Malibu response fixer upper

[washup]

Hi all!
Im looking to buy a 1997 malibu response. The guy wants $3000 for it and it needs some work. Cosemetically it needs cleaned really good, the hull is dirty (needs buffing / waxing), the interior needs the seats and carpet redone for sure, maybe new dash / guage cluster. The floors are solid. Im sure the motor will need some tuning as the boat hasn't been touched in 2+ years. Change fluids, drain gas tank and refill, new spark plugs, new impeller.... anything im missing? Based on the pictures and your experiences is this worth pursuing?

 

[washup]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

a couple more.

P.S. I have to let the guy know by Monday morning otherwise he will be taking it back to FL. with him to fix up his self and sell down there

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

Well...

It may depend on your situation, it's an issue of what 3k would do to your personal monetary situation. Me, I would not invest 3k into something that I can not water test, or even hear run!

If that boat has been sitting neglected for 2+ years, how much neglect did she get before being parked, as far as service records I mean...

Have you checked NADA boat values? Seems like a lot of money, it is also not my kind of boat so take it for what it's worth...

Perhaps others here more familiar with tourny ski boats will chime in

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

Washup where you located I have a Larson 1700 Shark that with $3000.00 invested in it total you would have a great boat with a new interior and a good I/O Merc setup .


Rick

 

[jonesg]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

$800 maybe, he managed to turn a nice boat into hazardous waste in no time.
Sun damaged vinyl also means water damage , I'd want to check out the stringers, no I wouldn't bother.

 

[washup]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

NADA value shows 9,000 - 10,000 approx. Obviously this would be in a little nicer condition than this one is in! I was just thinking if I pick it up for 3,000 redo interior seats and carpet, and a motor tune would do the trick. Its a friend of mine's neighbor, and I don't think he is trying to pull a fast one on me. Everyone seem to be in agreement as to pass on it?

 

[proshadetree]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

Id go 1200 if I couldnt fight him down to 800.That pup has seen loads of water inside.It will need floor stringer work soon.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

I had a friend who owned one and they were a nice entry level ski boat. If you have the ambition and place to do the work I would say go for it. There have been a few ski boats done here before from the hull up. Take a look http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=292744&highlight=mastercraft

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

Id go 1200 if I couldnt fight him down to 800.That pup has seen loads of water inside.It will need floor stringer work soon.

What he said

 

[wambs8]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

Seems a little fishy. Why would someone buy a nice expensive boat and then just neglect it. Are you sure its not one of those hurricane/salvage boats from FL that they bring up here and sell to unsuspecting people. Seems like a lot of damage for a 1997 boat. Doesn't a company do one of those carfax things but for boats.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

a couple more.

P.S. I have to let the guy know by Monday morning otherwise he will be taking it back to FL. with him to fix up his self and sell down there

That's what you call a pressure sale, short time to think about it & the old I'll fixer up myself. If that was the case that puppy would have been fixed long time ago. Well you should be glad that he didn't throw some lipstick on it or your thread title would have read "97 Malibu, only paid 3k looks new"

 

[J. Mark]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

I paid too much for my boat, but the restore (ongoing) has been worth it.

If the floors are solid, do some research online and see if the stringers are wood or foam covered with glass.

The velvet drive in the boat would sell used in functioning condition for $750+

The wakeboard tower is worth $500.00

If the trailer is good and a proper inboard trailer, it is worth $500.00.

The engine looks fairly clean, if you could do a compression check, even a cold one and get acceptable readings, I'd offer him $2300 to maybe $2600.00 bucks with the idea that if all went well I'd have a great boat for about a $5500.00 investment and at worst I'd part it out and just loose a few bucks and some time.

Inboards may be the easiest type of powered boat to restore, but unless you are a skier or a wakeboarder, they lack comfort and utility.

(PS if it was here I would buy it in a heartbeat . . . but I am an optimist.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

That's what you call a pressure sale, short time to think about it & the old I'll fixer up myself. If that was the case that puppy would have been fixed long time ago. Well you should be glad that he didn't throw some lipstick on it or your thread title would have read "97 Malibu, only paid 3k looks new"

hahaha, exactly , if he was gonna fix it up himself he never would have trashed it in the first place.

