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Thanks for all the good input. The survey said the boat was in average condition, but the hull was “Poor” and stated the hull required repairs before the boat could be used for its intended purpose. The broker is also a boat builder and estimated the repairs would cost $8k and the owner reduced...

We’ve been in the market for a 2003-2005 Marlin 30, but I can’t seem to find one that doesn’t have wet hull core issues. A survey showed what I thought was the perfect boat at the right price had a severely delamined hull core that killed the deal. So I was advised to get a moisture meter and...

Thanks everyone! The Freedom 225 has its advantages for us because it has more comfortable permanent seating for the family for day trips, is economical to run, I can trailer it to the hot fishing spots, I can store it in the driveway and it’s less expensive to maintain. On the other hand it’s...

The vee birth is plenty big in my estimation. For just the two of us there’s 2 births.

Hi guys I’m close to another Marlin 30 and hope the survey goes well. One of the reasons we’re going for a 30 is to spend the weekends at the marina and have the grandkids over so they can use the pool. The wife feels a 30 is too small for that and it would take an Express 33. But I think it’s...

I went to see the boat today, put down the deposit and sign the sales agreement. The helm seats are adjustable, but were in need of some WD-40 to loosen them up. I’m used to the helm seat on my Freedom 225 which is more comfortable and lower. Looking out over the bow of the Marlin 30 and sitting...

I’ll admit to some extra pounds on me, but the helm seats in the 2003 Marlin 30 I’m looking at are very tight and uncomfortable. The seating position seems high as well. I had the same issue with the 2003 Express 33 we took a shot at. Anyone else experience the same?

It was hard to walk away. And the broker was irritated at the survey results and thought they were overly harsh. So he’s dragging his feet on refunding my deposit. But the thermal imaging doesn’t lie.

Yea.....it was very disheartening to see the beautiful boat from the outside, go on the wonderful sea trial first and find out the hull was junk. The repair shop owner told me to buy a moisture meter and check anything I’m interested in and if it’s a “wet” hull walk away and only pay to survey...

Looking at used GW Marlin 300’s and Express 330’s. I just paid $1k for a marine survey on a nice looking Marlin 30 nay to learn the balsa hull cores were badly delaminated and what wasn’t already delaminated pegged the moisture meter. The surveyor and the repair shop I went to for a repair...

LOL.....I already live the “Break Out Another Thousand” life. I have a Freedom 225, which is my 3rd boat, all bought new. But the wife wants a GW big enough to sleep on, so this time we’re looking used. Just spent $1k for a marine survey to learn a nice looking Marlin 30 was badly delaminated...

So far we are 0 for 2 on attempts to buy a used Express 330 and a used Marlin 300. The Express 330 had 2003 F225 Yamaha’s with the known dry exhaust corrosion problems. The bank said no to that boat loan. The Marlin 300 was repowered with low hour 2009 F250’s. But the marine survey found too...

I just paid for a survey on a 1997 Marlin 30 that I really wanted only the survey found the port side balsa cored hull was seriously delaminated and the starboard side was also delaminated, but to a lesser degree. The hull sides pegged the moisture meter but the bottom and decks were sound. The...

Just in follow up the marine survey found the port side hull was seriously delaminated and the starboard side was getting there. The repair costs would exceed the value of the repaired hull. The surveror and the owner of the repair shop I was referred to both said to walk. They both said balsa...

I’m good with the Marlin 30 over the Express 33 the wife wanted. I didn’t care for the Center helm position on the 33 and I had difficulty getting my 65 year old self around to the bow to tie up in our slip. Plus I can get away with a smaller less expensive expensive slip at out marina. Most...

I had my 2nd boat for 19 years and never replaced the plastic through hulls. My current Freedon 225 has all metal through hulls. The plastic through hulls on the 1979 I’m looking at are all 20 years old. The one that was leaking is bisected by the skum/bottom paint line. The broaker/builder said...

The marine surveyor I picked has 2 different moisture meters and thermal imaging equipment. Plus I’m paying him and he’ll be working for me. So I’m pretty confident i’ll Be getting the straight poop on the seaworthiness of the hull. I probed with my finger around the leaking through hull and it...

Balsa core issues are all new to me. My last boat was a 1989 Parker 21’ WAC and I sold it to my step son when I got my 2013 Freedom 225. Never had any issues with the hull or the Yamaha OX66 engine. Then my step son had to have a leaking gas tank replaced and he dropped a cylinder because of...

It was the comment of the broker who also builds boats under the name of Composite Yachts, which are ocean going fishing boats from 26’ to 50’. He said he would have no qualms using the boat in the Chesapeake Bay, but it wouldn’t be the best boat for running charter Tuna chunking trips to the...

Thanks for all the input. The marine survey will tell the tail. If the boat is determined to be seaworthy the boat will be mine. If it’s determined not to be seaworthy, well then I’ll still have my Freedom 225