We have never owned a boat before and are considering a 40 ft River Queen. We have had a survey and a engine compression check and service of the lower unit. The bottom has had some welding to repair rust spots and has a new paint job. My concern is the single engine having sufficient power. We would be using it on a lake with little big boat traffic. I understand the additional manuverability provided by twin engines but we have not found such a boat. We like everything else about the boat but don't want to buy something we cannot use. Your thoughts?

Riverqueens are great boats. There is no question a boat with twins is much more manuverable and easier to handle. I have a friend at our dock who has a 40' RQ single, and the only time he has a problem is in fast current, or in windy conditions. You won't have much of a problem out on a lake, but you better have some help on the dock, have a a line forward and aft ready to throw to someone on the dock, and TAKE YOUR TIME and go slow when docking. Don't come in any faster than you want to hit something! Good luck.

River Queen singles track better than Nautalines or Gibsons because they have a deep keel.

Thanks for the replies. Our offer to buy the RQ was accepted and we close on Monday. Taking it to beautiful Table Rock Lake in SW Missouri. Have a few things to do (I think it will be on-going project) before we put her in the water. Hope to be in the water by Labor Day. This is a good place for people like us who have little experience and I plan to post again. We look forward to our House Boating life.

Mark and Mary Ann

UPDATE: Moved the RQ to Dry Dock getting ready for the big launch. The driver who moved the boat asked "Did you know that your keel is rusted through?" My heart sank. I had heard that a rusted keel from the inside out was a RQ problem. HOWEVER, the Ultra Sonic test did not show any problems, the Survey mentioned some rust in the keel but said "the soundings appear solid" and the bottom had been freshly painted prior to my purchase and the marine service shop doing the work mentioned nothing. Upon inspection, I was able to push a screwdriver through the keel with one hand. If I would have launched it and hit a tree top, it would have sank. I am now facing the cost of replacing the keel. Can anyone tell me what that should cost? I know steel prices have gone up but I do not know what to expect. I have one bid from the place I have it stored but it seems high. We are getting off to a rather shakey start in our house boating life.

I was wondering if you have moved any farther along with the holes in your boat I have a 67 RQ that has been patched in acouple of places

We had the old keel cut out and replaced with a new one. It looks great and the boat handles well. The cost was $2,400 including painting the bottom. Before our closing, the previous owner patched a few places which showed up on an ultrasound (paid for by a prior buyer who back out after the report). I should have know better but we like the boat.

Lots of little things still need work. Electical plugs, horn, spot light, stereo etc but the engine and gereator are currently working. We had it winterized last week so it will be a while before we get back to work on it.

Good luck with your patching. Keep me informed. Once the bottom is OK, at least we can float around!

Yo Ringboat, I had to replace my keel too. A real bummer. I am a short trip down hwy 76 from you on Bull Shoals lake. My 69 RQ is almost 100% restored, a year long project, but what a solid boat.