1996 chaparral 1930

[pangolin]

Until I prove to my wife we are actually going to use a boat often enough to make it worthwhile, this is the budget I have to work with. Could probably push $8k. I am attracted to this particular boat because I have heard such great things about the older Chaps, and at under $5k I have some wiggle room to fix odds and ends if needed.
I almost bought a 2001 reinell but the mechanics inspection turned up a bad cylinder that I don't want to deal with, interior was very clean on that one.

 

[Pete_a]

Nice looking boat, why a v8 though? I have a v6 and a day of tubing can burn a lot of gas. I often just like to get out and float around not burning fuel. Plus starting smaller when you outgrow that a v8 will be an upgrade. Seems many guys are content with their smaller 3.0l. You could get a newer one maybe. Looks like rust on the belt thatll be thinning the belts. Dont ask how i know

I hope you can reach the plugs, doing this on the trailer after taking it out so its a warm test? Id wager youre better off letting the mechanic test the compression for you. I wouldnt want somone messing with my boat like that before a sale.

Enjoy new boat. If it helps i enjoy working on mine almost as much as running it but seems like mine always needs something done. Haha

 

[pangolin]

No Title

Here is another picture. I kind of see some rust of staining at the bottom of the transom under the outdrive. I was planning to do the compression test before the test drive, is that not the way to do it. Those plugs do look like they might be tough to get to.

You know, I was under the impression that a 3 L would be under powered so I was shooting for a 4.3 L. This one has a V8 so I figured all the better.
So back to the 3 liters, I sure do see a lot more of those for sale, we probably could find a newer one for a decent price. Your making me think....

 

[tpenfield]

I was planning to do the compression test before the test drive, is that not the way to do it. Those plugs do look like they might be tough to get to.

You know, I was under the impression that a 3 L would be under powered so I was shooting for a 4.3 L. This one has a V8 so I figured all the better.
So back to the 3 liters, I sure do see a lot more of those for sale, we probably could find a newer one for a decent price. Your making me think....

The engine should be on the hotter side of warm when you do the compression test. So, do it after you take the boat for a test ride, not before. The exhaust manifolds may be a little hot, but just use a towel around your arm as needed.

Don't over think the engine size . . . lots of 3.0's for sale? I wonder why

 

[Pete_a]

Don't over think the engine size . . . lots of 3.0's for sale? I wonder why

Haha, i like that but youve got a huge motor. I almost got a 3.0l and thought id be content not knowing a difference. Prob would never go down to 3.0l though but i would like to test one out

 

[wrvond]

Here is another picture. I kind of see some rust of staining at the bottom of the transom under the outdrive. I was planning to do the compression test before the test drive, is that not the way to do it. Those plugs do look like they might be tough to get to.

You know, I was under the impression that a 3 L would be under powered so I was shooting for a 4.3 L. This one has a V8 so I figured all the better.
So back to the 3 liters, I sure do see a lot more of those for sale, we probably could find a newer one for a decent price. Your making me think....

A five bladed stainless prop on an Alpha One outdrive? I'd bet that thing has been run hard and put away wet more than once. Like you, I'm not too impressed with the rust stain. Take a moment to lay down under that outdrive with a flashlight and inspect the bilge drain. Is the wall of the hole sealed, or is it raw wood? Raw wood is going to soak up water like a sponge and you'll end up replacing the transom.
I imagine there are a lot of 3.0's for sale because there are a lot of 3.0's. I'd say the 18 foot bow rider is the quintessential entry level boat, and many entry level boaters are trying to minimize the purchase of a new boat. In my case, I ended up with a 3.0 because mine was a new left over and there were no 4.3L boats available. I know it was an option, but I don't know if they were really available and all bought up early on or not.
I can tell you this - I bought my 2002 with 3.0L brand new and while the engine has proven to be reliable and easy to care for, I always regretted not having a V6. That little four banger has to work hard to move that boat at any appreciable speed, which results in an awful lot of noise coming from the engine bay. I often worry that the engine is going to grenade in there.

 

[jkust]

Interesting that it has a drive shower on it. The 5 blade on an alpha 1 isn't a big deal...I don't see a ton of 5 blade props generally but it doesn't make me think too much of it. That 5.7 is a low hp version and an Alpha 1 is just fine and would be fine even if it was the 300hp version as in a 2002 and newer mpi 5.7. I would avoid a 3.0 like the plague especially since there are a million other boats with 4.3's readily available. The 4.3 will get the same or similar fuel usage as it works far less than the 3.0. It is simply a substantially more powerful engine and the difference is easy to see and feel. My take is in the used market, a 3.0 and the much more powerful 4.3 are the exact same price...why would you accept any less in the used market? Someone mentioned gas usage in general above...at no point does the amount of fuel my boat uses come to my mind especially given I am on a lake and if I ran out, It wouldn't be an issue (i.e. fuel usage is an issue on large bodies of water). You have to face the facts that boating is expensive and cheap boats can be money pits as the purchase price is just the entry price. The repairs, and products and towables and gas and new trailer tires and insurance and a spare prop and expensive life jackets, etc are just the way it is. Add to that any time you spend doing repairs is the same as money spent and boating isn't always as much leisure as people think getting into it. For some it is, for others not so much.

