Help me find the right boat...

[KewlBird]

I thought I would turn to my favorite forums for decision making....I am looking into buying a hardtop boat 21-25, and found one that I like. Now can you guys help me decide whether this boat is worth the money? It is a 1977 Silverline 22ft Hardtop. It has a 235 hp OMC outdrive. It has a trim and tilt outdrive with trim pads. It comes with a Megellan GPS, Hummingbird fish finder, and a Uniden ship to shore radio. The anchor is a Danforth. The trailer has surge brakes. The owner claims that the only thing needed on it is a new carpet and seats need to be reupholstered. He also states that for the age the boat is in a super condition (his exact words).
Here's couple of pictures of it. I haven't seen it in person yet but the size and shape of the boat is exactly what I'm looking for so please let me know if this boat is worth the money and if anyone knows any common problems for these boats...Asking price is $5,950

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

1st it is a 30 y/o OMC drive system. parts are hard to find, and expensive. it is a 30 y/o boat. trailer been painted recently, what is the paint hiding? if i were looking at it. the first thing is would do is change out the drive train, which means rebuilding the transom, to fit an new outdrive. i do believe, Volvo Penta makes a conversion kit.

 

[DJ]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

1st it is a 30 y/o OMC drive system. parts are hard to find, and expensive. it is a 30 y/o boat. trailer been painted recently, what is the paint hiding?

Ditto!

 

[KewlBird]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Before I found out the year I thought it would've been from 1980's, but the owner emailed me info and said 1977. I thought it was worth the full price until I found out the year, that's why I thought I'd check with you guys. The second runner up is this 1987 21' Trophy that I found here on Iboats http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/marine_classifieds/adv-search.cgi?id=382902 . It's about a 6 hour drive for me and from the sound of it the silverline maybe out of the running.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

i would want a lot more info on the trophy, before i drove 6 hours to see it. engine, outdrive, hours, when the manifolds, and bellows have been change. pictures of the engine. in this market there is negotiating room of the price of all boats. post the info when you get it from the seller. he's dealer he knows to post pics of the engine compartment and outdrive.

 

[gcboat]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

i would want a lot more info on the trophy, before i drove 6 hours to see it. engine, outdrive, hours, when the manifolds, and bellows have been change.

Absolutely !! Also remember that Bayliner had the option of installing a few different outdrive / engine packages during those years. Now, don't completely shy away from the Cobra drive. If maintained and properly adjusted they are good units. The King Cobras are the ones to avoid - at all costs.
I'd definately do as TD mentioned and make some phone calls and get all the maintenance info possible. That is a really long drive to find out it is a POS.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

1977 wouldn't be a Cobra - it would be the old ball-gear OMC outdrive. Cobra didn't come out until the late 1980s when the MerCruiser/Volvo patent ran out...

Nice boat, but with the outdrive being what it is, and the interior needing work, I would not pay nearly $6000 for that rig. Looks more like something in the $3000-$3500 range to me...

- Scott

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

For what it is worth....

I am not a basher of older boats but there are a few facts I would like to share.

Be cautious of older boats with rot issues.
Be cautious of the type of engine and outdrive. Many of the older boats were sold "underpowered" or with powerplants that are problematic.

If a boat has spent it's life on freshwater they tend to be easier to repair.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

If you have $6000 to spend, if you are patient, you'll be able to find something in the 22' to 24' range that is newer and has a volvo penta or mercruiser and may not need interior work. But, I agree with the others. OMC parts, although pretty available now through ebay and such, will become harder and harder to find.

If it was a great deal, like $2000, and in good running condition, then you could trade off an obsolete outdrive system for a good price.

When boat shopping this time of year, you have to be patient because there won't typically be as many boats on the market. Once the weather warms up, you'll hopefully be able to find more boats for sale..

 

[oops!]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

as far as the silverline......the carpet and some uph need to be replaced.....that is a big warning flag that it has been stored out doors with out a tarp......that means possible rot......

BUT.....6 grand for a 77 with an omc leg is just way out to lunch

 

[KewlBird]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

i would want a lot more info on the trophy, before i drove 6 hours to see it. engine, outdrive, hours, when the manifolds, and bellows have been change. pictures of the engine. in this market there is negotiating room of the price of all boats. post the info when you get it from the seller. he's dealer he knows to post pics of the engine compartment and outdrive.

Well, it seems like you guys are unanimous about the decision. The 1977 is out. Bayliner is still in....
I talked to the guy and he gave me some info on the boat: It has a 3.0L Mercruiser, OMC-cobra outdrive, no information on the manifolds/bellows. There was a little of repair on the nose of the boat. Basically says that the little upholstery it has is in a good condition. It doesn't look too bad, but I know the looks can be deceiving. Here's a bunch of pictures that he sent me.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

 

[KewlBird]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

 

[KewlBird]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

well i don't like the outdrive to begin. the 3.0 is way too small for that boat. i would want a 5.0 or 5.7. the boat will be a slug on the water. there are many more boats out there that are better.

 

[shout]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

FWIW - I have a 20' SeaFox cuddy with the 3.0 liter merc, boat only weighs 2500 lbs, and the 3.0 is marginal - can't imagine that motor in the bigger boat

Shout

 

[KewlBird]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

I'm not too concerned about going real fast, I'll mainly use it for fishing so fuel economy of 4cyl. would be a plus. Is there something to look for in that Outdrive, I know it looks bad with the paint peeling but it doesn't necessarily show whats inside...I'm sure the price could be dropped a bit...Thanks for the replies you guys , TS you are always a great help.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Honestly you need to keep combing the web, the right boat will come. Here in Upstate NY there is a nice Thompson 22ish hardtop with a mercruiser V8, freshwater. Same price range. That is what you should really wait for. An OMC Cobra is not a terrible drive, there are parts out there, but the bigger problem is finding a mechanic who knows how to work on them. Remember that the last training manuals on OMCs went out in the late 80s...so more and more young mechanics will be going on their wits.

I had a '91 cobra drive and with a good old mechanic and the proper shift cable upgrades I STILL had intermittent shift problems. Merc or Volvo for me, forever.

 

[salty87]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

add your gear and a friend or 2...being underpowered, you might not like it. if so, you could take a bath if you try re-selling it.

power isn't just for speed.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

Re: 1977 Silverline, worth it?

the 3.0 engine is marginal on a 17 foot boat, that thing would have to run wide open all the time, to keep that boat on plane, if it planes at all.