To be or not to be?????????

[smoke on the water]

Hello everyone, im new on this site and also the owner of an 1988 17' maxum ski boat, 3.0 i/o. This is my first boat, and I only paid $250 for it and the trailer. Well, what are you gonna get for that money? the floor needs replaced and the interior is shot all to heck. I got a new battery for it today and It wont even turn over. The motor looks like its in good shape and the filters all look new and it was on the water just last summer. It had a new impeller put on it back in 08. Tell me guys is this gonna be more than what I want to mess with? The floor isnt going to be that bad. But I dont want to drop a bank account into it. Suggestions or comments are really welcome here guys.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: To be or not to be?????????

Welcome to iboats.

It had a new impeller put on it back in 08.

Replace it.

Tell me guys is this gonna be more than what I want to mess with? The floor isnt going to be that bad. But I dont want to drop a bank account into it. Suggestions or comments are really welcome here guys

I dont know, What do you want to mess with??

Sounds like like you have a full on resto in the works. This is a fair amount of work but can be done on a budget if you keep your pencil sharp.

Read some of the resto threads then you will have to decide for your self.

If its more than you want, do something like get the motor running then sell it, you can make a little money there and move on. then you have a little experence also.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: To be or not to be?????????

a lot of people expect boats to be cheap, and find one for 250 and expect to get it on the water for nothing. Not the best way to shop for a boat, you really do get what you pay for. If you're already asking if you're in over your head, and you're only paying 250 dollars for a boat, you're likely not willing to spend all the money it will cost to restore it. That outdrive is 3 grand to replace new, that engine is another 4 grand to replace if it's shot. If you have to replace those and redo your interior and restore the whole boat, and you can buy a 3 year old boat for less.

Figure out exactly what is wrong with it, how much it is going to cost to repair those things, and move from there. If it fits into your budget, and you have the time and space to do the work, great.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: To be or not to be?????????

If you want to get on the water cheap, consider parting that one out and look for an aluminum hull with an outboard motor.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: To be or not to be?????????

Have you tried to turn the engine over by hand with the plugs out? that would be my first step, if all is smooth, then move onto starter, battery connections and all other connections. If it wont turn over smoothly by hand then you have some deeper issues to worry about. check the oil level if it is way high on the stick the engine could be full of water. If it is its toast as far as reliability goes, you may be abel to get it started but I would never trust it. Does it even click or grunt or anything when you try to turn it over? If not my guess would be electrical, but turn it over by hand first just to be sure.

 

[smoke on the water]

Re: To be or not to be?????????

thanks guys all these tips are coming in handy, gonna work on it toward the end of the week, I will keep you updated.