Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

[wvff525]

Hi I'm' new to boating and Im' looking to buy my first boat. Im' going tomorrow to look at a 17' 1979 Chrysler Stiper with a 70HP Chrysler outboard. I talked to the guy on the phone and he said everything works great on the boat and will take me out on the river to show me. But then he tells me that the boat is old and the hull is soft and has some flex in it. What exactly does this mean? Its a fiberglass boat how would it get soft? My main concern is that Im' new to boating and dont' have much knowledge of what to look for. How do I tell if there is too much damage or whatever? I dont' mind doing a little fixing on it as long as it is not a major repair. Also, what are some things I should look for on the motor to make sure it has been properly cared for and is actually running right? Any other things you could instruct me to look for would help me out a bunch. I just dont' want to buy a boat that is not worth buying. thanks in advance.

 

[texomatom]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

I would strongly suggest calling and cancelling your appointment.
If you "dont' mind doing a little fixing on it as long as it is not a major repair", this is not the boat for you.
A soft hull with flex is not a repair - it's a rebuild. Take a peek at the boat restoration forum if you want an idea.
Tom

 

[vipzach]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

Welcome to iboats! I agree with texomatom! If the boat is soft, then it more than likely been wet and the stringers, the floor, and the transom could be rotted. You could be looking at alot of work to get it rebuilt right. If that is the kind of "project" you are looking for, than it might be a good buy, if not, cancel your test ride. Call the guy and ask what is soft.

 

[Silver/Fish]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

I owned an old '70's Chrysler years ago...Fun ski boat at the time...However the other posters are right. I had to practically give it away when I sold it...Floor, transom, etc had to be all replaced...Major water damage.

Take a look at the newer models and see the difference in construction after 20-25+ years...I think you will be glad you did...Best of Luck...

 

[wvff525]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

So what your saying is that a soft hull most likely means the floor and everything under it will need replaced? That is a pretty major repair but one I might be willing to do later on. What Im' basically looking for off of this boat is parts. I have a 15' 73 SeaStar tri hull that everything is solid on, it just needs a motor and stuff like that. If the Chrysler boat is too bad structurally, I'll just take all the parts off of it and switch them to the SeaStar. This is most likely something I'll do next spring. I would like to use the Chysler to finish out this summer. The boat as I understand is currently docked and in the water and has been used this summer. If it will hold together the rest of the summer I'd be happy to consider fixing it next spring or else switching everything to the other boat. What should I look for on the engine? How can I tell if the motor is in good condition and will be for years to come? Im' pretty sure I could get the Chrysler boat for 600 dollars. Which includes boat, motor, a spare prop, skiing equipment, trailer with spare tire. Let me know what you think? Thanks in advance.

 

[tommays]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

i would avoide a Chrysler BUT you will find out the most in the Chrysler forum section


Tommays

 

[aspeck]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

I'd run from a chrysler, but that is just me. Check the cylinder compression and make sure you have good compression in all cylinders. That is a place to start.

 

[wvit1001]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

A '79 boat is now 27 years old. Unless your getting it for free I would put much money into it. Come to think of it, I wouldn't put much money into it even if it was free.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

Not worth anything, not even if it was free.

Do yourself a favor and keep looking.

 

[wvff525]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

Thanks for the advice everyone. The motor didn't seem to run very well so I passed it up. I'll keep on searching for an outboard. Thanks again.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Going to look tomarrow! have a few questions

Stick with Mercs. or Johnson/Evinrudes. Much easier to get parts, more reliable and you can always find someone to work on them if need be....