Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

[Danm7890]

Been trying to trade my motorcycle on CL and i have been wanting to find my first boat. someone emailed me this link from CL wanting to trade. I've thought about having it gone through by a marine surveyor but idk if its worth the $250 when i know boats are a project to begin with. might sound stupid but im looking for somin to start learning about boats and I thought this looks promising. just thought I would post and see what I'm getting into since its not a turn key boat. Heres his ad, pictures and part of what he emailed me. Also would like to know the MODEL of this boat. Thanks in advance for everyones help

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/bar/2142537918.html

"when we bought it but it ran good when we went and looked at it it was docked on the lake when we bought it and the guy I got it from took me out on the boat and when I brought it home it sit for about a month and a half then we took it to the lake and was out for about 45 minutes to an hour before it shut off. We had to put a booster box on it to get it back to the dock and it would start and run for a minute then it would shut off and it would start by the key but when I got it home you had to start it by the solenoid that is why I believe it is in the switch or a loose wire and also the waves at the lake were real high the water was real choppy so it may have knocked something loose."

 

[Danm7890]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

Continued...

 

[mr 88]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

The boat look like 1500-2500$ depending on make/year and condition of transom and stringers.It does not appear to be beat on and a good buffing would bring most of the color back.The engine does sound like a bad switch or wiring, not mechanical. I would not pay 250 to have someone look at a boat under 27'. Maybe have your local mechanic put some muffs on it, fire it up, and check compression. How much is the bike worth and how long have you been trying to sell it? If you have equal or less into the bike than my estimate [or anyone elses] on the boats worth then pull the trigger.
The model and year should be on the owners registration.Looks like the guy did a little fishing with it,not much more? Easy engine to work on and the trailer looks okay,check bearings which are cheap to replace.
Heck there might be someone on here that lives close by that would be willing to check it out with you.

 

[Danm7890]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

My bike is listed for $1500 right now which is a common price, and has been on the market for 3-4 months. A local marine shop quoted me 250 for an inspection and I thought that sounded high. As for a local mechanic i'll call around and see who I can find help me. I have no problem spending 50-$100 to have someone look over it. I know mercruiser's are more realiable and well known but how about this 5.0 cobra inboard? If purchased I plan on buying the manual on ebay and research the engine more. Just wanted to know some common things to look for when I check this boat out.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

As far as the cobra setup I do not see a major problem, its all about preventative maintance. Check out the outdrive forum here and ask questions or do a search on that forum.There are more Mercruisers but that does not mean they are any better or worse, marketing.Just like the many brands of bikes out there, if it is a major brand no problem, just a matter of taste or what is available in your price range. I doubt you will find many bike for boats trades any time soon as the price of gas is jumping and boats like gas,bikes sip it. The only thing with boats is you do not use them a ton so the fuel is somewhat minimal on a boat under 24' I would do the trade if the boat suits what I intend to do with it and the compression checks out, along with the transom being solid.
Just read the CL ad, 1993 Carvelle asking 2000/you wanted 1500 for your bike, seems like it is in your favor.In boating years ,the opposite of dog years ,it is still a young pup There is a Carvelle section at the bottom of the forum page, not much on there in relation to the hull. All motor outdrive questions I would direct towards that link, not your boat specific section.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

From the CL post .. " The title is still in the guys name I got the boat from but he has signed it but it being a SC title we didn't think it had to be notarized because other titles in SC doesn't have to be notarized"

When there is a Clean Title is when you can proceed..and ONLY then should you proceed.

YD.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

Ayuh,... Not only is the title a Major Issue,...

OMC is a Defunt company,... Dead, 'n Gone...
Bombardier didn't buy the I/O divsion, just the outboards...

For Me, that's the deal Breaker...

 

[Danm7890]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

thanks for all the input guys. So does the title need to be notarized before it can be transfered? also had him take pictures of the engine for me.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

Title is a dealbreaker, but I wouldn't be looking towards an OMC anyway, especially as a first boat.

