90 3897 santego

[lphube]

I've got a 1989 Santego 3867...owned it for about three years. All good things to say about it but I do have a few items you should look into before buying just so you know what repairs may be ahead. I don't have as much big boat experience as others but I do have 3 years of experience on this one that may be helpful to you. Let me know if you want to talk further.

[bud37]

Thanks Pete...PM sent

[Viper]

Don't know if anyone else has experienced this but the radar arches are built such that there isn't much room between the two halves. It's a very narrow gap inside between them and not much reinforcement which is understandable given that some space must be left for running wiring, thru-bolting, etc. As a result, between the weight of the overhead console on some and items on top of the arch such as a radar dome, I've seen a few of these from this model that have sagged. One was so bad that I had to split it open and reinforce it but difficult because there isn't much room to add any material and still leave a functional hollow space inside.

[bud37]

Yes I noticed that small space on one we looked at today...checked out the small inspection port on each side, now the 3897 we saw previously had the forward arch with the box hanging but the box was totally empty, interesting....will have a closer look...thanks

[Viper]

Qr Bbpost .....the forward arch with the box hanging....

That's exactly the one I'm talking about.

[bud37]

Well onto the next one, not going to work with that , we really liked it though, have to say that I was pulling hard for it but the gut took over.