Think this would be a good boat???

[gandude]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Not trying to start an argument, but a v6 engine is inherently unbalanced. A v8 and I4 are balanced. In order for GM to make the v6, some mods would have been needed to make it smooth fire. Those mods would lower performance and efficiency. The poster that said a 5.0 would be better on fuel may very well be right! A flat 6 or I6 does not have the balancing issue.

Although a few boats I looked at came w/4.3, I didn't research the engine. You have me curious now.

Good luck with your search!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

...What price should I really be shooting for? I'm thinking about $8,000. He's asking $9,500.

Steve

That's a chunk off but I wouldn't shy away from starting there. He shouldn't be too insulted.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Fishy, so you like the boat? Quality of construction and stuff like that? I would love to have a V8 Merc, but I can't be too picky.

Here's another picture.

I'm sorry SS, I had a tough day at work today, and went out on the water soon as I got home. You know what, it's a good solid looking boat. I really am not certain it's the ideal candidate for skiing but would be quite fun tubing and such I bet. Like I say, it looks similar to my Glastron, and has the same motor. I top out (according to the speedo, no GPS test yet) around 50mph at approx 5000rpm, and only if it is trimmed just right. I think you said this was the volvo outdrive. A lot of people really like them, and find them a lot smoother then the mercs. I actually wanted the Volvo 4.3GXI for my boat, but when you are buying non-current you can only get what's on the lot! The one thing I do know about the 4.3 is that GM made a bullet proof motor with it. We often see astro vans with more then 500000Km's on them at work, with at worst bad valve seals. We've only blown one up, and that was because the tech stopped getting oil changes for about 6 months (they cover 10000Kms/month!). Overall, if this is your first boat, I'd say go for it. Big enough to be comfy, without being so big that it's overwhelming at the ramp. Powerful enough to get you into trouble if you aren't paying attention, but not so powerful that you end up 500 feet inland.

Give it a real good once over, and maybe even pay for a surveyor if you are really serious but you aren't certain about some things. The seller seems to be very forth comming with information, but every seller tends to hide the odd blemish or two. Be thorough, write questions down so you don't forget to ask. It is a very nice looking, well built boat though.

All this said, I am no expert. My glastron is only my second personal boat, although I grew up on Lake Huron in my fathers boats.


Ian

Editted for some glaring typo's.

 

[SS194]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

I just want to have a number in my head and we can go from there. I want to be fair for both parties, but at the same time, it is a buyer's market.

Steve

 

[Lou C]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

The Larson looks good, but still check it carefully, as far as the OMC question, with all the boats with Mercs and Volvos out there, there is no reason at this point to buy something that will be hard to find techs for and in the end hard to sell. I have one, its been good to me and I have an excellent OMC shop that not only can fix normal problems but they can rebuild a whole drive from scratch in their shop. But would I advise someone to buy one now, no way!

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Heck, he also wants to move the thing as he said. Start at 7500, it's the art of haggling. If he gets mad, he's likely fully aware that he has a very good boat, but has to sell. Be polite, and start low. The key is being polite, and apologize if he gets mad at you for lowballing. Ask him what he would really like for an offer. Looks like he wants to move it though, and like you say, it's a buyers market.

I just sold my old boat, she was a bit rough, but a great little fisher. I clearly said OBO in my offer, and the buyer thought they were lowballing me and kinda offered a bit squeemishly. I took their first offer...as I really needed to move the thing. That and it wasn't really worth much more anyhow.

Ian

 

[SS194]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Fishy, thanks for the information. That's about what I expected. This will be my 2nd boat. I owned a 1976 Slickcraft SS194 with a Ford 302. It was a very light, 17' boat that had a ton of power. So, I'm a little spoiled. I'm thinking this boat is going to be everything I need.

So, let me ask you guys. If taken care of, the hull should last a very long time. It does have a lifetime warranty. Would it be possible, when the time comes to repower, to drop in a V8?

I'm not looking to go 70MPH, I just like torque.

Steve

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Phew...you had a 17' with the 302?

Do a water test, the seller has said you can schedule one. You might be dissapointed with the power. So don't buy until you do a water test.

I think repowering like that may void any hull warranty, as the hull motor mounts will need to be relocated.

PS: Fuel mileage? I spend two hours on the lake today and the needle barely moved. The motor was running the entire time.

Ian

 

[SS194]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Good to know and something to think about. I'm definitely going to make sure we take it on the lake before we sign papers.

Yeah, that little ski boat was awesome. It would absolutely leap out of the hole!

Miss that thing!

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[SS194]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

I went to look at the boat today. Super nice guy, really nice boat. I still can't believe how clean the boat is. You could just about eat off the engine.

Here's a link to my photobucket account. Please take a look and let me know what you think.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v199/Steve91T/

Now, the only thing I didn't like was when he started it up, he left the outdrive all the way up. He said he always does that and has never had a problem. I've always heard not to do that.

