Can you help a new be

[nitetime]

I been around small 18' speed boats all my life but never owned one. I'm looking at trading for a 1977 22' a silverline hard top . I would like some help with what to look for when I check out the boat. Here's what I know so far is that it has a ford 351 engine about 235h.p.? o.m.c. out drive. Last year the outter boot was replace and the power trim tabs and the out drive lift was worked on also, 2-3 years ago he had the bottom sand blasted and repaint. He said it was always stored on a trailer and never in a slip. He said the boat is solid and no soft spot. He also said the boat was used for salmon fishing and diving.

What is the best way to check this thing out? Open everythig up and start to feel for rot where ever I can (floor, engine conpartment, cuddy, stern)

Thanks for all the input in avdvance and if this deal goes through I will be picking your brains for more question.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Can you help a new be

What is the best way to check this thing out? Open everythig up and start to feel for rot where ever I can (floor, engine conpartment, cuddy, stern)

yep. to me the boat part is the most important part. if the boat is trash, don't matter what's powering it.... google up buying a used boat. many different lists can be found.

or

last time i was out buying a boat i had 2 rules. 1 was no omc. the other was no mercruiser 470 version engines..... if they had either of those. i just didn't bother with the boat as it didn't matter how cool the boat was.....

use the search function here on iboats as go see what folks have to say about these two items..... ya'll get the idea then....

 

[haskindm]

Re: Can you help a new be

Unless you are "stealing" the boat, hire a marine surveyor to check it out. The boat is 31 years old, it may be great, but it may also be a disaster. Check it out your self first - if YOU can see rot/problems there is no need to go any further. If it looks OK to you then call in the professional. I would be surprised to find a boat of that age that doesn't have at least some "issues". A professional will be able to determine if they are minor and repairable or major and cause to run away from this deal. Major structural repairs are time consuming and expensive. Unless you need a "hobby" there are too many good deals out there right now to grab the first thing that comes along.

 

[nitetime]

Re: Can you help a new be

Thanks for the help, the guy wants 6k for it or trade. From the pictures the boat looks clean but you can't tell till you start to dig into it. I really not interested in this boat that much do to the age but my truck has been for sale for 3 month @ 5,800 or best offer and nobody will look at it.

It really started as a joke I found the guy's ad and emailed it to my wife and she said when can we go look at the boat. I said who are you and what did you do to my wife.

She more interested in it than I am, I figured a boat that size would be down the road a couple more years.

 

[oops!]

Re: Can you help a new be

thats just wayyyyyyy too much money....

esp for an omc drive on a 77 boat.......that is the price for a 93 or 94 cuddy at 25 feet!

check on craigslist and youll see......he is way out to lunch.....if that drive breaks.....you will find parts REALLY hard to find.......

pick another boat

 

[oops!]

Re: Can you help a new be

last time i was out buying a boat i had 2 rules. 1 was no omc. the other was no mercruiser 470 version engines..... if they had either of those. i just didn't bother with the boat as it didn't matter how cool the boat was.....

use the search function here on iboats as go see what folks have to say about these two items..... ya'll get the idea then....

read this one twice....then follow instructions.....you wont go wrong

 

[nitetime]

Re: Can you help a new be

Thought I would check back in and say that I'm not going to look at the boat. This was just a brain fart of an idea anyways. I will keep reading the post and learn more about what I want when I get it.

Thanks for the info.

 

[haskindm]

Re: Can you help a new be

$6K for a 31 year old boat with an OMC Stern Drive????!!!!! He's only about $5K high if it is in real nice condition!!!!!!