Boat swap opportunity

[trobinson017]

I have an opportunity to swap my 21' Seaswirl Striper CC (1999) fishing boat with a 21' Century bowrider. I really don't fish much and my family likes the comfort of the bowrider over the CC. My boat as a Johnson 130 outboard, the Century has a Mercury 350 sterndrive, recently rebuilt. Both boats have a few minor problems, nothing major. The Century seats and upholstered sundeck are ripped up which is the biggest issue for me, although not a show-stopper. My boat has a Teleflex cable steering system (not rack&pinion), the Century has hydraulic steering.

I guess my only issue is I've never owned a sterndrive boat, nor had one with hydraulic steering. How much maintenance effort is required for these? Are they more expensive to maintain than an outboard? Does this sound like a decent trade?

trob

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

hydrolic steering is great, yes there is more maintainance, just like your car, it is a 4 stroke motor, requiring oil changes, i believe you are in Florida, but do not remember where, so winterizing is not a major issue. the outdrive needs to be pulled and serviced every 2 years. what year is the Century. you also have rubber bellows between the hull and outdrive, where the drive shaft and control run. these have to be maintained and periodically changed, when outdrive is serviced. the 350 stern drive is a great unit.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

The steering system does not require any maintenance. You want to check the fluid level from time to time and the drive belt.
The motor of course is basically a car engine. You want to change the oil and tune it up periodically. Depending on what kinda water you are going to run in...you might want to pop the manifolds and risers off say five years down the road and make sure they are not getting clogged.
You're in Florida so I doubt wintering is going to be an issue.
The I/O doesn't require any more maintenance than your OB...lower unit oil, impeller.
There are different parts than can go bad. For instance, there is a big rubber bellows underneath your outdrive that will need replacing eventually.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

I guess it depends on the year, and, or, condition of the Century, but they're good boats,,, Go for it! Your family will have a ton of fun with the bowrider!

I just suggest you get a bimini top to keep the sun at bay, I just realized how much this matters to me.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

Thanks for the quick replies. The Century is a '95. The guy said the engine rebuild included the manifold and risers. I don't know much about those but since it's basically a car engine I already know more about maintaining it than I do the outboard.

What is the average cost of servicing the outdrive?

Again, thanks for the quick replies. I'm feeling more comfortable with this trade.

trob

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

I guess it depends on the year, and, or, condition of the Century, but they're good boats,,, Go for it! Your family will have a ton of fun with the bowrider!

I just suggest you get a bimini top to keep the sun at bay, I just realized how much this matters to me.

The condition of the hull is good. most of the seats and the sundeck upholstery is torn up. The front area upholstery is in great shape. The owner replaced the gas tank, installing a new aluminum one under the floor. To do this he cut away the center part of the floor between the driver/passenger seats and installed the tank. When he replaced the cut-out part of the floor he used that spray foam stuff to fill the space between floor and gas tank and then carpeted the entire floor afterward. The foam has squished on one side of that cut-out area so the floor at that point is uneven. Not a huge deal for me, just sort of annoying when you walk over it and feel it.

The best part of the Century for me is the hull design. My fishing boat has a hybrid type of hull, starting with a V but then flattening out with two "tunnels" all the way back. From the stern it sort of looks like an M spread way out. Anyway, this design causes the boat to bobble like a cork when waves hit it. It also tends to slap down going over large wake with the motor trimmed up. Very uncomfortable for the family. The Century has a nice V hull that softly comes down after cutting through large wake. Very cushiony ride.

trob

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

I just remembered the Century model name; Arabian. I googled it and I got back "Century Arabian 210" as the likely model. They were made 94-96.

trob

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

When he replaced the cut-out part of the floor he used that spray foam stuff to fill the space between floor and gas tank and then carpeted the entire floor afterward. The foam has squished on one side of that cut-out area so the floor at that point is uneven.

Sounds like poor workmanship to me. I would keep looking for another bow rider. There are a lot of them out there that don't have a suspect floor.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

With a torn and faded interior, it means it spent a great deal of time outside uncovered, that's the worst thing for wood. Check the transom and stringers for rot if possible, if you don't, you may be trading a running usable boat for a project that may take many weekends (meaning finished next year), a pocket full of money and much grief before it's back on the water.

