Many British and Irish owners who move to the Costa Cálida or Costa Blanca bring a love of classic sports cruisers with them, and many of these boats are bought second-hand on the Spanish coast. Sea Ray, Fairline, Sunseeker and Princess are the names we see most often under 12 metres. They’re well-built boats, but most of them are now old enough that maintenance has a big effect on reliability.
Sea Ray (Sundancer, SLX, older Weekender)
American-built Sea Rays are common in the 24 to 40 foot range, usually with MerCruiser petrol or diesel sterndrives, and on bigger models with shaft-driven inboards.
Key service points:
- Exhaust manifolds and risers on petrol MerCruisers: inspect and replace before they fail.
- Bellows and gimbal bearing on Bravo drives.
- Generator servicing if fitted, as generators often get forgotten.
- Air conditioning raw water pumps and strainers, which block easily.
- Upholstery and cockpit cushions, which suffer in the strong sun.
Fairline (Targa, Squadron, older Phantom)
Fairline Targas are British sports cruisers that cope well with Mediterranean chop. Under 12 metres you’ll often find older Targa 29, 34 and 38 models, typically with twin Volvo Penta diesel sterndrives or shaft drive.
Key service points:
- Volvo Penta KAD and D-series diesels: aftercooler cleaning, turbo inspection and heat exchanger service.
- Sterndrive or shaft seals, including the shaft log or dripless seal on shaft drive boats.
- Trim tabs, rams and their hydraulic pumps.
- Windscreen seals and deck hatches, to keep the interior dry.
Sunseeker (Portofino, Superhawk, Camargue)
Older Sunseeker sports boats and cruisers like the Portofino are popular for their looks and performance. Many run twin Volvo Penta diesels on sterndrives or surface drives.
Key service points:
- High-performance drives need careful oil, seal and anode maintenance.
- Engine room ventilation and blowers, as these boats run hot.
- Electrical systems on older boats, where corrosion behind the panels is common.
- Gelcoat and deck hardware that take a beating from sun and salt.
Princess (V-class, older Riviera and 30s/40s)
Princess boats are well built and hold their value. Under 12 metres you’ll typically find V39, V40 and older models with twin Volvo Penta diesels on sterndrives or shafts.
Key service points:
- Diesel engine and gearbox servicing, including shaft alignment on shaft drive models.
- Seacocks and through-hulls, which should be exercised and inspected.
- Fresh water and holding tank systems, which suffer if the boat sits unused.
Common issues on older sports cruisers
- Raw water cooling systems. Most overheating problems on these boats are impellers, strainers and heat exchangers.
- Ageing wiring and switch panels. Upgrading to modern breakers, tinned cable and a proper battery management system makes a big difference to reliability.
- Electronics from another era. An old chartplotter, a VHF without DSC and no AIS. A tidy electronics upgrade improves safety and resale value.
- Tired upholstery. Sun-faded cockpit seating transforms with a seat recovering.
Buying one?
If you’re buying a second-hand sports cruiser, a mechanical inspection with compression tests and oil analysis on the engines is money well spent. We can inspect engines and systems ahead of purchase or check a boat after a survey. Get in touch for a quote.
