need advice on buying used boat

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

ok, here's another one that sounds promising ...maybe
it's a 19 footer, so a little smaller then what I have been looking at, sounds like the engine and drive might be what I'm looking for, what do you think?
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1990 bluewater ex cuddy cabin - $4250

this boat price has been dropped big time, i really dont need 2 boats in my driveway.It has to be gone this weekend.
19.5 length, 3.7 L alpha stern drive. 540hrs
new gas tank, new floor, new water fuel seperator, new carpet,new cd player&speakers, new uphosltery. new impeller and water pump. GPS, fish finder, portta potty, like new bimini top with drop down curtains and camper cover, ez load trailer with spare tyre. also will throw in a brand new BBQ grill unused that fits in one of the three scotty rod holders.. a lotta boat for not a lotta money.. reason for selling is i fish so i bought a fishing boat

 

[firehog6305]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

or it was to much boat for them to up keep, I have learned from my boats, they are like trailers or motorhomes, what ever you buy, its never big enough thats why I went to a large cabin cruiser, I just spend the last 2days on it with the wife, and its already shrinking ha ha, that 40ft looks really good now. I purchased an 1996 19ft starcraft islander cuddy cabin (alum) with a four clyn merc, for 3500, old owner just let it go to hell, I rubbed it out, put in weeks of cleaning, about a 1000 in parts, keep it for 3yrs without any problems, then turned around and sold it for 10,000 what ever used boat you do end up buying, it will need work, they all do. just dont get into a lemon that nickle and dimes you to death, and no matter what you do, you cant sell it for what you have into it, remember that gelcoat can always be rubbed out, seats can be replaced or cleaned, same with carpet, just watchout for major motor problems, and hull dry damage, but anything can be fixed, just look for one that needs cleaning up

 

[ziggy]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

i think that 3.7 may be one of them mercruiser 470's or the likes. that and omc was the two things i knew i didn't want when i was shopin boats.........

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Ya I agree the price is a little high, I also have a 4.3L/Alpha1 and I love it, yes it needed a little work done I also fixed the manifold on the port side but for $3,500 I knew there was going to need work done on it, I haven't regretted it once and I have a blast out there on the water. I still have more work I need to do but thats all part of it. The one thing you need to ask is "am I willing to do some work on it?" If not keep looking til you find what your looking for>>Pat

 

[dad's boat]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Mr. Stuart I sent you a PM

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I'll call the guy and get some more info on the boat, if it's an alpha outdrive, for the year, wouldn't that be an alpha 1 and not the 470?

is 540 hours on an engine good, bad, or ugly? and about how many hours can you get out of one before a rebuild is needed?

as far as working on the boat myself, that I don't mind, it's all going to be a learning curve to me, but once I figure it out, I think I'll do fine

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

When we decided to buy her The first time I looked under the engine cover i felt like I just walked into a foreign land But now with the right manuals for both engine and stern drive which DON S gave me the links to and these GREAT guys here on Iboats I now know my engine, cooling, and the Alpha 1 like the back of my hand (mostly), but like it was said earlier, have the engine checked out, If it's fine well I guess you have some thing new to learn Now I'm all over it like a kid with a new toy finding out what and how it works >>>Pat Yes it's an ALPHA1 DRIVE

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

ok, here's the story on the boat, I just got off the phone with the guy about his boat, he's done a lot of work to it from what I can tell, he said it is currently not running, he had it in for service, the mecanic said it was good to go, he took it oout and ran it all day, it ran fine, he took it back to the doc, idled up and tied it up and got his truck so he could put it on the trailer, and when he got back in the boat, it wouldn't start, he got frustrated after all the time and money he put into it, and bought a new boat, he just wants it gone.

it does have the alpha 1 outdrive in it, and a 3.7 liter 4 cylinder engine, he said that it might be a pluged up vent line as to why it won't start, he said it's not getting fuel, from the way he's talking, it soubnds like he might come down on his price quite a bit, he still owes the bank 3100 on it so he said he at least has to get that much out of it.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

It could be a whole lot more then the fuel line, If it was that easy I would think he would have fixed that, It could be the fuel pump,coil, the list can go on and on. If it were me I might have to pass on this one, Yes his prob. will be taken care of, but now you will be stuck. is this your first boat and what are you looking to spend? These guys WILL help you find a better running boat(engine) for the money, The engine is #1 every thing else #2 you can do on your spare time

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Does anyone know anything about a bluewater boat? Are they good boats? I asked the guy about the "ex cuddy" as he had it listed in the ad, and he said that it's the executive model, a little fancier then most.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Ok, then I'll pass on that boat, I don't want another headache. Yup, my first boat, and I’m looking to spend around 4 grand or so.

