Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

[tmill051]

Ok, am looking at buying my 2nd boat ever. First boat was a very bad experience. Dishonest fella sold an uneducated fella a turd that floated and seized a piston on the first summer. I did learn my lesson though.

Now wife and I looking to get back into boating and I think I found a real gem

Gent is selling a 1975 Silverline 16.5 Comoro with a 1987 90 HP Mariner Inline6
This boat is insanely mint. I mean it shines like it is still on the showroom floor, there is not 1 tear in any seat, even the seats still shine! He is the original owner of the boat, and NEVER left it in the sun unless it was in the water. Was stored in his private hanger always...did I mention he is loaded? It has never been restored, just babied more than anything I have ever seen...I mean this is crazy. Boat came with a Force, which was replaced in 1987 with a 87 Mariner 90HP Inline6 that was a gift from Mercury to his brother who was a Mercury Exec. It has a custom 3000lb trailer that he bought so he could load the boat with gear for taking his kids camping back in the day...not a speck of rust on this thing. He always serviced the motor himself religiously, but because he was going to sell it took it to a Marina last year to have it inspected. They changed the stator, and the head gasket, but he said that the boat ran fine before he took this in there, they must have seen something before it became a huge problem. He changed the water pump 2 years ago himself. He said the engine has never given him a minutes trouble, and has always ran very strong. Engine has the oil injection system removed, and he mixes own oil. He obviously loved this boat very much, but told me he is selling it because he now has grandkids, and bought a 22 footer, and needs to make room in the hanger.

He is asking 2995.00 for the boat...and although it is like new, is this too much to pay for the setup? I am not sure what to think about the inline 6, all the guys around my lake say Evinrude, Evinrude, Evinrude. What does this jury say?

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

The tower of powers were great engines, either Merc or Mariner.
I had both in the 115 HP range and they were great engines.
I never had a problem out of either.
If that boat and trailer is in that good of shape, the only thing I would think that would need changed is the water pump/impeller.
They say ever other year on them I think.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

Sounds great, 3K,So, if you figure 1500 for the boat and 1500 for the trailer,its a deal. As pristine as she sounds,check anyway the following things, Motor: have the compression checked&lower unit oil, these two things will tell you alot,Mariner is a good motor,alot better than Force, second thing is integrity of the hull, poke around inside, what your looking for is any potential Rot,i use a screwdriver,in the bilge area poke the flooring,stringers,transom ect...if all is good,and the title is clear.....Then the Boating Gods are making up for your former disaster. Good Luck Amigo.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

sound OK to me, agree change the impeller, 2 years of no use is not good.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

Got any pics? Sounds like a great boat. However, I think the price is a little high. Is it a closed bow? There isn't much of a market for the old closed bow boats because they were fairly impractical. If it's a bowrider then I think it could be worth $3k. If not I'd think the market price would be closer to 2. Still, sounds like a great boat though and overpaying a few hundred for a well maintained boat wouldn't be the worst thing! I just know I would not be able to get anywhere NEAR $3k for my 16' closed bow.

 

[tmill051]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

Thanks Fellas,

The boat is solid, and he has offered to drop it in the water for us on Sunday and said we can make our final decision after riding in it. Guy is a local business owner who is very well known in the community, so I dont think he has anything to hide with this boat.

I think there is some misunderstanding in that the boat has been run every year, and the water pump was changed 2 years ago. If it is peeing good do I really need to change it?

Most people seem the the inline 6 was a good motor. How can I prevent the top piston from seizing since that is the major thing I hear about from time to time.

-Thanks!

 

[brandonsb22]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

Any new or used boat should be water tested before purchasing. My 2cents.
If that test passes, you buy your boat.

 

[tmill051]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie





Hey guys, I have attached 2 photos of the boat. It is a closed bow, which seems some people feel may not be worth as much as an open. But here is my case...

I have 2 kids 3 years old and 1 year old, and the main purpose of this boat is to create memories together as a family. Since they are little, and like to climb I feel a closed bow is better as I dont have to worry about them falling off the front. It seems I can keep a better eye on them with a closed bow. and the really high sides are nice.

