Boat Shopping

[Frank66]

Going to look at a couple of boats tomorrow and wondering is there is anything specific I should be looking for on these models.



1) 1989 20' cadorette powerboat. 4.3l mercruiser with an alpha 1 outdrive with low original hours (550 hrs). This boat has a deep v hull which handles great on the lake. Boat has a full camper top for all weather!! Forward cuddy sleeps 2 adults easily. 2 new interstate batteries, new fish finder, garmin gps loaded with lake Erie maps. Water tested yesterday and works great! Sits on an excellent tandem axle shorelander trailer for easy towing. Asking $6200, must sell! Boat is ready for water.

Is the 4.3l engine enough power for this boat?




2) Fourwinns sundowner for sale. This boat is very clean and runs great. I am the second owner and have kept it in very good shape. This boat is a steal at this price!!
plumbed in porta potty
built in ice box
dual battery with isolator switch
tunnel cover
camper top
2 anchors
cuddy cabin
350ci OMC Cobra
dual axle trailer with hydraulic surge brakes
Asking $5500.00

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Boat Shopping

A test drive would be nice. at the least

 

[Frank66]

Re: Boat Shopping

I will be asking to test drive both boats, just wondering if any one has any opinions on these boats. I know four winns is a good name but know nothing about cadorette.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Boat Shopping

I would start by reading some of the many recent threads discussing what to look for when purchasing a used boat, how to inspect for rot, thoughts on marine surveyors, inspecting the engine, etc. Also consider looking at www.nadaguides.com to give you an idea as to how much the boats are worth. Some say the numbers are way off, others somtimes agree but at least that gives you an idea. Then look on craigslist/ebay for similar boats in your area to see what the prices are like.
IMO, $6,200 for a 1989 boat is quite a bit unless its flawless and as for the other one, I would pass because of the OMC cobra outdrive. If you search OMC Cobra you'll find lots of not so nice things about them, varying from poor reliability to hard to find parts. Mercruiser and Volvo are much better bets and parts are easy to find.

There is a treasure trove of great info here on the forums and questions about "what to look for in used boats" are answered daily here.

 

[Frank66]

Re: Boat Shopping

Thanks for the reply Augoose, I've heard the cobra aren't the best choice and I have also did a search for Cadorette boats in Ontario, the lowest priced in the same year and size was $4000.00 with the highest being $8900.00 the fell in the 5 to 6 area. I thought the Cadorette was priced a bit high too but then after my search maybe not. I think it's just a bad time to buy a boat in this area, prime boating season now.

 

[Frank66]

Re: Boat Shopping

I already have rough idea what to look for (read my first post on 87 bayliner, don't want that to happen again), just wondering if there is anything specific on these models, don't care much for ther cobra outdrive on the four winns but like the fact that it has a 350, a little leary on the v6 in the cadorette, seems like a lot of boat for the 4.3.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Boat Shopping

Going to look at a couple of boats tomorrow and wondering is there is anything specific I should be looking for on these models.

View attachment 153954

1) 1989 20' cadorette powerboat. 4.3l mercruiser with an alpha 1 outdrive with low original hours (550 hrs). This boat has a deep v hull which handles great on the lake. Boat has a full camper top for all weather!! Forward cuddy sleeps 2 adults easily. 2 new interstate batteries, new fish finder, garmin gps loaded with lake Erie maps. Water tested yesterday and works great! Sits on an excellent tandem axle shorelander trailer for easy towing. Asking $6200, must sell! Boat is ready for water.

Is the 4.3l engine enough power for this boat?

View attachment 153955


2) Fourwinns sundowner for sale. This boat is very clean and runs great. I am the second owner and have kept it in very good shape. This boat is a steal at this price!!
plumbed in porta potty
built in ice box
dual battery with isolator switch
tunnel cover
camper top
2 anchors
cuddy cabin
350ci OMC Cobra
dual axle trailer with hydraulic surge brakes
Asking $5500.00

What's a "cadorette" ??? I have a 24' cuddy . . . 2 adults could uncomfortably sleep there . . Needless to say, I have never tried it. The price seems a little high. Check http://www.nadaguides.com for value and pricing.

The second boat . . . no OMC Cobras for you, not a good idea. If you already have one and it is in running condition, then fine. But . . . to take on one, not a good idea. OMC went out of business about 11 years ago . . . and for good reason IMHO.


See, what you think when you see these up close . . . I've been thinking of looking at a few used boats myself. The things to check for boats of 15+ years old are transom, stringer, and bulkhead rot.

 

[Frank66]

Re: Boat Shopping

Wouldn't be sleeping in it any way. Just like the porta potty idea so the wife can use it while out fishing for the day! Was talking to the fellow with the Cadorette, syas the boat tops out at 38mph on the gps. From what I have read here so far a v6 should get a little more top end. Also said he would take 5600.00.

 

[Frank66]

Re: Boat Shopping

Well, four winns sold first thing this morning and Cadorette wasn't as good as I was told...........gel coat had tiny blisters all over the bottom of the hull and the transom, no idea what that was from and right motor mount bolt was loose and stripped. Owner said he wasn't aware of either of these things. Gel coat looked pretty obvious to me. So the hunt is back on. Thanks for the comments guys.