Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

[gfh110]

Hey all,

Here's a picture of the boat I bought on eBay a few weeks ago for the absurdly low price of $585. As of writing this I still haven't seen the boat up close (although I have through a chain link fence).

I got it through the BoatAngel charity and about all the information I have is that it's a 1973 26' Columbia vessel with a 300hp, 5.7 Mercrusier with just under 80 hours on it, working fine. I've done as much research as Google will allow, but I can't find any information about a boat like this being manufactured by Columbia. Does anybody have any insight for me?

Right now it's at Venice Marina in Brooklyn and I'm just under infuriated on my customer satisfaction scale with this place. Right now I'm trying to work some more thrifty magic for a cheap trailer just to get it back home and out of the marina before I get slapped with some invisible storage fees.

Any info you guys have on where exactly this thing might have come from would be helpful. There are a bunch more photos here:

http://www.boatangel.org/photos/JH11204-1973-Columbia-26ft-NY-photos/

Thanks,

Jerry

 

[bigD1031]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

Sorry about your bad luck, but look on the bright side, if it all works out and you get that boat for that price, a month or two worth of headaches will probably be worth it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

ghf....welcome to i boats......


i didnt bid on that one cause it was too far for me...!!!!!

a 300 hp 5.7 for under 600 is a steal !!!!!!!

the trlr is gonna cost you a minimum of 800...try craigs list...or local marinas....ya gotta get that thing outta there or your gonna pay thru the teeth!!!! i think 10 bucks a day.....

after its out safe at your storage spot...then look it over...decide if you want it...the motor should be worth at least 2500...alone...pull the mill and scrap the bote if you want.....
any way you cut it ...you win!

cheers...
oops

 

[tommays]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

I drive buy it all the time on the way to JFK


The problem is the other boats are blocking it in and there NOT going to JUST move them for free as there not going to be launching anything till late march at best


i do not want to put a crimp on your dreams BUT your NOT going to find a trailer for a 26' shaft drive boat(on the cheep) it would be best to start talking to boat haulers and get it to a safe place



Tommays

 

[gfh110]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

My bargain hunting continues. I should probably consider a career in ordering & purchasing. I found a trailer in Maryland which (with some beefing up and a few adjustments from the old welding torch) should fit my needs pretty well.

I paid $450 for this trailer which previously pulled a 26' Wellcraft Nova:

I'll be taking a trip to Brooklyn on Tuesday to see the boat up close, measure it, and take some better pictures. Stay tuned for more shenanigans.

-Jerry

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

Hey wasnt that boat on Gilligans Island! LOL...

Anyways, good luck. I bought a boat once on Ebay sight unseen.. Yeah ONCE.. that was enough....at least u are getting off a lil cheaper.....

Watch out for those storage fees... They shouldnt charge u to get that boat out of the back if it is blocked in. That is their problem not yours..


T

 

[gfh110]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

As promised, I've returned with a bunch of pictures of the boat. From my up-close and personal view, there aren't any major structural concerns aside from thirty odd years of nicks and scratches. One of the windows has a big crack and it could use a good overall cleaning, but I was surprised at how decent it looked. A good pressure wash, some nice wood trim, and a new coat of paint will make this vessel a force to be reckoned with on the Rideau.

Everything looks to be in pretty good shape, especially the motor. Right now I'm concentrating on modifying my trailer to fit the boat and tracking down a vehicle to tow it home with. For now, enjoy a sampling of the pics I took:

Good day, gents.

-Jerry

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

my main concern would be the engine not being winterized, and block being cracked.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

Cool boat for $585!
Looks like the starboard trim tab is missing the actuator.
Good Luck!

Dave

 

[PhatboyC]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

Good size boat! You have allot of work ahead of you. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

my main concern would be the engine not being winterized, and block being cracked.

Good Point.

 

[jarata]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

just not sure its worth all the headaches a boat isnt like a car if it has problems on the water there is only one way to go

 

[gfh110]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

Looks like the starboard trim tab is missing the actuator.

The actuator is there, you just can't see in that picture. It has come undone from the tab, though. I took a look at it, I've never owned a boat with trim tabs before. It doesn't look too difficult to reattach and fix.

I still haven't been able to find any information about this make or model of boat and since I can't get a clear picture because of the marina clutter, I was forced to draw an approximation of what I think the broadside of this boat looks like.

Going for another trip on Saturday, maybe I'll get into the cabin and have a look around there.

-Jerry

 

[cbavier]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

I'll give you $585 for it. It looks like A great project boat. a little Clean up and few repairs will make it worth every penny you put in it. You Just have to decide do you want it functional and make it comfortable for you and your family or kill yourself trying to make it a showpiece. In other words, it's not new, don't kill yourself trying to make it new. Just make it where you can be comfortable, enjoy and live with it. If nothing more take one section at a time and work on it. Use the boat and work on another section when you get the spare time and the MONEY. Make it fun to work on not a chore. One other thing Old Classic Boats in decent condition will draw just as much attention and admiration as a brand new one.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bargain Boat (and bargain headaches)

I like the subtle fake lapstrake on it. Kinda classy. (and I'm not being funny)