Thanks all for your input, I think we may be purchasing this boat

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

that is the perfect boat for your family, rig a flat platform under the bow with a foam rubber pad. the kids will get tired and take a nap out of the sun. you can also cut a hatch in the bow for ventilation, when they are playing under there.

proper maintenance, is the only way to keep the motor running properly, correct fuel/oil mix 50-1, keeping your carbs clean and efficient. if a carb is not doing it's job, that cylinder is not getting proper lubrication.

tower of powers are noted to be hard to cold start, you have to almost flood the on a cold start. after that they start easily.

the reason i say change the impeller, is, the rubber gets hard, looses it's flex, could leave you stranded, or worse damage the motor.

 

[mike64]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

Just stopping by to say hi and welcome! I'm in a similar position--newbie who just bought a '70's era boat with the main intention of having fun with my family and making some good memories (got a 2 and 5 year old). I also have some more selfish intentions to go out fishing by myself a time or too, though

I don't know if that's a good deal or not, but it sure is a nice looking boat! My wife and I both like the retro lines on those old boats. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

Slow down just a tad. Remember though the seller may be a fine guy and respected by everyone verify the condition yourself or have someone who is knowledgeable about boats/engines who represents YOU check it out. The sellers goal is to move money from your pocket to his - nice guy that he may be.

We get a lot of posts where the buyer relied on what the seller said and then the posts begin "Well the seller said it just needs a __________ but now it won't - - -."

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

A 1975 boat came with a Force outboard?
I didn't think they were around before 1984 or so.
Maybe Chrysler?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

Nothing is ever as good or bad as it appears. Good luck and be safe!

 

[cbavier]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

that is the perfect boat for your family, rig a flat platform under the bow with a foam rubber pad. the kids will get tired and take a nap out of the sun. you can also cut a hatch in the bow for ventilation, when they are playing under there.

proper maintenance, is the only way to keep the motor running properly, correct fuel/oil mix 50-1, keeping your carbs clean and efficient. if a carb is not doing it's job, that cylinder is not getting proper lubrication.

tower of powers are noted to be hard to cold start, you have to almost flood the on a cold start. after that they start easily.

the reason i say change the impeller, is, the rubber gets hard, looses it's flex, could leave you stranded, or worse damage the motor.

I would ad to TD's post one thing. With little kids. Get a porta potty to put in the bow. It will save you several trips to the dock! Good luck and HAPPY BOATING.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

I agree with Solittle, in that a seller is a seller doesn't matter what kind of money he may have. That does look like a very nice boat and if you are that serious about it would be worth(in my opinion) paying a pro a few hundred to check it out with you on the water and off. If you encounter another bad experience your boating days will be done forever. also keep in mind a good boat detailer can work magic to something that is decent to begin with. As with any old outboard hull floor, stringers, and transom, MUST be perfect for that kind of money. With all that being said a very well maint. 30 year old boat can still have many years left in it, you get that nice line that only the older stuff has, and you aren't into it 10-20k. Good luck hope all checks out and you will be on the lake soon in YOUR new boat. Like TD said rig up the area under the bow for the little one to nap or at least get out of the sun for a few hours. That glass under there will be very rough (probably) so plan on covering it all to avoid abrasions, slivers, etc. Some good carpet on the sides and platform,foam, even a sleeping bag for the floor section it will be perfect for your family. Just be ready cause once the bug gets all of you and the kids get a bit older might be in the market for something bigger.

 

[tmill051]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

THanks for all the input fellas, based on what everyone has said I am doing the following...
1) I am bringing our local boat guru, a friend of mine with me to see the boat. He is going to do a compression test, poke around the inside of the hull with screwdriver, etc. He has 20+ years experience with boating, recommends Evinrude, but says those tower of power engines where the sh-- in thier time.
2) I am taking the owner up on the offer of taking me out on the lake for a test ride BEFORE any agreement is made.
3) I am also taking a more realistic look at the boat in that it is easy to become "blind" when you are excited about getting something, and can become easily persuaded by a smooth talking seller.

The boat also comes with two tops, a bimini, and a mooring cover that were both custom made in the last 5 years by a local canvas shop.

Also I think this guy is asking on the high end at $2995 for this boat no matter how nice it is, it is still 30 years old. I have to keep in mind he may have gotten all the fun years out of it, and I may get all the fixing years out of it. I think I will offer $2500 firm in cash (IF all checks out), and if he wont take it there are many other boats in the sea.

-THanks for all the advice guys.

 

[dave11]

Re: Is This A Good Price For This Boat? Help a Newbie

If you do get it, since you are using a friend instead of a surveyor, the first thing I would do is have the motor serviced at a dealer. They will happily tell you what problems your boat has. Of course they will want you to pay them to fix the problem.