Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

[Nandy]

Here is what I have been offered.

17 1/2 fishmaster tri hull with a 125 evenrude. This boat is a "project" boat from the current owner. He was going to try to change a few things on it. Now he has to move and he is selling it. I don?t mind a project boat myself. Here is some of the information I have gather.

He has never run the boat. He got it from a friend.
There is a bad spot in the floor. The floor is all fiberglass.
There is one spot in the hull that it needs repair.
He is not sure if the trailer lights work. Tires might have dry rot.
He cut out the front of the inside of the boat for a new deck that never happened.
He cant find the keys to the motor ignition.

Working from the premise that the motor works, do you guys think is worth the $350.00?

I will need to do some fiberglass work and I was looking for a website or a forum that can help with hints and answer questions. Also looking for a place to get information on the motor and boat. Photos from other similar Fish Master boats will be great as it will give me an idea of what the boat looked like.

Any help greatly appreciate it!

Nandy

 

[Nandy]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

Forgot the photos!

 

[Nandy]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

Second page.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

Third and last page!
Thanks!

 

[gcboat]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

I would personally say no thanks. You don't know if the engine is operable, the boat itself will more than likely need some pretty extensive repairs = money. Nah, unless you're really good at mechanics and fiberglass repair I'd turn around. Been there - done that.

 

[escapade]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

try and talk him down, if he's selling b/c he is moving he'll want to dump it, explain to him all the work and blah blah blah might be worth it

 

[Nandy]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

Im experienced with mechanics. Fixing a motor is not a problem other than the cost of the parts. However, i understand where you are comming from. At the worst, if the hull is too messed up I have use for the motor if it is good.
Thanks for your advice,
More inputs?

 

[jtexas]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

You don't need keys to evaluate the motor. First, drain the gearcase, let the first cup or so of oil run through your fingers look for chips & chunks of metal. A little bit of fine shavings on the plug magnet is normal. If the gearcase isn't making metal, unplug the main engine wiring harness and use jumper cables to spin the starter for a compression test. Best put some oil in the cylinders first. If the starter motor won't spin the engine, or if the lowest compression reading is not within 5% of the highest, assume it'll need expensive repairs.

Fiberglass isn't brain surgery, but it is time consuming dirty work.

 

[Windykid]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

The trolling motor and main engine running are worth that.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

The trolling motor and main engine running are worth that.

Plus the trailer! But I'd still offer him only 250$. You're gonna have to dispose of that hull. It is in horrible shape and not even desirable when new. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

what trolling motor?

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

It looks pretty rough to me, unless you get it for nearly nothing it's probably not worth the trouble. What year is the motor? It looks like it may be old enough to be an electric shift? If so, it makes the motor even less desirable. The hull looks pretty rough, but it may be the least of your concerns if the motor and trailer are also in need of repairs. The trailer looks pretty old, your most likely looking at bearings and tires plus any other rubber that may not have survived the years.
What is the second motor? The keys aren't a big deal, they can be had or at worst a new ignition switch can be installed.
It pretty much depends on how you picture that boat when your all done? Is it something you want to own, regardless of condition? If the motor checks out OK, maybe you could just junk the hull and find something better?
I usually look at the value of the sum of the good parts and deduct something for my labor in removing and/or reconditioning them for reuse or sale from that figure. I've brought home some pretty rough boats only to salvage a motor or trailer that I could use or sell. I also have a pretty good assortment of boat hardware and spare parts from doing just that over the years.
When you look and see what they get for a good running used motor, you can see where picking up a whole boat just to get the motor makes sense. You do have to figure in the cost of disposing of the hull to the purchase price though.

 

[protozo1]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

He should give you $50.00 for hauling it away!

 

[Kajun37]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

$50 until you do a compression check and spark check on that motor...

 

[Nandy]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

The most I look at it the least attractive the "deal" was. I offered him $50.00 and will not go over $100.00. If he had told me the motor was running while in his hands, but that sticker on that boat is from 95. That is probably the last year that boat was in the water. It is 5 hour drive for me and a lot of risks if that trailer decided to break during the 200+ miles trip. We shall see.

Thanks everyone!

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

I would not tow that thing 200 miles with those little wheelbarrow wheels. We don't believe in wheels less than 12 inches, and on a boat that size, at least 13.

 

[johndezman]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

didn't look at the pics, but i can tell you omc only made the 125 for two years (71 & 72 or was it 72 & 73?) and while many hard parts, pistons, rings etc may be easy to come by the electronic ignition parts can be pricey to repair/replace if needed.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

I wouldnt take that if it were free.. there are some good deals right now on e-bay & craigs list,, look around..

 

[Nandy]

Re: Is this Fish Master worth $350.00?

Well, the Gent did not took the $50.00 offer. He is not sure what he is going to do, but he did not feel like leaving it go that cheap. I did told him, it was a lot risking for a motor that has probably not been ran for 12 years. He understood and told me he will notice me first if he decides to sell it. I guess im back to check for good deals.
Thanks guys!