Boat Input on Campion Fishing Machine

[meanjean]

Live in Oregon and don't have the access to the plethora of walk around cuddy cabins like the East and Gulf coast. I lived in Virginia for 4 years and miss the access to all these great boats I see online.

Looking to get the family out in the bays and river with some offshore fishing on the nice days and know I want the following:
4 stroke motor
21-24 feet
Walk around
Under $15k

Tall order out here in the PNW I know. I have found the following boat:

21ft Campion Walk-Around

From my online research seems like a reputable price point brand and nothing major has come up online.

Motor has under 20hrs and will be water tested before buying. No trolling motor.

My concern is dry rot. I know the boat is old and who knows how it was cared for? I can live with an older hull design and new motor but don't want a mess on my hands. Looks clean and I have tapped on the hull, transom and stringers in everyplace I can get to. All sounds and feels solid, walked all around and no soft spots in the deck found. I bounced on the skeg (I'm 225lbs) and nothing moved on the transom, just minor flex in the engine/hydraulics. On crack on the deck where it meets the splash well. Doesn't look to deep. I found very minimal crazing here and there but have seen way worse on newer boats.

Input or thoughts? Suggestions on something I'm forgetting to check?

Would you pay to have this surveyed by a pro?

I have negotiated a price under $13K. for boat, motor and trailer.

Thanks for your input.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Boat Input on Campion Fishing Machine

The value of that boat is all in the motor - and that sounds like a good price, given the year of the motor....assuming its in good shape. I'm concerned about tehe flex in the engine/hydraulics. If you are indicating the motor is flexing in its mount, that sounds like a problem. The key will be whether the boat is in good shape. Absolutely get it surveyed. If you find out its in great shape, you have got a great deal, and bought yourself some peace of mind. If you find out you have a series of problems to deal with, you either know what the expense is or know to gracefully walk away. Better to be out a few hundred dollars, than have a junk boat that you now have to resell or put a lot of money into.

 

[meanjean]

Re: Boat Input on Campion Fishing Machine

Thanks for the reply.

The motor was partially trimmed up and I think most of the flex was coming from the trailer springs. There seemed to be some flex from the motor but it wasn't coming from the transom.

I like the peace of mind in knowing if there is rot.

Local surveyor quoted $15 per foot.
Seemed like a lot but its cheaper than a $13,000 mistake.