Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

[cwhite6]

If this is in the wrong place, please let me know. I am looking to get my first boat. I was looking at Jons, but I would really like something a little bigger. I found an ad for the below on Craigs List. I need some help on what I should look for in a used boat. I have seen some fiberglass boats this age that were in really good condition and some in not so good condition. I would really like to find one that already has seats, livewell and such in it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

1987 HydroSports Bass Boat 17', 115HP Envirude runs good. 40lbs Minn Kota trolling motor, fish finder, boat runs good, no power trim, must sell,wife is pregnant and need money
$2100

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

bit on high side imho.


Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[KLINDWW]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

Price sounds about right for around here, of course it totally depends on what shape the boat is in. One thing to note is that I think that you are going to want to get the power trim fixed, so you will need to factor in that extra cost in the total cost of your purchase. Just remember that it is a buyers market right now so give him your offer and see if he accepts. Might be determined by how far along his wife is.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

Thanks for the info guys. How much does a typical boat surveyor charge? I e-mailed the fella to see if he still has it for sale. I am kinda gun shy about fiberglass boats due to the horror stories I hear about soft spots and rotten wood in them. Thanks again.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

must sell,wife is pregnant and need money
$2100

Run away, probably a scam. There has been several dozens of these on Craigs list recently. If it isn't within driving distance don't even consider it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

22 y/o boat price is still high.

 

[KLINDWW]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

Run away, probably a scam. There has been several dozens of these on Craigs list recently. If it isn't within driving distance don't even consider it.

That is always good advise on Craig's List

 

[KLINDWW]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

TD, what is a boat like that going for in you neck of the woods?

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

I understand the reason to be careful. I would not buy anything like this without carefully testing and inspecting. My wife is pregnant with our second child, so I can sure understand the money thing. But, I will take this advice to heart and keep looking. Thanks for the tip.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

here with the market, $1,300 - 1,600. it is 22 year old most of the value is in the motor.

 

[KLINDWW]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

Thanks for the replay TD. Might be a good seperate thread. Price of boats in different areas of the country.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

Thanks TD and all for the replies. The guy just sent me a bunch of pictures of the boat. It looks alright in the pictures. I cannot make an offer for a couple of weeks due to fund availability. I will contact him after I get the money to see if he still has it. I may offer him $1200 or $1300 to see if he bites. It will have to be a heck of a deal for me to drive the four hours to where he lives. On another note, there is a 2004 Cajun Special on Ebay not from me that is a repo being sold by a bank. I am going to watch that one. I am kinda leaning towards a aluminum boat anyway.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

our craigslist is full of boats. but i have an add on it wanting to buy a Searay Sundancer 380, can find a decent one at a decent price. there loan balances are too high.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

Guy just e-mailed me back. No title, only a bill of sale. I wrote him back and politely declined. Too much of that crap in Louisiana and Mississippi since the hurricanes going around. I will keep looking.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Newbie Needs Help Looking at Used Boat

Guy just e-mailed me back. No title, only a bill of sale. I wrote him back and politely declined. Too much of that crap in Louisiana and Mississippi since the hurricanes going around. I will keep looking.

Very smart! Way to go!

-BWR

 

[jkeith2326]

Anybody with an opinion on first boat choices

Anybody with an opinion on first boat choices

I haven't figured out how to post messages on here other than replying. I am looking at buying our first boat and wonder if anybody has opinions on an '86 renken with 3.8 mercruiser and omc outdrive. They want $2500. Also looking at an '88 chris craft with 5.7 mercruiser for about $4500. Any opinions. Thanks for your time.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Anybody with an opinion on first boat choices

Re: Anybody with an opinion on first boat choices

Stay away from the Renken. Obsolete everything on that motor/drive. The CrisCraft could be a good buy but we need some pictures and more info (length, style, etc).

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