Thinking of checking this boat out. What to look for and fair price??

[Firebug]

1977 17.5' Slickcraft Mercruiser 302 (888)

Ad states-"To be honest i dont even want to sell it but i could use the money for a different toy. The boat is a '17 fiberglass with a mercruiser 302 V8. It is a very dependable boat and it looks great. I have upgraded the battery, installed a new starter and starter solenoid, installed bosch platinum spark plugs, i had the lower unit done last fall, which included all boots and a gimble bearing. It has a CD player as well." Asking $3200.

Told by email - engine was rebuilt, new upholstery, gauges, and paint. Don't know when.

Looking at moving from an old fishing boat to this for pulling a tube and cruising with a few friends.

Opinions and thoughts appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Thinking of checking this boat out. What to look for and fair price??

NADA.COM has used boat prices. See if that boat is listed. It looks nice, but i have no idea what its really worth.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Thinking of checking this boat out. What to look for and fair price??

Stubby little sucker! Looks like it would be a lot of fun!

Check engine compression.

Check engine oil for water.

Check outdrive oil for water.

Check trim oil for water.

Very important! On a 30 year old boat, check floor and transom VERY closely for soft spots. A soft spot on the floor or transom probably means totally rotted out stringers.

Most important thing - take it for a test run, preferably with someone who knows I/O's if you don't.

Check all oils for water again after the test run.

No real way to tell condition of manifolds and risers. Try to find out if they've ever been replaced. Might want to see if it's possible to get replacements for a 302 before you commit to it. They might be real expensive since they haven't used Fords in the past 15 years or so.

Good luck!

 

[Firebug]

Re: Thinking of checking this boat out. What to look for and fair price??

Stubby little sucker! Looks like it would be a lot of fun!

Check engine compression.

Check engine oil for water.

Check outdrive oil for water.

Check trim oil for water.

Very important! On a 30 year old boat, check floor and transom VERY closely for soft spots. A soft spot on the floor or transom probably means totally rotted out stringers.

Most important thing - take it for a test run, preferably with someone who knows I/O's if you don't.

Check all oils for water again after the test run.

No real way to tell condition of manifolds and risers. Try to find out if they've ever been replaced. Might want to see if it's possible to get replacements for a 302 before you commit to it. They might be real expensive since they haven't used Fords in the past 15 years or so.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice!

Anyone else familiar with with these old Slickcrafts?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Thinking of checking this boat out. What to look for and fair price??

32 year old hull, the 888 was not Mercruisers proudest moment,

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking of checking this boat out. What to look for and fair price??

Looks like a boat that was well cared for. Not a bargain price but probably a fair one considering it appears to be turn-key and up to date on maintenance. However I am personally not a fan. It doesn't look to have a lot of interior room. I would personally much prefer a bowrider. I have a closed bow now and am looking forward to eventually upgrading to a bowrider.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Thinking of checking this boat out. What to look for and fair price??

goggle buying a used boat and find a list you can use as a checkoff list. find the most comprehensive one you can find. most important to me would be the condition of the boat itself. if the boats bad, anything ya do to anything else to it will be irrelevant, if the boats bad. the drive on that boat would be pre alpha which is what it is. an old drive but they are still serviceable. i've got one and it works fine. the ford engine is the only thing that would concern me. i don't know availability of parts. i know that some for my 75 chevy L6 are nla. so i'd think that could be true for the ford too. maybe more so. i don't know. other than that. i think that's a mighty sweet looking old boat. i like my close bow boat. but mines helm fwd more with a lot of room in the back. so space could be a concern. price wise, if she's in the condition she appears to be in. the moneys probably worth it. i've seen many far newer boats than that in that price range i'd not touch with a ten foot pole.... hope it checks out for ya. she's a real looker to me..