He's going to try to get off work a little early today and we'll run down to the lake and go for a spin. We've already talked numbers, he said $8500 was rock bottom. I told him I was thinking $8000. I have a feeling we'll meet in the middle.

Tell me what you think! I really hope I'm not disappointed with the engine, because other than that, I'm in love

Steve

 

[MikDee]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

It looks really clean Steve! I'd say it's a good buy from a distance, I don't think you'll be sorry with the V6 either, I bet it's a 50mph boat! Not Bad to start with Good Luck! As long as it's big enough for you, no problem.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Yeah, looks stellar. I start mine with the drive up, but never put it in gear that way...well...I did once.

I see he's got the muffs on, so the guy must be serious about taking care of it. I can't tell you how often I see a boat started with no water on it. To bad he's not super flexible on price, but obviously there's a reason for that. Good luck, hope the test drive goes well.

Ian

 

[SS194]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Well, he's coming down at least $1000. He told me how well he takes care of it, and it shows. Plus, I'm pretty good at reading people and he is just a nice guy who loves his boat. Only reason he's selling is because he out grew it and now has a 21 footer sitting in his garage.

My last boat was a closed bow 17' with 4 seats. This will be plenty big for me.

Now I just need those tax refund checks to show up in the mail and I'll be all set

Steve

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

You'll never beat that 4.3 for a good, long lasting and durable engine.
Too bad GM is going the way of OMC.....

Sweet Larson BTW.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

We've already talked numbers, he said $8500 was rock bottom. I told him I was thinking $8000. I have a feeling we'll meet in the middle. Steve

Looks like a great boat. As for the price, here's what I'd recommend. Take the $500 spread, divide that by the number of uses you hope to get out of the boat and then determine if it's really worth losing the boat over. (And don't forget you're likely to get some of that spread back when you go to sell the boat). I'm all for getting a good deal, but remember your first goal was to be under $10k, and you're well under that. And the boating season is upon us!

Side note, our 185 Bayliner has the 4.3L and we took it for our first spin the other day. We weren't pulling a skier or tuber, but we did have two adults and two kids in the boat. That thing was quick, plenty of speed.

 

[SS194]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

I'm the proud new owner of a Larson!!! We went for a test ride today. I brought my fiance and he brought his teenage kid who wakeboards. What a great boat! I am 100% pleased. Even with the 3 of us, and pulling his kid up on a wakeboard, the boat had no problem. It's no 17' with a 302, but it's very respectable. I was very impressed with the torque the little 4.3 has. I loved everything about that boat.

Now, he said that after pulling a skier, then shutting it off, it'll diesel for a second or two. What causes dieseling?

Anyway, I asked him if we left him a $500 deposit tonight if he would take $8000, and he said yes!

And with 4 people and smooth water, we were hitting about 46 indicated. The engine was truly a sewing machine. I even opened the engine latch while pulling his kid on the wake board and the engine sounded very happy.

I OWN A LARSON!!! (well, almost. Just need to get the refund check to come in the mail and we'll be set.)

Thanks again guys. I really appreciate the help. With your help, I really feel I made the right decision.

Steve

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

Congrats. Dieseling is typically a timing issue, or possibly a carb adjustment. Also could be poor quality gas. Try some premium and some marine fuel treatment then I'd start with the plugs and work back. If you have a timing light you could check that too. Also check that the engine isn't overheating (cooling system). It shouldn't be anything serious though.

 

[tmh]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

$8k for that boat!!!! Man, what a time to be buying a boat! Crazy.

Glad it worked out for you. You got a great looking boat at a great price.

 

[NCCamper]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

SS,

Congratulations! Maybe I'll see you on one of our area lakes someday! We usually boat on Lake Wylie, but sometimes are out on LKN. Haven't tried MIL, yet.

NCC

 

[SS194]

Re: Think this would be a good boat???

And that's the reason I decided to get a boat. All through the winter, I went back and forth. I finally decided that because I'm remodeling a house I bought end of last year, that I should just wait till next year. But then I started to hear about all the deals out there and I just couldn't resist. Funny thing is I made up my mind last Saturday, started looking (I already knew what I wanted) and found this Larson. Things just worked out.

When I get it back to the house, I'll probably give it a full tune up. Where can I find manuals for this thing? The PO may have them, but if he doesn't, Ebay or something?

Also, this lifetime hull warranty. What exactly does that include?

NCCamper, I was just talking to a good friend of mine last night who lives in Charlotte, right next to LKN. Yesterday (oddly enough), he signed the papers for a brand new Sea Ray 185. I'm going to be dragging my boat down there all the time. I'm sure we'll check out Wylie every now and again. It's less crowded there, right? We should definitely meet up sometime.

Last night we went on the Roanoke River, which turns into Smith Mountain Lake. It is absolutely beautiful! Rock cliffs dropping straight into the water. We were showing 40 feet of water under us while we were only about 10 feet from the edge. Remember that movie "What about Bob"? That was filmed there.

Once again, I've got some homework to do. I need to find out how to troubleshoot that tach, and I really think I want a GPS for the boat.

Steve