Used boat buying guidance needed please

[Augoose]

All things engine maintenance and interior condition being equal (I have to assume that at this point and no indication otherwise so far), does anyone recommend one over the other?

1987 18 ft. Eurosport 1, 4.3 V6

or

1989 Caravelle Elegante' ES 202 (20 feet) 4.3 mercury V6 , 205 HP Alpha drive

I want to use the boat for fishing, skiing with the family and tubing. We only have 1 child right now so it seems an 18 or a 20 foot would be large enough, but I'm concerned about the 20' being a little weaker pulling a slalom skier with the added weight vs a 18'. The 18' is going for about $500 less, but really it could go either way if one boat is far better than the other for a significant reason. Either manufacturer known for issues? When asking about soft spots, I was told that the Eurosport has an all fiberglass deck - I don't know about the Caravelle.

Thanks for the input!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Who made the drive on the '87?

 

[Augoose]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Who made the drive on the '87?

I'm about to go and see it to verify, but I think they are both mercruisers.

 

[Philster]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Either manufacturer known for issues? When asking about soft spots, I was told that the Eurosport has an all fiberglass deck - I don't know about the Caravelle.

Thanks for the input!

At that year, they very likley have wooden decks. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but wood-free construction (use of composites) started in the 90's or really took hold in the 90's.

(Ouch. Just learned Caravelle Boats went belly up. Doesn't really matter to the subject at hand, but damn... I liked their boats.)

 

[Augoose]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

At that year, they very likley have wooden decks. Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but wood-free construction (use of composites) started in the 90's or really took hold in the 90's.

(Ouch. Just learned Caravelle Boats went belly up. Doesn't really matter to the subject at hand, but damn... I liked their boats.)

I was surprised to hear that it was fiberglass as well - he might have misunderstood my question. At any rate, I'm going to go and see it here in a little bit and then I'll know for sure.

Any other pro's or con's for either? I'm leaning towards the Caravelle I think.

 

[Philster]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

The condition could be such a wild card, but Caravelle has a good rep and was always known for making hulls that plane well. If anyone was eliminating wood in the 80's, it was Caravelle, but all my mental notes say "Wood-free building started in the 90's when composites from the aerospace industry were finding their way into boats."

Some composites are worse than wood. They can get waterlogged like a mofo and never let go of it.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

The condition could be such a wild card, but Caravelle has a good rep and was always known for making hulls that plane well. If anyone was eliminating wood in the 80's, it was Caravelle, but all my mental notes say "Wood-free building started in the 90's when composites from the aerospace industry were finding their way into boats."

Some composites are worse than wood. They can get waterlogged like a mofo and never let go of it.

Thanks for the info Philster. I'm going to see the Eurosport tonight and the Caravelle tomorrow. My wife has already given me the "thumbs up" on the caravelle because she likes the color . We'll see.

Thanks all for the recommendations!

 

[pentavolvo]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Personally I would go for the 20 footer. Its a newer boat althought at this age it prly doesnt matter, plus at some point in life I bet you will appreciate the slightly bigger boat, plus it will handle rough water better.

I have a 20ft Celebrity with the 4.3 and can pull a slalom skier without an issue

 

[Augoose]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Personally I would go for the 20 footer. Its a newer boat althought at this age it prly doesnt matter, plus at some point in life I bet you will appreciate the slightly bigger boat, plus it will handle rough water better.

I have a 20ft Celebrity with the 4.3 and can pull a slalom skier without an issue

Thanks for the input. I saw the Eurosport tonight and it wasn't bad. The engine ran and sounded great, but I was mistaken as the lower unit was a OMC Cobra. The interior needed quite a bit of work and there was one soft spot under the drivers seat. The entire deck was fiberglass- I was surprised.

I'm going to go see the 20' Caravelle tomorrow. I have high hopes for this one, especially since I'm driving 4 hours to see it. I might be a new-to-me boat owner tomorrow -we'll see.

Thanks again to all for the help

 

[tractoman]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

You probably know OMC has been out of business for many years. When I was looking I didn't look at one OMC driven boat. Not saying they're bad, but many parts are hard to find if ever needed. You'll find one, be patient and do your homework. The more you look at, the more you'll learn.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

the lower unit was a OMC Cobra. The interior needed quite a bit of work and there was one soft spot under the drivers seat.

Well that settles that.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Well that settles that.

Yes, yes it does!

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

If the condition meets your expectation please the 1989 Caravelle. I wouldnt go down the OMC/soft spot road.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Well, I bought the 20' Caravelle - its looks absolutely fantastic for being over 20 years old. The floor is solid, interior is excellent, the engine ran great, everything seems to function normally and even all the gauges work. Someone really took good care of this boat. You couldn't beat the price with a stick ($2500 for boat and trailer) so I jumped on it. Compared to all the other boats I looked at this week, this one was by far superior to the rest.

I'm putting it in the water tomorrow - we'll see how she does.

Thanks to all for the assistance and recommendations!

 

[JimMH]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Congrats and welcome to Iboats. You will like the Caravelle a lot. There are a lot of Caravelles around here, they are built in GA anyway. Let us know how the first sea trial goes.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Sounds like a great deal. Post pics when you can.

 

[Augoose]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Thanks all - I'll post some pics up soon. We took it for its first trial run today for about an hour and a half. I think it went better than can be expected, considering you never know what you are going to get with a used boat. The engine ran exceptionally well, at least it sounded like it did. I don't have a lot of experience with the V6's, but this 4.3 ran a constant 150 degrees (which I thought was cool) and between 60-65 psi of oil pressure if I remember correctly. Does that sound a bit high?

It ran smooth, idled nicely, and at just about WOT, it held track nicely and was very smooth and stable. When we took it back in and pulled the drain plug, a drinking cup full of greasy, gray colored water came out. However during the ride when I spot checked the engine compartment, I saw no water whatsoever. The bilge never kicked on either.

What are the thoughts on the condition of the water and the amount that came out of the drain?

Tomorrow I plan on draining the gear oil to see if I took on any water there.

Any comments on the run temp or the oil pressure?

Thanks!

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

Congratulations! Enjoy the Caravelle and welcome to this very informative and sometimes dramatic forum.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

No matter what yer wife says. Biggers is always better...good choice!

It could have been oil that was spilled in the bilge when it was changed, and then a little water got in over the stern (this happens sometimes not unusual) and it just all came out with that. HOWEVER, I'd have all the outdrive seals checked. You may have a bad (cracked) one (damn it, mind freeze, forgot what it's called). Also while they are doing that, it would be good to change the impeller and service the outdrive just in case. Summer is just starting, and a breakdown half way through would suck large.

Ian

 

[Augoose]

Re: Used boat buying guidance needed please

I'm really enjoying the forum - thanks!

Does anyone have any feedback regarding the engine temp (150 degrees) oil pressure (60-65 psi) and the grayish water that drained out after running it? How much water is normally expected after running for about an hour? No waves or any splashed entering the boat.

Thanks!