New to forum, new boat

[Carl1783]

Howdy! New to the forum here. Looks like a lot of good resources here. I’m not new to boating, grew up with ski boats, jet skis, jet boats, and small outboard fishing boats my whole life. Mostly ran a Reinell 200 with a Chevy 350 and a Volvo I/O growing up on a lake.

I am going to be taking possession of my first boat that I will officially own myself and wanted to get some input/advice on it. My bro in law is giving me his ‘86 Chris Craft Scorpion with a 305 Chevy. He wasn’t sure what make the outdrive is, but since it’s an ‘86 it isn’t a Dreaded OMC stringer, right? Let’s hope.

Boat has had routine maintanence from what I can trace back to about ‘96. It’s atleast a 3 owner and I know the previous 2.

I have general knowledge on boat maintenance and am comfortable wrenching to a certain degree.

Anything I need to lookout for on an ‘86 Scorpion?

Boat is 300 miles away from me so I can’t go see it in person yet and I have never been on it before.

Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Its a 33 year old boat with an obsolete drive.

 

[82rude]

Hope you have fun with her.Hers a site with links to usefull info.Theres a fair following and fan base for those chris crafts.https://www.chriscraftstingers.com/ When you can get pictures and more info theres lots of guys on here that will help you out and give your helpful tips ,suggestions etc.If it needs work ,restoration,etc we got you covered.

 

[redneck joe]

Don't let Debbie Downer Scott scare you, my youngest boat is about to turn 40. Yes I've spent time sweat and money but my entry price point was same as yours and after almost 20 boats this is my favorite and do not regret my investments, including small blood loss.....

Since it is from your BIL hopefully he will be up front with you about any deficiencies, mainly structural, if he is knowlegeable. There is a buyers checklist here somewhere, when you get the boat go thru it then you will know where you stand. Then you can decide if it is safe for use and what it might need. Or scrap it.

Welcome to the forum

 

[Scott Danforth]

Not being a downer, just answering the queation on "Anything I need to lookout for on an ‘86 Scorpion?"

The mid 80s were not OMC or Chris Crafts best years.

As far as outdrives go, the stringer had its problems, however if properly maintained, its as good as any. The vertical driveshaft is the weak link.

If its the Cobra drive, its first year of the Cobra, which has its own issues

 

[Old Ironmaker]

There is a Sticky at the top of this forum outlining very well what to look for when buying a used boat. It's an old boat and I would expect to find many issues that come with a boat that old. Unlike when buying new the bigger they are the less they are worth after all those years. Condition, condition and condition.

Just this AM I went with a pal to look at a 38 year old 26 foot Owens I think. It is no more than a scow of a boat, hasn't seen water under it in 7 years, plenty of water on top and in it though. Water was above the engine manifold, no one took the plug out 7 years ago. I told the seller and my buddy we would take it away for $2500.00 because it needs to be cut up into pieces and sent to landfill. Then I said actually that isn't enough money to tow it away because the trailer frame was rotten through, all 4 tires were flat and the brakes were seized. Hopefully your boat is somewhere in between. Pictures will help assess the work that will need to be done by you.

Good luck.

 

[Carl1783]

Snagged a pic of her from FB. Doesn’t reveal much but it’s a start.

 

[Blind Date]

Well you can tell it's powered by a MerCruiser not an OMC.

 

[82rude]

As long as the structure is sound it looks like a nice example .Looks well taken care of .Get more pics we like pics.I like the looks of her ,very sharp looking.Me thinks your bil likes you,lol.

 

[Carl1783]

Well you can tell it's powered by a MerCruiser not an OMC.

How can you tell? I thought the Cobras and Mercs looked pretty similar?

 

[Carl1783]

As long as the structure is sound it looks like a nice example .Looks well taken care of .Get more pics we like pics.I like the looks of her ,very sharp looking.Me thinks your bil likes you,lol.

This pic is a few years old, but he’s a pretty particular fella and a diesel mechanic so I believe he took good care of it. I think he likes his niece and nephew (my kids) more than he likes me which is why he’s giving it to me . I think it also brings back sad memories of his ex GF and her kids which is why he had it originally.

 

[Blind Date]

How can you tell? I thought the Cobras and Mercs looked pretty similar?

It's a MerCruiser. The shape of the skeg is completely different between the two.

 

[redneck joe]

Omc is diff color too.

 

[Carl1783]

Thanks boys, I’m learning stuff already.

 

[garbageguy]

As long as the structure is sound it looks like a nice example .Looks well taken care of .Get more pics we like pics.I like the looks of her ,very sharp looking.Me thinks your bil likes you,lol.

+1 on all of that. Nice lookin boat...

 

[Carl1783]

Got an update from the BIL. The boat needs bellows replaced, an engine tune up/fluids changed, and has some cosmetic issues like broken wood/trim and decals (which aren't a big deal to me). The engine/outdrive things are what I care about. Boat hasn't been in the water in 2 seasons but has been covered and stored in a garage.

 

[82rude]

Nothing that cant be easily fixed.If you have never done a bellows change theres tons of vids on youtube .Even some dealerships have vids on there.Personally id save a ton of money and buy aftermarket bellows replacement kits .My brother got one that was just as good as mercs for a fraction of the cost.Would be surprised if iboats doesn't have some .Doubt very much he wants to off load a lemon on to you he would never hear the end of it from his or you sister.

 

[Carl1783]

Saw the boat in person for the first time. Here are some pics. The boat hasn’t run in 3 years. It has been in his garage uncovered which is why it’s so dusty.

Boat has 332 hours, about 10 hours/year average.

There are a few stress cracks along the hull which I attached pics of. These don't seem too concerning to me. Am I correct?

 

[garbageguy]

Saw the boat in person for the first time. Here are some pics. The boat hasn’t run in 3 years. It has been in his garage uncovered which is why it’s so dusty.

Boat has 332 hours, about 10 hours/year average.

There are a few stress cracks along the hull which I attached pics of. These don't seem too concerning to me. Am I correct?

Thanks for the pics. Suggest making sure the bilge pump works before she gets splashed. Assume you're familiar with when the plug should be in, out. Hope you have a cover for when she sits outside. From, the pics, the cracks appear to be not too bad - if they're just in the gelcoat, may want to be sure they don't allow moisture in any further.

 

[Carl1783]

Thanks for the pics. Suggest making sure the bilge pump works before she gets splashed. Assume you're familiar with when the plug should be in, out. Hope you have a cover for when she sits outside. From, the pics, the cracks appear to be not too bad - if they're just in the gelcoat, may want to be sure they don't allow moisture in any further.

It has the original cover, which is pretty thrashed. I'm going to have a new one made.