Randell boats.. any experience here?

[spelchek]

Anyone here have any time aboard a Randell FB cruiser? The only thing I can find on the interweb is an interview with Les Randell himself. Any information/opinions (good or bad) would be appreciated. I'm specifically interested in the 32's but any stories or advice re: 28,32, 34 (let's face it - any Randell at all I guess ) is appreciated!

[Rooballer]

My old man had a 32 Randall for about ten years.
Was a good ride in all conditions, never particularly uncomfortable.
Biggest issue is the raised engine hatch in the cockpit that makes fishing awkward at times.
I don't think the 34 ft has this issue.
Anything specific, ask or drop me a PM.

[Smithy]

They are mostly sterndrives. Are you looking at a stern drive one or shafts? Not a fan of legs on boats that vintage unless they live in a sea pen or on an air berth. If a boat lives on the water the only way to go is outboards that trim right out of the water or shaft drives.

[spelchek]

I'm looking at both at present, smithy. IN fact, I'm looking at every-bloody-thing over the last 3 months. Need is for a boat to sleep 2 adults, 4 kids overnight/weekend and get from Bundy out to the islands and down to Sandy Straits. Also has to enable my fishing addiction (so not just a caravan are we after).

We were originally only looking trailerboats but have come to the realization that a family of our size is going to struggle to be comfy for a whole weekend in pretty much any trailer boat (also looked at the large Cats, as well as customs like Origin). The beam is just too limiting for what we need. So we've just started o come around to a FB cruiser style, and just accept wearing the cost of mooring.

I'm no fan of sterndrivs either, Smithy (especially sterndrives that live on a mooring) - but they do sem to be the standard option for the Randells. Quite a few have been repowered with new legs so I guess that's some consolation. Regardless - I'll be wary of legs - but they may turn out to be a necessary evil.

Rooballer - cheers for that. How did you find them at rest - pretty stable or a bit wobbly? Don;t have any specific questions (just yet) as I've only just 'discovered' the brand. I guess I'd be interested to know of any bad poiints you remember?

Cheers!

[davo]

My mate had the 32 as mentioned. Good boat but not a fan of sterndrives. He had the BMW diesels and they caused a lot of problems. Go for the 28 or the 34 if you have to because of the flat deck/no engine well.

[The Woo]

I'll echo the fellas above. Avoid the engine box versions if you wish to fish.
However, I'm very hard pressed actually recommending any of them. The boats themselves are good blue water boats. I do worry about their structure given their age now though. Len built excellent boats, but they're all old girls now.
also, Volvo Penta diesels of this vintage are the work of the devil. Heck, they were rotten when I was working on them for a living 15+ years ago, can't imagine those same engines are any better now. The Volvo sterndrive units were actually FAR better than the equivelent Mercruiser for a boat that was to be moored, it's the engine side that let them down.
The base engine was ok, it was the ancillaries that let the team down. Aftercoolers, heat exchangers, water pumps etc, all require specialist care, not just a typical "diesel mechanic".

So, having said all that above, I just couldn't suggest a Randell, especially given the areas you wish to cruise/fish. Given your requirements, I would be suggesting a displacement or semi-displacement boat (capable of cruising no less than 10 knots). You'll gain MUCH more room, you'll use FAR less fuel, and you'll get a nicer boat for your money. Given the fact that many of us who often undertake even short passages like you describe normally cover ground at trolling speed, and displacement hull makes absolute sense. No use steaming fast over all that good ground!
Just steer well clear of timber boats. And Fairway 36's.

[Chimo]

Hi Woo

What don't you like about Fairways if I may ask?

Cheers
Chimo

[cormorant]

What is the budget?

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...3%204294898086

There should be some ex rental diesel powered cats up that way.

Buy the right one first time cat,perkins, cummins big and lazy and avoid all outdrives , rebuilt, brand new - just avoid.

Once you have something moored the cost to go from 30 to 40 foot in maintainance is not much but the gain space on board is huge along with decent size for davits for the big tinny or ski.

edit sleeps 6 , great in the shallow straits. Stable. http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...&Ridx=1&eapi=2

road trip and new tow vehicle http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...Ridx=21&eapi=2

hmmm airdock http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...Ridx=35&eapi=2



edit edit if only it had shaft drives in it??

http://www.boatsales.com.au/boats-fo...idx=133&eapi=2

[spelchek]

Thanks for the replies guys. Really appreciated. I know a fair bit about trailerboats but this is all new to me.

WOO - any brands of semi-displacement boats you particularly like.

Cormorant - hoping to stay under the ton but might stretch out to 120 or so if it's the right boat (and the missus likes it obviously). That Norcat looks nice tho. Shite, they all bloody look nice - and that's half the problem.

[The Woo]

Hi Woo

What don't you like about Fairways if I may ask?

