new to boating/found one that I think fits my needs

[chez323]

I've been out with my brother on his Searay open bow boat with my wife and kids and they loved it. So been looking around my local area (NW PA near NY line) and I came across a 1988 Searay Seville 20' cuddy boat. My wife and I like the cuddy option to get the 7 and 9 year old (blonde/fair skinned) girls out of the sun from time to time. The boat includes a trailer (no title , boat has a title) and teh Searay. I checked it out and it appears to be in good shape and take care of. It's been winterized and he told me the following: Boat has Bellows replaced with gimbal bearing and throttle cable. Upholstery is is good shape with minimal tearing. New sunbrella cover and two canvas Bimini tops. Comes with extra parts, extra window glass maintenance records and owners manual. Trailer lights new last year as well and new tires. I've posted some pics below, would like some opinions on it. thanks in advance....... looking forward to joining the boating world........
<a href="http://s1085.photobucket.com/user/chez323/media/IMG_2768_zpsxc1shlps.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums

 

[roffey]

Welcome aboard, hmmm boat looks good from the pictures but is in need a clean up. The outdrive needs a pressure wash. Kind of hard to tell from the pictures the condition of the hull and interior. What is the motor, 3.0 or 4.3? How many hours? Are there soft spots in the floor? Depending on how much they are asking for the boat might be the deciding factor. Here in Canada the title for the trailer is not a big deal, not sure of the states.

You will get lots of valuable advice here and plenty of opinions on the boat.

 

[chez323]

it has the 4.3 and the seller is asking $3,500 or best offer. It definitely needs a good cleaning. walked around and didn't feel/step on any soft spots. Didn't ask about hours. How important is that?

 

[hosteter]

Lucky people in america.you have boats for free :-D in europe is a diferent price for such boat.buy it,clean it,make service on motor and outdrive and then enjoy with wife and kids :-D

 

[roffey]

it has the 4.3 and the seller is asking $3,500 or best offer. It definitely needs a good cleaning. walked around and didn't feel/step on any soft spots. Didn't ask about hours. How important is that?

Hours are not that important, as you will hear many time over. its all about condition. Rot is a big issue as are the bellows and outdrive. There is a check list of stuff to check.
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gener...er-s-checklist

 

[roffey]

Lucky people in america.you have boats for free :-D in europe is a diferent price for such boat.buy it,clean it,make service on motor and outdrive and then enjoy with wife and kids :-D

Problem is free boats are the most expensive sometimes, LOL.:fish2:

 

[southkogs]

Roffey put the link up I was gonna' send ya' to. And I agree, hours ain't that big a deal.

The looks of that drive have me a little concerned. I would take a look at the gear lube for sure. Can ya' get it on the water for a trial?

:welcome:

 

[hosteter]

Yes roffey that is the truth.but sometimes you get a good boat.if you lucky hope there is nothing wrong.

 

[roffey]

Yes roffey that is the truth.but sometimes you get a good boat.if you lucky hope there is nothing wrong.

Absolutely, my father bought a boat 30 years ago, it was used and he knew nothing about boats. That boat was used when he got it and it was just retired last year. I think the look is a great indication of how the boat was looked after. A boat that has been left out in the open normally has all sorts of issues yelling at you even before touching the boat.

 

[chez323]

update: I ended up buying it, checked it out but did not get it in the water till just a few weeks ago. All was well with the boat with the exception being the water pump. It needed to be replaced, but the seller had one so I got a little more $ knocked off the price. It cleaned up well, the seats and cubby cushions we are going to have the Amish (the local ones do great work) redo them once this seasons over. We've had it out 5 times so far and it's a blast! Pulling up to the gas pumps and putting it back in the dock have been somewhat challenging. But each time I'm getting a little better at it. All the gauges work and I've had it up to around 35 and a little over it speed wise. We've got a tube and have pulled the kids once so far (reservoir water is still very cold) without any issues. Picked up a knee board for my son to use. The cubby has already come in handy as the kids have all taken time in there to nap/get out of the sun. We boat at the Kinzua Dam reservoir which is partly in PA/NY. Plenty of places to tube, drop anchor and swim or camp along the shore.