Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

[jopes]

guy is asking $2,000. Boat looks in decent condition for being nearly 20 years old. Supposedly the drains on the block were plugged and did not get all the water out during wintertization. It has a Alpha 1 with a 5.0 Mercruiser inside.

I have prices from USengines for $2545 for the 5.0 or I can jump to a 300hp 350 for $2845, all shipping and core charges are in that, no core given back due to cracked block. 7 year warrentee.

It is a 20 foot Maxum. Just wondering if it is worth $5,000 after dropping a new engine into it. I can do all the work myself.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

guy is asking $2,000. Boat looks in decent condition for being nearly 20 years old. Supposedly the drains on the block were plugged and did not get all the water out during wintertization. It has a Alpha 1 with a 5.0 Mercruiser inside.

I have prices from USengines for $2545 for the 5.0 or I can jump to a 300hp 350 for $2845, all shipping and core charges are in that, no core given back due to cracked block. 7 year warrentee.

It is a 20 foot Maxum. Just wondering if it is worth $5,000 after dropping a new engine into it. I can do all the work myself.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,....
I'd be more worried about all the Rotten wood in the transom, 'n stringers....
After all, it is 20 Years old...

Another point,...
A Dead boat is pretty much Worthless....
The askin' price for a 20 Year old, Dead Horse is atleast Twice what it's worth...

Offer 'im $500. to get it outa his yard....

 

[QC]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

Yup, listen to Bondo. Engine replacement waaaay easier than transom, stringers and even the wooden deck (floor).

 

[jopes]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,....

Thanks, Been a long time lurker and do alot of searching.

I talked to my dad who has been around boats for 50-60 years and he said about the same things you did.

I emailed the seller again and asked when I Can go look at it, I will check as much of the hull and transom out to be sure it is solid and offer less than what he wants. IF he wants it gone he will take it, I can always find something else to get.

Thanks for the help!

 

[jopes]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

Bond-o I just seen where your from. I grew up in Rochester and my father has had his place by Long point State park for nearly 50 years now. Chances are you know him.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

Bond-o I just seen where your from. I grew up in Rochester and my father has had his place by Long point State park for nearly 50 years now. Chances are you know him.

Ayuh,... Anything is Possible,...

My places are in the village, on the river, accross the bay from yer Dad's...
I'm sure he sees my houseboat in front of my places when he's goin' through to his...

 

[emilsr]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

For $5,000 there are some decent boats out there that are in good running condition. A couple of examples near us are a 24' Cobalt cuddy and a 23' Chris Craft open bow, both well maintained, both early 90's models and either could be had for less than $5k.

I'm not sure what boat prices are like where you live, but I would be very surprised if that boat was even worth the cost of a new engine.

 

[jopes]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

For $5,000 there are some decent boats out there that are in good running condition. A couple of examples near us are a 24' Cobalt cuddy and a 23' Chris Craft open bow, both well maintained, both early 90's models and either could be had for less than $5k.

I'm not sure what boat prices are like where you live, but I would be very surprised if that boat was even worth the cost of a new engine.

Everything out here is expensive. For instance it seems most boats under the 3000 mark are in the 70's and the ones in the 80s for that price have outboards.

price range for 4-5000 are still late 80's to very early 90's. Which are still old boats and you have no idea how they maintained the engine over the years.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

where specifically are you looking? Your price range would do pretty well if you extend it to Denver and Ft. Collins....

 

[emilsr]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

Everything out here is expensive. For instance it seems most boats under the 3000 mark are in the 70's and the ones in the 80s for that price have outboards.

price range for 4-5000 are still late 80's to very early 90's. Which are still old boats and you have no idea how they maintained the engine over the years.

Keep in mind the numbers they advertise are the asking price, not what they would take for it. A lot of people put a sky high price on a boat just in case they find a "sucker", but will accept a significantly lower offer.

If you're wanting to spend no more than $5k I'd be looking at boats up to $10k. Shoot 'em an offer...you just never know.

 

[jopes]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

drove it away for $750. it needs a little work inside but I wanted to change some things up from the start anyways. Block is cracked and I already talked to Rapido on a 5.7 for it.

Everything else on the boat works, they just did not winterize it properly

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

Congrats! Start a resto thread and take lots of pics!

On a side note. It seems that with the economy the way it is, some people that have had a boat sitting in their yard for 20 years try to clean the outside up and sell it as TLC. Thats why I trust nothing on CL as they are just trying to get money for their junk.

 

[jopes]

Re: Looking to buy a 88 Maxum with cracked block

Thats why I trust nothing on CL as they are just trying to get money for their junk.

as always it is buyer beware out there. this was registered in 2010.

Congrats! Start a resto thread and take lots of pics!

will do!