Cheers
Chimo

Good layout, they just roll their guts out.... But, maybe with the simple addition of some outrigger paravane type stabilizers at rest the issue could be somewhat fixed. I know of several people using them now and swear by them. These are getting good reviews, and are quite cheap and nicely made. http://www.magmaproducts.com/Product...te_system.html

Thanks for the replies guys. Really appreciated. I know a fair bit about trailerboats but this is all new to me.

WOO - any brands of semi-displacement boats you particularly like.

Cormorant - hoping to stay under the ton but might stretch out to 120 or so if it's the right boat (and the missus likes it obviously). That Norcat looks nice tho. Shite, they all bloody look nice - and that's half the problem.

Given we now know a budget I'll put some thought into the options that I'd personally consider. Heck of a buyer's market, so take the asking prices with a grain of salt. And if you're seriously considering going diesel, do yourself a favout and join boatdiesel.com and read, read, read.... It'll be the best $20 odd bucks you'll spend.

[Smithy]

In semi displacement land some of the power cats return amazing figures. Dunno of any in your price range though. Maybe some outboard powered ones like sailing cats without a mast maybe.

The Norcats are ok. The 40' ones are better than the 36' ones. In the 36' ones some of the motor is in the cockpit and some of it is in the cabin as per the pic. In the 40s the motors are entirely out in the cockpit and easier to work on. The one in the link has the "Red Devil" Ivecos/Fiats SRM33 (Fix It Again Tony!) so they can be a bit iffy.

[The Woo]

Good utilitarian boat, and Kevlacat build enough in this configuration to iron out any issues. Far, farrrr better boat than a 328 Powercat. Why? Younger, shaft drive (all 328 diesels were leg driven), and the tunnel in the KC is higher than the PC. The 328 is the worst tunnel slapper of all time. Terrible things. The 288 isn't a lot better IMO.
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=13281802

Despite the old styling, the Aquarious 35 really is a great boat. Very easily pushed. Do wander a bit in a following sea, but a fine boat, I'd be proud to own. They feature a full and deep keel, so aren't as bad of a roller at anchor.
This leaves some room for a bit of tidying up, even a Cummins "reman" (really new but called reman for several reasons) 6BT repower.
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=12936370

If you can eliminate some of the roll as per my post above?
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=13439478

This extended cab lives only a few streets from me. He seems to use it often, which bodes well for a well looked after boat. Big boat to push with clip-ons (outboards) though. I'd assume plenty of room for the fam in here;
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=13071627

Too old to be pushing hard as a planing boat. But back her off to 12 knots, keep the speed for when you really need it, and should go nearly forever (World ends in December anyway so who cares?!?!). Bloody good hull these old 38's.
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=10503319

If PROPERLY looked after, one of these could still be good. Nice modern boat, only let down by throwing a lot of water around offshore. IF those engines were looked after since new you'd stand a chance.
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=12148611

I have a mate who owned a version of these and cruised the Qld coast quite extensively. Good boat, and has the right powerplants. These will sprint to 22 knots with these engines, and cruise very ecenomically at 14knots.... LOTS of boat for the money.
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=13484001

Bulletproof boat, but as with anything of this vintage, maintenence is key. I'd still back an old lady like this against a far newer "tuppaware" import.
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=11453684

Room to party here..... a slightly larger aft area would be nice though. Respected brand. Scanias though? hmmm
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=12979171

Don't laugh, these our now called an "Integrity". My mother cruised her "Integrity" in comfort up and down the entire Qld coast and down to Sydney. Used about $4 in fuel too.
http://www.boatpoint.com.au/boats-fo...spx?R=13590590

Alright, I better stop looking at boatpoint and boring you.
Hopefully it's some food for thought.

[captain rednut]

hey spellcheck
One of the best 32 Randalls ive ever seen was on the market recently and it lives at tweed heads, i re-powered it with twin 4LHA yanmar diesels with bravo 11 brand new engine packages about 5 years ago. the entire re-fit back then cost him about 205k the interior was spectacular along with the two tone paint. the vessels name is HOME WATERS. it has a silver hull and white topsides and was at a give away price recently as the owner required a urgent sale. i fished on it and went on long trips in very rough conditions and i couldn't fault the sea going performance.
cheers cr

[The Woo]

It's on Boatsales. It is definately a great looking Randell.
Did you do the mechanicals on it Jim?

[Smithy]

Gees Woo if I was ever in the market for a boat I would put you on the hunt. Some good options there in that lot! The 3100KC with the Yanmars is a special. How tidy does it look in those pics and some good engineering going on with the mechanicals. The only problem with them is you don't want the starter to go on the port side motor! They are a prick to get out being low on the outside side but it can be done, just ask my mate Craig and the no skin on his knuckles!