Free Boat: Shoudl I take It??

[Scott Danforth]

Looking at the photos, the boat looks in ok shape, however appears to have standing oil in the bilge. The boat needs more than detailing. It needs to come out of the water and be thoroughly gone thru

 

[redneck joe]

If you want it do it but not a fan of halving the ownership. I only have one person in my life I'd do that with and he is not a boater but i know he'd do the right thing. Of all my boater friends, maybe one more but not sure hes actually more picky then me and i would be they one getting criticized for doing thing wrong.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

There were people giving away house trailers in Florida during the big real estate bust just to get out of their site rental contracts. This sounds similar. Unless the OP has the skills and equipment to do these needed repairs I would run away. You aren't supposed to look in the mouth of a gift horse but in this case the horse may be on it's death bed.

 

[Bayou Dave]

If they give you the boat legally, why are you locked into THEIR dock rental agreement? That is their problem. Get the boat, get a trailer and take it home.

 

[thdrduck]

Just two thoughts... first: If you can find a trailer and get it out of a $500 open slip and some place where you can work on it or have it worked on, free boat has just cost a trailer. But at $500 per month plus haul out fee, trailer would be best first money spent. Second: I was in a partnership on an old Owens cabin cruiser, never ever again.

 

[thumpar]

I would only do it if you can get it out of the water and skip the $500 payment and I would not do it with someone else. Personally I wouldn't do it at all. There is a reason it is free.

 

[WIMUSKY]

If you can't get out of the slipping contract, forget it. If you can, buy a trailer and get her home. Make a detailed list of "everything" that needs to be fixed/replaced with a dollar amount. Don't forget about issues that will arise and weren't planned.. You'll need somewhat of a contingency fund for those issues. Add up the $ and see if it's worth fixing.... If not, you should be able to get your money back for the trailer. Just make sure the boat is sitting on it when it leaves the driveway.....

 

[Newbie@boats]

Free is free, like stated get it if you can get out of the $500 a month deal, make a list of what it needs and weigh your options. I think I've given away 2 or 3 free boats before put them on CL for free and a few hours later they're gone.

I would take the outdrive off and take it off the trailer sell them for what their worth and someone would take the boat for free.

So worst case secnairo post it up for free and you'll be free of any headaches

 

[peakay]

I think I've given away 2 or 3 free boats before put them on CL for free and a few hours later they're gone.

Newbie, do you think its likely to be able to get rid of one without a trailer?

Despite all the warnings, I'm going to go take it out with the current owner and if it runs well, I'll probably do it. And I'll only do it with a partner to reduce expenses despite what everyone on here says. Its really not worth the full expense for just me. I guess I am crazy!

I thought about buying a trailer and could definitely do it in the future, but honestly I'll never use it that way and don't have any where to store it. We sold our SUV and don't have a tow vehicle. I live 10 minutes form the harbor and just want to be able to go down, jump on and chill.

I called boatangel.com and they think they can move it if I need to ditch it or I can put a free ad like newbie says above.

Thanks for all the feedback. if this goes terribly south, I'll still post here so you can all say you told me so!

 

[garbageguy]

If that IS oil in the bilge; think about what are you going to do with it, and what you are going to do if (when?) more oil shows up in the bilge when you run it.

 

[bruceb58]

BTW, that boat has an OMC Cobra drive. Not the best drive in the world. When was the last time the boat was pulled out of the water and the drive serviced?

 

[peakay]

BTW, that boat has an OMC Cobra drive. Not the best drive in the world. When was the last time the boat was pulled out of the water and the drive serviced?

It was rebuilt 2 years ago according to the owner.

On the oil, I plan to get a better look and assessment this week. I do have an oil-vac if needed. Hopefully it was a spill, if its a leak...not sure.

 

[bruceb58]

I saw that...The drive needs to be pulled every year and the drive oil needs to be changed every year.

 

[fishrdan]

Is it just me, or does the stern look like it's sitting low in the water, stern low - bow high?...

I would clean the bilge spotlessly, then take it for a long run to make sure there is not an oil leak. An oil leak could require engine removal to repair, not something you're going to do with the boat in the water....

 

[GA_Boater]

peakay - If you need a partner to split expenses on a FREE (Freakin, Ridiculous Expensive Enteprise*) boat, you can't afford it. Go for the boat ride and tell the owner it was a nice day for boating, but no thanks.

Reality stinks.

*Coined by Woodonglass.

 

[roffey]

my biggest problem is what I would fix might not be what you would fix even better would be what you might fix is what I might replace. Personally I hate drifting in the middle of the lake when I'd rather be somewhere else. What if your partner wants to have the boat serviced, oil change, gear lube oil filter... but you want to do it your self or vice versa and you don't trust him from past experience... just my 2 cents.

 

[peakay]

peakay - If you need a partner to split expenses on a FREE (Freakin, Ridiculous Expensive Enteprise*) boat, you can't afford it. Go for the boat ride and tell the owner it was a nice day for boating, but no thanks.

I can AFFORD to go buy a brand new one in cash, its just not WORTH it to me to do so. Negative group here making a lot of assumptions.

 

[WIMUSKY]

I can AFFORD to go buy a brand new one in cash, its just not WORTH it to me to do so. Negative group here making a lot of assumptions.

peakay, you asked the members a question. They gave you very good answers. Unfortunately, answers you didn't want to hear. It appears you wanted everyone to say that it's a great idea, when that's not the case. I personally agree with most of the comments.

If you can afford a new boat, I would purchase this one by yourself and save potential headaches by having a second party involved in the decision making, it has the potential to get ugly. I would hate to potentially ruin a friendship over a boat......

As far as assumptions, these guys have been around for a while and I'm sure some have learned the hard way or know someone who has, they just want to keep you from making the same mistake......

WIMUSKY

 

[ondarvr]

Look at it from our side.

You asked a question, is this a good idea?


You don't know much about boats.

You don't know anything about this boat, other than it has been sitting in the water neglected for a few years.

It has an outdated and no longer made outdrive.

The interior is shot and needs to be replaced.

There's a bunch oil of in the bilge.

It has no trailer.

The wood is most likely rotten.

You don't have a tow rig.

You don't have anyplace to put it even if you could take it out of the water.

I'm thinking you don't have the tools or skills to do the job. (I may be wrong about that, and those can be acquired.)

You don't want to spend money on it so you want to take on a partner (very bad idea).

It will cost you $500 a month to just have it sit there.

Tell me how that adds up to a good idea from our point of view.

 

[GA_Boater]

I can AFFORD to go buy a brand new one in cash, its just not WORTH it to me to do so. Negative group here making a lot of assumptions.

Then why do you want to partner up if it's affordable for you? You've mentioned you want a partner in at least two posts.. I'm very confused!

I have a buddy who is willing to go in halves on it to reduce the monthly expenses and refurb costs. Am also looking for a lower cost dock/mooring, but its probably not going to happen in Newport.

Despite all the warnings, I'm going to go take it out with the current owner and if it runs well, I'll probably do it. And I'll only do it with a partner to reduce expenses despite what everyone on here says. Its really not worth the full expense for just me. I guess I am crazy!

Our affordable, free advice isn't worth much, I guess.

Do you have any experience resurrecting a project boat or have you owned a boat?

After the test drive, hire a surveyor and listen to his/her advice. When you become the owner, we will be here to offer more free advice based on hundreds of years of experience. Good luck. I hope she's worth it.