Some Newb questions while buying first boat

[sub2010ss]

First off I'd like to say what an awesome place with a major overload of information.

So, my family has decided to "take the plunge" and buy our first boat. I have two that I m very interested in and would love any advice you have.

#1 is a 1998 Marada 21' open bow with a 5.7 I/O. A co-worker of mine owns it and it has been in his family since 2004.

#2 is a 1999 Bayliner Capri 2050LS open bow with a 5.0 I/O. It is a Craigslist special and the current owner has only had it for a year.

With either option I will do a complete inspection as described from the forum here, minus a test run as the water is still frozen here in Iowa.

Thank you ahead of time for any input you may have.

 

[Bob_VT]

Welcome to iboats!

Wow those are two scary issues. Boat #1 sounds good since yu can inquire about the history but....... if it breaks in the back of your mind the co-worker will get blamed or feel guilty. Even though it sounds like the better boat I, would consider it a high risk.

Boat #2 is also risky because that owner only had it a year.

Read the very first post in this section. Once again Welcome Aboard!

 

[sub2010ss]

Thanks! I didn't think about the guilt side of of purchasing from a co-worker.

 

[Bob_VT]

Thanks! I didn't think about the guilt side of of purchasing from a co-worker.

It could worse then dealing with family and many of us on iboats have seen that escalate into serious events.

 

[sub2010ss]

Definitely. My dad tried to sell me his, is much older and too small for my family. I'm more worried about the, "why didn't you buy my boat" when I finally decide on one.

 

[Texasmark]

I sold a 7 year old boat to a coworker. I'm picky about my things and it was in tip top shape. Sold it because family grew up and were into other things and I wanted a boat that I could use for Bass fishing, not have the family out for water sports.

He went on vacation about 3 months or thereabouts after buying it with test run and maint. records. He came back to work and told me he "blew the engine". I said something like "hows that"? He said that he and his buddies went down to the TX. coast and got in the Intercoastal Canal and made a 40 mile trip to their fishing camp at full throttle with the boat packed with gear........He burned a hole in a piston.......He understood what and why and it was not a problem. I had it propped for skiing so the pitch was inline with a load, but full of camping gear and full throttle for over an hour at WOT?

I'd lean toward the co-worker with bias. First off, you are talking about a 17 year old boat and there WILL be issues. Second, I know not of the boat Brand and you didn't mention the mfgr. of the I/O. Have read of some OMC Cobra issues on here but I personally know not...read the archives. Course Mercruiser has things that need attention also....archives on that. On the Crain's list.....................

Second what is the personal and work ethic of the co-worker? Does he/she keep their things in order or are they slobs. Personal habits are hard to change and I would assume the PO would treat their boat the way they treat other things. How it's cared for has a hugh impact on what a boat is worth and what you have to do to it to get it right.

Good luck,
Mark

 

[sub2010ss]

All good things to consider. Co-worker has actually decided not to sell. So we are going to be taking a harder look at the craigslist boat this weekend. Im going to use the check list to the best of my ability. The owner says he's willing to sign something saying if there are any problems when we get it in the water that hell buy it back. I am not sure on the legal backing on something like that but interesting that he offered.

 

[Texasmark]

All good things to consider. Co-worker has actually decided not to sell. So we are going to be taking a harder look at the craigslist boat this weekend. Im going to use the check list to the best of my ability. The owner says he's willing to sign something saying if there are any problems when we get it in the water that hell buy it back. I am not sure on the legal backing on something like that but interesting that he offered.

Yes it is if the guy is honest. Usually you have no way of knowing with no prior knowledge of the seller.

Can't blame your co-worker. Parting with boats usually goes two ways. Second best thing you did in your life (after buying the boat) and the other is the best times you ever had in your life and can't let it go, especially if a woman is/was involved.........romantically. Grin

Good Luck.

Mark

 

[sub2010ss]

Thanks, apparently luck, skill, and use of this page paid of pretty big. Got to looking deeper and everything was looking great. She started right up and sounded good. I was down looking in the bilge are after running it and there was a good 6 inches of water. He was just as surprised as I was. We yanked the engine housing off and started it back up, sure enough the block is cracked on both sides. Too bad too cause everything else seemed so sweet.

Now heres the real question, he dropped $4000 off of the price immediately. Anyone have any history of swapping out an engine on one of these? Its a 1999 Byliner Capri 2050 with a 305 merc. Would it still be worth buying? Im going to start doing some research and try to let him know if I am interested at all.

 

[thumpar]

Dropping $4k off the price of a 1999 Bayliner capri should make it pretty much a free boat. What was the starting price?

 

[sub2010ss]

He had it listed for 8000 and was throwing in some extras like tubes and such. Everything else I inspected was very clean and in working order. His price seemed reasonable compared to everything else I am seeing on the market right now.

 

[JASinIL2006]

It all depends on your location, but $4000 for a '99 Bayliner that needs a new engine seems a bit salty to me...

 

[southkogs]

It all depends on your location, but $4000 for a '99 Bayliner that needs a new engine seems a bit salty to me...

Ditto: maybe expand your search out and be wiling to drive an extra hour or three for a good prospect.

 

[sub2010ss]

I haven't made any kind of offers yet on this boat, and I am not sure if any offer would be worth it even though the rest of the boat was in excellent condition. I have expanded my search and will just keep my eyes open for anything interesting.

 

[H20Rat]

$5000, maybe $6k in very good condition should have been the STARTING price! $8k is way overpriced, period. With a destroyed engine, max is $1500, $4000 in that condition is insane!

 

[sub2010ss]

He keeps dropping the price and I haven't even made him an offer. He's got it down to $3000 now. Even if he gets it down to 1500-2000, I am not sure if I am up to the task of swapping the engine. I can do automotive swap all day long but my boat knowledge is limited.

 

[jayhanig]

You have more than the engine to worry about. I'd be equally concerned about the 6" of water in the bilge. Rotted stringers/deck/transom are all very expensive to fix. My $1700 Craigslist boat has run me over $13,000 all told. I'm left with a great boat but I will never get what I put into it back. And it wasn't like I wasn't warned.

 

[Maclin]

If you have $4-5k to spend then keep looking, you will find something much better for you If you only have the $1500, well, then, keep looking! Because that one will cost you way more than that and even then you may not end up with a reliable running boat.