A boat i am interested in

[kaliman91]

Hey guys/gals. I joined back over the summer but found out i really did have the vehical need for towing. Took a few months and i finally upgraded my vehical to a 2006 Dodge Durango with a Hemi 5.7 liter

There are a few boats around i am interested in looking at although since this will be my first boat i am alittle wery of buying from an indvidual. Have looked at a few and found that none of them appeared as discribed when i got there.
I found one in my price range but its from a dealer and is marked up abit from nada guidlines but said the ABOS marine blue book is a better guide and it has it prices around 7800.
I dont mind paying alittle more for peace of mind and i am sure they would come down some. Any thought on this boat to help a first time owner out would be great.

"http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/5/90540075.htm

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: A boat i am interested in

find out when manifolds were last changed, if they haven't been make changing them part of the deal. compression readings. looks to be well cared for.

 

[2MADAKAT]

Re: A boat i am interested in

As with any boat you are looking at, you must first determine what you are going to use the boat for. Are you thinking of just crusing around, maybe a little skiing or are you thinking fishing, or wakeboarding, or as a party boat.
This will help you decide what equipment and size you will need.

The boat looks in good shape in the pictures, but make sure you take it for a test drive and find out how it handles. Check out underneath the seats and pull the engine cover. Look at the bilge and check all electrical items.
Ask about warranty, especially on engine and outdrive.

Check the floor, it looks like it sags a little at the back between the seats.

Pull out the canvas and make sure it is in good shape. It looks like vinyl and may have shrunk.

Don't forget to look at the trailer, check lights, tire condition, strapping,
and tongue.

AND ONCE AGAIN, don't forget to test drive if you think this is a boat you want to own.

 

[kaliman91]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Wow fast responses. Thanks alot for the tips.

As far as warranty goes is it just like a car when you buy it used its something that they offer for a price. The boat is 15 years old. I dont think too many 15 year old used cars are given a warranty.

Thinking of setting up a test drive this weekend and wanna go in prepared.

 

[45Auto]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Looks like a well cared for boat. Do everything in the above posts. Take someone experienced with I/O's with you for your test drive. Listen for u-joint and gimbal bearing problems. Check bellows for cracks or breaks. Drain a little lube from the outdrive and look for milkiness (water).

 

[MikDee]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Wow! looks like a nice boat in good condition, if you take a test ride, keep a close eye on the temp gauge, if it goes above 190 degrees (be concerned) it could mean, the rubber water pump impeller in the drive needs replacing, (a common reg. maintenance cheap, easy, fix) but can damage your engine if left as is, or it could be beginnings of rusted out exhaust manifold (risers) issues. That boat should do at least 45-50mph easily WOT, wring it out some, if it doesn't, there may be other mech. issues to consider,,, Good Luck, Mike

 

[ziggy]

Re: A boat i am interested in

yep, looks like a nice boat.

yep to what everyone else says too.

+ i'd have the drive drained + pressure tested. + a compression test.i did this prior to my test run on the used boat i got. then again after the test drive.....look close at the transom for anything screwed to it. like loose screws. anything that'd allow water to get to the transom. .... and again, check the floor close for woodrot.........

 

[KCook]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Should be a fun boat. But I think a '92 is old enough to warrant a professional survey.

Kelly Cook

 

[jspringator]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Look for brown stains on the inside or outside the transom adjacent to through hulls. Doesn't look like its been moored though. Looks garaged. Good sign.

 

[kaliman91]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Thanks for all the replies. Very helpful indeed.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: A boat i am interested in

unable to open the link for the picture. Could you discribe the boat? Is it a fresh or salt water boat. I am a bit biased and dont care for I/Os , be very careful.
Just my take on things. Right now the economy is in the toilet. People are unloading all their toys and the selection of boats out there are unlimited. What people want for a boat and what it will actually bring are two different things. That is unfortinuate but the way it is. Are you paying cash for the boat or financing thru the dealer. As far as blue book or nada prices, look to pay half that on a private sale. People do not have the cash and will pay high premiums on dealer financed cars so I have to assume it is the same for a boat. As long as they can make the monthly payments they dont care what it cost over actual value. Take your time and you will find items that the owner has got to get rid of and will sell it at a reasonable price before the repo man comes and takes his other toys. I have nothing agains dealers but it seems they convince the owner that the boat will bring big bucks, tack on there comission and somehow sit on it forever. Kind of like a real estate agent today quoting prices you could expect to get 2 years ago. Friend has a boat on a lot for a year now, dealer says he can get 6K for it, would be surprised if he get 3. To many of them out there with no potential buyers. Got to face reality. Where are you located, tons of boat for sale in FL. regards FRED

 

[kaliman91]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Actually just found exectly what we really want.We wanted a deckboat but prices seemed way to high for the ones i have seen available.15k+So we thought we would end up just going with a bowrider.
Just came across this one this morning they had it listed @ 9500 but just reduced the price to 7900. The only problem i see and not sure if it really is one is its a 26 foot boat with 120 force outboard. We arent skiers we are mostly looking at a party type crusing boat with freinds and family.We may get into tubing but that's as far as it goes.