You're on the right track though, CC's aren't that great for family outings.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

With the seats being in need of recovering or replacing, along with shodded floor repair, I don't think I'd feel too comfortable with the trade. If you have properly maintained your vessel, and kept it clean and in good repair, I'd say the other guy is getting the better deal.

Not that NADA book has much in the way of reality, but your boat (Seaswirl) base books at $7,990 - $9,080, whereas his has a book value with the 350 of $6,550 - $7,300.

I'd keep looking for a better boat.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

It will be the only I/O you will ever own. FRED

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

Great information from everyone. Thanks so much.

First off, I was not looking for another boat. Although we don't really like our current boat because of the family discomfort and my loss of the fishing desire, we weren't looking to sell it and buy another because we can't afford it. This trade opportunity was out of the blue (a friend of a family member) and was very intriguing because we could get a boat we did enjoy being on without spending money. A straight up trade.

I had my brother who has worked on marine engines look over this engine and he said it's in great shape, nothing at all wrong that he could detect. He's also been on my CC many times and thinks the trade is a good one, even with the flooring issue. We went together today to see the boat on it's trailer so I could check out the hull condition and the outdrive. It all looked very clean and in great condition. He was concerned about the floor as well. But after much discussion he did say that the floor itself could easily be repaired or replaced. Neither of us was sure how we could check the stringers. Anything that was visible looked good. Not sure how to check anything hidden between the deck and hull. He said it was the engine and hull that was the important part and he was of the opinion that both were very good. Again, knowing my boat well he said he'd do the trade.

Man, I thought this would be an easy decision. I honestly feel that if we did the trade, even with it's issues, we'd be much happier with the other boat when out on the water. The only question is: what surprises lie hidden, awaiting an inopportune moment to surface. Then again, my boat also has some issues but most are just replacing the bilge pump (works intermittently), the live well pump and well nozzle. These are things I'm planning on replacing but just no money at the moment.

We're having the other guy bring his boat over again Wednesday. I'll have a couple more knowledgeable boat people over to evaluate the floor and other parts. It really seems like a good deal, I just don't know enough about boats to know if it's beneficial for me. I like the other boat, it runs very well, handles wakes and waves better then my CC, is easier to beach on islands, swim and reboard than my CC, and is more comfortable for additional passengers than my CC. Since we can't afford to by another boat, even if we sell ours (and in Florida I don't think I'd get more than $5K for my boat) we probably still couldn't buy a decent used boat like this one. My brother says the I/O alone on the other boat is worth the trade.

Man, I just don't know. One minute I'm gung-ho for the trade, the next I'm waffling because of the floor.

Ay carumba.

trob

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

It sounds like a good trade, even if you do end up having to do some floor and/or stringer repair. You're unhappy with your current boat, this boat suits your needs and is of more value than your current boat. It sounds like a no-brainer to me.

Of course, it just depends on whether you're willing to repair floor/stringers if it comes to that. If not, then don't do it.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

As someone else already mentioned. I would be worried about the stringers if it sat uncovered for too long. the hull may seem strong but if the stringers are rotten hull condition won't matter.

If it were me I would take it out for a sea trial. Keep an eye on the bilge and make sure she is not taking on any water. I know you said the engine was rebuilt. How about the U-joints, bellows, impeller? If you don't have any money and don't know how to work on marine engines you may want to keep your OB. I am not sure how much it is there but outdrive service can cost alot when you look at bellows and U-joints. Parts are not bad but the labor can kill you.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Boat swap opportunity

Thanks, rrhodes, for your info about the stringers. That alone has spooked me enough to avoid this trade. I also found out yesterday after visiting the owner and checking out the boat while trailered, that the majority of the flooring behind the driver's and passenger seats was squishy. He said then that all that flooring was pulled up to replace the gas tank and put back down by him and his friend. So that, along with the stringers potential problems, has caused me enough concern to back out of this deal.

I know what problems my own boat has and can deal with those (all minor). Although it's not the kind of boat we want it does get us out on the water, into the Gulf, chilling at islands, etc. so it satisfies our needs, just not as comfortably as we'd like. We'll look into an upgrade later in life when we can afford it.

Thanks to all for your terrific feedback and advice. I love iboats.com!!!!

trob