need advice on buying used boat

[tmh]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

The best advice I rec'd when shopping fr an older boat was to ONLY consider very common engines/drives, whether in or outboard. Wound up with a 1985 mercruiser 305 with an Alpha one outdrive - just like a TON of boats from that time. Easy to get parts anywhere, lots of info around, mechanics work on them all the time, etc. I'd say just don't bother even looking at any boat with an engine/drive that is anything but "typical" - you'll save a few $$$ upfront but spend a ton more later AND have the boat in the shop for longer.

Second best advice is to take your time. LOTS of older boats for sale, wait until you find one VERY well kept. No soft floor (although I DID have to replace mine), general well-kept look, etc. These cost a few $$$ more than average condition, but again, much cheaper in the long run.

Think through how you will use the boat again. A 17' boat is small and tough on most wives when it's choppy. Want your wife to enjoy the outings...make sure the ride suits her OK. Kids love to bounce around some but most wives do not. 19' is still "fun" but a much smoother ride...and lot's more room.

I don't see why the early-mid 90's is magically better than the mid-late 80's other than just newer. Few if any boats of this type were wood-free then either. Maybe someone know differently, but I haven't seen the "wood-free" craze until the 2000's mostly, and many of those aren't all they're cracked up to be either because they have cores that can still water-log. Many boats like mid-late 80's do have some water issues, but some don't - findone of those!

 

[MikDee]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Well Said, Right On, tmh!

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

thanks tmh, seawolf, mike, and others, I'm still looking, I was looking on craigslist near Seattle washington, that's not to far away from me either, but I think it's all salt water up there, and if I'm thinking right, getting a boat from that area and I might be asking for trouble, I did look at the old 78 bayliner yesterday, but it wasn't near as nice as it looked in the pictures, but it has had a lot of recent work done to it, but I'll hold off, see if I can come up with something a little newer and a little cleaner

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I've seen a few witht he alpha one drives in them, going with somethign like that would be ok?

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

The alphas aren't bad drives, I think the Bravos are a little stronger in the top-end, something to do with shaft and clutch size I believe, but there are TONS of Alphas out there kicking it; parts are easy to come by too, which is of utmost importance.​

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Ok, so as far as the mercruiser stuff is concerned, which mercruiser outdrives do I want to stay away from? I learned my lesson on the L-Drive, and I know to stay away from OMC from you guys are saying, so maybe instead of listing what I need to stay away from, tell me what kind of drives I should be looking for, at this point, I figured while I'm on a search for a boat, I'll run everything past your guys, if at any point, you tell me to stay away from the purchase, then I won't buy, so I'm going to work with the advice you guys are giving me and go from there, you know a whole lot more about this stuff then I do, and I'm just starting to learn.

When I find something that interests me, I'll post pictures and info here, and work off your opinions, I've done this in the past with other adventures and with the wealth of knowledge you people have, I don't think I'll be steered wrong

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

here's the ad for the boat that the guy is going to call me on tonight, from the picture, it's a very nice looking boat. it's got my interest and the guy told me in an e-mail that he's got about 11 grand into it.


1988 Glasstream Regatta Cruiser 21'. Less than 20 hrs. on new engine. Runs Great. Just Purchased new battery. ready to go in the water. Need To sell we are adopting a baby, and need cash by August 1st. Any questions please e-mail. I Check my e-mail very regular through out the day and night. 5299.00 OBO

 

[MikDee]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I've seen that model of boat before, nice boat, really sharp looking! what kinda power, & drive? It seems a bit high priced for the year, even with the rebuilt motor.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I've seen that model of boat before, nice boat, really sharp looking! what kinda power, & drive? It seems a bit high priced for the year, even with the rebuilt motor.

what do you think something like that is worth? that might give me a starting point if and when I might make an offer on it, I haven't heard back from the guy yet, he's suposed to call me tonight, so I'm waiting, I'll find out what it's got for a motor and outdrive when I hear from him.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

The guy called me on the boat, it's got an alpha 1 drive in it, and a Chevy V-6 302, 305, or something like that, he said that the engine in it blew out a couple of days after he bought it 4 years ago, so he took it in and had a new crate motor put in it, he said he didn't want to deal with anything rebuilt, he also said that he had the drive serviced and align, I'm not sure what the alignment is, but he said something about aligning up the outdrive with the engine?

He also sent me a spread sheet of everything he's done to the boat, that includes, a new throttle control box, prop, (he said it's a phantom prop with plastic replaceable blades) new windshield glass, new shift cables, and he also had the boat completely rewired electrically at a cost of 700 and something dollars to bring it up to new boat specifications, new alternator, canopy, wake board rack, new decals for the boat, he says there's no dry rot, but in the center of the boat where that access panel thing is that normally found on boats like bayliner, on his that's where the fuel tank is and the access panel that sits on the floor is a little warped, he said it's always bothered him, but he's never done anything about it, he also said he put all new gages in it, he didn't like the old ones.

I have an appointment to look at it in the morning; he's dropped the price to 4,500

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

here's some more pictures, tell me your thoughts. is this a possable go, or no go?

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I talked to the guy with the boat this morning, he said he fired it up and it was leaking water out of the left side manifold so he doesn't want to sell it right now, he's taking it in this afternoon to get it fixed and looked over, he said it seems to also have an idle problem where it idles to low when cold, it doesn't die or anything, it just idles to low for his likings, so he's taking it in to one of the local boat repair places to have it fixed, I'm still going to go out to look at it, he seems like a really honest guy and said he doesn't want to sell the boat unless he knows it's in good working condition, I'll post pictures tonight, tell me what you guys think, does this sound like a possible buy? and if so, how much should I offer him?

