16ft procraft / 115 Mercury

[BDub]

How much would you pay for a 16ft procraft fish-n-ski with a walkthrough windshield with a 115 Mercury outboard? It's an early 90's model, and its in excellent shape. <br />I have only seen the boat with a cover on it. I am going to look it over this weekend. It belongs to a friend of my grandfather, and my grandfather assures me its in excellent condition. <br />He's asking $2,000 for it, and i think its too good to pass up. Thats what I've been told anyway. I just want reassurance from the experts.

 

[ehenry]

Re: 16ft procraft / 115 Mercury

Get an on the water test run. That should tell you anything you need to know about the rig. If the guy doesn't want take it on a test run I'd stay away from it.

 

[noshelter]

Re: 16ft procraft / 115 Mercury

i'd get it out on the water and get it to open throttle for a minute or two, see how it holds up, 2000$ seems too good to be true, the engine alone i think is worth more, and to include a boat on top of that, even better, but it might be TOO good to be true, if it runs properly on the water, grab that deal

 

[Spidybot]

Re: 16ft procraft / 115 Mercury

For your reference you should know, that if it is the 4-cyl 115 Merc it runs a 2+2 system. 2 cylinders run up to approx. 1800 rpm, then all 4 runs. Makes them run a little rough in certain rpm ranges 1300-1800 rpm, but is supposed to do so. Can idle all day long, though. You should reach 4750-5250 rpm at wot if it runs OK and prop is right. Idle when warm shoul be approx 700 rpm.<br /><br />It takes a fully charged battery to start easy. (First sign of weak battery is fail to engage starter on flywheel and hesistatiion to crank once engaged). Pump bulb till hard + 3 extra squeezes. Press key in while cranking (electric 'choke') and it should start. If it has been sitting for a while, a little throttle may help. These motors don't flood easy.<br /><br />Voltage should be some 14 volts as soon as it runs and ease off along the way, when the battery gets charged (keep in mind not all gauges are accurate). If there is an Amp-meter you should see 7-9 amps at 3000 rpm when/if it charges max.<br /><br />Look for a strong tell tale, should show after a few seconds of idling. Normal running temp is pretty low.

 

[BDub]

Re: 16ft procraft / 115 Mercury

i took the boat out on the lake, ran like a dream. I opened throttle up to 5000 rpm and left it there for a while, speedometer cable is broken so dont know how fast i was going, but fast enough i imagine.<br /><br />runs good, idles good, floats good, included 3 batteries, fish finder, skis, ropes, boat and motor cover, all lights, and a full tank of gas. I bought it off our small town's mayor, and he's great friends with my grandfather. I jumped on the $2000 deal, and I am a proud owner of my first fiberglass bass boat. <br /><br />I'm sure i'll be visiting here often now for advice, and just for good times talkin. Thanks all.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: 16ft procraft / 115 Mercury

Looks as if you are one lucky guy!<br /><br />A shame that your speedo isn't working, good that the tach is.<br /><br />Let us know your prop specs (numbers on the hub - make a note when you remove it to grease the shaft anyway) and we can tell your speed.<br /><br />I guess you're in the range around 50 mph.<br /><br />For future maintenance etc. you should get a manual. Link on this page...

 

[cootersplace]

Re: 16ft procraft / 115 Mercury

Thats lucky , but I got it beat . A friend of mine bought a new pontoon boat in 1993 with a 115 Mariner on it , they ran it periodicly but not very often . The last time was 4 years ago and it did not run right ( maybe carb varnish ? )they parked it and left it sitting . So I kept trying to get them to fix it . They gave the whole shootimg match to me . The motor might have 75 hours on it , the comp. is like a new one 123--125 pulled the first carb and it had varnish , so I am now rebuilding all the carbs , water pump , gas tank and lines , plugs etc. Then I should have one heck of a bullet proof motor . ( cross my fingers ) Cooter