Should I buy '73 Marauder 26' boat?

[Mike Langianese]

I am new to boating and to the forum please excuse any faus pax that may occur. Over a year ago I saw an ad for a 26’ fishing boat with twin 165 mercruisers with a “tuna tower” owner stated that he rebuilt the outdrives and replaced the duel controls. He has drastically reduced the price but when checking for boat values I didn’t find any reference to a 1973 – 26’ Marauder with twin 165’s I did find a reference to a 1994 but a 28’ boat. The owner was out of town but told me where the boat was located and to go take a look at it. One of the I/O units was off the boat; I assume that it is being worked on. It concerns me that it was represented that the units were recently rebuilt; generally the boat looks rough, nothing fancy, the forward cabin has been gutted and all the woodwork has been painted white. But the engines and hull look like they are if fair condition (much better than some boats of similar age). BYW it is currently registered and was run in salt. I took numerous photos and will attempt to post them if anyone is interested. Any suggestions or comments? What would a fair price be?<br /><br />Thanks, <br />Mike

 

[pbailey]

Re: Should I buy '73 Marauder 26' boat?

Find someone in your area that does boat surveys.<br /><br />This should be an independent in the business of checking out boats for potential buyers. Here they are listed in the phone book.<br /><br />pbailey

 

[Mike Langianese]

Re: Should I buy '73 Marauder 26' boat?

Thanks for the suggestion I read about surveys in other threads in the forum. I hoped to get the boat at a price (under $4,000) that the cost of a survey wouldn’t be warranted (and if the grandkids made a mess I wouldn’t be upset. ) I will insist that we put it in the water for a demo before any decisions are made and I do have a friend who is a competent to evaluate engines that will take a look at it.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Should I buy '73 Marauder 26' boat?

Mike - From the tone of your post I take it that this would be your first boat. We all gotta do what we all gotta do but you need to think long and hard before you jump into what you have described. The cost of a competent survey could (and probably would) save you thousands.<br /><br />A friend who knows something about engines (unless he is an experience marine mechanic) could easily send you to the poorhouse. <br /><br />Even with a good survey or a good report from a marine mechanic you are looking at high maintenance costs with a rig that old with twin I/Os.<br /><br />Give some thought to an 18' something or other with an outboard and have some fun with the grandkids.

 

[Mike Langianese]

Re: Should I buy '73 Marauder 26' boat?

SoLittle,<br />Your point is well taken. Yes, this will be my first “real” boat. Received an e-mail from the seller said that he did have both outdrives rebuilt last year but the gears on one side went out and he is having it redone. I’m guessing that this may be one of the boats that will always have maintenance and reliability problems . I think he wants to sell it before something else breaks and unless he wants to give it away I’m going to keep looking .<br />Thanks again,<br /><br />Mike

 

[keysfisher]

Re: Should I buy '73 Marauder 26' boat?

Mike,<br />Even if he were giving it away, be well advised to avoid it... Check out any of the "boat trading" web sites, sitck to something with low hours... or check out the paper near Labor Day (in Atlanta you can find a lot of good deals in September)... For lake Lanier and alatoona, 19-23ft is a good size... (I used to live in Peachtree City, and spent a lot of hours on those lakes)... If you want a great all around boat (fishing/diving/skiing/or just crusing) there are some great deck/sport boats out there with pleanty of room for your grandkids and the rest of the family as well...

 

[dinsdale]

Re: Should I buy '73 Marauder 26' boat?

When you get into BIG boats ALWAYS GET A SURVEY. <br />Well worth the money. Fixing Boats does NOT come cheap.<br /><br />They can fnd alot of things that need fixing. Even if you get the boat cheap, you will still have a list of things you need to fix. This helps.

 

[Mike Langianese]

Re: Should I buy '73 Marauder 26' boat?

Keysfisher and dinsdale,<br /><br />I agree that this isn’t the right boat for what I want it for and it will probably be a big hole in the water in which to empty my wallet . Keysfisher, I came to about the same conclusion, earlier today I was searching on several sites today for 20-23’ center console or walk around fishing boats. I haven’t considered a Deck Boat though I agree the size is good for Lake Lanier and the grand kids and also something that I can trailer down to the Gulf or the coast at Charleston when my wife and I need a saltwater fix. <br />Thanks for your input.<br /><br />Mike