I’m not so picky about the size of the boat, as much as I am about the condition, I just want something I can take out on the local rivers and play with my kids, do some overnight camping and things like that. And not have to worry so much about getting stranded somewhere, so a little dependability from the boat would be nice, something that I can get parts for, easy to work on, I want to be able to take care of it myself instead of taking it in all the time, but that's also going to require a little learning on my part, I'm mechanically inclined, and do fine working on my own stuff (cars, trucks, tractors ect.) but I know nothing about boats and engine and drives ........yet

 

[ziggy]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

i'm still not conviced it's not a 470 version mercruiser...

has it got fwc (heat exchanger)

a big ugly stator harmonic balancer lookin thing with a big bracket on the ft. of the engine.

is the block aluminim

i'd look into why it has a alpha1 on it. cause i think it should be a 470, 170,165 or something like that. i'm not versed engouh to know, one of the pros needs to answer what it is and see if my suspisions are warrented..........google mercruiser 3.7 it all comes up mercruiser 470 version engine......

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

We paid $3,500 for this, But the engine was sound a couple of "minor" prob. with it, Tune up,oil&filter, manifold was leaking. MINOR. So far I have put in new carpet,upholstered the back seats, and waxed her. I am not done yet, It's boating season will work on it more in the fall. I can show you more if you want to see.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Hey Ziggy, Look closely at the Alpha one drive pics he took. Oh and I PMed you.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

We paid $3,500 for this, But the engine was sound a couple of "minor" prob. with it, Tune up,oil&filter, manifold was leaking. MINOR. So far I have put in new carpet,upholstered the back seats, and waxed her. I am not done yet, It's boating season will work on it more in the fall. I can show you more if you want to see.

that's a nice boat wavenbye2, I saw one just like it advertised loclly for about the same price, but thought it might have been a bit to small, I'm sure it's been sold by now though.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

I'm starting to think that maybe I just need to start thinkinng smaller, wavenbye's boat is pretty nice looking, and from the photos, looks clean, if I'm going to come out with something like that, then maybe I need to start thinking "smaller boat"

 

[tmh]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Mr. Stu, take a DEEP breath and relax! You seem as impatient as I WAS buying my first boat. There are tons of boats available, it just takes time. Remember, you can't get a perfect boat cheap.....so expect to compromise on what you wind up with. Just don't buy a total junker someone is dumping on suckers, that's all.

What's you price range again? Where do you live?

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

Our boat is not that small, It is a 20' footer almost 3000pds. 8 man. I agree with tmh. take your time do your home work and you will know it as soon as you see it, that you found YOUR boat. Boats become apart of us, It will jump out at you and you will know it when you see it. Take your time and do it right, Keep on asking and every one here will tell you to the best of there knowledge if parts are easy or don't make any more..we will all help ya buddy >>Pat

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

tmh, I'm in Portland Oregon, and I'm on a 4 grand budget

I called the next ad this morning and left a message, the ad looks good, old boat, but read the ad, it might be something to play with until I find what I'm looking for, and maybe something to pass down to one of my boys? who knows, and maybe I'm jumping the gun a little, its not the boat I want, but sounds pretty clean. don't want to sound desperate or anything, but this is the kind of boat I remember going out on with my folks when I was a kid, kind of a nostalgic thing, don't know about that motor though, if it's as old as the boat, it's probably something to stay away from.

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16' 1962 Larson Boat w/ 70HP Evinrude & Trailer - $1195

Very well kept Larson. Just bought this boat from the original owner a couple months ago. Very well kept inside and out pampered boat.
The 70hp outboard was rebuilt, top and lower unit, in the late 90's and has very little hours on it.
Trailer in good shape. Comes with a newer fish depth finder, a stereo and a CB.
Has dual gas tanks and batteries plus a solar panel for keeping the battery charged.

New partial top cover.

Seats were redone just a couple years ago.

Included are life jackets, two boogie boards, new roaps, a fish net, new six gallon portable gas tank and a cooler.

I replaced the old pulley rope with a new pulley belt and replaced the rubber boat rest in front.

Both six gallon gas tanks are full with mixed fuel.

Just transferred title and am waiting for new tags in the mail.

Just took this boat out last week. Lots of power and lots of fun for good times and or fishing.

A true classic.... Need to sell due to auto rebuilding needed.

 

[Mr.Stuart]

Re: need advice on buying used boat

this was just listed on the computer, I called 3 minutes after the ad posted, I'm flying out the door now to look at it, it's an older woman that can hardly talk and said they can no longer use the boat because of a stroke, if it's an l-drive, I will run, if it's not an l-drive, I may bring it home

16' Bayliner Open Hull I/O with Force 70 Chrysler Motor with trailer. Life jackets and never used Tow Toy and Tow Ropes included! I will miss this boat but a stroke in Aug. forces sale. Loads of summer fun!
$500.00