Going to take a look at a '87 Renken bowrider

[mike64]

Going to look at this boat:
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/2342067477.html

...that is, if it's still there. Decent boats have been selling on Craigslist the same day they're listed. Economy must finally be improving around here.

Does this sound like a good deal, assuming of course it's in decent mechanical condition and no rot? Been awhile since I've gone boat shopping and I own an outboard so I don't know I/Os very well. Anybody know anything about this brand?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Going to take a look at a '87 Renken bowrider

The brand went out of business years ago. We bought a 1983 Renken brand new and it was mostly junk from the factory. Nearly broke in half after 4 years of use on a small lake. Had the 1983 top deck put on an 88 model hull (we took it back to the factory in Charleston SC for this) and it was MUCH better. Heavier and better. Others have reported good luck with Renkens, but it seems obvious to me that they got caught up in the boom of the 80's and rushed stuff out the door.
The interior of that boat is "practically" junk. Check those seat bases for rot. Check the floor for rot, as the carpet looks bad, I'd guess that boat has sat outside uncovered a lot. That's bad for any 25 year old boat.

 

[mike64]

Re: Going to take a look at a '87 Renken bowrider

Thanks for the tips TilliamWe. Yeah, the interior is weathered but I didn't think it looked too bad for a 25 year old boat. Guy says there's no rot whatsoever but we'll see.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Going to take a look at a '87 Renken bowrider

That spot on the carpet ahead of the port side read seat is worrysome to me. That's where rot in the rot would be expected to be found. That's the side where the swim ladder is, so that seat is the one that every soaking wet skiier has stepped on in the past 25 years. After they step on/off that seat, they stand right there dripping wet.

Those back to back, and maybe even the rear seats don't appear to be original The originals would have been more beige-y, or at least lighter grey, and possibly have had red stripes in them, to match the engine cover and the side pads. That's not really a bad thing, cause if the seats are newer, they may not be rotten. But they appear darker gray or dirty to me, and that's not what color the inside of the boat is.

 

[mike64]

Re: Going to take a look at a '87 Renken bowrider

Yeahhhh.. that spot troubles me too. Well, it's sorta on the way home from work so it's worth a look close up I figure.

Good eye noticing the seat replacement, thanks. I'll ask him about that.

 

[wbc1957]

Re: Going to take a look at a '87 Renken bowrider

Decent boats have been selling on Craigslist the same day they're listed. Economy must finally be improving around here.

More like the old impulsive "want it now" mentality due to the time of the season....