Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

[Cort424]

I am looking at buying a 93 18ft Chaparral ltd or a 97 Marada 18ft executive ski boat. The Chaparall has has a 4cyl I/O on a dorsey trailer. The guy that has it does not know about the service history on it but said it has a small rotten spot in the wood around where the ski compartment is on the floor. He is asking $3600 for it. The Marada also has a 4cyl I/O with only 98 hrs on it and they are asking $6800. Do these boats have fiberglass or wood transoms and are either boat worth the money?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

Welcome to the iboats forum!

Which 4 cylinder engine, what type of outdrive, I find it hard to believe only 98 hrs on the boat.....maybe on the meter.

Check nadaguides.com for current values and read about buying a boat in this forum. It is a great idea to have a survey but a quick start would be providing people with more details.

There are some engines to avoid, some outdrives that no longer have parts available and any rot is also a big warning sign.

 

[Cort424]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

It's a mercruiser and I haven't seen the boat in person they just say it has 98 houres. NADA shows it priced a bit high. I don't know about anything else on it. I know nothing about marada boats. Any thought on the chaparral? It's priced below nada but the age and rotten spot worries me.

 

[superpop]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

were are you located, that can have a big impact on boat values. Chaparral makes a great boat, I just purchased one and it is very good build quality.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

to me both are under powered with the 4 banger. they need a 4.3 v 6.

 

[Cort424]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

The boats are in Tulsa. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

It's a mercruiser and I haven't seen the boat in person they just say it has 98 houres. NADA shows it priced a bit high. I don't know about anything else on it. I know nothing about marada boats. Any thought on the chaparral? It's priced below nada but the age and rotten spot worries me.

I still do not trust the hours. Do the math and think about it. That is less then 10 hours per year ........ I am suspicious that either the gauge was not working, not hooked up, or was installed later.

Mercruiser outdrives are good and what is on the other side of that transom will also make a huge difference. Some of the mercruiser 4 cyclinders were trash.

Get the boat surveyed by a qualified person. GET A WATER test too

 

[Cort424]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

How would I check the transom?

 

[H8tank]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

Priced very high for a 4 cylinder IMO, and I too would suggest looking for a V6, those 4 bangers are dogs. My friend has an 07 tahoe with a newer 4 banger, and it is a slug with more than 2 people.

 

[Cort424]

Re: Ideas on a 93 Chaparral or 97 Marada?

The motor on the marada is a 4.3 ltr The one on the Chaparral the guy says is a 4cyl but I dont know that is true. He said he doesnt know anything about ski boats. The older boat is in my price range but dont know if a newer boat is worth the extra cash.