CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

[jayard78]

In the image below is a boat I am looking into buying.

I have not seen it yet but the owner says it is a late 80's with a volvo engine that will turn over but needs a carb rebuild and a trim and tilt for on side of the inboard motor. He also says it is solid except for one soft spot in the floor.

What should I inspect when I go look at this?

What is an average price range for something of this caliber?

I am waiting for him to call me with the rest info on the boat such as Feet, make, model, and year. He said it is between 21 and 23 feet. Trailer is in good shape.

Thanks

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

"the owner says..." is the problem. "One soft spot in the floor? Sight-unseen" Walk away...quickly!

 

[jonesg]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

soft spot in the floor = wet foam, rotted stringers and probably transom too.
He can't start and run the engine for you either.

If the seller can prove the engine runs the value goes from $800 to $3K.
So ask yourself why the owner doesn't make sure the engine will fire right up.

As it stands its a project boat, if you want a project find one being sold as such, thats what I did.

The biggest con line is "the hull is in great shape"

but if the engine don't run the hull is just hazardous waste.

 

[QC]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

It might be a good, but I am guessing, big project, however . . . you should probably consider parting it out to figure out a value. That's what you really have there now, a big pile of parts . . .

Edit: Sorry, got distracted while I was posting and jonesg's similar opinion came in. I'm leaving mine for emphasis.

 

[jayard78]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

A little more info on it:

the make is a galaxy.
it is really inexpensive, $1400

 

[Randybeall]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

Your last statement is totally dependant on condition of the boat. Replacement engine? Replace the floor, and the foam beneath it? Replace one side of the tilt/trim hydraulics? As I see it your looking at about $3000 worth of repairs if things work out good, $5000 if it is bad. This is a boat to work on by an experienced rehab sort of person. Then it might be "inexpensive".
What should you inspect, the transom, the steering, the wiring, the battery and cables. You need to hook up a hose and start it to prove that the engine is fixable or if it will require major overhaul type work, engage forward and reverse while it is running to see if the lower unit is any good at all. Inspect the tilt/trim to see if it will all have to be replaced. The floor should be thoroughly inspected to see if one spot is bad or only one spot is obvious, if there is any kind of opening check to see if it has foam. Is there dampness below the floor. Look at the transom, is it flat and in good condition, or wavy and discolored inside. Pull the drain plug if it is not out, I got about 10 gallons out of a boat I was thinking about. Look at the bottom of the boat, is it flat, recurved or warped improperly. Damage and or discolored patch work on the fiber glass? Look at it like your going to pay $10,000 dollars for it, if you don't it could cost you that much in headaches down the line.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

Could be a good project, just make sure you go into it with both eyes open. Specifically find out what it's going to cost you to get the tilt/trim working properly and do a compression test on the motor to make sure you have a solid base to work from in getting her running good. If most of the interior pieces are in good condition and can be reused and the trailer is decent then I think it could be worth $1000.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

Run. please, Run.

It is sitting open to the elements, the floor and stringers are definitely rotted. And if you havent given up yet, make some calls for parts on that volvo engine. The carb will set you back several hundred or more, and I bet that isnt the only problem. The boat is salvage, should be chopped for parts. Sorry to be harsh but please dont buy it. I am sure the upholstry is shot too...


so the trailer is worth about 250
odd engine and outdrive parts if taken off and cleaned= 500 tops
cost to dispose of the hull and other garbage=100 if you do the chopping.

So for tons of your sweat and labor you could walk away several hundred richer.

OR

find a well cared for boat similar to this ready to drop in the water for $2500.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

Run away.

I've seen boats like that for FREE around here.

Best to move on and find something that works and is water ready right now.

 

[jayard78]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

Welp, I will take the advice and move on. Thanks All for your words of wisdom. My bank acct. thanks you too.

 

[oldfordcrap]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

every thing is expensive to repair properly on a boat the only deal you will get on this boat is the day you buy it

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

and I bet it's worse now, two years later

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: CALLING ALL GURUS - Thinking about buying this boat, Please give advice

Yep, Old threads are popping up a lot lately. :facepalm: