Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

[blue_77]

Ok guys here is a possible purchase that I need help with. There is a 1980 walk around with a gm 350 and a Volvo 280 out drive for sale. It's seating on a galvanized surge brakes not working tandem trailer. Interior needs redone. And engine needs rebuilt. Is it worth it. I'm driving 40 miles out to go see it in the next frw hours. Please, any thoughts.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

If I were you I'd invest in an aluminum boat something like this and be on the water without spending any more cash or time on it after the initial purchase. Sure this one is a bit more...but it is 26' and hase a huge I/O.

There are plenty of 22'-24' Islanders out there for less that are i running condition. Use crazedlist.org and scan craigslist in your region very quickly and I promise you will find a good deal.

I recently found a 16' starcraft for $1000 that runs and is exactly what I've been looking for.

Unless you are deadset on a fiberglass rig it's something to consider, tin rigs save quite a bit on gas being so much lighter.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/1452447531.html

That Wellcraft sounds like it needs quite a bit to get her going.

Good luck to you

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

Huron, you just recommended a boat with a Merc 470 in it to someone. FOR SHAME!!!

 

[lprizman]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

no
good hulls but with all that work that is known at this point, for that $$,,,and a 2 hour ride,,no thank you

 

[Marcq]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

no
good hulls but with all that work that is known at this point, for that $$,,,and a 2 hour ride,,no thank you

Agree

Marc..

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

Interior needs redone. And engine needs rebuilt.

If the engine was the only problem,,, maybe

If the interior was the only rpoblem,,, maybe

but $2K for a 30 YO boat that pretty much needs to be completely rebuilt... I'd have to say no. There are probably many other problems; deck, stringers, transom, drive, electrical, etc...

 

[moonfish]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

Yeah but it's a big boat. I bet he buys it. How many times that 1900 will it take to fix up?

 

[RICHARD5]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

How many times that 1900 will it take to fix up?

That is a very good question. In fact, I think it is the $64,000 dollar question every prospective owner should ask before he buys.

My current boat I bought for $1,600. I'm up to $5,000 now (includes 4 new tires, new trailer wiring, etc). I knew it going in how much it would need. The only work I hired out was the outdrive and some engine work when I was in AZ for 18 months without my tools.

Why I bought the boat and have kept it---why it's worth it---is because it is so perfectly suited for the waters I run on. I'm on the Pacific Ocean and know this boat can handle what comes. And other than neglect and hack jobs from the previous owner, the boat is sound.

The answer of whether to buy or not is found in what do you expect out of her and how well she fits that mission profile.

And yes, there are much better deals out there.

 

[blue_77]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

Thank you all for the very honest replies. I actually did drive out to see it. I own a small body shop and have worked with fiberglass before and do restaurations, mostly. I thought I could take on the challange as long as the hull was 100% but that was not the case. I already had a stroker 383 lined up for it. And also my partner does upholsery and had that covered. The boat is a really nice design in my eyes. But his one is just really just a parts boat. The owner would let it go for 1000 but I don't think I could pull it off without being 7 or 8 in the hole.

Like you all say I have found interisting deals locally on already runnig wellcraft. I'm just going to keep looking for a good deal on a ocean ready one and do a little tlc instead. I need a walk around or cuddy for family, so il keep looking. Thank you all for the advice.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Wellcraft 1980 24 foot fisherman walk around. Should I buy it $1,900???

Sounds like a good decision blue_77. Feel free to run any other prospects past us. Good luck with your search.