Should I look at this boat?

[Jayb123]

Howdy... I might go look at a 1989 Larson DC170 I was wondering what ya thought. It certaintly needs a good cleaning inside and out. The hull should be able to buff out right? Also I noticed the outdrive seems "scaled" not sure of the proper word.... should I be worried about the look of the outdrive in relation to its performance? Anyway gonna add a few pics for some more advice... thanks as always...

O.. BTW its 90 miles away from me thats why Im asking and he said he was firm on the $1800 price.

As always.... any advice or..... words of wisdom are appreciated

 

[wbc1957]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

If it were me, I would only be interested in going there if the owner would be ready to put it in the water. Gas prices are too high for a wild goose chase. The engine and outdrive need to be in running condition, since the moldly interior and wet slip film of the hull need plenty of personal attention. The possible soft spots in the floor are going to be checked out in detail, since the mold shows the owner wasn't much for dry storage. Every gauge and the radio, are going to be "iffy". The trailer actually looks real good, because the boat was mostly docked. If all checks out and he provides extras, like vests, skis, oar, etc... then I would consider his firm price. Risking my time and money for 90 miles had better be for his efforts getting it on the water.

 

[Jayb123]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

Ya I plan on givng it a water trial to check its sea legs and he knows this . And yes.. thats exactly what I dont want to so... go on a wild goose-chase.

 

[produceguy]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

1800$ is a good deal to me.

wbc1957 is correct. You need a seatrial and check for soft spots in the floor and check the transom.
Also check the wireing. If anythings a miss on these use it to get him to lower the price or I would walk.

 

[Piece715]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

I would ask some questions on what to look for when checking out the motor and outdrive.... There is usually a list of red flags that if ya notice its a deal breaker.. She looks rough so just check her out good

 

[QC]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

Sat in the water for a while. You will have work to get the hull cleaned up, but you need to be mostly concerned about the deck (floor) . . . If it's soft, then this is less about the drive condition, and more about a bigger job. Based on the condition of the interior and exterior I'm worried about amnything maintenance related. Drive bellows, ujoints, heck a cracked block is easily a concern.

To me the price is high. If the floor is good, and it runs and goes, then price is OK. But 4 cyl 17 footers are not hard to find.

 

[Jayb123]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

After looking at the pics... would the hull clean up nicely? and could the outdrive clean up as well?

 

[wbc1957]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

After looking at the pics... would the hull clean up nicely? and could the outdrive clean up as well?

Muratic acid will do nicely on the hull and outdrive. There has been a recent thread on both the hull cleaning and upolstery cleaning within the last week to ten days. READ THE THREADS. Plus, you need to take an experienced boater with you to look at this deal. This way you have someone with some knowedge, a "good guy/bad guy" method of dealing, and a witness to just what is stated. IF you so choose to buy, get whatever promised in writing, otherwise it's "AS-IS" on the sale.

 

[krowey]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

i think it would clean up nicely and make a good boat, as long as it is there is no rot and engine and drive check out

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

just don't think this is the one just yet look at other's before you buy test a couple of boats out and see which one you like the best. i know the next boat i get i will try a few different boat's before i buy one.

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

I don't doubt at all that it can be cleaned up... i don't see any tears or anything bad on the upholstery (other than the mold/mildew) but the mold is sort of a sign of how the owner took care of the boat...

if the floor was solid, and the engine and drive are in good shape, then i think thats a pretty good price. might be a gamble, tho...

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

I don't it looks pretty rough for $1800.00 Though I don't know what the market value is up there. The problem that is see is all that mold=neglect. Someone who didn't care enough to take care of the boat so what other problems will there be?

 

[Jayb123]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

If I do decide to go look... where should I check for floor softness that might be found but not obvious to most.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

looks like a $500 boat to me... IF it runs.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

Everywhere... Rear corners.... Go for a ride.. Check the oil.. Check for leakage...If it runs bad.. No problem.. NEXT...

Now my wife would love that lounge seat on the side.. I have to say that that is cool.. $1800? It's pretty ratty for that.. It's been sitting in the water a while.. Check for a rotten and leaky transom.. Does it got a top? I looked at dozens of boats, before I got mine... So don't get too thrilled over the first few.. Sometimes some other dude gets there first.. It happens..

Needs to be more like $800

Radiator hose is off.. May have got winterized... Better tell seller you need it ready to run so yall can make some test rides.

I use to want a 3.0.. Got a 4.3l.. Now won't have anything less...

 

[HollaGeo]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

Is $1800.00 a lot of money to you??? To correctly do a paint correction on that will take hours upon hours. To correctly clean that interior will take hours upon hours. To get that motor/outdrive in reliable working condition most likely will cost hundreds. If the floors are rotted, you are in for a big resto. project. Here's the deal...if you do buy it, buy it knowing it's going to be a project. You will definately run into hurdles along the way. Good luck...

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

You will definitely run into hurdles along the way.

Yeah that's cause it's a boat... Then add used to that.. Plus neglected..

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

My personal opinion, there are others out there in better condtion for the money. Not sure where in western NY you are, but I just checked craigslist boats, searched between 1500 and 1800, and saw half a dozen I'd rather look at. Physical condtion shows how much an owner kept up with usual maintenance to me.


That said, the interior layout is unique, and if that's what you are after, it might be worth a look. If the owner wants to sell, he has to be reasonable with you over a phone conversation to go into more detail about the condition. Good luck with it.

 

[Jayb123]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

After some days thinking about it...........all the while looking on ebay and CL... the boat might be an ok deal. I have decided to at least go look at it. Now for the 10 dollar question? What should I look for .... Im gonna make a checklist, this way I wont forget to check each and every one

 

[QC]

Re: Should I look at this boat?

Here's a checklist from a member that doesn;t post much anymore. Reelpoor is a good boat guy though:

Here is some advice I would give to anyone buying a boat.

□ What ever you do don?t buy any boat without a test drive.

□ Make sure the engine is cold and has not been previously warmed up. You will want to see how it cranks and runs after it has been sitting for an extended period.

□ Always check all fluid levels before test drive.

□ After the test drive ck all fluid levels again for color and consistency, looking for any water intrusion or fluid level changes.

□ Make sure bilge area is dry before and after test drive.

□ When test driving, don?t make a quick trip out and back, give it a real test drive. Put it thru the paces, run it hard, hit some waves, run it long enough to show up any problems.

□ Pay special attention to how solid the boat feels when you hit a wave, if it feels loose/shaky it may have structural problems.

□ Check closely for any soft flooring. Reach under the floors and try to dig your hands into any exposed wood.

□ Stop and restart the engine several times.

□ Make sure everything on the boat works, gauges, bilge pump, blowers, lights, wires are still in their looms, etc.

□ Make sure all thru hull fittings are tight, in good condition, and well sealed.

□ Make sure all deck hardware i.e. bow rails, cleats, tow eyes, windshield, seats, and etc. are solid on their mount.

Don?t just accept it. Don?t buy while you?re overly impressed. Take your time and look it over well.