Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

[danond]

I think I got rid of my last "customization" by the previous owner today. I look forward to not being on fire.

Screwey, unsafe wiring, rigged shift linkage, primer bulbs on I/O engines, automotive parts, no sealant used when drilling holes, totally incorrect parts, inoperative safety equipment, JB welded blocks and manifolds, no winterization, engine run without a water supply....does the list actually end?

 

[rucaradio]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

I went thru the exact same hell with my project.. Luckily I think I've rid her of most of the previous owners' modifications.

Prime example: When I bought her off craigslist the PO said "it runs, but the battery's dead". Well I grabbed a new battery and found out the starter was shot. Grabbed a new starter and couldn't get her to fire.. I went thru everything and couldn't figure out what the problem was. Right before I was going to give up I remembered the PO had told me he changed the points. He did, but he didn't change the condenser or gap the points!

Changed the condenser, gapped the points, and she fired on the first crank!

Ugh.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

anyone ever heard of a pre purchase inspection, or a marine survey.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

anyone ever heard of a pre purchase inspection, or a marine survey.

I didn't know anything about marine surveys or professional inspections until a month after I bought my first boat. I did my own inspection, and knowing next to nothing about boats, figured that it passed the inspection becuase it sure looked like a boat:redface:

The guy said that all it needed was a bellows but forgot to mention that it also needed an outdrive rebuild, new transom, stringers, and deck along with major engine work and a new fuel tank.

After I had a professional come out and look, poke around, and bang it with a hammer a few times, I've started to learn some of the basics about boats. Funny thing, too bull headed to admit that the $500 boat probably wasn't a good idea and should be taken to the dump, but not afraid to spend thousands of dollars and countless hours rebuilding it. Danged old boats and stupid previous owners

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

LOL first boat just needed a throwout bearing ( theres no throwout bearing in a boat ) actually needs an engine coupler and seats and carpet it does however have an aluminum plate for a deck though so at least the deck wasnt rotten . Second boat needed a deck most likely stringers and motor owever that boat was only $100.00 with the trailer and I sold the guy a used AC unit for $400 so I am $300 ahead and have it sold for $250 . Tird boat I havent dug into yet but it hasnt been in the water since 91 and it has been in a garage since then so I am hopefull but its a 1960 Cutter with a 1959 Mercury Mark 58A on it so it is worth saving to me .


Rick

 

[salty87]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

they do exist and they sell fantastic boats when they move up.

the seller is more important than the boat being sold, imo. boats don't miraculously get taken care of when everything else around it is a mess.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

When we bought our boat I asked the owner if he had an anchor for it. He said yes but he wasn't sure where it was and that he would look for it. (He lived in another town from wher the boat was located) A couple of weeks later we met with him and he produced a brand new anchor as he couldn't find the one he had.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

Yes. The previous owner of my boat bought it as a project for $500. Never started the project, and sold it to me for $200.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

Not and not even when they are related.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

When the asking price is very little, that is the first clue that the P O is selling a project not a boat and my favorite line in an ad is "it started last time it was cranked (back in 1981)"

 

[F14CRAZY]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

my buddy's parents recently bought an '87 19' Bayliner Capri cuddy in awesome original condition, so I'd say that it's possible

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

Yes, they do exsist
The guy i bought my 1987 Starcraft was open, honest & a big help during & AFTER the deal was made

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

Yes the ummm more experienced couple I bought my boat from a few years ago were not sucky
reasons why they weren't

1. The for sale sign said X$ I figured that if I could get it for Y$ I'd be happier than a bluegill in a no fishing lake
When I got hold of them and went to look at the boat when we started talking price they told my that the lowest they would go was Y$ minus 10%

2 we messed up on the bill of sale and I had to go back and have it redone, while there they made me eat lunch and gave me a cool coffee mug.

I felt bad for them the reason they gave up the boat is that they had problems getting in and out of it.

 

[skargo]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

Usually, with my vehicle purchases I have to undo many hours of booty fab.

Not so with this boat, the PO was the MAN! Holy hell did he take care of this beauty, and for that, I thank him.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

my PO didnt take the greatest care of the boat. it was stored outside uncovered, trailer was a disaster, and interior was showing foam almost everywhere. he said they just used towels on the seats, and he didnt wanna buy a cover.

He did however, know the other owner before him, and he knew exactly what had been done to the boat maintenance-wise. And he knocked 500 off the price cause we worked together.

All in all, he was a great guy that just moved too far from the lake anymore to use it. I later found out that he started redoing the interior and actually at one point had replaced the carpet. so, it was even worse at one point than when i got it lol. And he drove 30 miles to drop off the title I forgot to grab when i left. i bought a project, but in mechanically sound shape thanks to him.

 

[Bumpus7]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

.
When you pay cheap sale prices don't expect the best boat on the water.

If you find the problems after you buy it they are the same problem that were there before you paid for it.

Check it out before you buy and you usually get what you paid for.

Check before you buy or pay more later which could have been enough to buy a better boat to begin with.


bumpus
.

 

[jkust]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

What silly to me is how little it takes to keep a boat in good shape. Having probably the most looked down on boat there is since new, a 1984 Bayliner Capri, it takes almost no extra effort to keep them pristine. Just keep the darn thing covered and dry when not in use. If you all had my same experience with the Bliner, the posts would be more like "Bayliner...the most reliable boat ever made". So far I have shelled out three dollars in maintenance costs in 29 years. My point is that I don't think pride in ownership exists much anymore since no one actually has to shell out the dollar bills to buy anything. It is funny how paying cash makes you appreciate things. Back in the day when credit was scarce the 4k the BL cost was a lot of $ to shell out. I believe lazy is the key word for bad boat owners.

 

[Bumpus7]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

What silly to me is how little it takes to keep a boat in good shape. Having probably the most looked down on boat there is since new, a 1984 Bayliner Capri, it takes almost no extra effort to keep them pristine. Just keep the darn thing covered and dry when not in use. If you all had my same experience with the Bliner, the posts would be more like "Bayliner...the most reliable boat ever made". So far I have shelled out three dollars in maintenance costs in 29 years. My point is that I don't think pride in ownership exists much anymore since no one actually has to shell out the dollar bills to buy anything. It is funny how paying cash makes you appreciate things. Back in the day when credit was scarce the 4k the BL cost was a lot of $ to shell out. I believe lazy is the key word for bad boat owners.

I belive you missed the point of the topic of the thread.


bumpus
.

 

[superpop]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

For every bad PO there is also a moronic boat buyer.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Are there any non-sucky previous owners?

I'm a great PO IMHO last boat I sold was for about 1/2 of it's actual value(I got a good deal on it and passed my savings along) I had already purchased my new boat and didn't want to explain to the wife why she was now an admiral. the boat was well taken care of as I find it less expensive to keep everything working as designed then to play catch up on maint. later. This was the first power boat for the new owner so I spent the time teaching him how to operate it and still help him out whenever he calls with any questions. He also chose to moor it at the same marina as my new boat so I get to walk past it every time I go boating (I think I'm being followed sometimes)