Time to trade up?

[m48strat]

I am in my second season with my first boat, an 88 Bayliner Capri cuddy. It has a 3.0 OMC. At this point, the money I've spent to keep it running has exceeded the price I paid for the boat. I have rebuilt the carberator, new fuel pump, new starter,plugs, plug wires, inpeller, heat exchanger etc. This does not include, a new 2005 Load Rite trailer. The origanal was totaled by someone who ran a red light. (His insurance payed for the new one) I have found a used 92 Sea Ray 240 Overnighter with 600 hours on a 7.4 Merc Cruiser.. the asking price is 12,500. I was thinking of offering 10,000. Is 600 hours considered high for this motor? Should I ask for a compression check on the motor before I buy. Is 10,000 a reasonable price for a boat of this age? What should I ask for my boat? What do you think, is it time to trade up?

 

[m48strat]

Re: Time to trade up?

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I also had the upper unit rebuilt last year also.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Time to trade up?

I don't think your situation is out of the norm. I have also spent more on my boat than it cost when I bought it, but I also know what I have, and now I'm in charge of the maintenance. Expecting to buy a boat, new or used, and have the costs end there is, for lack of a better word and with no harm intended, naiive! If your current boat serves your purposes, keep it. Who knows what you'll have to do with the SeaRay. All the quips about boats and their expenses exist for a reason...they're all funny until you're the guy spending...

 

[tommays]

Re: Time to trade up?

You could not even begin to believe how much more it will cost to own the 24' boat even if you dont have and BIG problems


Tommays

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Time to trade up?

It is always time to trade .

But if you think an 88 3L OMC is tough and $$$ to keep up,a 92 big block, (Bravo ?? ) is a whole new venture.

We are a land-locked Marina,and it can be hard for us to get a hand on some sterndrive problems.I would be looking into a GOOD LONG shakedown cruise.I mean 2 or 3 hours.Maybe you should pay for the gas.Find some rough water.

Watch everything especially temp.No leak of anything inside the boat.Easy start and restart.Easy shift,no noise,no stalling.

Then do the compression test,spark and fuel test,as well as look at all fluids for signs of water intrusion.You don't want to pay to have a Bravo rebuilt.Or replace a cracked big block.

Also decide if you want to tow a big boat.I've seen many boaters moving on up,only to boat less due to the hassle that a 24 footer presents towing and launching, etc.

DHP

 

[fendersfender]

Re: Time to trade up?

have it surveyed.....it will cost you $300-$400, but is well worth the money.....if the boat doesnt survey well (cracked bulkheads, wet transom, etc.) that $300 will save you thousands in the long run

 

[Silver/Fish]

Re: Time to trade up?

DPHMARINE makes a good point...If you are trailering, do you really want a larger boat?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Time to trade up?

Depends on your comfort level for new issues. Once you get your present boat to the point where it is reliable, and there are no wood/structural problems, just enjoy it. I am going thru the same thing with my 88 Four Winns, doing the stringers and floor this summer. No real mechanical issues with the boat. Once it's done, I'm running it as long as I can, even tho what I put in is = to the what I paid for it, the point is now you can get 4-5 years out of it. I wouldn't consider trading up unless I can get a late model, 3-4 years old, that I know has good resale and does not need major work. To me a 92 is not newer enough to make a trade worth it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Time to trade up?

Hard for anyone who has not actually seen the boat you are looking at to give good advice on price. If it were a one year old boat with 50 hours on it, that would be a different matter.

On a boat that age, so much has to be accounted for:

1) General overall condition. Does it look like the owner had any pride of ownership? That may point to how well he may have maintained it.

2) Salt water use? If so, have to consider new manifolds, risers, trailer issues and ....

3) What maintance has been done on the engine/drive? Did he pull the drive every year.

4) Does the boat have wood floors? What is the condition?

So much more to mention. As posted earlier, would be worthwhile getting a survey if you don't have the knowledge to do it yourself.

Do some research on that model boat. Go to boattrader.com and see what others are selling for. Try to find one that sold and ask the seller what it eventually went for along with what its condition was.

 

[m48strat]

Re: Time to trade up?

Thanks to everybody for some good advice. Buying a boat is definately an interesting experince, a lot to consider. On trailering , I have my boat in a slip, so trailering was not really an issue. What was an issue, was the cost of maintaining and fueling a much bigger engine, with that many hours. I decided to keep looking. I did have a mechanic check my boat and he told me a compression check revealed that one of my cylinders is low. So, while I continue to search for another boat, I'm considering having my engine rebuilt or replaced, and holding on to it for a couiple more years. Any more thoughts on the issue ?

 

[m48strat]

Re: Time to trade up?

Thanks to everybody for some good advice. Buying a boat is definately an interesting experince, a lot to consider. On trailering , I have my boat in a slip, so trailering was not really an issue. What was an issue, was the cost of maintaining and fueling a much bigger engine, with that many hours. I decided to keep looking. I did have a mechanic check my boat and he told me a compression check revealed that one of my cylinders is low. So, while I continue to search for another boat, I'm considering having my engine rebuilt or replaced, and holding on to it for a couiple more years. Any more thoughts on the issue ?

 

[m48strat]

Re: Time to trade up?

Just bought a 92 Mariah. 200 hours on 5.0 merc cruiser alpha drive.

 

[bamadave]

Re: Time to trade up?

nice!