New to Boating is this a good first boat?

[stuartboater]

Recently moved to FL Coastal town.
Have been looking for a good solid boat that will be dependable and easy to maintain.
I have done the craigslist thing and bought a boat that turned out to be a lemmon so I sold it to someone that had the ability to fixerup.... lots o mechanical things....

Now I am going to try again

Found a Wellcraft 21 ft Excalibur
It was a trade in for another boat at a local dealer.
Its in very sound shape everything looks good
All the seats and cushions are A+
The hull is sound with no cracks nothing soft the Keel is solid
Engine is clean its a Volvo 260 I think

They are asking 12400 for the boat. I know its in the range of blue book value and on the low side from what I can find.

But has anyone had any personal experience with this boat????
Good or bad I would like to hear. I dont want to make another mistake..

Thanks

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

Spend the money on a Marine Surveyor......................it will save you money in the long run.

 

[stuartboater]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

Good information
As far as this boat goes, has it been shown to be a good boat overall if everything checks out ok?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

what year is it? wellcraft builds an excellant boat. i'm seeing a lot of older ones, that the owners are happy with that they are investing in new outboards for them, rather than a new boat.
that Volvo drive package is also a good one.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

Wellcaraft is a trusted name that has been around for many a year. Also the Volvo I/O is highly rated, however any used boat is only as good as the previous owner.
Since you are buying it from a dealer, see if he will warranty the boat.

These posts are hard to answer due to the fact that we can't see what you are buying. It would be good to have someone knowledgeable to be with you on a sea trial.
Also available are marine surveyors who check boats out for a living.

Good luck!

 

[Firestar]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

Being that the boat most likely saw salt water use, I would definitely have a professional servey done.
The salt water tears up the block, heads, exhaust, everything that has the salt water run through it. There are boats that have closed cooling systems on them for just that reason. To keep salt water out of the power source/engine and components.

 

[stuartboater]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

Again thanks alot
The boat is a 2002
I know the previous owner was very careful with the boat. It has all the service records and was serviced at the shop I am purchasing it at.

 

[stuartboater]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

Can anyone reccomend a good Marine Inspection person in or around Stuart Florida or Port St Lucie Florida?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

TD's right Wellcraft builds a solid high quality boat........................the Excalibur model has been around a long time...................if it surveys out go for it................................good luck.

 

[stuartboater]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

Thank you all
There are some very valuable resources on this forum

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

yellow pages for marine surveyor, there should be several in that area. big boating center.

 

[cayleighcay]

Re: New to Boating is this a good first boat?

Just my personal opinion, but I would not buy an I/O in a 21ft boat near saltwater. I understand I/O's in bigger boats on the coast, but you are better off with an Outboard where you live (I live just north of you).