 

[pangolin]

150 hours according to the seller. An average of 7.5 hours per year. I know I am beating this thing to death but it is a good 1.5 hour drive to go see it.

 

[jkust]

150 hours according to the seller. An average of 7.5 hours per year. I know I am beating this thing to death but it is a good 1.5 hour drive to go see it.

Boats are rarely close to where you want them to be it seems. Hours at 20 years old are now nearly meaningless plus you can't confirm hours on an engine unless it is an MPI engine that keeps track of the hours and the time at each RPM in the computer which can be accessed later. Hour gauges mean nothing as well because of course you can disconnect these early ones in a minute then plug it back in whenever you wish. For example, that much sun damage on a well kept boat at 150 hours would be unreasonable in my opinion so there is already a disconnect from my perspective.

 

[harleyman1975]

FWIW I think for 5K you are getting a pretty good boat. Sure its not new and hey it may even have a few pimples and stretch marks...your only spending $5K...A new boat is going to set you back $30,000-$40,000. If it runs good and interior is serviceable I'd pull the trigger myself. Your just gonna use it for a couple of seasons then sell it to the next guy...right?

 

[pangolin]

That is helpful to hear, it reminds me of my reality. Yes for 5K I think it looks pretty good too, we'll see how she does in person on Saturday.

 

[SeaDooSam]

No one EVER said I wish my boat had less Horsepower. My 1830 with a v6 is a bit slow for my liking so go all out for the v8. With a 3l i couldnt imagine my boat moving anywhere fast. What's the big deal with the bow roller? Sometimes I just dont pull the boat up enough.

 

[jkust]

No one EVER said I wish my boat had less Horsepower. My 1830 with a v6 is a bit slow for my liking so go all out for the v8. With a 3l i couldnt imagine my boat moving anywhere fast. What's the big deal with the bow roller? Sometimes I just dont pull the boat up enough.

On that bow roller, I was thinking it was a roller trailer, I had a roller trailer stop allowing the boat to come all the way up to the roller when it was having issues. It just hit my red flag alert because of the importance of the bow roller actually contacting the bow. Again, just more experience I wished I didn't have. The Chaps around me sold by the couple Chap dealers have been outfitted with Shoreland'r trailers and mostly full roller trailers on the smaller bowriders. Just got me thinking it may be a roller too.

 

[SeaDooSam]

On that bow roller, I was thinking it was a roller trailer, I had a roller trailer stop allowing the boat to come all the way up to the roller when it was having issues. It just hit my red flag alert because of the importance of the bow roller actually contacting the bow. Again, just more experience I wished I didn't have.

Oh ok. thanks for the explaination!

 

[pangolin]

This is cool, thanks for all the input. My wife, friends, and co-workers are tired of all the boat talk so I am appreciating this forum.

 

[tpenfield]

This is cool, thanks for all the input. My wife, friends, and co-workers are tired of all the boat talk so I am appreciating this forum.

That's why many of us are 'here' . . .

 

[Pete_a]

That's why many of us are 'here' . . .

Haha, youre a funny guy. I agree with those saying the 3.0l being underpowered as i wish my v6 had a bit more top end, hole shot is great but ive learned to be content. I was only suggesting to help our guy get more bang for his buck. You have to admit for a first time boat a 3.0l isnt all that bad, its a boat.

I ran a high five prop on my alpha. You just can easily over rev if not careful is only problem i see. Let us know if you bring it home.

 

[harleyman1975]

Ill be thinking of you while at the lake this weekend...wondering if it worked out for you or not. don't fear the dull gelcoat. not hard to fix. if upholstery not ripped a lot can be done to clean and restore it too. I think you found a pretty nice boat for the money...darn nice "first boat".

 

[jkust]

Ill be thinking of you while at the lake this weekend...wondering if it worked out for you or not. don't fear the dull gelcoat. not hard to fix. if upholstery not ripped a lot can be done to clean and restore it too. I think you found a pretty nice boat for the money...darn nice "first boat".

Agreed...coming from a 4.3 with my previous boat to the 5.7 in my current boat...it's a tremendous difference in power even in a much larger and substantially heavier boat. I'm betting that the OP's chap is hard to find outfitted with the 5.7 given it must have been an expensive option. I think once you go 5.7 or larger...you never go back.

 

[pangolin]

Thanks guys, I just called progressive to get a quote so I can easily start the coverage if all goes well tomorrow. I also have the marine mechanic lined up that is near the lake, he wants $85 for an inspection that includes most things, except for compression test which takes the price to $150. I am optimistic but know how these things can go, could be driving all the way for nothing!
The seller mentioned to me that a 'mechanic' is interested in seeing the boat on Saturday too, although he is letting me have first crack at it. I hope it's not one of the mechanics that I have contacted about it.