 

[Danm7890]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

only reason i considered this is because this is the first trade ive found for a boat. everyone else just wants cash.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

It looks like a good deal. Although OMC is defunct there are parts available for it. As far as the drive goes it is the root of the current Volvo SX/DP series. Yes it is a decent drive and was a forerunner in it's day. Seats do tell a lot of the storage and care for the boat in general but not mechanically. You need to run it (on muffs or in the water) checking the oil before and after you warm it up for at least 15 min. If the oil level is higher or any signs of water (milky/foamy oil) kindly back away. (cracked block, head/s or bad manifolds) All of which would make this less then ideal trade, unless you are wanting to work on everything. Also check the drive oil by pulling the lower plug and check for water, color (should not be black), smell (should not smell like a sewer), and metal (small amount of fine particles is normal) any big flakes or chunks means $$$. Also pull the rear drive cover and the water pump housing and check the impeller and the housing for signs of wear and overheating. (melted/missing blades, melted, cracked housing)

If all of the above (plus the compression check, etc. mentioned above) passes muster you will most likely have a boat you can learn minor repair and extended maintenance on while still being able to use.

Good luck.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

Tell the seller if he is interested in selling the boat to get it titled in his name, at that point you can move on, Like others have said OMC motors and drives are getting harder and harder to find parts for, I think the hull is probably going to need alot of elbow grease to get it looking good but doable, the resale on this boat will be worse when you sell it then it is now.

Seems to me as though your not getting a fair return on your money but if this boat lasts you a couple seasons with no major break downs your going to be a hero to the family, then you can upgrade, but you will likely not get out of it what you have in it.

Its definitely a risk, could payoff but it could cost you too, difficult decision.

 

[Danm7890]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

I emailed him about getting the title issue worked out and also asked if he minds someone coming with me to compression test it and look it over. We'll see what he says.

EDIT: He sent me a quick email back and said he didnt mind having it gone through. He will also contact the original owner and work out the title issue.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

Ok so what your looking for are:

Soft spots in the deck, most will walk around the boat, small steps one foot at a time your full weight on each step, check the entire deck

go to walmart or a boat store and buy a set of muffs, start the motor make sure all 8 are firing(I touch the exhust manifold after startup for heat but you have to be quick) and run the boat through forward and reverse with the motor cowl off listen for noise from the motor knocking/ticking, the gimble joint behind the motor at the transom there shouldn't be growling and the plate that surrounds the gimble shouldn't move when you shift between forward and reverse, Check the steering right and left maybe have someone put pressure on the out drive and see if the pump whines at you.

If your a big guy a friend on mine used to lift the outdrive and watch the plate from outside the boat, it was impressive but I couldn't do it others may have suggestions on how to check it, make sure the prop moves in forward and reverse pretty obvious, ummmmmm, OH make sure there isn't alot of play on the prop shaft, gear play as well as shaft sliding in/out, make sure your trim works and while you still have the hose fill the bilge somewhat and check the bilge pump check the horn, I would get a USCG manual it will give you boating equipment requirements that you should check the Bilge and horn are in that check those so you don't get a ticket later on...I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things but hope it helps..

 

[Danm7890]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

Thats more help then I was expecting. Thanks for writing all that for me. I'm also going to find someone in the area to go with me, maybe someone on here if there willing to help out (I will compensate). I'm waiting for this weather to pass and then I'll pay him a visit. If I can't find someone I'll tow the boat to a local shop and get a second opinion from a mechanic.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Looking to trade for a boat..worth it?

its always best to get the boat on the water but that may not be possible this time of year, I always tell people to trust their first intuition and not get their hopes up, go as though you don't really care if this becomes a deal or not. I also say not to take the other half but if you have to bring duct tape! If they love the boat they can take your advantage of indifference and sink it....ask me how I know!!