1980 Seaswirl

[Britain]

Ok, I am new to this forum and somewhat new to boats. I have been looking for a realitively cheap sub-$2500 boat for crabing in the bay with the family, fishing on the Columbia, and possibly doing some tubing/wakeboarding. I don't mind working on the boat (I have the mechanical skills), but don't want to spend all my time doing so. Boats seem to be very well priced these days and I am not looking for something that will last forever.

I have looked at several and turned down many after researching about them on this forum...thanks guys. Here is one I am going to look at later this week and it seams to be very promising.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/boa/1599651317.html

I have spoken with the guy and this guy has been very straight forward about it. Here are the good/bad:

Good:
Replaced Gas Tank
Replaced Floor
Replaced Transom
New Head on Motor
New Shift Cables

Bad:
Gas tank has a leak. He indicated that this is from electrolysis on the aluminum tank and indicated that the floor would need to come up to replace. This doesn't sound too hard, any opinions?

So I curious to see what you guys think.

Thanks in advance,
Britain

 

[Blujay96]

Re: 1980 Seaswirl

It depends on how he put the floor back in after he did the tank last time. Could be alot of wor or not too bad. That and I would look at how he did on the transom, it might tell you something about the floor.

 

[JimMH]

Re: 1980 Seaswirl

If he only screwed the flour in and didn't glass it in I would be worried. I Would definitely look at the transom to see if it was properly installed before pulling the trigger and making a purchase.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 Seaswirl

Looks like a nice boat for the money. Replacing the tank could be a major deal though. As was mentioned, check carefully for rot. Rot in any of the wooden components of the structure is a big projetc to properly repair. That boat will be a slug with that motor.

 

[Britain]

Re: 1980 Seaswirl

Are you saying that the motor is underpowered for that boat?

-Britain

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1980 Seaswirl

Pass, unless you have in your budget repowering. I'd worry about buying a boat that size with a rebuilt transom; it's not something one should have to do and you are inheriting another guy's DYI skills--or lack thereof. There are a lot of cheap boats out there; look for one with a solid hull and an outboard.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 Seaswirl

Are you saying that the motor is underpowered for that boat?

-Britain

Absolutely. I wouldn't want less than a 6 cyl in a boat that size.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: 1980 Seaswirl

Personally, I'd pass (even tho' I own a Seaswirl).

There's no reason for me to believe 'concerns' will not be ongoing, and you'll be spending much time keeping her in safe/acceptable operating condition.

I'd spend more for a newer model, and get an outboard.