Looking at my First Boat -- '77 Crestliner

[brichbk]

I'm looking to purchase my first boat. I live in MN and would like to take advantage of all the lakes for some family recreation and fishing.

I'm going to look at a 1977 Crestliner with a Johnson 70hp motor, I think it's the Muskie 550 based on my research. I've got a friend who has owned a few boats going with me to "eye ball" the thing, but would be interested in the collective opinion of this board. The boat is getting a spring tune-up later this week, so I'll wait til after to give it a sea test (following the advice of this forum board).

Here's a link to the boat: http://brainerd.craigslist.org/boa/1689530627.html

I'm looking for a boat I can take my family of 5 out on the water, me, wife, 9,6, and 6 mo. (not sure the 6 mo will go this year or not). We don't ski or anything but might pull the kids on a tube or something. I would also like to use it for fishing. But "family friendly" is a higher priority than having a "fishing boat".

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking at my First Boat -- '77 Crestliner

Welcome to iboats.

PLEASE PLEASE read through the forums and do a search for rotting decks, transom and what to look for. I sincerely encourage you to get a boat for you and the family but a 1977 boat might be hiding a ton of needed repairs.

The slightest soft spot on the deck is a red flag...... boats deteriorate (rot) from the inside out. When a rotten spot is seen on the the surface it usually gets worse inside. Older boats were also known to get waterlogged flotation.

I sincerely apologize for the upfront warnings but believe me they are worth it. Take a look at the restoration section and look at the work and projects that are going on now

You will thank me in the long run for sounding harsh upfront.

No joke but this is a better value in my opinion http://brainerd.craigslist.org/boa/1694867156.html it probably needs work but less overall maintenance.

 

[brichbk]

Re: Looking at my First Boat -- '77 Crestliner

Thanks for your warnings Bob, I do appreciate them. I am also looking at some aluminum hulled boats to avoid the "rot" issues that come with wood and fiberglass.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Looking at my First Boat -- '77 Crestliner

I have that same boat but with a closed bow. Mine's a 73 and has a 1985 90HP Merc on the back. Relatively fast when unloaded and really nice finctioning boat. I really should sell this thing but I took my wife on here for out first date and can't seem to part with it.

MAke sure to research on here what to look for or you may be in for a NASTY restoration. I got lucky that mine was adult owned and stored in a garage when not in use always.

Good luck.

 

[phoenixisrizen]

Re: Looking at my First Boat -- '77 Crestliner

My first boat was also a Crestliner (1975 Apollo 660) I bought it 12 years ago.
It was in extremely good shape when I bought it. It was owned by an older guy who had it maintained by Bill's Marina at Deep Creek Lake in Md. Even with indoor storage while I owned it, it still eventually started to get soft spots in the floor. But it was a great boat while I owned it. It was very similar to the one you are looking at. As the other guys said, any boat(but esp a boat of that vintage ) should be carefully scrutinized.

 

[brichbk]

Re: Looking at my First Boat -- '77 Crestliner

Thanks for all the info, it has really helped with my decision on what kind of boat to get. I have decided to focus on aluminum boats. I like the idea of their durability for this first time boater.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking at my First Boat -- '77 Crestliner

We have a constant thread going down in the Starcraft section of aluminum SC's we find on CL. Check it out.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Looking at my First Boat -- '77 Crestliner

What ever you get, if it's an outboard, you want at the very least on the engine to do a compression and spark test. Bad compression on one or more cyls. big $$ overhaul, bad spark, $$ power packs. Carbs cost around $100 each to go through plus kits (about $75 ea.) but a power pack is any where from $250 to $400 ea. and some some engines take 2 or 3.

Not tryin to scare you just want you be better informed so you don't end up getting stuck for more than you bargained for. And you will have some negotiation room if you really like the boat.