Stuart

 

[tmh]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

hmmm......interesting boat/situation. Sounds like an honest guy which is good. Also sounds like he fixed a lot of potential old boat problems.

Get more info on the engine - Sounds like a V-8 not V-6, which makes sense for that size boat - Maybe a Chevy 305 small block V-8 (that's what I have). Make sure he put in a MARINE engine, not an automotive. Enough differences that is matters, I don't know details.

Alpha one is most popular drive of that period I think, so that's good. Parts, service easily found all over.

Water leaking from manifold!!!! Ohhhhh......be glad he's an honest person! I guess you'll know more when it's fixed or a quote to fix it. Obviously you'd need to know what and why on this.

Running well with a newer engine and very sound structure (floor, transom, etc.) I'd say $4,500 is a very nice price for that one. Heck, with a new engine like that it's just getting broken in!!! At this point, be more sure if it's what you want. You can offer any low amount you want - say $3500 - and see what he says.

However, a fair deal AND his cooperation after the sale if you have questions can me a win-win! I'd rather have a friend after the sale who wants me to be a happy buyer than save $100 beating the price down. This seems like the kind of guy who'd help you out with questions later - and you'll have some.

 

[MikDee]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I agree with all said!

 

[ziggy]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

it sounds like a better deal than the L drive.

hows the floor? any soft spots?

hows the compression on the engine?

does the drive hold pressure? when ya drain the drive to pressure test it, inspect the lub for metal shavings.......

any rot juice stains out the drainplug hole.....

did ya crawl underneath the boat and look at the bottom? bow to stern

anything mounted to the transom that has loose screws? or no screws? if there is, ice pick probe it for rot......

look, look look it over good........i'm a little suspisious of a boat that has all new wireing and gages and engine, new control boxes and cables. what'd it do, sink? when i got my 1975, it has all original everthing that yer talkin about exceot for perhaps rubber parts......

it does sound good and look good. if it is, remains to be seen.....remember the fella does want to sell his boat...........

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

ok, I looked at the boat, it wasn't as nice as I had hoped, I found dry rot or at least soft spots in the floor, and when I rocked the outdrive up and down, it didn't feel as solid as some of the other boats I've looked at, there was quite a bit of missing hardware, mainly teak wood stuff, and they way the seats were installed, it just didn't leave much room to move around in the boat, I told the guy I was going to pass on the purchase, here's a few pictures of what we saw, the engine was a 4.3 liter.

looking for boats is getting frustrating, I've been at this close to 3 weeks now, looked at a bunch of boats, driving around here and there, and still haven't found anything I'm happy with yet.

maybe I'm looking for to big of a boat for the money I have to spend? should I be looking for something smaller? or possibly an open bow? I wanted a cuddy, but from what I'm seeing, it seems like the open bows might be a little cheaper, should I maybe re-evaluate what it is I'm looking for in a boat?

what would you do?

 

[seven up]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I can scan any invoice and put on it what I want.

IMO

Have it mechanic checked for at the least engine compression and drive operation. Oil analysis is another option. And possible rot.

20 hrs on the engine in 4 years. yuck !

Having 11 grand into "it" does not impress me in the least. That's having a boat.

A leaky manifold can be patched with some sandpaper and jb weld just to get it off the lot.

Having a baby, wife's sick and tired, parents going into nursing home...the cash in my pocket is my major concern...and the sellers.

I'd tell him I've got 3400 and will have to wait till next year to run it because that'll clean you out totally. After the mechanicals and wood are checked out.

Just wanted to give you the devil's advocate side of it.

I do it myself. Everythings an easy fix and an easy grand or two.

Once again. Best of Luck.



Enjoy

 

[seven up]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I can scan any invoice and put on it what I want.

IMO

Have it mechanic checked for at the least engine compression and drive operation. Oil analysis is another option. And possible rot.

20 hrs on the engine in 4 years. yuck !

Having 11 grand into "it" does not impress me in the least. That's having a boat.

A leaky manifold can be patched with some sandpaper and jb weld just to get it off the lot.

Having a baby, wife's sick and tired, parents going into nursing home...the cash in my pocket is my major concern...and the sellers.

I'd tell him I've got 3400 and will have to wait till next year to run it because that'll clean you out totally. After the mechanicals and wood are checked out.

Just wanted to give you the devil's advocate side of it.

I do it myself. Everythings an easy fix and an easy grand or two.

Once again. Best of Luck.



Enjoy

 

[firehog6305]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Stuart, you have gotten some great advice on buying a used boat in this forum, but the most important thing I cant tell you when buying a used or new boat, All boats need maintence and repairs, the newer you buy the less repairs might need to be done, but that will only last as long as the boat has the correct maintence done to it. I have purchased several boats, and what I look for in purchasing a used boat is, #1 price, I dont want to buy a used boat if I cant clean it up and sell it and make a profit down the road, #2 history of the boat, is it a good name brand, or some one thats already out of business, #3 how much work has to be done to get it safe and reliable on the water, #4 how did the past owners take care of the boat, #5 how does it run now, #6 do I have time to take on this project, by following these simple rules, I have yet to lose money on a used boat, there has been a time where, I just got my money back, But I used the boats for a summer or two

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Good point firehog, basically, what you have listed is how I'm "now" making my approach to buying a used boat, I learned my lesson from that L-Drive experience, don't want to go there again, I'll keep looking, and posting what I find, the advice you guys are offering up is invaluable, at this point, if you guys say "stay away from it" I won't buy it,

Trust me, I'm listening to every word you guys are posting.

I'm just starting to wonder if I should maybe be looking for a smaller boat, I'm finding nothing but junk with the 20 and 21 footers I've been looking at, so maybe that's just to much boat for my price range?