New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept 167)

[t_money662]

I am in FL and looking at a few boats to buy...came across a 1991 Chris Craft Concept 167 with a 3.0 OMC Cobra. I have only owned outboards, and really am not sure what to look for in one to judge whether or not is it worth the money. This one needs a little "TLC", according to the owner, and I can get it for $1700. It definitely needs a little interior work: carpet is rough, cushions might need replacing or major bleaching, some of the gauges do not work, new lights wired, etc.. maybe a few hundred bucks worth. The engine sounds strong, but then again I have no idea on what to look for. I heard mixed reviews of the OMC's, from they are strong to they are horrible and hard to get parts for. I am pretty good with my hands and am mechanically inclined in my opinion, but how hard are these things to work on? What are the signs that it is a good running motor or on it's last leg..? It comes with a trailer that has some minor rust here and there by the way.

Is this thing worth $1700, or am I in for trouble.....?Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


EDIT: Forgot to add I will be using this in a river (saltwater)--no water skiing, maybe some fishing or just cruising around with the family. Not an every weekend thing, maybe every other or once a month type use.

 

[DC20]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

A 21 year old I/O that they no longer make parts for in saltwater? Keep looking.
I know it's hard, I see boats all the time that I could make something out of, but the end cost would exceed the value.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

Is this thing worth $1700, or am I in for trouble.....?Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

OMC alert . . . you are in for trouble, keep looking.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

***Um yeah...what they said!***

For most of the country the "season" is young, and gas prices are high.

I'm seeing some real steals in my area, and I would imagine once May comes, there will be even more to look at.

IMHO you're better served by sticking to the more popular(read: more used/replacement parts)Merc lineup...but then again, I'm only 15 Miles from Fond du Lac, so I MAY be a little biased!

 

[Bondo]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

I am in FL and looking at a few boats to buy...came across a 1991 Chris Craft Concept 167 with a 3.0 OMC Cobra. I have only owned outboards, and really am not sure what to look for in one to judge whether or not is it worth the money. This one needs a little "TLC", according to the owner, and I can get it for $1700. It definitely needs a little interior work: carpet is rough, cushions might need replacing or major bleaching, some of the gauges do not work, new lights wired, etc.. maybe a few hundred bucks worth. The engine sounds strong, but then again I have no idea on what to look for. I heard mixed reviews of the OMC's, from they are strong to they are horrible and hard to get parts for. I am pretty good with my hands and am mechanically inclined in my opinion, but how hard are these things to work on? What are the signs that it is a good running motor or on it's last leg..? It comes with a trailer that has some minor rust here and there by the way.

Is this thing worth $1700, or am I in for trouble.....?Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


EDIT: Forgot to add I will be using this in a river (saltwater)--no water skiing, maybe some fishing or just cruising around with the family. Not an every weekend thing, maybe every other or once a month type use.

Ayuh,.... OMC has been Out of Business for Over a Decade,...

Keep Lookin'.... Free ain't cheap enough for that...

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

There is a different way of looking at that unit. How hurt would you be if that rig only lasted you 2 seasons? Would you think $850 per season was too expensive? I'm entering my 5th season on a boat everyone would have told me to run away from. And if it breaks so bad that it's too expensive to fix... oh well... My point being that it's a question of economics. If you can find an OMC setup that is currently working correctly, and you take good care of it, you might end up money ahead. Or not.

 

[t_money662]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

There is a different way of looking at that unit. How hurt would you be if that rig only lasted you 2 seasons? Would you think $850 per season was too expensive? I'm entering my 5th season on a boat everyone would have told me to run away from. And if it breaks so bad that it's too expensive to fix... oh well... My point being that it's a question of economics. If you can find an OMC setup that is currently working correctly, and you take good care of it, you might end up money ahead. Or not.

Assuming that I put $0 into it, that might be worth it to me. But honestly I see $500 for interior work and tune up right off the bat. I am tempted to offer $1000 just to see, then i would be right around $1500 on the water IF there are no other hidden motor problems. Which was the main reason I was posting, to get some tips on what to look for in these I/Os. From the sound of it here, people are telling me to run for the hills...which is probably good advice. I'm afraid my "searching for a good deal" mentality often bites me in the end and I end up overpaying in the long run. Probably not a good idea since I admittedly know very little about I/Os. I am trying to stay under $2k, but I might have to rethink that budget or keep waiting and get really lucky, huh?

 

[cyclops2]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

Money is not the problem.

The part needed & unavailable & the outragous prices paid are the problem. I would sooner take the money to Las Vagas. Better odds.

 

[DC20]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

And if this is a salt water boat you will be needing parts.

 

[Bondo]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

Probably not a good idea since I admittedly know very little about I/Os. I am trying to stay under $2k, but I might have to rethink that budget or keep waiting and get really lucky, huh?

Ayuh,.... Ok,... Here's a quick I/O education,...

Don't buy;
Anything that says OMC on it anywhere....

Ole Volvos, with ole Volvo motors,... Newer stuff with Chevy power is top of the line stuff...

And,...
Never, ever buy a Mercruiser 470....
The ole Merc Fords are gettin' long in the tooth, 'n short on parts too, so I'd leave 'em alone...

Ya almost can't go wrong with Chevy/ GM power, now-a-days...

 

[cyclops2]

Re: New to I/O, looking at an older Chris Craft and need some advice.. (1991 Concept

Bondo

Thoughts on a Classic.

The original Chrysler Hemi Head. We actually have one in a old racer. Priceless.