Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

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.

I think I can get it for 1650

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Then go get it.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I still say try searching for other terms on CL and see what you find. Also, I think the Seville will have an hourmeter in the engine compartment, atleast the ones I've seen did. I'd drive it and see if you like it. For $1650 you most likely can get on the water this summer. Are there any extras with it? Life jackets, skis, ropes or bumpers. That stuff adds up too.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Here is what I want

18-22ft openbow, 3.0L or 4.3L merc, decent shape, under 3k.

No wonder you are having trouble finding what you want. In my opinion you'll either have to forgo the "decent shape" part or up your budget a little.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Hmm, what about the Rinker is only "ok"? He may be a bit on the high side but condition means a lot (I am only going by the photos) and the pictures look pretty good.

Lets say you can get him to take $3,500. Thats only $500 above your target price (I know...) and given the choice between this $3,500 Rinker and the other boat your looking at its no contest. I know I keep saying it but that rotted floor is scary because what is under it is a complete unknown. Consider it has the 4.3 V-6, with an Alpha 1 drive and the comparison is very one sided.

The gel coat is dull and the interior is not in great shape. I dont want to go above my 3k price range. I see where you are coming from on the floor statement, but under any old surface is complete unknown.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

No wonder you are having trouble finding what you want. In my opinion you'll either have to forgo the "decent shape" part or up your budget a little.

Thats what this post is about... I would be forgoing the decent shape, but I have $1350 to play with afterwards.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Thats what this post is about... I would be forgoing the decent shape, but I have $1350 to play with afterwards.

I really dislike 4 bangers but that is an easy to work and and durable engine, I would do what you propose if in your shoes.
Boats like that are selling for that money in that shape all day here and the people that want the high money just as soon to put the boat out back and let it go to pot than to part with their worth a pot~a~gold boat so if ya want something sometimes ya gotta pay. I'm not saying go get ripped off but to get it for half the asking price seems pretty reasonable to me.

I hope to the same thing for a little more money, a few more feet and a cubby in a fear years. I have a 3 year old.

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

The wellcraft is sold

 

[surge006]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

All i can say after gettin my 1st boat in a rush would be. Look at the resto sites on hear to see what needs to be done in case stringers and transom are shot then the boat will not be worth it unless you feel like working on it. And if your willing to spend 120 on new interior then spend it else wear.

 

[Bucks45]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I don't know half as much as the other guys on here, but here's a comparison. I live outside of Columbus (basically in your neighborhood). I too looked forever. Don't be afraid to go well above your budget when "looking". I bought a 1987 Searay Sorrento 23', 5.7 Mercruiser (260 hp), w/Alpha I drive. No issues other than I did buy new back to back seats. I bought a water pump kit and bellows kit for preventative maintenace. It was posted on craigslist for $5k. He dropped it to $4500 and I called him. Before we were done I bought the boat for $2800.

 

[erikpn]

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.

You can expect it to cost 1500 in materials/tools/disposable and many months of hard itchy labor to fix the rot yourself. It is never just a single small soft patch. Rot usually comes from below. Once it starts showing up through the floor, you have major issues that will take serious time and money to fix.

If you are already having to do major repairs and replace everything but the hull anyways, why not go with a less expensive boat that is complete junk inside and have more money for the restoration?

I understand and feel how annoying it is to go boat shopping. I spent about 6 months with 3-5 hours on craigslist each day. Most of the boats that were described as being in "great" shape were junkers. Just constant disappointment.

 

[erikpn]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Have you looked at this one? http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1554154254.html

 

[ChrisNCarrie]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

There are SO many great deals out there!!! Dont limit yourself to the boats in your range... go up as much as double and low ball them! Its a buyers market out there! You can get a great boat for nothing now adays! Keep looking! Be willing to drive a few hours even. Dont settle!!!

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I would for sure do a comp. test on it, I think the reason people(myself included) are leary of the engine is the fact that it is a 4cyl that is 22 years old. Remember boats run pretty much wide open alot of the time so thats ALOT of wear on only 4 cyls in those 22 years. Yes a v8 can also be worn the same but you at least have the extra dispacement to help offset that. Plus a 19' boat(sea ray no less) is plenty for a little 4 banger to be pushing around. If you like the boat and it checks out in decent health by a mech. go for it. If it were me for a "budget boat" I would not have the interior profesionally done, I would do the bow sections, and side panels my self and buy the seats already made. Much cheaper and still very acceptable looking. Buy the seats first then you can match the rest of the material to them. Its not that hard and there are plenty of well documented projects just like that right here. That would free up a good chunk of $ for other (to me) more important items mechanically, water pumps, drive service, tuneup, etc. is what gets you back to the marina not the custom interior.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

My only thought is that if you get a boat that is a 1990 or newer, then you may get one that has a molded in swim platform.. so, it would look newer and wouldn't look dated to a mid-80s boat.

But, if it runs great and only needs cosmetic repairs and a piece of plywood over the tank, then you are fine with $1750... Just make sure it has no engine problems.. well, make sure it has good compression.. that's a good engine.. check the timing gear cover for rust holes/oil leaks..

 

[maharg]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Have you looked at this one? http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/1554154254.html

I am going to look at this, it sounds very nice. He said he is not very flexible on price. I figured I would offer $2700 that way I could pay tax, get a stereo and stay under 3k.

 

[rokrau]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

Also, showing up with cash (say 25 100$ bills) to look and test drive the Rinker might help. As they say "Money talks" and yours is eager to say "Good Bye"

There is a lot more to an offer than naming your price on the phone.

If you have an aunt in California you should come visit and buy your boat here Prices are way down and I've seen some good deals lately.

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

We had 1988 same model for 12 years, I had a new long block installed in 2006, loved the boat but we sold it last year for 1800. The original 3.0 water jacket in # 3 cylinder rotted thru the cylinder wall and blew the motor turning about 4k. We had no other issues except the motor, it was a nice family boat.........

 

[rauch0812]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

I'm new to the boating world but I can relate to where you are... we paid $1000 for a Wellcraft last year with a "soft spot" only to get into the project and find EVERYTHING ROTTED. Huge mess. Spent another $1000 replacing the stringers, floor, resealing... blah blah blah and gave it up. Now it's for sale (hoping to get my 1st $1000 back) and I'm in the market for a new boat. I have found quite a few great boats for $3000 that it great shape and don't need any work! I've been searching CL for a month and I search all boats listed up to $6000 - you'd be amazed how much people come down! I say keep searching until you find a boat that's seaworthy - you can do it for $3500! Good luck.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Good deal? 1987 sea ray seville

If you have any questions about the condition of this craft and what you have found to be wrong with it by just looking at it just go to the resto forum and read for a couple of hours and I believe you will find all the answers you'll ever need or have ? about spend your money wisely.