Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

[maharg]

So I am trying to decide if a boat is worth purchasing, its a 1987 sea ray seville 190. It has the 3.0l merc engine with unknown hours. It needs a new upholstery, has a soft spot in the center above the fuel tank and needs a new top. I plan on taking it out in a small local lake before I would purchase it. Here are a few photos, what would you pay....

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Fixing what is wrong with that boat would cost more than it's worth. My advice is to keep looking.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I was quoted $1200 for a new interior, I am sure the boat is worth far more than that. I have been looking for over a year, I have not had much luck.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

$1200 for new apolstery maybe. You still have a rotten floor and who knows what else is rotten. Not to mention and old-azz engine to deal with.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

See if you like it first. The soft floor could just be a removable section of floor to access the tank which is a nice feature. The upholstery may be a few bucks but the 3.0 is the concern to me. Sea Rays are on the heavy side, and it may not be enough for that boat depending on what your intended use will be. Calculate how much you are willing to spend on the boat plus known repairs and then total it all together because that's what you'll be "paying" for the boat, and maybe you can find something that'll take less effort in that price range.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

What's the asking price? Realistic?... given the condition and what needs to be done? All depends on whether or not you want to spend a lot more fixing that one up (and it will be a lot) or find a better conditioned boat. Also, what do you plan to use it for? Only YOU can decide if it is worth the time, effort and bucks. Good luck,

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I looked at it in person and the only soft spot is above the fuel tank which is a separate piece. The boat has a 2009lb dry weight, which is less than the rinker I was looking at by 31lbs. I was wanting to stay under 3k for a boat. I can buy this, do the floor myself, get a bimini, new stereo, and upholstery done for that price. The Gimbals were done 2 seasons ago BTW. I will be primarily using the boat just for putting around the Ohio and Cumberland. I will wakeboard occasionally, but I am new at it so I wont be going fast. Also I have an 8mo old who will be on the boat so I have no use for speed. I plan on keeping the boat for a few years then upgrading.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

The guy is asking $2500, I offered 1500 and he said 2k, he has now come down to $1750 and I said Ill think about it. I know what book value is, however I looked on boat trader and these are listed from 3200 to 5k depending on condition/engine. I am not worried about top quality interior materials, this is a starter boat, I plan to keep it a few years and move on.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

If the boat has rot issues, unknown engine issues, trailer probably needs to be serviced, and only has a 4 banger in a 19 footer it is not worth far more than the cost of the new interior. If you can take it out test it well it is something YOU really like and the engine is enough to do what you need it to, and you don't mind spending some $$$ and time on it. Its worth what you are willing to pay, just know you will probably never get the money back out of it in the end.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Please do not pay that kind of money for this boat. Underpowered, probably rotted, needs engine work.

If you want to get on the water cheaply without too major of a project, you may want to consider an aluminum hull.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

FYI: I believe you can get into a much better boat for the $3000 number you have set.

Please help me find one, I would rather find something that does not need work. As I stated though I have not been able to find much. I did find the same boat that was a 4.3 a few month ago, the boat was listed for $2500 and was sold a few hours after it was listed. I found another that was $3500 and there were no maintenance records and the guy was not willing to do a test drive. other than that everything else has been over my price range or something I am not interested in.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Forgot to add that the boat trader(not bashing just stating facts in my location) is always way off base as far as what boats are really selling for. Don't base anything off of the listings in that publication they just aren't accurate to the real world.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Why does everyone keep saying it needs engine work? I will be doing a water trial before I would buy anything.

I do not want an aluminum hull or an outboard.

Here is what I want

18-22ft openbow, 3.0L or 4.3L merc, decent shape, under 3k.
I spend 30 minutes on CL everyday looking at every city within 150 miles. I have done this since 2008. If its a really good deal its usually sold, I have looked at a few but they have had other issues, like no water trial, or no flexibility on price. I know this needs work and I am open to everyone's thoughts, but I need reasonable opinions. When I find a boat its always sold within 24 hours or needs something. Its getting close to boating season and I dont want to spend another season without a boat. I know come spring prices will go up and I really dont want to spend more than 3k

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

You said: "It has the 3.0l merc engine with unknown errors."

Lets try this, where are you located?

sorry, I meant hours, I am at work and do IT.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I feel your pain. I looked for months but ended up finding just what I wanted. On CL try many different search terms, like 4.3, V6, open bow, bowrider etc. Many people are idiots and do weird titles and descriptions in their listings. I finally placed an add that I was looking although it didn't work and I found it myself on CL.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I finally placed an add that I was looking although it didn't work and I found it myself on CL.

Yeah, I tried that and everyone tried to sell me their beat jon boat for 3k

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I am NOT an expert in boat values, boat conditions, mechanical work, etc. However, I know something about the value of MY money and how I wish to spend it. Only additional advice I have to offer (other than my first post above) is patience, patience, patience. WE all wanted to get a boat and get out on the water quickly at some point, but most shopped, researched, analyzed and really thought things through before parting with our money....whether it was a 400.00 project boat, 20,000 new sport boat or 100,000 new boat. Just my .02 and probably not even worth that! Again, good luck and only you can decide but take it from a relative newbie, most of the guys on here willing to give advice, give good advice based upon experience and knowledge. Not saying everyone here is "right" (only you can decide) but for the most part everyone here has some good insight for your consideration.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

You said: "It has the 3.0l merc engine with unknown errors."

Lets try this, where are you located?

Fixed that, sorry

Cincinnati

Here is the listing...
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1579948547.html

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Ones that you might look at.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1580707331.html

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1580054470.html


One I really would look at even if it meant a short road trip.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1575870370.html

The glassport is in ROUGH condition the hull looks like a kid painted it.

I am going to call about the wellcraft on lunch

The rinker is in only in ok shape, but they guy wont come down on price enough. He has had it listed for close to a year. (I dont think he wants to sell it)

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

sorry, I meant hours, I am at work and do IT.

Ok, that makes a big difference. Now I revise my opinion. It MAY be a fair deal. The boat is probably usable for a season in it's current condition. If the engine runs well and that trailer is as nice as it looks try to get it for $2k or less. Plan on doing some wood replacing in the future. Check out the glass boat projects going on in the resto section to see what you're getting into.