Good deal on a PROCRAFT Fish / Ski?????

[Randal106]

im looking for another boat. a Fish / Ski. and this one is listed locally. heres the listing.
"1989 PROCRAFT FISH/SKI, 140hp Evinrude. Boat is in good shape new carpet in bottom. Needs a little TLC, but boat runs good. Asking $1200"

i talked to the guy, he said its a 16 footer. the motor is 4 years older than the boat. has power tilt / trim. i havent seen the boat in person. is there anything i need to be weary of on that year evinrude and anything on the boat i need to check out??

he also said he lost the key, so it will need a new ignition switch.

Ill be using it for fishing in the colder months, and a good bit of tubing / sking in the summer. would this be a decent boat / motor combo for that???

Thanks

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Good deal on a PROCRAFT Fish / Ski?????

im on the same boat (heh) about to purchase a 1989 17.8 ft procraft fish n ski with a mariner 150hp.. im paying 1750 boat runs great and compression is good but needs to have the gas tank removed and cleaned,boat needs a good wash and wax,tach doesnt work,missing co captain chair and pulls to the right..if that helps.. buy a compression gauge from your local auto parts store and bring a set of sockets and do a compression check.. have him start the boat and let it run for a few min then do it.. and make sure you get it on the water before you buy..i think it would be a good buy if the compression checks out depending on what work it needs done.. tlc could mean just about anything..

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Good deal on a PROCRAFT Fish / Ski?????

lost the key huh..... that way he cant start it and show you it runs?

hmmm

probably fine, but still raises an eyebrow

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Good deal on a PROCRAFT Fish / Ski?????

tell him to look on the ignition switch, next to the slot, there should be #s there, take the #s to a dealer and get a key. then he can start it.
Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[Williaaz]

Re: Good deal on a PROCRAFT Fish / Ski?????

I agree...HUGE gamble if you can't here it run. Another used engine will cost 3K and up and that will be another gamble as well. Check it over real good...walk the entire deck looking for sagging or spongy spots (rotten floor) and check the transom for breaks or cracks. Look underneath for cracks, gouges, holes ect. Good luck with that one. May be better finding something a little newer...and a little more pricey.