Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

[SeaRayKindaDay]

I'm going to look at an 18.5' 1998 bayliner capri (I know the stigma), but the price seems right and I'm thinking about stealing some parts off it and parting it out. The interior is in below average shape with upholstery showing weather and pulled seams. I bet there is rot even though the guy said the floor is solid. The alpha gen 2 out drive works great he said. The engine has a cracked head from overheating, but still runs. He said the engine water pump caused this.

If I can get it bought for $1500 would you guys think its worth it? I figure the gimbal ring, bell housing, outdrive and cylinder rams, trim pump etc would be worth that. Plus it comes with a trailer.

Is there any hope for the engine being fixable with a new head and gasket? Oh ya, it's a 4.3L

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

I'm not sure what exactly it is you're after here...but at face value, I would say $1500 is no bargain in this case.

If you were in the boat parts business, you would already know what the market in your area would bear for used parts.

Good luck!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

Yes, $1,500 seems high Is there a trailer involved?

you could probably sell the outdrive & transom assembly, and the trailer.

the engine might cost as much to fix as what you could get for it. So, maybe just part out the engine (alt, starter, dist., etc.)

 

[tazrig]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

I'm going to look at an 18.5' 1998 bayliner capri (I know the stigma), but the price seems right and I'm thinking about stealing some parts off it and parting it out. The interior is in below average shape with upholstery showing weather and pulled seams. I bet there is rot even though the guy said the floor is solid. The alpha gen 2 out drive works great he said. The engine has a cracked head from overheating, but still runs. He said the engine water pump caused this.

If I can get it bought for $1500 would you guys think its worth it? I figure the gimbal ring, bell housing, outdrive and cylinder rams, trim pump etc would be worth that. Plus it comes with a trailer.

Is there any hope for the engine being fixable with a new head and gasket? Oh ya, it's a 4.3L

To start, I think $1,500 is high for what you'd be getting. Around here (New England) a '98 Alpha Gen 2 drive in good working order is worth about a thousand give or take. That's assuming it really is in good working order. (you would need to pressure test it, check to make sure the shaft spins true etc.) If the floor is solid it's probably because it's been double planked, (new plywood put over the rotted one) so it doesn't sound like there is much value in the Hull. As pointed out earlier you could probably part out some things off the engine. I guess you have to ask yourself if it's worth your time to buy the boat and part it out. I don't see a lot of extra money to be made after you have to pay to have the rest of the picked over hull hauled away when you're done. But either way good luck with it if you decide to go forward with it. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

no, unless you have a need for the parts yourself, or a firm buyer for the parts lined up, and no value on your time. It's like buying a wrecked 1986 Ford Taurus with a blown motor for $2000 for parts.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

Yep, way too high for a parts boat. That boat in water ready condition wouldn't be worth a whole lot more.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

A friend just bought exactly what you are looking at for $300 with an aluminum trailer. He just had a blown head gasket though, not a cracked head. His floor is soft in the back, but the stringers look OK. Seats look a bit ratty. He had it running in a day. So hopefully that puts it in perspective.

 

[SeaRayKindaDay]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

Thanks for the input guys. You all pretty much reinforced what I was thinking. I told the guy I wasn't interested.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

no, unless you have a need for the parts yourself, or a firm buyer for the parts lined up, and no value on your time. It's like buying a wrecked 1986 Ford Taurus with a blown motor for $2000 for parts.

What he said. It's not the Bayliner part of the equation that makes this a bad idea. You made the right decision, IMO.

 

[dvtran]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

Good on you for not wasting your time. You want to make a quick dime? Find someone desperate to sell their small outboard and low ball them. Little motors from 8hp to 25hp always sell. Growing up my dad always had 2 or 3 boats in our yard. From little 10 foot tin cans to 22 foot bow riders. it was awesome to take your pick on what you wanted to put out on the water on any given day. The old man mad a profit on every single boat and motor he bought and re-sold. I sure miss the good ol days when I didn't pay for anything.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

I sure miss the good ol days when I didn't pay for anything.

Don't we all...

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Looking at a boat tommorrow- Is it worth it?

I would tell the guy I would take take 300 and haul off this trash boat.