Curious what you guys think..

[Billin21]

This would be a boat for my family of 3 and friends.. Do you guys think this would be worth it, assuming the floor and such is in good shape..

1970 Mark Twain 100 Johnson

Thanks for the advice

 

[southkogs]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

Family of 3 ... probably okay.
Family of 3 + friend ... a little snug.
Family of 3 + friends ... pretty tight. 5 people on board, and you'll wonder where all the "boat" went.

It's a 15' and it'll get cramped in that cockpit kinda' quick.

Mark Twain's are nice old boats (not top of the line, but nice), and that one looks to be in REALLY nice shape (at least in pictures). If the hull is solid it could be a nice runnin' boat out on the water.

The outboard is an electric shift Johnson: I've owned a few electric shifts (have one now) and I rather like 'em, but they can be kinda' finicky and you have to search for parts for 'em (not been made for MANY years and OMC is out of business). I don't know how many mechanics will work on one anymore, and you really don't know what's wrong with it. Ad says, "just needs carbs" - maybe, but who knows? So, assume (unless he can get it to run for ya') you're buying a motor-less boat. And for what's there - decent, well kept boat and trailer + accessories - $600 might be in the ballpark.

But, I would assume a dead outboard on that boat ...

Welcome aboard.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

Yup,but how many family? Going out in a boat with too many family gets crowded pretty quick, been there done that. The price isnt bad but be shure to check for soft spots in the floor and if so,check the transom for rot also. One quick check for the transom is to tilt the motor up,grab it by the lower unit and pull up/down,see if it gives any movement,if so it's on it's way out. Even put a foot on the l unit and not jump but force it up/down,same thing,any give its not good. They go bad from the bottom up. Them older motor's like their fuel too. Even though they are good runners when tuned correctly,I like them but am leaning more these days to more efficient motors
If ya buy it have fun, even if ya upgrade later you'll have fun with that" first boat"
Grub

 

[Billin21]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

I meant that it would be me and my wife and son.. or possibly some friends. I know its kind of a smallish boat, but I like the price and style. Im mechanically inclined, so the motor doesn't scare me.. Rot does. Im not nearly as bold or talented as some of the people in this site and am not sure I want a huge restoration project. The plans would be to fix is and go out on the lake every other weekend or so

 

[Billin21]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

also, Thank you gents for the advice!!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

They aren't telling you that you can't get the engine running or to be afraid of but that EVERY junk crapped out boat engine for sale everywhere in the world "just needs carb work" or "just needs a tune up"..... When considering the purchase ASSUME that the engine is a total loss and price accordingly... only AFTER the sale on your way home should you start crossing your fingers and hoping like heck that the engine will run good for you.

With an asking price of $600 I would talk to the seller and fell him out with the goal of getting it for about $350 after some polite careful negotiation.
btw ALWAYS have cash in your pocket before even showing up to look at it and if a family member can't contain their excitement... leave that person AT HOME..... Nothing in the world cuts your legs out from under you like the seller seeing your wife give her seal of approval or your kid begging please daddy PLEASE! LOL

Before you go also price out used outboards.... useful for you to know AND possibly useful in negotiating.... good luck

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Curious what you guys think..

normally I'd say no to a boat/motor that old for family boating where reliability is important but that one looks like a real gem--one owner, well kept.
Although if it's electric shift, probably not from what I've heard. Budget to repower.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

I'd add to figure an electric trolling motor and a big deep cycle into the equation... with an engine that old it's nice to have a backup plan to get your family off the lake should you have troubles.

 

[geneseo1911]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

1) I started with a 14' closed bow similar to that. With my wife and baby and all the "stuff" (cooler, towels, diaper bag, noodles, life jackets, etc.) we contantly stumbled over everything and I wished for a bigger boat. But we still had lots of fun! Don't count on being happy with more than 2 adults and maybe 1-2 little kids.

2) Mine only had 40 HP and wouldn't do 30MPH. Sucked. With 100HP it should be a fun little crackerbox with enough oomph to do a little towing.

3) I THINK the electric shift lower is interchangeable with the standard. At least with the 2 cylinders it was. I think you could part out that motor and make most of your money back as a worst case scenario. On mine (1969 40hp) maintenance parts were no problem to find, so if the spark and compression are good, I don't think it'd be too hard to get going.

4) That's an awfully nice looking little boat. He's not too far out of line IMO. I bet $500 buys it and I would consider it to be a very good deal in my area.

5) Search carefully for any stress cracks near the engine or soft spots in the floor. Being stored indoors is 90% of keeping a boat rot free, but the term "boathouse" made me a little nervous.

 

[geneseo1911]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

I'd add to figure an electric trolling motor and a big deep cycle into the equation... with an engine that old it's nice to have a backup plan to get your family off the lake should you have troubles.

Good plan.....I did exactly that..and had to use it a couple times. I still carry the trolling motor on my new(er) boat.....

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

It's priced great. However, it's 43 years old and expect issues that you do not see now. I'm from the philosophy now that I'd want at least a motor/ boat from 1990s and newer.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

Great starter boat, if floor and transom are solid. I had use DC a friends Glastron with an old 85, boat and motor of similar size to this Mark Twain. It was a blast! Beat the snot out of that boat and it kept coming back for more.

If solid, at 4 or 5 bills, you have yourself a great little project. Get the motor running for a year and it won't be long till you are ready for a newer, bigger boat. You should be able to recoup all your cash out of this boat and trailer at that time.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

Great starter boat, if floor and transom are solid. I had use DC a friends Glastron with an old 85, boat and motor of similar size to this Mark Twain. It was a blast! Beat the snot out of that boat and it kept coming back for more.

If solid, at 4 or 5 bills, you have yourself a great little project. Get the motor running for a year and it won't be long till you are ready for a newer, bigger boat. You should be able to recoup all your cash out of this boat and trailer at that time.

I agree completely. I purchased a similar boat with a 50HP on the back. Used it for a year and a half until it was time to upgrade. Boat owed me nothing and with a little TLC I managed to sell it for $500 more than I paid.

As Aspeck said, if the boat itself is solid, might be worth the tinkering to get it going and out on the water.

 

[Billin21]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

Thanks all. I really like the trolling motor idea! Im going to try and look at it today.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Curious what you guys think..

Its a nice LITTLE boat and three will be a crowd. More will be like squeezing the family into a MG.