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/473690406.html

Please advise

 

[pine island fred]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Consider what the boat is worth, not the motor. Think you can do better than that but dont know where you are located. Consider what I suggested about people needing desperately to unload their toys. Lots can no longer make there monthly credit card payments. Lot of fire sales out there, be patient. FRED

 

[kaliman91]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Sorry i am in St Louis Mo.Just curious if a 120 is plenty of power for what we need?

 

[pine island fred]

Re: A boat i am interested in

From the pictures it certainly looks like a nice clean fresh water boat. My concern is the motor, a 16 yr. old FORCE. Dont have any experience with them but dont see to many around anymore in these parts. Why was it rebuilt ?
If the hull is really that good, offer him 5k for it and tell him to keep the motor. Sure lots of people will not agree, with me but a boat that age you concrentate on the hull and the fact that it has a motor is of no consequence. Understand, all the boats I see are affected by salt, sun and heat. When you take family and friends out for a day on the water you do not want to be strainded with an old motor. Controls and instruments might might match up to a new MERC.
Here again this is just my opinion. Offer him 5 and leave him your telephone nbr. If someone else finally comes around with more, good for him. If you do buy the boat and the motor keeps runing trouble free, consider that a great plus. Not to many people out there right now that have an extra 5 grand to throw around. Look at it this way, if it was a pristine 91 dodge with only 50k on it, how much do you think you could sell it for? Much less than you would expect. That just the way thing are. I am talking private sale not what someone would finance at a car lot.
Still did not answer you question, I would say a 120 hp. is more than enough. Let us know how you make out. regards FRED

 

[vess]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Kali- Tashasdaddy can advise you on the deck boat, as he has one. However, I wouldn't buy a boat for that kind of money with Force motor. Stick with Mercruiser, or an outboard that is more current. Also, if that is a 26 ft boat, you have a lot of weight to tow around, including launching, etc. Might be better to start a little smaller, like under 20 ft. That other listing looked good (Baja), although a bit pricey too.
Keep looking. Just for comparison, I bought a 1989 17 ft Chapparal last season for $3500 from a private sale. I realize that is much smaller than you seem to be looking at, but it is a great size to start out and learn with.

 

[kaliman91]

Re: A boat i am interested in

Thanks for your opinion fred.I am alittle wery of the force motor as well.But he says it only has 20 hours since being rebuilt. He doesnt know why it was he didnt own the boat when i was done. I asked him about the compression readings and he had no clue. Only owned the boat 6 months.
But what you are saying makes sense.


Vess very true on the size i was hoping for a 20 foot but have seen any.If i were to go to a bowrider which looks more and more likely i think a 17 footer is alittle to small for some of the bodies of water i will be on. Mississippi/Illinios rivers Lake of the Ozarks.Aleast this is what i have been told.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: A boat i am interested in

The guy who has it now has had it only 6 months? Thats not what I wanted to hear.

 

[JimS123]

Re: A boat i am interested in

I have some experience with a Force 120 on a 27' aluminum pontoon. Without question, the boat you are looking at is underpowered. You wouldn't be happy. Force is not a particularly good running OB anyway. I would personally never buy one that was rebuilt. It probably won't last long. Someone suggested you buy it without the motor. That boat could probably go with a 175 or 200 2-stroke to get satisfyable performance. Go check out what those cost today. It might just be above your budget.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: A boat i am interested in

first it is a pontoon take off , rather than the bowrider/pontoon, of the newer deck boats. 91 bayliner/force combo run away as fast as you can.

the boat looking at for 7,900 is a much better deal. how ever no potty.

we bought this 1999 Chris Craft 230 as an extended family boat. it has the potty, sink, tables, removeable carpet ( never installed), shower on swim platform. seat 13. has a 5.7 volvo penta sx drive. we been many time to Loe Key, 7 miles off shore in the keys, great large lake boat. we do night cruises in Jacksonville, and Daytona. it is also a great ski, tube, and beleive it or not a good fishing boat. we paid 16,000 for boat and trailer, 2 years ago. if you can manage the Ft Myers south west Florida is a great place to buy a bigger boat.

this is an identical boat to ours