if normal conditions apply is add some paint. If you didn't care about what it looked like and the electrical was good, that boat could last forever. I for one love the peace of mind I have for buying the boat that it isn't rotting away no matter what I do.

Old Houseboater, since I do not live near Mid America, I must be living in UnGodly Country. Everyone has their opinions about what they like. I like mine better.

Hmmm, you live in Kentucky, thats part of Mid America.


Do the Tennessee River in Alabama and you will share my opinion.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

Edited: 05/11/2012 at 05:03:47 PM by OLD HOUSEBOATER

OHB
Since I originally posted this thread, I have read some more and learned a lot. Some of it was from your older writings on a different forum.
Anyway, the Delta Clipper I was interested in is for sale on HouseboatsBuyTerry. It loooks like it was just about rebuilt in the last several years. Anyway, I called and asked for more interior photos. They were promised and never came.
Anyway, we both liked the 36 Mainship aft cabin model. The main salon is slightly more than half of what I have now, so it is smaller inside. Wifey loves the layout though. Overall, the Trawler does have more usable room than I have now because it is arranged differently. IF wifey is happy, I am happy.
Since she don't frequent this site, I feel safe here saying this. I think she is intimidated by the size of a 47 Gibson and she is aware that she will be doing a lot of driving and docking. I will be the deckhand for tieing up. I think when we make it up to Ky Lake, if she hints, we will be boat shopping again.
Also, she feels like she wants to get a jump on next year when I retire. If we buy something here in Galveston Bay, I have lots of time to fix it the way we want and plenty of time to work the bugs out. If we waited to sell sailboat first, there are little to no houseboats down here. I will not have much tools anymore and we will be pressed for time. She is more into 'secutity' thinking wher I ama 'wing it' kinda guy.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

The only way I would consider a boat with a lot of remodeling would be if it was down here in Galveston Bay area. I have access to a professional furniture making shop (the one I just sold) available to me down here any time I want. Having the right shop tools available makes the difference between 2 weeks of hell trying to make things work as compared to 2 easy days in the shop pre-fabbing.
Thanks for the thoughts, my mind is subject to change at a moments notice so I appreciate any and all input.
Thanks

Tony B

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

Tony

A 47 Gibson with twin vee drives is a JOY in the handling department. You can spin them and walk them sideways. Most 36

trawlers are singles and can't compare, in close quarter handling, to the Gibson. However, if she's used to the sailboat she can handle the trawler.

Note: There are a good number of KingsCrafts in Texas - look around. A reworked KingsCraft is head and shoulders better than

most any older glass boat.

Note: A boat slipped out side ages 5 times faster than one kept in a coverd slip.

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OLD HOUSEBOATER

We already made a committment to the Mainship 36. Could not talk the Admiral into a houseboat at this time. We have a survey scheduled for May 29 and a Closing on June 1.
This is a twin 270HP model. Looks like a trawler but is actually what they call a MotorYacht.
The boat appears to be in excellent condition for its age (1986 Model). I figure I can always sell it when we get inland and get my purchase price + sales tax + surveyors fee etc and and break even and get a Gibson. Gibson is the manufacturer that we liked best. Down here - mostly trawlers/motoryachts. Up there - mostly houseboats. I think when we are there for a while and make HB friends, she will change her mind. If not, we can be happy with anything that floats. Fortunately, although major seniors, we both have a fairly good tolerance for most any conditions.
Right now, we both want me to retire and we both want to just GO.
I have 235 more days or 11 more trips offshore before I retire, but who's counting.

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

I just posted a pic on my other post "Pulling the Trigger - Again"


http://www.houseboatmagazine.c...id=13728&enterthread=y

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Never wrecked a boat while awake or sober

Kemah, Tx. - Galveston Bay

jamie, is the 44 kingscraft at rayland?

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1991 gibson 44 executive
454's
norwich,ohio
docked on the good ole ohio river in marietta

It is Rick's old boat that he sold years ago. That owner gutted it and then sold it gutted. It hasn't been touched since. It doesn't sit at Rayland currently but it is near by.

JT

Any idea how much for the 44 kings. I may know know someone interested.

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1991 70' Pluckebaum Baymaster
10' AB RIB 25hp Suzuki

I will have to find out what kind of price he is looking for. He bought it 2 years ago and never even touched it. He moved it off site to work on it and hasn't even cleaned it out.

boatlover, how big of a kingscraft is your friend looking for? i know of one on barren lake that is a 15x55 that has been gone completely though.items he told me. new genereator still under warranty,454's w/500 hours,new g15 tinted glass windows,very nice interior,new stainless fuel tanks, new plastic fresh water tank ,painted 12 years ago,glendining electric shift and throttle controls both stations ,new corian counter tops, he's asking 45,000 or best offer.i have his number if your interested.its on craigslist. look in ky,under bowling green then type in kings craft. his name is dennis.

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1991 gibson 44 executive
454's
norwich,ohio
docked on the good ole ohio river in marietta

Edited: 05/13/2012 at 11:00:32 AM by 42gibson

42gibson
That sounds like a nice boat but outa range for my friend. A project boat is more his style and price range. Thought if I could get him into something Aluminum it would last him for years with little outside maint. instead of steel which he has now and glass that he is looking at.

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1991 70' Pluckebaum Baymaster
10' AB RIB 25hp Suzuki