To buy or not to buy?

[mj05]

Re: To buy or not to buy?

I wouldn't go above 750 dollars for it. There is a good chance you will be putting 300 in it just to bring current all the maintance (unless you are doinging it, then 100). But I do have to say I like the glasstron tri hulls, They were a bit rough but I come from a bass boat family, we will take a bit of a beating for a stable platform to fish off of. If you don't have anyone to go with just try to look the boat over the best you can. If there gets to be a list of "all I need to do is fix that" don't buy it, you will spend more time upside down under the console than on the water. Not to mention if you know the guy and something does go wrong he will be the first to dissappear if something is truly bad on the motor. I do aggree the motor was never locked up if it started again, even poorly. I would not do anything though if it wont start on muffs and go into reverse and forward without dieing.

Good advice, Thanks!

 

[mj05]

Re: To buy or not to buy?

update... I went to look at the boat tonight. Hull looked to be in good shape, steering seemed smooth, trailer was decent, lights work, engine turned over, didn't start though(no water), there was one soft spot right between the passenger seat and the bow..... rest of the floor was solid even in the back. I asked more about the engine since it seemed to turm over smoothly... he thought maybe it was vapor locking, didn't do a comp. test yet, but I am looking forward to see how it turns out. He has clean titles in hand. I have him down to $700. I guess that's about it.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: To buy or not to buy?

update... I went to look at the boat tonight. Hull looked to be in good shape, steering seemed smooth, trailer was decent, lights work, engine turned over, didn't start though(no water), there was one soft spot right between the passenger seat and the bow..... rest of the floor was solid even in the back. I asked more about the engine since it seemed to turm over smoothly... he thought maybe it was vapor locking, didn't do a comp. test yet, but I am looking forward to see how it turns out. He has clean titles in hand. I have him down to $700. I guess that's about it.

It's not vapor locking. It has problems. By your description of the floor, I'd say the boat has problems, too. This is just my opinion, but I believe you're looking at a boat and motor that is probably at it's limit of use, unless you want to totally overhaul both the boat and motor. Fiberglass work is absolutely no fun, and neither is putting good money into a motor that you don't know how to work on. For the price that it would cost you to get a mechanic go through that motor and pay someone to put a new floor/etc. into the boat, you could probably buy a nice used rig. I urge you not to do this to yourself. Cheap boats are NOT a good deal for the person who can't work on them. They are money pits for even an experienced outboard mechanic and fiberglass person. Even for a do-it-yourselfer that knew how to locate and install good used parts for cheap, it would be a toss up whether that motor could be fixed for a reasonable price. For you it would be much worse. If it were an easy, cheap fix, the owner would do it himself.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[chum1]

Re: To buy or not to buy?

Its your money and you can do what you want

A compression test is an absolute must, if there is a low cylinder the case has got to come apart and with that special tools needed, broken bolts, helicoil's, possible bad case if not done right.

you can tell by the pics it sat in the water for a long time possibly with the engine down in the water, another lower end possibly needed ($400.00)

isnt there any other boats around?

Dont fall in love with the first boat you see.

 

[Gomer50]

Re: To buy or not to buy?

I have read the coments here and would like to share my expeirence with you.I to wanted a boat so my son and I decided we had together a thousand bucks to spend on a boat to go fishing etc.We found a tri hull 15 footer with a 72 80hp merc for that price.It ran in the driveway,shifted into all gears,was a bit torn up but hey what can you expect for a grand.Bought it took her home.Went fishing that weekend put the boat in the water started up and would die when in gear oh well maybe a tune up. Stayed out half the night on the water and noticed the boat was heavy in the back,looked in the bilge it was full of water.Not too happy got back to the landing ,trailered her and went home.Come to find out the boat had been patched underneath and had peeled back off.2 weeks of work to repair and did a new gelcoat.Next came a new Distributor,Switchbox,fuel pump,Lower end,different prop,hydrolic hose,primer bulb,fuel line,has okay compression and it still doesnt run right.Lesson learned take a person with you that knows boats before you buy.My purchase might be the extreme but I am sure it has happenes before.Oh and another thing my Wife doesnt seem to like me very much when I mention the word boat anymore LOL.So the choice is yours but in my opinion save your money and maybe add a few bucks and get yourself a boat that will be fun in the sun instead of misery in the driveway.

 

[mj05]

Re: To buy or not to buy?

Another update.... Well I did ALOT of thinking after reading(more than twice!) what you guys had to say and I called the guy and let him know I wasn't going to buy it. I feel I made the right decision and I have you to thank for that. If it wasn't for you I'm pretty sure I'd have jumped on it!(especially after he lowered the price to $700.) I'm no mechanic so this wasn't the right buy. I do like doing my own maintanence and that would probably be the better way to get "aquainted" with boats instead of a major undertaking. I want to thank you guys for your thoughts and your patience with this newbie! I appreciate this forum as well as the other iboats forums! Keep up the good work! I'm not planning on giving up on a boat so I'll be here to keep you on your toes with my scatter brain thoughts and questions!!!

Thanks again,
Mike