 

[J. Mark]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

Floors and stringers in the Malibu appear to be all fiberglass. Get an upholstery shop to quote you the repair work and you'll have a good baseline idea of what it is going to take.

A riser gasket has been changed and they used sealant, which may indicate a prior leak.

Otherwise the engine looks clean, that is often a good sign.

 

[captkevin]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

To me I don't think it would be that bad & probably worth $2500 to $3000 easy. Some time & material & you have a nice boat to sell or use. Malibu's are very nice boats & would be very easy to sell.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

Hello m8..

Im with Mark on this one..

3k.. tower..engine.. trailer.. hull You would not be throwing your money away. Just be honest and feel out if he is too .. ask some questions.. go dig around with a flash light.

If you spent a weekend and did some shineup on that baby you would get your cash back.

Go with your gut m8.. sometimes you get some steals..sometimes you get ripped. If you feel this guy is on the up .. then go for it. Worse case.. lemme know and Ill buy it

Those ski boats are very good investments.. I know a banker that has an older ski nautiqe .. with friggin grass growing on the inside every year.. and every year he spends bucks on that thing lol. ( *wishes I could buy that thing still ).

YD.

 

[washup]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

I told the guy I was going to have to pass it up.
From looking at it, it would obviously need:
New prop, new battery, new starter and wiring, new impeller, new wake thingy, new carpet and upholstery, lots of cleaning, a cover (so the interior wouldn't get trashed again), the swim platform refinished or replaced. That's all from just looking at it.
How do you do a cold compression test? Can this be done without replacing the battery and starter?
I am torn.... I don't know if I just passed up a great deal, or if I am saving myself from a money pit.
The guy seemed a little irritated that I was bothering him with all these questions, but he said he will fix it up his self and then let me know how much he has invested and give me first opportunity to buy when he is done.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

I told the guy I was going to have to pass it up.
From looking at it, it would obviously need:
New prop, new battery, new starter and wiring, new impeller, new wake thingy, new carpet and upholstery, lots of cleaning, a cover (so the interior wouldn't get trashed again), the swim platform refinished or replaced. That's all from just looking at it.
How do you do a cold compression test? Can this be done without replacing the battery and starter?
I am torn.... I don't know if I just passed up a great deal, or if I am saving myself from a money pit.
The guy seemed a little irritated that I was bothering him with all these questions, but he said he will fix it up his self and then let me know how much he has invested and give me first opportunity to buy when he is done.

But I thought he said it was going to Florida??? He'll fix it up in what, 2 more years???

Add the fact he was irritated by these questions ONLY makes me think he was being backed into a corner....Some sellers dont LIKE knowledgeable buyers,,,ones that can smell a fa*t from a lying field mouse, let alone some bs guy like this...

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

The guy seemed a little irritated that I was bothering him with all these questions, but he said he will fix it up his self and then let me know how much he has invested and give me first opportunity to buy when he is done.

I was a native New Yorker (Brooklyn) before moving to VA and can spot game really well. Anyone running game will get irritated in a heart beat because it's hard for them to think quick on there feet & the next question might be the one to uncover the truth. Now a person that has something on the up-N-up to offer will actually show you all the goodies that you will be getting for your 3k without even being asked most of the time.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Malibu response fixer upper

I told the guy I was going to have to pass it up.
From looking at it, it would obviously need:
New prop, new battery, new starter and wiring, new impeller, new wake thingy, new carpet and upholstery, lots of cleaning, a cover (so the interior wouldn't get trashed again), the swim platform refinished or replaced. That's all from just looking at it.
How do you do a cold compression test? Can this be done without replacing the battery and starter?
I am torn.... I don't know if I just passed up a great deal, or if I am saving myself from a money pit.
The guy seemed a little irritated that I was bothering him with all these questions, but he said he will fix it up his self and then let me know how much he has invested and give me first opportunity to buy when he is done.

1. prop .. ez..
2. battery.. simple..
3. cant get a compression test without it.. ( starter ).
4. canvas and vinyl .. up to you on cost..
5. why is the platform need replacement ?

Remove the spark plugs .. hook up your comp. roll it over about 4 times.. do it again for every cyl. .. 4 cranks.. should be the same..

YD.